A47407:501
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.
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.
Object. But some may object, Doth not James only enjoin Singing of Psalms, when People are merry, or find great cause of inward Joy in the Lord?
Object. But some may object, Doth not James only injoin Singing of Psalms, when People are merry, or find great cause of inward Joy in the Lord?
Answ. No, by no means, this must not be granted: for if so, then People must never pray but when they are afflicted. Do but read the Text, Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing Psalms. Jam. 5. 13. Sure 'tis the Duty of the Lord's People to pray as well when they are not afflicted, but are in Health, and in Prosperity; 'tis always on fit and proper Occasions to be done, but when afflicted more especially, then in a more than ordinary manner to be in the Duty of Prayer. So, and in the like manner, 'tis our Duty to rejoice and sing the Praises of God always, on all proper Occasions; but when any are more then ordinarily lifted up with the Goodness of God, or filled with the Comforts of the Holy Spirit; which is intended doubtless in that phrase, Is any Merry? then they should in an especial manner sing Psalms, or Hymns, of Praises to God. Also from hence we may argue, that as it is the Duty of one afflicted Person thus by himself to pray, so when the whole ⟨p. 173⟩Church is afflicted, they in an especial manner should keep days of Prayer together; and so they oftentimes do on such an account: Yet it is the Duty of the Church to pray at other times notwithstanding. Why so it is in the case of Singing, when the whole Church of God hath received some signal Mercies in an especial manner, they ought together to give Thanks to God, and sing his Praise; but yet, notwithstanding, they ought to sing the Praises of God at other times, as well as pray at other times; and nothing is in the least hinted here in this place by the Apostle James to the contrary.
Answ. No, by no means, this must not be granted: for if so, then People must never pray but when they are afflicted. Do but read the Text, Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing Psalms.