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See also Spiritual Helps for Psalm Singing,
which contains numerous more puritan treatises.
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Order of Contents
1500’s 2
1600’s 14+
1700’s 2
Latin 1
Individual Puritans 1
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1500’s
Bullinger, Henry – pp. 190-97 in 5th Sermon, ‘Of the Form & Manner how to Pray to God; that is, of the calling on the name of the Lord; where also the Lord’s Prayer is expounded; and also singing…’ in The Decades ed. Thomas Harding (Cambridge: Parker Society, 1850), vol. 4, 5th Decade
Bullinger advocates for inspired psalmody, though he held, in that Swiss reformed context (where many reformed churches did not sing at all), that singing was indifferent and not necessary in comparison to praying. One main reason given for this, besides the similarity of praying and singing, and the various Biblical and historical evidence he expounds, was that “Neither yet does all singing and in every place edify; neither are all churches fit to sing (p. 195). He also critiques Gregorian chanting.
Vermigli, Peter Martyr – pp. 313-14 of ‘Of Music & Meter’ in The Common Places… (London: Henrie Denham et al., 1583), pt. 3, ch. 13, ‘Of Holy Prayers & of the Intercession of Christ’
Vermigli apparently allowed for instruments as he speaks of musicians being paid by the Church, of piping with singing, and he distinguishes singing and music. He allowed for hymns to be sung in the church, understanding them as the Word of God, when judiciously selected and agreeing therewith. A main concern of his at the end is navigating between reformed churches that used singing in worship and those that did not, he holding the matter to be essentially indifferent, and to be used unto edification if it may be.
“…in the tabernacle and temple built by Solomon, the Levites at their times appointed were present, who before the Lord, in the hearing of the people, sang holy hymns, and in giving thanks to God did most sweetly celebrate certain notable benefits bestowed upon their nation… In these words [of Col. 3:16] Paul expresses two things. First, that our songs should be the Word of God, which must abound plentifully in us…
heed must be taken that in the churches nothing be sung without choice, but only those things which be contained in the holy Scriptures, or which are by just reasons gathered out of them, and do exactly agree with the Word of God. For if there should be a window opened unto the inventions of men, it were to be feared lest ecclesiastical music would at length turn to fables and trifles…
I speak not these things as though I would dispraise the hymns of
Ambrose and other hymns which be of that nature: forsomuch as I judge, that by them the faithful may be instructed and also admonished… For whatsoever things were written in them, we must believe that they agree with the holy Scriptures; and that they further the edifying of the faithful in the church…
But now to conclude the matter, I affirm that godly and religious songs may be retained in the church: and yet I grant that there is no precept given thereof in the New Testament. Wherefore, if there be any church which upon just causes uses it not, the same cannot be justly condemned: so that it defend not that the thing itself, of his own nature or by the commandement of God, is unlawful; and that it do not for the same causes either reprove other churches which use singing and music, or else exclude them from the fellowship of Christ…
So that if we shall perceive in these days that the Christian people do run unto the churches as vnto a stage play where they might be delighted with piping and singing, in this case we must rather abstain from a thing that is not necessary than to feed their own pleasures with the destruction of their souls.” – pp. 312-14
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1600’s
Ainsworth, Henry – ‘Of Worship’, ‘Singing of Psalms’, pp. 20-21 in A Defence of the Holy Scriptures, worship, and ministery, used in the Christian Churches separated from Antichrist Against the challenges, cavils and contradiction of Mr. Smyth... (Amsterdam, 1609)
Hildersham, Arthur – ‘That it is an ancient and excellent ordinance of God that in his worship and service we should sing psalms, even David’s psalms, and that we should sing them in that manner as may be most unto edification’ in Lecture 1 of 152 Lectures upon Psalm 51… (London, 1635), pp. 4-6
The English puritan Hildersham, amongst other things, argues against other Bible-songs besides the psalms being sung as the public praise of the Church.
Mather, Richard et al. – ‘Preface’ to the Bay Psalm Book
This was the first book printed in New England. See also the ‘Introduction’.
Holmes, Nathanael – Gospel Music: or, The Singing of David’s Psalms, etc. in the public congregations, or private families asserted & vindicated against a printed pamphlet entitled, Certain reasons by way of confutation of singing Psalms in the letter; Objections sent in, in writing; Scruples of some tender consciences… unto which is added the judgment of our worthy brethren of New England touching singing of Psalms Buy (1644) 46 pp.
Holmes was an English, Independent puritan and argues for inspired Bible-song singing.
Cotton, John – Singing of Psalms: A Gospel Ordinance Buy (1647) 128 pp.
Cotton argues for inspired Bible-song singing as the only regular ordinance for the singing of praise in the public worship of the Church.
Taylor, Jeremy – ‘The Preface’ to The Psalter of David with Titles & Collects according to the Matter of each Psalm: whereunto is added Devotions for the help and assistance of all Christian people, in all occasions & necessities (London, 1647)
Taylor (1613–1667) was a conformed cleric in the Church of England who advocated for very liturgical worship. The Preface is very good, at length, with regard to the psalms. Some of the references to ‘hymns’ he makes refer to the psalms themselves. Taylor held to predominant psalmody.
