ne it self to the original
Meaning of all these Words; for _Psalmos_ a Psalm, and the Word
_psallo_, are used, 1 Cor. 14. and in other Places of the New
Testament, where we can never suppose the primitive Church in those
Days {237} had Instruments of Music. And the Word _Ode_ a Song, is used
several times in the Book of _Revelations_, where Harps are join'd with
Voices in the Emblematical Prophesy.

3. The Sense therefore of these Words in the New Testament seems to be
thus distinguish'd. A Psalm is a general Name for any thing that is
sung in Divine Worship, whatsoever be the particular Theme or Matter;
and the Verb _psallo_ is design'd to express the Melody it self rather
than to distinguish the Matter of the Song, or Manner whereby the
Melody or Music is performed; and therefore in Eph. 5. 19. our
Translators have well rendred _adontes kai psallontes_, _Singing and
making Melody_; and it should be thus rendred, Jam. 5. 13. _Is any
merry, let him make Melody_. I confess in the New Testament the Noun
_Psalmos_ refers generally to the Book of Psalms, and without Doubt
there are many of the Palms of _David_ and _Asaph_, and other Songs
among the Books of the Old Testament which may be prudently chosen and
sung by Christians, and may be well accomodated to the Lips and Hearts
of the Church under the Gospel. Yet this Word is once used in another
Sense, as I shall show afterwards.

An Hymn, whether imply'd in the Verb _humneo_, or exprest in the Noun
_Humnos_, doth always retain its original Signification, and intend a
Song whose Matter or Design is Praise: Nor is there any thing in the
Nature or Use of the Word either in Scripture or other {238} Authors,
that determines it to signify an immediate Inspiration, or humane
Composure.

A Song, _Ode_, denotes any Theme or Subject compos'd into a Form fit
for Singing, and seems to intend somewhat suited to the Gospel-State,
rather than any Jewish Psalms or Songs in all the five Verses in the
New Testament where it is used.

Eph. 5. 19. & Col. 3. 16. 'Tis join'd with the word _Spiritual_; and
that seems to be used by the Apostle in all his Epistles, as a very
distinguishing Word between the Law and Gospel, the Jewish and the
Christian Worship. The Jews had _carnal Ordinances_, and _carnal
Commandments_, and their State and Dispensation is often called
_Flesh_, but the Church under the Gospel is a _spiritual House, blessed
with spiritual Blessings_, endow'd _with spiritual Gi