But to proceed in the next place, to prove the Ordinance of Singing ought to be performed with united Voices, pray consider the Practice of Moses, and the Children of Israel in singing after their Deliverance at the Red Sea, Exod. 15. 1. Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this Song, &c. Moses did not sing alone, but the whole Congregation sung with him: Psal. 106. 12. They believed his Word, they sang his Praise; but soon forgot his Works; namely, the most of them that sung at the Red Sea; not Moses, but the Children of Israel who sung with him, they that sung his Praise soon forgot his Works: Moses, say our late Annotators, composed the Song, and he, together with the Israelites, sung it to the Honour of God. Thus sung Deborah and Barak, and indeed we find no other Singing generally throughout the Old Testament. And therefore, since we are commanded to sing, and Christ hath given no other Direction ⟨p. 75⟩about it but that of his own Practice, with his Disciples after the Holy Supper, and that of the Practice of Paul and Silas, who sung together, we may assure our selves there •s no other manner of Singing to be brought into the Church but that with united Voices; and he that should set up, or bring in any other way or manner, doubtless would be guilty of an Innovation. Should one alone sing in the midst of the Congregation, like a Ballad-Singer, what Word of God is there to justify any such Practice? I doubt not but to make appear, when I come to it, that that Refuge in 1 Cor. 14. will fail them.
BUt to proceed in the next place, to prove the Ordinance of Singing ought to be performed with united Voices, pray consider the Practice of Moses, and the Children of Israel in singing after their Deliverance at the Red Sea, Exod. 15. 1. Then sang Moses and the Children of Israel this Song, &c. Moses did not sing alone, but the whole Congregation sung with him: Psal. 106. 12. They believed his Word, they sang his Praise; but soon forgot his Works; namely, the most of them that sung at the Red Sea; not Moses, but the Children of Israel who sung with him, they that sung his Praise soon forgot his Works: Moses, say our late Annotators, composed the Song, and he, together with the Israelites, sung it to the Honour of God. Thus sung Deborah and Barak, and indeed we find no other Singing generally throughout the Old Testament. And therefore, since we are commanded to sing, and Christ hath given no other Direction ⟨p. 75⟩about it but that of his own Practice, with his Disciples after the Holy Supper, and that of the Practice of Paul and Silas, who sung together, we may assure our selves there •s no other manner of Singing to be brought into the Church but that with united Voices; and he that should set up, or bring in any other way or manner, doubtless would be guilty of an Innovation. Should one alone sing in the midst of the Congregation, like a Ballad-Singer, what Word of God is there to justify any such Practice? I doubt not but to make appear, when I come to it, that that Refuge in 1 Cor. 14. will fail them.
