A47361:78
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
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.
Brother, you were better be silent till you can distinguish better between Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, and the manner of the bringing of them forth by a special Gift. A Doctrine may be as Spiritual that is precomposed, as that which was brought forth by a special Gift; so may an Hymn, or Spiritual Song, though 'tis by the ordinary Gifts or Help of the Spirit precomposed; there cannot be an Hymn, nor Spiritual Song, without its Form; but if it be a Spiritual Song, it has a Spiritual Form. The very word may convince yo• of your Error; if the Song be taken out of Christ's Spiritual and Sacred Word, the Form is Spiritual; and if it be sung with a gracious Heart and Tongue, 'tis doubtless Spiritual Worship and acceptable to God.
I shall conclude this Section of yours with one honest and plain Argument.
That Assertion or Notion against Singing the Praises of God, that hath a natural tendency in it to overthrow the practice of all Gospel-Ordinances, as well as singing the Praises of God, is a vile and pernicious Assertion or Notion. But for a Man to assert, the Saints and People of God now in these days, ought not to sing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, because we have not that special or extraordinary Gift of the Spirit to do it, hath a natural tendency in it to overthrow the practice of all Gospel-Ordinances in these days. Ergo. That Assertion is vile and pernicious.