The breach repaired in God's worship, or, Singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,…

Answ. The substance of what you say here, is this, viz. That a greater Measure of the Spirit of God is required in Singing, than there is required in Praying; but you give no Reason for it. The Apostle saith, When I pray, I will pray with the Spirit; and when I sing, I will sing with the Spirit, &c. 1 Cor. 14. 15. He doth not hint, he needed greater help to do the one, than to do the other. There is no Duty nor Ordinance of the Gospel, that can be performed acceptably to God without the Spirit, or the gracious Influences thereof: And certainly no Man besides Mr. Marlow will say there is more need of the Spirit in its greater Influence in ordinary Occasions, or in common Worship to praise God, nay, to sing his Praise, than there is to pray, and in the doing other Duties. You mention that in Isa. ⟨p. 171⟩52. 38. of Breaking forth. Why is that then a Vocal Singing? it was hinted by you (even now) to be some kind of shouting or rejoicing, pag. 29. as if it was no such thing (as here you seem to grant it to be) when you think it will serve your turn another way: But all may perceive, by your arguing against Singing after the manner you do, (that though the Essence in your sense be in our Spirits, and as others say, Singing is comprehended in their Praying, i. e. when they Praise God); yet none of these in truth is proper Singing in your judgment; for it it be, you contend against that which all Christians say they do own and perform.

But to proceed. There may be, 'tis plain, an extraordinary Spirit of Prayer at some times, and an extraordinary Influence in Preaching, and an extraordinary Occasion to perform those Duties likewise, and so in Singing: But must not we therefore be found in the performance of each of these Duties at any other time? And have not all true Christians always in themselves the chiefest cause or ground of Singing forth the Praises of God that can be, viz. the consideration of Redeeming and Regenerating Grace, though sometimes to such degrees, they do not find that liveliness in their Spirits to do it? Moreover, we ought to strive to be filled with the Spirit, that we may both Pray, Preach, and Hear also. But sometimes we have not those fillings of the Spirit in such a measure as at other times, yet must Pray, Preach, Hear, and Sing also; for the Argument or Motive of Singing,