A34693:281
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. 5. Let no man think, that the singing of Davids Psalms is an Ordinance of God, because many Christians have found their affections stirred (as Augustine also did) in the singing of them. This doth not justify this practise, no more then it doth Preaching by a false calling, because some have found conversion by it: no more then it doth the receiving the seal of the Supper in a false Church, and that with the Idolatrous gesture of kneeling, because some have found quickening and strengthening Grace therein. For Gods goodness many times goeth beyond his Truth.
Object. 5. Let no man thinke, that the singing of Davids Psalmes is an Ordinance of God, because many Christians have found their affections stirred (as Augustine also did) in the singing of them. This doth not justifie this practise, no more then it doth Preaching by a false calling, because some have found conversion by it: no more then it doth the receiving the seale of the Supper in a false Church, and that with the Idolatrous gesture of kneeling, because some have found quickning and strengthening Grace therein. For Gods goodnesse many times goeth beyond his Truth.
Answ. We cannot say, That Gods goodness goeth beyond his Truth, though sometime he show a man mercy out of his way. For we have the truth of Gods word to testify, that so sometime he doth as Saul found converting grace in going to Damascus to persecute the Saints. But this we say, that when God doth thus, he either convinceth a man of the error of his way, before he show him favour in it, (as he did Saul;) or else the way it self, or Duty is of God, though there be some falling in the circumstance of it. Many of Israel that came to the Passover in Hezekiahs time in their uncleanness, yet they found mercy with the Lord. But it was because the Ordinance and Duty was of God, the failing was only in the manner of Preparation to it, 2 Chron. 30.18, 19, 20. But if Micah set up an invention of his own in his house, though he may promise himself a blessing in some orderly circumstance of it, (as he did Judg. 17.13