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

Moreover, it is evident that the Doctor never intended to undermine or overthrow the Duty of Singing; for herein he would have opposed his own Judgment, which he hath published to the World in the account he gives of the several parts of Gospel-Worship, where he makes Singing one, though he terms it a fond Imagination for any to think that God cannot be praised in the Church without it; and I doubt not but that all sober Christians agree with the Doctor therein.

I shall now pass to the second Section, and consider some parts of it, which I was desired to take notice of. Mr. Marlow begins with the word [Greek or Hebrew], which, whatever he pretends concerning the generality of its signification, most properly denotes a Song of Praise; And what he cites out of the Learned Ainsworth on Psal. 3. to favour his Purpose, will not serve it at all; for he there intends nothing less than a Song of Praise, which is fitly composed to be sung, as will appear to any one who considers the whole Paragraph without Prejudice; and this import of the word is agreeable to the common ⟨p. 50⟩sense of Learned Men, notwithstanding what is cited to the contrary. His first Citation is out of Constantin's Lexicon, whence he tells us that Hymenaeus is a Nuptial Song. And what if it be, it is altogether impertinent in the present Enquiry; for this is a word of another Family, and descends from [Greek or Hebrew], a word well known amongst Learned Anatomists. And if he consults any of them, he may soon know the full meaning of it, and also the reason why Hymenaeus is used for a Nuptial Song. This word being thus dismissed, as foreign to our present Purpose; we may consider [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], which according to Constantine, as cited by him, primarily and chiefly signify an Hymn or Copy of Verses, made to Praise, and to sing such an Hymn or Verse. And as for the latter word, he says also, it is used for saying or pronouncing such an Hymn; and the reason may be, because saying or pronouncing is necessarily included in Singing: for Singing is but a particular Mode of saying or pronouncing. And if it was not thus, I might say it is the common fate of all Words to be stretched beyond their prime and most proper Signification; and who can help it, seeing that the Wit and Fancy of Men, are such luxuriant things, that will make bold sometimes, not only with Words, but Persons too. The Object of an Hymn, and Hymning, according to their usage in profane Authors, hath been extended, with the like liberty, both to Men and Things, though the primary Object was their Gods.