Martindale, Adam – Doubt 52 in ch. 12, ‘Of Religious Worship…’ in Divinity-Knots Unloosed: or a Clear Discovery of Truth; by Resolving Many Doubts according to Scripture, Orthodox Divines & Sound Reason (London, 1649), pp. 49-51
Martindale (1623-1686) was an English presbyterian minister who had taken the Solemn League & Covenant.
Ford, Thomas – Singing of Psalms the Duty of Christians under the New Testament, or, a Vindication of that Gospel Ordinance in 5 Sermons upon Eph. 5:19 Buy (1653)
Ford was a Westminster divine and presbyterian. He allows for singing some hymns in private, but believes they ought not to be sung in the Church’s public worship.
Leigh, Edward – ch. 3. Of Singing Psalms in A System or Body of Divinity… (London, A.M., 1654), bk. 8, pp. 609-11
Sydenham, Cuthbert – A Gospel-Ordinance Concerning the Singing of Scripture Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs Buy (1654) 122 pp.
MacWard, Robert – pp. 272-280 of The True Non-Conformist, Dialogue 5 (1671) 9 pp.
MacWard was a Scottish covenanter and the protege of Samuel Rutherford. He argues that (1) singing is a distinct element from prayer with different Biblical regulations, and (2) that inspiration is a requirement for sung praise (contra man-made hymns and praise songs), in the context of having critiqued the Anglican prayer service, and heard the Anglican’s response.
Roberts, Francis – ‘Of Singing of Psalms’ (1675) 10 pp. being pp. 118-128 from his The Key of the Bible: Unlocking the Richest Treasury of the Holy Scriptures
Roberts argues for inspired Bible-song singing.
Manton, Thomas – Sermon 24, on Eph. 5:19, pp. 411-417 in Sermons on Eph. 5:1-27 in Works, vol. 19 (1680’s)
Manton was an English presbyterian that allowed for hymns, and that likely even in public worship, but he takes Eph. 5:19 to refer primarily to psalms and thinks that psalms, and perhaps that only, ought to be the public sung praise of the Church as they are inspired, most fitting, and agreed upon by all Christians.
Hutchins, Edward – Scripture Proof for Singing Hymns & Spiritual Songs in John Owen, The Glory of Evangelical Worship Buy (Puritan Publications, 2018)
“Hutchins was a minister at the end of the 17th century, who gave an astounding demonstration of Scriptural prowess outlining and explaining the prophetic nature of the Psalms, and the New Testament ordinance of exclusive psalm singing. This work has never been published before since Hutchins’ day, and is one of the most impressive and concise works of this kind ever written with such biblical skill and insight; a Scriptural tour de force not to be missed.” – Matthew McMahon
Allen, Richard – An Essay to Prove the Singing of Psalms with Conjoined Voices, a Christian Duty: and to Resolve the Doubts Concerning it (London, 1696) 150 pp. This book was recommended by five other ministers, two of which, at least, were baptists.
Allen (fl. 1696-1700) was likely a baptist. His son-in-law was Charles Gregory. He argues for majority psalm singing (pp. 58-61).
H., E. – Scripture Proof for singing of Scripture Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: or an Answer to Several Queries and Objections Frequently made use of to stumble and turn aside young Christians from their Duty to God in Singing of Psalms, Gathered out of the Scriptures of Truth, to which is added the Testimony of Some Learned Men, to Prove that Scripture-Psalms are Intended by all Those Three Words, Psalms, Hymns and Songs, used by the Apostle, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16 (London, 1696) 48 pp. The list of testimonies from ‘learned men’ begins on the bottom of p. 41. He quotes Ainsworth, Cotton, the Bay Psalm Book, the Preface to the Scottish Metrical Psalter, Augustine, Hilary & Sidenham.
E.H. was a little-known laymen, though the work was highly commended in ‘The Epistle [to the Reader]’ by two more well-known particular baptist ministers of that era. For the larger historical context that this work appeared in, see Thomas Ross, ‘English Particular Baptist Singing and Congregational Worship Practices to 1700’.
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1700’s
A’Brakel, Willhelmus – Ch. 79, ‘Singing’ in The Christian’s Reasonable Service, vol. 4, pp. 31-38
“The decision of the Dutch Synods has been very correct indeed, namely, that none other but the Psalms of David are to be used in the churches.” – pp. 34-5
Gill, John – A Discourse On Singing of Psalms as a Part of Divine Worship Buy 1733, 39 paragraphs
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Latin
Brown of Wamphray, John – bk. 6, ch. 36, ‘Of the Public Exercises of the Lord’s Day’, pp. 957-966 in A Tract on the Cause of God Against the Anti-Sabbatarians, vol. 2 (Rotterdam, 1676)
David Hay Fleming on p. 959: “Paul’s three words are restricted to the Book of Psalms, and several very cogent reasons are given for doing so.”
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On the Psalm-Singing of Individual Puritans
On Owen
McMahon, Matthew – ‘On Owen’s View of Exclusive Psalmody’ in John Owen, The Glory of Evanglical Worship Buy (Puritan Publications, 2018)
This is “a summary complied throughout all his writings” on the subject.
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Related Pages
Familiar Tunes for Singing Psalms
The Westminster Assembly and Psalm Singing
The Puritans and Psalm Singing
The Puritans on ‘Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs’, Eph. 5:19 & Col. 3:16
Historic Quotes of Praise on the Psalms
Do We Sing Christ’s Name in the Psalter?