A34693:226
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. 1. It will not follow, that because the word is to be dispensed in a known tongue, and so translated into it▪ therefore Hebrew Songs into English Song. For the former, we have the warrant of the Word to dispense it for edification, exhortation ⟨p. 57⟩and comfort; but no word for the other, nor no gifts of that kind given for the Churches profit, to dispense the word this way. Such Songs therefore, and such Tunes (which are called grave Church-Tunes) are not of God. Nor do I believe that the Levites invented any New Tunes, I have no faith to believe that ever God betrusted mans corrupt nature, to frame any thing in Gods worship to his praise. But suppose God had so far honoured the worldly Singers then; yet it will not follow, that the Lord Jesus alloweth us the like liberty now. He will not now allow any flesh to boast in his presence, who is not able to bring to pass so much as a good thought.
Object. 1. It will not follow, that because the word is to be dispensed in a knowne tongue, and so translated into it▪ therefore Hebrew Songs into English Song. For the former, we have the warrant of the Word to dispense it for edification, exhortation ⟨p. 57⟩and comfort; but no word for the other, nor no gifts of that kinde given for the Churches profit, to dispense the word this way. Such Songs therefore, and such Tunes (which are called grave Church-Tunes) are not of God. Nor doe I beleeve that the Levites invented any New Tunes, I have no faith to beleeve that ever God betrusted mans corrupt nature, to frame any thing in Gods worship to his praise. But suppose God had so farre honoured the worldly Singers then; yet it will not follow, that the Lord Jesus alloweth us the like libertie now. He will not now allow any flesh to boast in his presence, who is not able to bring to passe so much as a good thought.
Answ. To weaken the argument for translating Hebrew Songs into English Songs and Tunes, taken from the like warrant of translating Hebrew Scriptures into English Scriptures; This objection denieth, that we have either the like word, or the like gift, or the like liberty. Whereto our answer is, we have all alike equally.