Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT. V. Of the Manner how Christians are to sing Praises to God in the Church-Assemblies.

Two things are here diligently to be examined: 1. Whether one alone, or many persons together, are to sing in the Christian Assemblies. 2. Concerning ordering the Matter sung in Meeters, and the Voice musically.

To the First, It is certainly both lawful, and very profitable, for one only person to sing the Praises of God at once in Christian Assem∣blies; being as fully warranted from 1 Cor. 14. as that one person only may pray or preach at once in Christian Assemblies: Yea there is no plea can lie against the one, which will not equally lie against the other; so that we need say no more to that; especially for that though it be perhaps but rarely done in these days, (at least not as it should be) yet I know not of any that denyes the thing to be law∣ful. And on the other side, that a multitude of Christians, or a whole Congregation ought to sing together at the same time, is not at all warranted from 1 Cor. 14. nor any other place of Holy Scri∣pture, as we trust is sufficiently demonstrated already. So that we shall speak to the Second Point briefly, viz. The ordering of the Voice, which chiefly respects the Manner how to sing God's Praises in Christian Churches.

And here I find some who are zealous for promiscuous Singing, yet doubt not to reject all kind of melody formed by Art. And in∣deed it would appear very much unlike the Gravity of Christian Worship, for him that hath a Psalm of Praise to edifie the Church withall, if now he should bring it forth in the mode of Plain-song, Pricksong, Descant, or other Poetical strains. But however it might seem (for mens apprehension of things differ much) the business is, of whom he must learn the modes of such Singing? Either God hath taught him this, or else it's but of Mans device; and then how shall he be assured that this device is acceptable to God, or at least that it is not offensive to him? However of this we are certain, that such things as these are not of Divine Institution, have no foot-steps in the Christian and Apostolick Churches, and consequently must come into the Church under Licence, not with the face of Authority. But alas! admit such things once, and get rid of them when you can.

Wherefore the best, and for ought I can find, the only certain and undoubted way or manner to be used in Christian Churches, to sing the Praises of the Lord, is this; That such persons as God hath gifted to tell forth his Mighty Acts, and to recount his special Providences,

and upon whose hearts God hath put a lively sence of present Mer∣cies, should have their liberty and convenient opportunity, to cele∣brate the high Praises of God, one by one, in the Churches of God, and that with such words, as the nature of the matter and present occasion requires; so that they be careful to keep to the Language of the Sacred VVord, and as near as may be to the methods of those Hymns and Psalms used aforetime by holy VVriters of the Scriptures: And that all this be done with a pleasant or chearful voice, that may serve to express the Joys conceived in the Heart of him that singeth, the better to affect the Hearts of all the Congregation with the wondrous VVorks of God, and the continual Goodness which he sheweth towards the Children of Men, and especially towards his People. And thus he that hath a Psalm, becomes an useful Minister in the House of God, whilst as others wait on their Gifts; whether it be Prayer, Teaching, Exhortation, &c. So he waits on his Gift also, being as studious how to find out acceptable words, and to set his Hymns and Psalms in good order for common edification, as the wise Preacher is careful to the same intent about his Doctrine or Ser∣mons, Eccles. 12. compared with 1 Cor. 14. 26. Let all things be done to edifying.

For evident it is, that this Service of singing the Praises of God in the Church, doth require as great ability, and as spiritual a mind, as any other service performed in the Churches, and consequently calls for as great study, and holy waiting upon God for his help in the per∣formance or ministerial part thereof, as the rest. All which it will be granted are to be done with as much spirituality as possible, be∣cause the whole VVorship of God, who is a Spirit, MUST be per∣formed in Spirit and Truth, John 4. 24. which is not only meant (as some conceive) of the Gospel-ministration, which is termed Spi∣rit in comparison of the Law, 2 Cor. 3. but also of the raisedness of the state of the Worshippers themselves, in respect of the Illuminati∣on and Affection of the Hearts, especially of such as minister in the New-Testament-Services: For the words, such the Father seeketh to worship him, do clearly refer to the Heavenly Qualifications of those that worship him in the Gospel of his Son.

