Davidius
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
Prove it.
Have you read Book III of John Gill's A Body of Practical Divinity. The relevant sections are:
Chapter 3. Of the Public Ministry of the Word.
Chapter 5. Of Public Prayer.
Chapter 6. Of the Lord's Prayer.
Chapter 7. Of Singing Psalms.
A relevant quote: "And singing musically with the voice, as a religious action, is distinct from all other religious acts and exercises. From prayer: James speaks of them as two distinct things in the place before quoted; and so the apostle Paul, when he says, “I will pray with the Spirit, and I will sing with the Spirit also;” or if he means the same, he must be guilty of a very great tautology (1 Cor. 14:15). Paul and Silas in prison, both prayed and sung praises, which are evidently two distinct exercises (Acts 16:25)."
Incidently The LBC of 1689 which you say you adhere to also makes this distinction:
22. 3 - Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.
( Psalms 95:1-7; Psalms 65:2; John 14:13, 14; Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14; 1 Corinthians 14:16, 17 )
22.5 - The reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and hearing the Word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord; as also the administration of baptism, and the Lord's supper, are all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with fastings, and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.
( 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 8:18; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Esther 4:16; Joel 2:12; Exodus 15:1-19, Psalms 107 )
No one is denying that there is a distinction in the elements of a worship service - what I asked specifically for is any biblical evidence that they are regulated differently. And even more specifically for any evidence whatsoever that there is a narrower criteria for songs then for the other elements of a service.
If you acknowledge the RPW and don't deny that there are distinctions in elements of worship, then you should not be asking for biblical evidence that the elements are regulated differently. The very nature of the RPW demands that each element be regulated differently. A positive command for one element can't, according to the RPW, apply to anything but the thing included in that command.