Singing of Psalms a Gospel-ordinance, or, A TreatiseSinging of Psalmes a Gospel-ordinance, or, A Treatise

4. Though sometimes they sang Scripture-Psalms, and sometimes spiritual Songs by personal Gifts: yet both sorts evidence the judgement and practise of those times, touching vocal Singing. They did not only make melody to the Lord with Grace in their hearts, but with Songs also in their mouths. Yea Justin Martyr, (who flourished within fifty years after the Apostles time) or whosoever was the Author of those Questions and Answers ad Orthodoxes amongst his works, though he speak of Musical Instruments, as utterly unfit for Church Assemblies, yet simple singing with the voice he much magnifieth; as that which stirreth up the heart to spiritual joy, and holy desires; as that which subdueth the passions and concupiscences of the flesh; as that which scattereth the evil suggestions of spiritual enemies; as that which watereth, and refresheth the soul to fruitfulness in good Duties; as that which stirreth up courage and constancy in wrestlings for the Truth; and as that which giveth some medicine to all the griefs, which befall a man through sad and sorrowful Accidents in this life, Justin in Answ. to Q. 107.

4. Though sometimes they sang Scripture-Psalmes, and sometimes spirituall Songs by personall Gifts: yet both sorts evidence the judgement and practise of those times, touching vocall Singing. They did not onely make melody to the Lord with Grace in their hearts, but with Songs also in their mouths. Yea Justin Martyr, (who flourished within fiftie yeares after the Apostles time) or whosoever was the Author of those Questions and Answers ad Orthodoxes amongst his works, though he speak of Musicall Instruments, as utterly unfit for Church Assemblies, yet simple singing with the voyce he much magnifieth; as that which stirreth up the heart to spirituall joy, and holy desires; as that which subdueth the passions and concupiscences of the flesh; as that which scattereth the evill suggestions of spirituall enemies; as that which watereth, and refresheth the soule to fruitfulnesse in good Duties; as that which stirreth up courage and constancy in wrestlings for the Truth; and as that which giveth some medicine to all the griefes, which befall a man through sad and sorrowfull Accidents in this life, Justin in Answ. to Q. 107.