A34693:269
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. 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 The•dorus were borne, Apologet. cap. 39. For Tertullian was about 140. years before them.
Answ. 1. Tertullians testimony alledged above, doth evidently evince, that the singing of Scripture-Psalmes (and so of Davids was in use in the Church, before Flavianus and The•dorus were borne, Apologet. cap. 39. For Tertullian was about 140. yeares before them.
2. The practise brought in by Flavianus and Diodorus, was rather some new fashion of singing Davids Psalms, then the singing of them. For as Theodoret reporteth it, they were the first that divided the Quire of Singers into two sides, and appointed one side of them to answer the other in the singing of them: and used the same at the Monuments of the dead, and that sometimes all the night long. But these inventions savoured rather of superstition, then of pure Primitive Devotion: though they wrought a good effect upon Theodosius, when Flavianus sent those Songs to be sung at his Table, to moderate his wrath against the Citizens of Antioch;