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

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.

Object. 4. Besides it is to be noted, that Forms of divine Service and Litanies begun to be used at the same time, in many places. In the French Churches, and in Constantine's Cour• and Camp, both himself and his Soldiers using a Form of Prayer, the Churches (as is wont under Christian Magistrates) growing proud and lazy. At which time they had also their Regular and Canonical Singers appointed hereunto by Office: The Psalms composed by private Christians (whom they call Idiots) being interdicted in one and the same Council of Laodicea, till at length all was turned into a Pageant in the year 666. the fatal figure of Antichrist: it being impossible (as it seemeth) that the lively gifts of Gods Spirit in his people, should breath any longer when Forms are once set up in the Church, &c.

Object. 4. Besides it is to be noted, that Formes of divine Service and Letanies begun to be used at the same time, in many places. In the French Churches, and in Constantines Cour and Campe, both himselfe and his Souldiers using a Forme of Prayer, the Churches (as is wont under Christian Magistrates) growing proud and lazie. At which time they had also their Regular and Canonicall Singers appointed hereunto by Office: The Psalmes composed by private Christians (whom they call Idiots) being interdicted in one and the same Counsell of Laodicea, till at length all was turned into a Pageant in the yeare 666. the fatall figure of Antichrist: it being impossible (as it seemeth) that the lively gifts of Gods Spirit in his people, should breath any longer when Formes are once set up in the Church, &c.