A34693:273
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.
By which reproof of the Donatists, it may appear that the custom of singing Davids Psalms was in use in the African Churches, and in Milan also of former times; and that the Custom brought into the Church of Milan to keep the people awake in their night Watches against the Arian violence, was the singing of Psalms after the Eastern manner, with more curiosity of Music, and one side of the Singers answering another. And of this is Augustine to be understood in the ninth book of his Confessions, chap. 7.
By which reproofe of the Donatists, it may appeare that the custome of singing Davids Psalmes was in use in the African Churches, and in Millain also of former times; and that the Custome brought into the Church of Millain to keepe the people awake in their night Watches against the Arrian violence, was the singing of Psalmes after the Easterne manner, with more curiosity of Musicke, and one side of the Singers answering another. And of this is Augustine to bee understood in the ninth booke of his Confessions, chap. 7.
4. It is not true, That Augustine became a Patron of singing Davids Psalms, rather forced to it by the importunity of the people, then of his own accord. For he saith expressly in the same Chapter of the same Epistle; That the practise of singing Psalms and Hymns is to be done without doubting, seeing it may be defended out of the Scriptures, in which we find both the Doctrines, and Examples, and Precepts of Christ, and of his Apostles for it. And the same Augustine in his first Tome and third Rule, (as it is titled) Nolite (saith he) cantare, nisi quod legitis esse cantandum. Quod autem non ita Scriptum est ut cantetur, non cantetur; that is▪ do not sing but what you read is to be sung, ⟨p. 69⟩but that which is not written that it should be sung, let it not be sung. Nor is it true, that Augustine repented, that the custom of singing Davids Psalms was brought into the Church, or that he wished rather it were taken away.