§. XXVI.
III.Of singing Psalms. As to the Singing of Psalms, there will not be need of any long Discourse; for that the Case is just the same as in the two former of Preaching and Prayer. We confess this to be a Part of God’s Worship, and very sweet and refreshing, when it proceeds from a true Sense of God’s Love in the Heart, and arises from the divine Influence of the Spirit, A sweet harmonious Sound.which leads Souls to breathe forth either a sweet Harmony, or Words suitable to the present Condition; whether they be Words formerly used by the Saints, and recorded in Scripture, such as the Psalms of David, or other Words; as were the Hymns and Songs of Zacharias, Simeon, and the blessed Virgin Mary. But formal Singing has no Ground in Scripture.But as for the formal customary Way of Singing, it hath no Foundation in Scripture, nor any Ground in true Christianity: Yea, besides all the Abuses incident to Prayer and Preaching, it hath this more peculiar, that oftentimes great and horrid Lies are said in the Sight of God: Profane Singing of David’s Conditions refuted.For all Manner of wicked profane People take upon them to personate the Experiences and Conditions of blessed David; which are not only false, as to them, but also as to some of more Sobriety, who utter them forth: As where they will sing sometimes, Psalm xxii. 14.—My Heart is like Wax, it is melted in the Midst of my Bowels: And Ver. 15. My Strength is dried up like a Potsherd, and my Tongue cleaveth to my Jaws; and thou hast brought me into the Dust of Death: And Psalm vi. 6. I am weary with my Groaning, all the Night make I my Bed to swim: I water my Couch with my Tears: And many more, which those that speak know to be false, as to them. And sometimes will confess just after, in their Prayers, that they are guilty of the Vices opposite to those Virtues, which but just before they have asserted themselves endued with. Who can suppose that God accepts of such Juggling? And indeed such Singing doth more please the carnal Ears of Men, than the pure Ears of the Lord, who abhors all Lying and Hypocrisy.
That Singing then that pleaseth him must proceed from that which is PURE in the Heart (even from the Word of Life therein) in and by which, richly dwelling in us, spiritual Songs and Hymns are returned to the Lord, according to that of the Apostle, Col. iii. 16.
Artificial Musick.But as to their artificial Musick, either by Organs, or other Instruments, or Voice, we have neither Example nor Precept for it in the New Testament.