A34693:92
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.
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? 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 spirituall songs •nto the Lord. But suppose there be many words of Christ, and of his Prophets, that are fit matter for spirituall re•oycing (as indeed all the Doctrines and promises of Grace be) yet what warrant have wee to sing them, as in some Cathedrall Churches and Colledges, the Bible-Clerks doe sing their Chapters out of the old and New Testament?
Answ. 2. Whether the words of Christ in the Gospel, or in the Prophets, be spiritual Songs or no, yet if the Psalms of David be also the words of Christ, if they likewise dwell in our hearts, and if they be spiritual Songs too, then it will unavoidably follow, ⟨p. 22⟩That the same word of the Apostle that commandeth us to sing Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs, commandeth us also to sing the Psalms of David and Asaph unto the Lord, unless you will say that the Psalms of David and Asaph, (though dwelling in the heart,) are neither Psalms, nor Hymns, nor spiritual Songs, howsoever the Holy Ghost entitle them by such names. How then can you say, that to sing rhe Prophecies of David, doth not yet appear to be a worship of God commanded or taught in holy writ? As for our common manner of singing of them, we shall have occasion to speak to that hereafter.