A47407:339
The breach repaired in God's worship, or, Singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,…
The breach repaired in God's worship, or, Singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, proved to be an holy ordinance of Jesus Christ with an answer to all objections : as also, an examination of Mr. Isaac Marlow's two papers, one called, A discourse against singing, &c., the other, An appendix : wherein his arguments and cavils are detected and refuted / by Benjamin Keach ...
London: printed for Author, 1691
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Singing of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, an Holy Ordinance of… › Chapter 15
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. 'Tis well you do not affirm this, Teaching is then a Preaching, from Psalms, &c. in ordinary Gospel-Administration; for some there have been, and may be are now, that assert that, (and I think we shall find you there too by and by) however, let the Speaking be what it will that is here meant, it is evident 'tis such a speaking that is used in Singing; for so the following words explain it, which you are not willing (it may be) to cite; Singing, and making of Melody in your Hearts to the Lord.
You then mention Col. 3. 16. I confess (say you) that Vocal Singing is here to be understood,1 otherwise it could not be Teaching and Admonishing to others in Word or Deed; but yet here is nothing to prove Vocal Singing together, for Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms, &c. is meant of the Ministering Brethren, whose Work it was to teach and admonish the other Members, according to the Gifts they had received; and none can prove any more by these words [one another] than what must be understood from Heb. 3. 13. But exhort one another daily, whilst it is called to day: And therefore as the word Exhortation is not used in the Church, but in an orderly ministerial way, by one at once, &c. must be used also according to Gospel-Rule; 1 Cor. 14. 26. How is it Brethren? when you come together, every one of you hath a Psalm, ⟨p. 114⟩hath a Doctrine, &c. be understood of a Vocal Singing all together; for I think […] will say, that those words, Every one of you hath, &c. were spoken of all having those Spiritual Gifts, which can't be though of every Minister in that Church, Vers. 28▪ much less of all the Members, &c. So […] cannot be supposed, that all the Ministering Brethren had the Gift of Singing, or […] was any distinction of its universality in delivery, more than of other Gifts in the […] Text; besides the Context speaks of single Persons that must exercise in the Church, […] therefore those words [every one of you] […] mean all, &c.