Now, that this Service of singing the Praises of the Lord in Chri∣stian Churches, requires as great ability as other holy Services, is evident;

1. Because the ablest among God's People can hardly shew the true nature and order of this Ordinance, with like ease as they do shew the other. Nor have many pious Congregations attained to any thing ther∣in as a distinct service, (and they that have are not a little divided in their doings) though there are no Churches (I trust) but do perform some Duty to God this way in generals, whilst they daily praise him with joyful Hearts and Lips, for his Goodness. And,

2. Because of the great variety of apprehension among Christians about this Ordinance both in former and latter times, as in part is shewed: And further, some Learned among the Protestants do af∣firm,

That to sing David's Psalms in a Rhythmical way (as now used) hath no foundation, so much as in the Customs of the Antients. * 1.1 And that Beza being very poetical, made his Pastime become a part of the vulgar De∣votion. That the Papists deride these Psalms, calling them Geneva Jiggs. And that to make the Davidical Hymns (though better translated than they are) a part of our rational Worship — is as ridiculous, as to make our Addresses to persons in Authority, by Epistles and Orations out of Tully. [But if David's Psalms, though better translated than they are, will not pass in the Judgment of a Learned Protestant, for a part of our rational Worship: I marvel how such as pretend to a higher pitch of Reformation, should think that their private Poetisms should find acceptance in the Churches of God;] How much better is it, to content our selves where we are, rather than to take up such Fancies? Or else to set upon the Duty (in the fear of God) according to Paul's direction, that he that hath a Psalm, should hold it forth for the teaching and admonishing of the Churches. Thus may we safe∣ly and confidently speak to our selves, and admonish one another also in Psalms, Hymns, &c.

Object. But some may say, That though it must be granted on all hands, that so much as you affirm, is both lawful and profitable for all Churches, and may be truly called a Singing of Psalms and Hymns to the Lord. Yet that this only is what is lawful, or that this fully answers the mind of God, as it concerns the Church, doth not so clearly appear, as might be wished.

Answ. 1. VVhat other Singing than this, had the Church at Corinth? Will you say they had two kinds of Psalms, some for particular men to sing, and some for all to sing together? Sure the Apostle directs them in relation to the Duty of singing Psalms, as God had ordained it for the use of the Christian Churches, and what would we have more?

2. If this which we have shewed to be warrantable, be all that can be warrantably said, or asserted without just exception, touch∣ing the way of singing Psalms in the Christian Churches (at least for substance) we are not curiously to enquire further, at least not till we have performed this Duty as it is plainly held forth, which I fear most Churches do too much neglect. As for a Musical Singing, with a multitude of voices together in Rhime or Meeters (which is all that is desired further than what we assert) it is liable to so many just Exceptions, as may caution any good Christian to beware of it, which in part we have shewed. Except. 1. And which was also soon perceived by the very Founders and Users thereof themselves, so as to be disgusted, as we have seen out of Augustine, the Church at Alexandria, and may take notice of the same also of late days. * 1.2 For in the Injunction 49 of Elizabeth, it is ordered for the better understanding what is said, that there be a modest and distinct Song, so used in all parts of the Com∣mon Prayer in the Church, that the same may be plainly understood, as if it were read without singing. And yet is also provided, that it should be permitted (mark that) that there may be sung an Hymn or Song to the best

sort of Melody or Musick that may conveniently be devised (note that) for comforting them that delight in Musick; which is a Reason so weak and carnal, as the very mention of it is sufficient confutation.

Except. 2. The Second Exception is taken from the Novelty of Musical Singing, with a confused multitude of voices in the Church of God, no man being able to shew the use of it in any one Church in the Apostles days; and for the Antients in the next Ages, we have seen them ra∣ther against, than for such a Practice; it having its beginning in the West Churches about 400 years after Christ.

Except. 3. The Third Exception is taken from the Preventions of Instruction or Edification; for when all speak, none can hear; and here also spi∣ritual Gifts are drowned, by the voice of Men and Women who have no gifts at all; and thus the End of the Ordinance is made void.

Except. 4. The Fourth Exception. None can be confident they have done the Will of God, so, as rightly to sing his Praises, when they have sung in Meeter with a Tune, and with a multitude, one of David's Psalms, or a Poom of some Man's composing; and thus the comfort of the Ser∣vice is taken away for want of assurance that this is the Service which God requires.

