Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists therefore, have foolishly borrowed, this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostles is far more pleasing to him. - John Calvin, Commentary on Psalm 33

Instrumental Music in Public Worship: The Views of John Calvin; Instrumental Music in Public Worship: History Surrounding the Westminster Assembly; The Heresy of Instrumental Music in Public Worship, by John L. Girardeau

Musical instruments in worship were not used in the early church and the best Reformers called the use of musical instruments in worship "the badge of Popery". This is because musical instruments in worship were part of the ceremonial law (shadows) that were abrogated with the coming of Christ (The Light). This is simply classic Apostolic and Reformed teaching, whereas the Papal Antichrist is the one who brought musical instruments into the church much later in history. See: John Girardeau, in his classic work, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN THE PUBLIC WORSHIP OF THE CHURCH (free at http://www.covenanter.org/reformed/2015/7/27/john-l-girardeaus-book-on-instrumental-music-in-the-public-worship-of-the-church)

All human inventions which are set up to corrupt the simple purity of the Word of God, and to undo the worship which he demands and approves, are true sacrileges, in which the Christian man cannot participate without blaspheming God, and trampling his honour underfoot. - John Calvin on the Puritan Hard Drive.

FREE SWRB MP3: Instrumental Music in Public Worship in the Old Testament (and the Second Commandment In Covenanter, Puritan and Reformed Worship) by Greg Price (Free MP3 and Video)

"All worshipping, honoring, or service invented by the brain of man in the religion of God, without His own express commandment, is idolatry." - John Knox cited in Greg Price, FOUNDATION FOR REFORMATION: THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE OF WORSHIP, free at http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/REFORMATION-RPW-GP.htm

FREE SWRB MP3: Instrumental Music in Public Worship in the New Testament (and the Second Commandment In Covenanter, Puritan and Reformed Worship) by Greg Price (Free MP3 and Video)

What are the signs of the times in the sphere of Worship? I confess that upon this subject I scarcely dare trust myself to speak. The movement of our times strikes me with astonishment. There was nothing in the past about which God was so jealous as the mode of His worship. There was nothing around which He threw guards and fences so awful as around His worship. His wrath leaped forth as a vehement flame against those who asserted their wills in His worship. He reserved to Himself the high prerogative of appointing the ways in which men should approach Him in His public worship, and instantly resented every invasion of that prerogative. ... Did the apostolic church know anything of instrumental music in public worship, of liturgies, of the decorations of church edifices? How come we to know them except by breaking with the apostolic order and the will of our King? Hearken, men and brethren! Let us take just one of these elements of innovation upon the primitive order of worship and rapidly trace its history. For 1,200 years the Christian church knew nothing of instrumental music in her public worship. In the thirteenth century its proposed introduction into the Church of Rome — corrupt as it then was — was ineffectually resisted by some of her most eminent theologians. At the reformation the Swiss Protestant Church cast it out; the French Protestant Church cast it out; the Dutch Church cast it out; the Scotch Church cast it out; the English Puritans cast it out; and the Church of England came very nigh casting it out. At its first planting, the American Evangelical Church refused to adopt it. What do we now behold? Its use by nearly all the leading churches of Protestantism, in opposition to the Scriptures and the venerable precedents which have just been recited. What a change! What a blazing sign in the sky of the Protestant Church! What is to stop the tendency? The beginning is the mother of the end. What end? The full orchestra of Rome. - John L. Girardeau (on the Puritan Hard Drive)

Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the Church, By John L. Girardeau -- this book is free online at http://www.covenanter.org/reformed/2015/7/27/john-l-girardeaus-book-on-instrumental-music-in-the-public-worship-of-the-church in text, and at http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/301984 (5 MP3s) -- and both versions are also on the Puritan Hard Drive.

If there was no such thing as an organ, or any instrument of music, used in the worship of the Apostolic Church, and if it be supposed that instrumental music is really helpful to the devout feelings of a Gospel-worshipper, then see what is the inevitable inference: Either the Apostles, who were commissioned to teach the churches "ALL things whatsoever" that Christ had "commanded them," failed in their duty, and omitted a very important part of their instructions; in which case, the very men on whose testimony the truth of the Gospel narrative essentially depends, are found unfaithful, and consequently, may have been "false witnesses of God:" or, the Lord Jesus, himself, was so deficient in wisdom, or in kindness, as to omit an instruction which was indispensable to the happiness and spiritual improvement of his people, and which it was left for the Papacy, in the dark ages, to discover! In every case, "will-worship" is of a most malignant influence, and most presumptuous in its very nature." - Alexander Hislop (on the Puritan Hard Drive)

Casting Down Instrumental Music, As the Badge Of Popery (Ceremonial Law), In Worship, by Pastor Jim Dodson (Free MP3)

While many who employ [the organ] consider themselves the very champions of Protestantism, it will be long, long indeed, before they uproot Popery by this regulator of choirs; and while nothing has ever proved more annoying to Papists than the singing of Psalms in a congregational manner, the playing of all the heretical organs in Christendom causes to them comparatively little sorrow. On the contrary, the cross surmounting a Protestant meeting house, and the swelling tones of the organ within, give to her sons the hope that “holy mother” may yet receive these errorists, who are, at least, so far rejoicing under her shadow, and becoming familiar with her "image and superscription." - Alexander Blaikie, The Philosophy of Sectarianism, emphases added

Uncommanded Worship Is Idolatry (Reformation, Regulative Principle, Christ's Kingship) by Jim Dodson (Free MP3 and PDF)

The use of singing with instrumental music was not received in the Christian churches as it was among the Jews in their infant state, but only the use of plain song ... Musical organs pertain to the Jewish ceremonies and agree no more to us than circumcision. - Justin Martyr

The Badge of Popery: Musical Instruments in Public Worship, by R. J. George

It was only permitted to the Jews, as sacrifice was, for the heaviness and grossness of their souls. God condescended to their weakness, because they were lately drawn off from idols: but now instead of organs, we may use our own bodies to praise him withal. - Chrysostom

WORSHIP: THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE OF WORSHIP IN HISTORY, by Dr. Reg Barrow

Sin Of Reviving Forms Of Worship That Have Been Destroyed Vs the Regulative Principle, by Pastor Jim Dodson (Free MP3)