A34693:211
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.
Answ. 4. Whether the Scribes and the Pharisees were any of them Musicians of the Temple, endued with choice gifts, and appointed to that office, (as you say) though we do not know it, yet neither will we deny it. But this we dare say, That if they were appointed to sing, so now not any choice order of men, but all the sons of men are commanded to Sing, as well as to Pray, as hath been showed above.
Answ. 4. Whether the Scribes and the Pharisees were any of them Musitians of the Temple, endued with choice gifts, and appointed to that office, (as you say) though wee doe not know it, yet neither will we deny it. But this we dare say, That if they were appointed to sing, so now not any choice order of men, but all the sonnes of men are commanded to Sing, as well as to Pray, as hath been shewed above.
Object. 9. Where many sing together, (as in a great mixed Assembly) many sing they know not what: and they that do know what they sing, cannot but see, that many of the Psalms, which they do sing, are not suitable to their own condition. And how then can they sing such Psalms, as Songs of their own?
Object. 9. Where many sing together, (as in a great mixt Assembly) many sing they know not what: and they that doe know what they sing, cannot but see, that many of the Psalmes, which they doe sing, are not suitable to their own condition. And how then can they sing such Psalmes, as Songs of their own?
Answ. 1. The ignorance of men in discerning the true matter, or the right manner of a Duty, doth not excuse them from performance of the Duty: we speak of such moral Duties, as the moral Law of God and the Law of Nature requireth to be done. What if a man know not what nor how to pray? Yet that will not excuse him either from praying himself, or from joining with others that are better acquainted with prayer, then himself. So it is here, what if many a man know not what, nor how to sing to Gods Praise? yet that will not excuse him, either from singing himself, or joining with others, that have more spiritual skill in that kind then himself.