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

For though when he saw his heart more taken up with the melody of the Tune, then with the sweetness of the matter, he could have wished the sweetness of the melody removed from his own ears, and from the Church: yet still he would have them sung after the manner of the Church of Alexandria, and Athanasius: And then correcting himself; But when J remember, saith he, my Tears which J poured out at the singing of thy Church, in the first restoring of my Faith, and how J am still moved, not with the Song, but with the matter sung, when it is sung with a clear voice, and convenient tune or modulation, J do again acknowledge the great utility of this Institution.

For though when hee saw his heart more taken up with the melody of the Tune, then with the sweetnesse of the matter, he could have wished the sweetnesse of the melody removed from his owne eares, and from the Church: yet still he would have them sung after the manner of the Church of Alexandria, and Athanasius: And then correcting himselfe; But when J remember, saith he, my Teares which J powred out at the singing of thy Church, in the first restoring of my Faith, and how J am still moved, not with the Song, but with the matter sung, when it is sung with a cleare voyce, and convenient tune or modulation, J doe againe acknowledge the great utility of this Institution.

And though he do waver between the peril of delight to the sense, and experiment of wholesomeness to the soul: yet his scruple was not of the lawfulness of singing Davids Psalms, but partly of the pleasantness of the Tunes (which might be more artificial, then the gravity of the Ordinance required) partly of the expediency thereof to himself, till his heart were more spiritual. His writing against Hillarius jubentibus fratribus, doth not argue, he wrote against his will, but by a good call, in defence of singing Davids Psalms against a man that took up any occasion to carp at Gods Ministers, August. Retract. lib. 2. cap. 11.

And though he doe waver between the perill of delight to the sence, and experiment of wholsomnesse to the soule: yet his scruple was not of the lawfulnesse of singing Davids Psalmes, but partly of the pleasantnesse of the Tunes (which might be more artificiall, then the gravity of the Ordinance required) partly of the expediency thereof to himselfe, till his heart were more spirituall. His writing against Hillarius jubentibus fratribus, doth not argue, he wrote against his will, but by a good call, in defence of singing Davids Psalmes against a man that tooke up any occasion to carp at Gods Ministers, August. Retract. lib. 2. cap. 11.