A34693:268
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. Not out of respect to Davids Psalms, but to avoid the Hymns which did set forth the Glory and Godhead of Christ, and to bring in Psalms, which did set forth his own Heresy, and therewith his own Praises, as Eusebius testifieth, Eccles. Hist. lib. 7. cap. 24. in lat. cap. 30. in gr.
Answ. Not out of respect to Davids Psalmes, but to avoyd the Hymnes which did set forth the Glory and Godhead of Christ, and to bring in Psalmes, which did set forth his own Heresie, and therewith his own Praises, as Eusebius testifieth, Eccles. Hist. lib. 7. cap. 24. in lat. cap. 30. in gr.
Object. 3. The practise of singing Davids Psalms was a later invention, brought into the Church of Antioch by Flavianus and Diodorus. And hence this custom was taken up by Ambrose and Augustine: but vehemently opposed by one Hilary a Ruler there, because they sang out of a Book. Hence Augustine turned a Patron for it, forced thereto rather by the importunity of the people, then of his own accord: as being destitute of weapons out of the word of God for it: and therefore afterwards repented of it, and wished the Custom removed.
Object. 3. The practise of singing Davids Psalmes was a later invention, brought into the Church of Antioch by Flavianus and Diodorus. And hence this custome was taken up by Ambrose and Augustine: but vehemently opposed by one Hilary a Ruler there, because they sang out of a Booke. Hence Augustine turned a Patron for it, forced thereto rather by the importunity of the people, then of his own accord: as being destitute of weapons out of the word of God for it: and therefore afterwards repented of it, and wished the Custome removed.
Answ. 1. Tertullians testimony alleged above, doth evidently evince, that the singing of Scripture-Psalms (and so of Davids was in use in the Church, before Flavianus and Thedorus were borne, Apologet. cap. 39. For Tertullian was about 140. years before them.