Except. 5. The Fifth Exception, lieth against those who take upon them, to turn the sacred Scriptures into Meeters, for, or to the intent, that others may say or sing after them; or that bring in their own Poe∣tisms, into the Worship and Service of God, for the whole Church to conform to them, and that perhaps before they know them; or if they do know them, yet thus to make men obedient to our dictates, that they must say them after us, is of very dangerous consequence, and opens a Gap for Forms of Prayer, &c.

Except. 6. The Sixth Exception. This kind of Singing will make void that way of singing in the Church which is undoubtedly warrantable, viz. For such as have a Psalm, as aforesaid, to minister therewith to common Edification; or else we must allow two ways of Singing, the one by a single person according to the gift of Grace received; the other by a multitude, according to Art, or Poetical Devices.

Except. 7. The Seventh Exception. To admit singing in the Church of Christ by Art or pleasant Tunes, will bring Musick into the Service of the Church, such singing being the ground of Musick, or Musick it self. And when such Singing was allowed in the Jewish Church, Instru∣ments of Musick were also allowed together with it. Now sith those Musical Instruments are laid aside, sure all Poetical Singing ceased with them, in respect of the Solemnity of Christian Worship.

Except. 8. The Eighth Exception. To hold a Musical Singing in the Church of Christ to be necessary, infers this Proposition; That no Christian Church is compleat in the Order of God's VVorship, without some skill in Poetry and Musick; no, though they come behind in no gift of the Spirit. If otherwise, then it followeth that Musick and Poe∣try is not necessary in the VVorship of God, and then Musical Sing∣ing is not required in Ephes. 3. nor Colos. 3. and then 'tis not required

in any other Scripture in reference to the Church of Christ. And then Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual Songs may be sung in Christian Churches, according to the Will of God, without Musical Tunes, or Poetical Arts. And consequently the only justifiable way to sing God's Praises in Christian Churches, is, for such as God hath gifted to that Work, to do it with joyful Heart and chearful Voice, to the Glory of God, and the Edification of the Churches of Christ.

Finally, Whereas in James 5. we find direction to particular Christians, who are of a chearful heart, to sing Psalms; and hence some conceive, that these were Psalms already formed and prepared to their hands. It is all granted with this consideration only, That the Psalms were no more provided or made ready for those that were merry, than the Prayers were made ready for those that were afflicted; that is, there is sufficient direction in the holy Scriptures for all such (though but weak Christians) as have occasion to pray, or to rejoice before the Lord, how they shall discharge those Duties respectively, not that the one or the other is tied just to so many words; no, the Apostle doth neither assign them what Psalm, or what Prayer recorded in the Scripture they should make use of; but having assigned the Duty of each, he leaves them to the Assistance of God's Spirit by the Graces common to all Saints, whom Christ hath sent to comfort his Church, and to make Intercession according to the Will of God, Rom. 8. 26, 27. For we know not what to pray for as we ought, it is the Spirit that helpeth our Infirmities with Sighs and Groans, &c. What is it then, I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with under∣standing also. I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with understan∣ding also. And thus all Pious Christians, who are not able to ex∣press any thing in publick Congregations, yet may both pray, and sing the Praises of the Lord in their private Devotions: And were the Churches better seen in spiritual Gifts, and more diligent in the Exercise of them this way, private Christians would understand thereby much better how to quit themselves in their particular Du∣ties; so that I shall not need to enlarge.

Finally, after all that I have said hereabout, I would not be under∣stood to censure those that differ from me in understanding or pra∣ctice in this particular, who have a pious mind in setting forth God's Praises, in some of the Modes here opposed. Yet do I think it ne∣cessary that all Christians, and especially the Baptized Churches, do more seriously consider this matter than hitherto, that this Part of God's Service might be better known to the Glory of God and the good of the Churches. And let this one thing further be con∣sidered, that sith there is as truly a Singing with the Spirit, as a Praying with the Spirit, as well as a Singing and Praying to give, or fitted to the Understanding of others; It must needs follow that the Church may as truly be said to praise the Lord with an Hymn, &c. when one only Person pronounceth it, as she is said to pray

when one Person alone expresseth her Desires in Prayer, and there∣fore that this Duty of Singing, may be done without promiscuous singing by many voices together, no man can deny; but to do it by a multitude, is lyable to many Exceptions, as hath been shewed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mr. Stubs Light out of Dark. p. 151.
• * 1.2

  Injunct. of Q. Elizabeth.