Ser. IV. What was Ceremonial refer'd only to the manner of Performance under the Levitical Priesthood, which was in a very pompous manner, with a variety of mufical Inftruments, and Perfons, who as Officers or Masters in Mufick, did direct and prefide in the management of it. This, I am of Opinion, did die and was bury'd with the Jewish Ceremonys; but the Practice of Singing ftill remains as a part of natural Religion, and is of Itanding and univerfal Obligation: This, if duly confider'd, wou'd I hope remove the Difficultys about this Duty. The ufe of mufical Inftruments, &c. was only a ceremonial Appendage or external Solemnity, and of it felf no rational part of Worfhip; but to fing forth the Praifes of God with our Lips is of a different nature, and falls under another Confideration. And tho the Jewish manner of performing this Duty be now ceas'd, it does not follow that therefore there must be no Singing at all, or that because the Harp and Cymbal are laid afide,

our

our Mouths must be feal'd up too. Ser. IV. None can be ignorant how ftre nuously the Apostle Paul does plead for the abolishing of the Jewish Ceremonys, and particularly in the fecond Chapter of his Epiftle to the Coloffians; and yet in the very next Chapter he re commends to them the Practice of finging Pfalms, which certainly he would never have done were this to have been rank'd among the number of the former. His exhorting them to do this with Col. III. I Grace in their Hearts, and to make 16. melody in their Hearts to the Lord, Eph.V.19. does no way forbid vocal Singing; any more than because it was their Duty alfo to pray with the Heart, they ought not to use their Voice in Prayer. It is evident this was only to direct them in Singing, that while they were imploy'd in the outward Duty, they fhould take care it be with a futable Difpofition of Spirit, both being put together, Singing and making melody in the Heart.

To conclude, it should methinks tend to réconcile Perfons to this Practice,"

Ser. IV.Practice, that we plead for no more than what is neceffary to the decent and lively difcharge of a Duty which is written with the Pen of Nature upon Mens Hearts; letting all other pompous Obfervances remain where our Saviour and his Apostles left them and if Singing in the Worship of God be a part of natural Religion, it anfwers

§. 2. The next Objection against it as a needlefs thing: For what can be more neceffary than that which our Reafon dictates to be a piece of Homage, indifpenfibly due from Creatures to their Maker and Benefactor? To fay that praifing of God by Singing is needlefs or fuperfluous, because it may be done as well by Prayer, is a mistake; which may be evinc'd from the nature of the thing, as well as ex perience. Besides, we are not to take the Measures of our Duty from what we judg proper or needful, but from the Will and *Eph. V. Command of Chrift *. It would 19. Col. be, I confefs, an expeditious way III. 16. to fhrink Religion into a meagre Jam-V.13.

Skeleton,

Skeleton, a thin Shadow, if we Ser. IV. were oblig'd to do no more than what our corrupt and felf-indulgent Nature fhould think necessary: Might we not then argue as ftrongly against the Lord's Supper? Can you not think of his dying Love when you pray or hear the Word preach'd? What *need of going to the Table? But as this is an Ordinance, own'd to be inftituted on purpose for the commemorating of Chrift's Death and Sufferings; fo why may not finging of Pfalms be a distinct Ordinance, appointed for the celebrating in an efpecial manner the Praifes of God? And can we be fo difingenuous as to refufe exalting the Name of God in any way that is poffible and lawful for us, who in fuch numberlefs ways hath been infinitely merciful and gracious to us?

§. 3. 'Tis objected that this is a Practice without New Teftament Prefcription; and would you have us fing without warrant from Christ? To make good this Objection, they endeavour to enervate

the

Ser. IV. the force of thofe Paffages we produce from the New Teftament. for the establishing our Practice.

As to that which mentions our Matth. Saviour's finging an Hymn with the XXVI.30. Difciples, they would make us beὑμνήσαν- lieve the original word imports

no more than fimple giving of Thanks, without Singing, but all who understand Greek, and will be impartial, mult confefs that the word does in its primary and proper fenfe fignify fuch a praifing of God as is perform'd by Sing ing. To cite Authoritys can be of no ufe to the Unlearn'd, and to thofe who are converfant in this Tongue it is notorious; befides, the fenfe of this word is fo fully clear'd in fome late Treatifes, that I fhall refer you to them, where you have the Judgment of Austin, Conftantine, Suidas, Calvin, Beza, and our Countrymen Ainsworth, Leigh, and many more that might be added. But it may fuffice to

*Singing of Pfalms vindicated from the Charge of Novelty, printed by Mr. Parkhurst, Mr. Allen's Effay, and the Vindication of it. convince