A34693:207
Singing of Psalms a Gospel-ordinance, or, A TreatiseSinging of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise
Singing of Psalms a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise wherein are handled these particulars 1. Touching the duty itself, 2. Touching the matter to be sung, 3. Touching the singers, 4. Touching the manner of singing / by John Cotton ...Singing of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise wherein are handled these particulars 1. Touching the duty itselfe, 2. Touching the matter to be sung, 3. Touching the singers, 4. Touching the manner of singing / by John Cotton ...
London: printed for J.R., 1650
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.
Answ. 1. It is no dishonour at all to Christ, that the Type should be far more beautiful and glorious to the outward man, then the Antitype. Solomon was a type of Christ, and the Temple of Solomon was a type of his body; and both Solomon himself and his Temple were far more beautiful and glorious then Christ himself to the outward man, Isa. 53.2. Yet this was no dishonour to Christ, whose beauty and glory was so divine and heavenly in the inner man, that all their outward beauty and glory, were but dim and dark shadows to it.