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

Obj. But if one say (saith he) when one prays all may be said to pray, tho they do but consent, it may be so in singing of Psalms, &c.

Answ. It is answered, saith he, All Ordinances must be considered according to their proper nature; some Ordinances are so to be administered, as that only one at once can perform it, as public Prayer and Preaching, and yet there must be a distinction even in these; my Silence in Prayer ought to be when I pray with another, and yet I may be said to pray as well as he, which is the mouth of the whole, because my Heart is with him in the same Petitions, and my Desires go equally with him: but in Preaching, where Silence must be likewise from the nature of the Ordinance, yet, tho I consent fully with the Matter, and agree in all that is said with never so much Affection, yet I can't be said to preach, but only he that speaketh preaches. So now as to Singing, there is a difference likewise of another Consideration, if only one sing, none else can be said to sing, tho they join with the Matter and agree to it in their Hearts; for it is an outward Act, and terminated in the Person that performs it: And tho in my silent Conjunction, I may readily praise God, yet I can in no sense be properly said to sing with others, without I do use my Voice and bodily Organs as they ⟨p. 11⟩do. This Consideration, saith he, may give light to Men that mind the nature and distinction of Ordinances in their Administrations; that which is the Confusion of other Ordinances, is the Beauty of this; for two to preach or pray together at the same time and place, were the greatest Confusion imaginable; but for an hundred to sing together, is most harmonious and pleasant, so far from the breach of Order, that Harmony is most discovered by it. So far Mr. Sidenham.

Answ. It is answered, saith he, All Ordinances must be considered according to their proper nature; some Ordinances are so to be administred, as that only one at once can perform it, as publick Prayer and Preaching, and yet there must be a distinction even in these; my Silence in Prayer ought to be when I pray with another, and yet I may be said to pray as well as he, which is the mouth of the whole, because my Heart is with him in the same Petitions, and my Desires go equally with him: but in Preaching, where Silence must be likewise from the nature of the Ordinance, yet, tho I consent fully with the Matter, and agree in all that is said with never so much Affection, yet I can't be said to preach, but only he that speaketh preaches. So now as to Singing, there is a difference likewise of another Consideration, if only one sing, none else can be said to sing, tho they joyn with the Matter and agree to it in their Hearts; for it is an outward Act, and terminated in the Person that performs it: And tho in my silent Conjunction, I may readily praise God, yet I can in no sense be properly said to sing with others, without I do use my Voice and bodily Organs as they