Singing of Psalms a Gospel-ordinance, or, A TreatiseSinging of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise

Answ. 2. It is true, carnal and profane persons are not able to make melody, and sing to the Lord with grace in their hearts; yet that defect doth no more excuse carnal persons from singing, then it doth excuse them from Prayer, which they cannot perform ⟨p. 52⟩acceptably to God, without a Spirit of grace and faith. To Pray (and so to Sing) without Faith is a sin; but not pray at all is a greater sin: the one is Hypocrisy, the other Atheism.

Answ. 2. It is true, carnall and prophane persons are not able to make melody, and sing to the Lord with grace in their hearts; yet that defect doth no more excuse carnall persons from singing, then it doth excuse them from Prayer, which they cannot performe ⟨p. 52⟩acceptably to God, without a Spirit of grace and faith. To Pray (and so to Sing) without Faith is a sinne; but not pray at all is a greater sinne: the one is Hypocrisie, the other Atheisme.

Object. 8. Though the Scribes and Pharisees joined in the Temple-Songs upon the words of David in the worldly Sanctuary: yet the melody made by such carnal and clean mouths, was far more beautiful and glorious, then ours in the Assemblies made with a multitude of all manner of Singers, upon the same words of David and Asaph. For although they that sang in the Temple in those days were carnal, yet they were appointed to sing, and were choice Singers, endued with choice (though common) singing gifts, which made the service most beautiful, as men call beauty. But the melody of our Assembly compared with theirs, hath no outward beauty in it. So that if their melody were a Type of ours, then the Type is more glorious then the Antitype, which is a dishonour to Christ.

Object. 8. Though the Scribes and Pharisees joyned in the Temple-Songs upon the words of David in the worldly Sanctuary: yet the melody made by such carnall and cleane mouths, was farre more beautifull and glorious, then ours in the Assemblies made with a multitude of all manner of Singers, upon the same words of David and Asaph. For although they that sang in the Temple in those dayes were carnall, yet they were appointed to sing, and were choice Singers, endued with choice (though common) singing gifts, which made the service most beautifull, as men call beauty. But the melody of our Assembly compared with theirs, hath no outward beauty in it. So that if their melody were a Type of ours, then the Type is more glorious then the Antitype, which is a dishonour to Christ.