Reformed Churches Of Nassau (1578): No Organs In Church

Latin songs, as well as organs (first introduced into the churches by Pope Vitellianus about 665) are for the most part abolished in the churches of this land.

Not that the use of the Latin language or of music is rejected of itself and the youth are rightly allowed these in their place, as in the schools and at home in their houses.

But it is more profitable and edifying when in the public assemblies, the prayer, singing, and the whole of the service of worship is performed in a known and intelligible language so that the common man is able to retain something from it, and to say Amen.

And this has the Apostle commanded the Corinthians in their assemblies (1 Cor. 14), who otherwise highly extols tongues and the variety of languages.

So also the superfluous and unbeneficial costs expended on organs are much better directed to other necessary causes in the maintenance of churches and schools.

“The Nassau Confession” (1578) in Reformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation, volume 3, 1567–1599 (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2013), 515.


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