A34693:234
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. Either the Levites invented New Tunes, or the Psalmists delivered musical Accents, and Notes together with the Psalms: which seeing we understand not, either we must not sing a• all, or we must make use of such Tunes, as are invented by others.
Answ. Either the Levites invented New Tunes, or the Psalmists delivered musicall Accents, and Notes together with the Psalmes: which seeing we understand not, either wee must not sing a• all, or we must make use of such Tunes, as are invented by others.
But you cannot believe, that ever God betrusted mans corrupt nature, to frame any thing in Gods worship to his Praise.
Answ. Then you cannot believe, that ever God betrusted the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, to be read in the Christian Churches in English words; for all English words are framed by English men, in corrupt nature, to wit, without the immediate assistance of the Holy Ghost in the framing of them. And if we may not make use of Tunes invented by men for the singing of the Psalms, then neither may we make use of words invented by men for the Reading of the Psalms, and other Scriptures. The one is as much a worship of God as the other: And English words are as much an invention of man as English Tunes. But least you should begin hereupon to take up a scruple against the Reading also of Scriptures in English words, as well as against the singing of Psalms in English Tunes, and both upon this pretence of the inventions of men in the worship of God, be not ignorant, that such godly men as have been desirous of Reformation, and most zealous against humane inventions in the worship of God, they always intended such humane inventions in the worship of God, as had no warrant but the wit and will of man, not such as had warrant either from consequence of Scripture, or light of Nature, or civill custom. For a woman to cover her head in time of public Prayer, or Prophesying, and for a man to uncover his head, the Apostle warranteth both from the light of Nature, and the custom of the Churches,