A47361:13
An answer to Mr. Marlow's Appendix Wherein his arguments to prove that singing of…
An answer to Mr. Marlow's Appendix Wherein his arguments to prove that singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, was performed in the primitive church by a special or an extraordinary gift, and therefore not to be practised in these days, are examined, and clearly detected. Also some reflections on what he speaks on the word hymnos, hymnos: and on his undue quotations of divers learned men. By a learned hand. By B. Keach.
London : printed for the author, and sold by John Hancock in Castle-Alley on the west side of the Royal-Exchange, and by the author at his house near Horselydown in Southwark, 1691
Dedication: To all the Saints and Churches of Jesus Christ, Christian Salutation.
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.
IT grieves me I have further occasion to trouble you after this manner: I know not what should move Mr. Marlow to write his Appendix, just at a time when he was told I was writing an Answer to his first Discourse: he might have had a little Patience, and have staid till my Treatise was published, whereby he might the better have perceived, whether what he wrote the last Year would abide the Test or Trial of God's Word or not: This is therefore his second Attempt in public against God's holy Ordinance of singing of Psalms, Hymns, &c. before any body appeared visibly to oppose, or put a stop to his undue Proceedings. For what Call he had to begin this Controversy at such an unseasonable time, I know not; but since he has done it, certainly none can see any just cause to blame me for standing ⟨p. 4⟩up in the Defence of that Truth of Jesus Christ, which I am so well satisfied about, and established in, and that too as it is practised by the Church, to whom I am related as an unworthy Member, and above twenty Baptized Congregations besides in this Nation. Tho before I went about it, I offered my Brethren (him or any other) a sober and friendly Conference in the Spirit of Meekness, which I could not obtain, tho I did not give such a public Challenge as my Brother intimates in that strange Epistle he hath wrote to me; but upon the coming forth of his Book, I was troubled, and would have had it been discoursed in the General Assembly, but that was not consented to; and then I told my honoured and Reverend Brethren my purpose was to give an Answer to his Book, but did not enter upon it till I was urged by several, and particularly by Mr. Marlow himself, before divers Witnesses, in such kind of words as these, i. e. Answer me like a Man. Whether he is answered like a Man, or but like a Child, is left to your Consideration, 'tis done according to that Light and Ability God hath been pleased to bestow upon me.
IT grieves me I have further occasion to trouble you after this manner: I know not what should move Mr. Marlow to write his Appendix, just at a time when he was told I was writing an Answer to his first Discourse: he might have had a little Patience, and have staid till my Treatise was published, whereby he might the better have perceived, whether what he wrote the last Year would abide the Test or Trial of God's Word or not: This is therefore his second Attempt in publick against God's holy Ordinance of singing of Psalms, Hymns, &c. before any body appeared visibly to oppose, or put a stop to his undue Proceedings. For what Call he had to begin this Controversy at such an unseasonable time, I know not; but since he has done it, certainly none can see any just cause to blame me for standing