A34693:91
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
OF THE SINGING OF PSALMS. › Chapter 5OF THE SINGING OF PSALMES. › Chapter 5
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.
Answ. 1. It is a groundless Assertion to say, that Paul calleth the whole word of God dwelling in us, Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs. For why then should the Holy Ghost give that style and Title of Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs only to the Book of Psalms, and to none else of all of the Books of the Prophets or Apostles. Again, if Paul called the words of all the Prophets, Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs, why then did not the Prophets in their own language pen them with musical accents, as well as the Psalms of David and Asaph?
Answ. 1. It is a groundlesse Assertion to say, that Paul calleth the whole word of God dwelling in us, Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs. For why then should the Holy Ghost give that style and Title of Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs onely to the Booke of Psalmes, and to none else of all of the Bookes of the Prophets or Apostles. Againe, if Paul called the words of all the Prophets, Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall Songs, why then did not the Prophets in their own language pen them with musicall accents, as well as the Psalmes of David and Asaph?
Besides, if the words of all the Prophets were spiritual Songs, why then did the Prophets themselves find the Books of their own Prophecies bitter in their bellies? Rev. 10.10. There be many words of the Prophets, that are more fit matter for humiliation and mourning before the Lord, then fit to be sung as spiritual songs •nto the Lord. But suppose there be many words of Christ, and of his Prophets, that are fit matter for spiritual rejoicing (as indeed all the Doctrines and promises of Grace be) yet what warrant have we to sing them, as in some Cathedral Churches and Colleges, the Bible-Clerks do sing their Chapters out of the old and New Testament?
Besides, if the words of all the Prophets were spirituall Songs, why then did the Prophets themselves finde the Bookes of their own Prophecies bitter in their bellies?