Quest. 9 . “Is singing of psalms with grace in the heart, a part of the ordinary worship of God?”
Yes; Col. 3.16. Eph. 5.19. James 5.13.
Well then, do not the Quakers, and other sectaries, err, who are against the singing of psalms, or at least tie it only to some certain persons, others being excluded?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
1st, From the practice of Christ and his apostles, Matt. 26.30. From the example of Paul and Silas, Acts 16.25. From Moses and the Israelites, Exod. 15.
2d,Because the singing of psalms was commanded under the Old Testament, and that, not as a type of any substance to come, nor for anyceremonial cause. Neither is it abrogated under the New Testament,but confirmed, Psalm 30.4. Psalm 149.1.
3d, From the general and universal commands in the New Testament, Eph. 5.19. Col. 3.16. 1 Cor. 14.15.
4th,Because the apostle James says, Is any man afflicted, let him pray;is any man merry, let him sing psalms, chap. 5.13. The meaning isnot, that none should sing but such as are merry; for then noneshould pray but such as are afflicted.
5th,Because by singing of psalms we glorify God, we make his praise glorious: we edify others with whom we sing as well as we edify ourselves. So the end to be proposed in singing, is teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, Col. 3.16. Lastly, We cheer and refresh ourselves by making melody in our hearts to the Lord, Eph. 5.19. Which ariseth, first, from our conscientious going about it as a piece of the worship toGod, and in so doing we are accepted in that. Secondly, From its being a part of Scripture, appointed for his praise, whether it agreewith our case or not. That being the end wherefore it was designed tobe sung, is a sufficient warrant for our joining in the singing thereof.
David Dickson, Truth’s Victory Over Error, or, the true principles of the Christian religion, stated and vindicated against the following heresies, viz. Arians… Vaninians, &c. The whole being a commentary on all the chapters of the Confession of Faith, by way of question and answer: in which, the saving truths of our holy religion are confirmed and established; and the dangerous errors and opinions of its adversaries detected and confuted, Glasgow, Scotland, [1764], p. 152
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