A34693:255
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.
CHAP. XII. Answering the Objections brought from the ancient Practise of the Primitive Churches.
Object. 1. That practise which was anciently used in the Churches immediately after the Apostles times, is most probable to be nearest the constitution of the Apostles; and that practise which followed a great while after it, is most probable to be furthest off; as the water is purest and clearest, nearest the fountain, and runneth more troubled, and muddy afterwards. Now the practise of singing Psalms, which were made by the faithful, was first in use: For those Psalms which the Primitive Christians used before day in the time of Persecution, wherein they sang Praises to Christ their God (as Pliny writeth to Trajan) they are said to be made of the faithful.
OBject. 1. That practise which was anciently used in the Churches immediately after the Apostles times, is most probable to be nearest the constitution of the Apostles; and that practise which followed a great while after it, is most probable to be furthest off; as the water is purest and clearest, nearest the fountain, and runneth more troubled, and muddy afterwards. Now the practise of singing Psalmes, which were made by the faithfull, was first in use: For those Psalmes which the Primitive Christians used before day in the time of Persecution, wherein they sang Praises to Christ their God (as Pliny writeth to Trajan) they are said to be made of the faithfull.
These were in use, even in Johns time, after he was called from Banishment (after Domitians death) to order the Churches; which practise also continued about three hundred years; wherein there was more purity in Doctrine and Discipline, (as useth to be under Persecution) then afterwards.