A47407:580
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.
Preface: To all the Saints and Churches of Jesus Christ, Christian Salutation.
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.
And whereas Mr. Marlow affirms, as if I had brought Singing into our Congregation, to the grief and trouble of many of our Members; it is false, for 'tis known the Church hath been in this practice near twenty Years after Breaking of Bread, and near 14 Years on Thanksgiving-days in a mixed Congregation. And what was done of late in bringing it in after Sermon on the Lord's Days, was done by a regular Act of the Church in a solemn manner: And though some of our worthy Brethren and Sisters are at present somewhat dissatisfied with it, yet I doubt not but will in a little time see their Mistakes, if such busy Men as he do ⟨p. 9⟩not in an undue manner blow up Coals of Contention amongst us.
And whereas Mr. Marlow affirms, as if I had brought Singing into our Congregation, to the grief and trouble of many of our Members; it is false, for 'tis known the Church hath been in this practice near twenty Years after Breaking of Bread, and near 14 Years on Thanksgiving-days in a mixt Congregation. And what was done of late in bringing it in after Sermon on the Lord's Days, was done by a regular Act of the Church in a solemn manner: And though some of our worthy Brethren and Sisters are at present somewhat dissatisfied with it, yet I doubt not but will in a little time see their Mistakes, if such busy Men as he do ⟨p. 9⟩not in an undue manner blow up Coals of Contention amongst us.
Can any sober Christian think he hath done well to publish the Private Affairs of a Particular Church to the whole World? It seems to some as if he has hopes there will be a Breach in the Church, upon the Account of our Singing the Praises of God; but I hope he will find our worthy Brethre•• understand themselves better than to go about to impose on the Church or Consciences of their Brethren, or to strive to pull down that which the Church and themselves too, have been a building for so many Years. Can there be a Man so left of God as to countenance any Persons to make a Schism in a Congregation, because they cannot forgo a Duty they have so long been satisfied in the practice of, and so the whole Body to submit to the Sentiments of a few Persons, as if they had Power over our Faith? We do not say our dissatisfied Brethren shall sing with us, or we will have no fellowship with them; no, God forbid we should impose on their Consciences. We do not look upon Singing, &c. an Essential of Communion; 'tis not for the being, but for the comfort and well-being of a Church. We have told our Brethren (since we sing not till after our last Prayer) if they cannot sing with us, nay, nor stay with the Church whilst we do sing, they may go forth, and we will not be offended.