never_o break_v his_o promise_n if_o we_o keep_v the_o condition_n search_v out_o the_o fault_n and_o amend_v for_o the_o future_a set_v faith_n on_o work_n for_o the_o return_n of_o thy_o prayer_n for_o no_o doubt_n if_o thou_o pray_v according_a to_o god_n will_n thou_o shall_v receive_v the_o mercy_n pray_v for_o many_o deal_n by_o their_o prayer_n as_o foolish_a child_n by_o their_o arrow_n they_o shoot_v at_o rover_n and_o mark_v not_o where_o they_o light_v most_o man_n lose_v their_o prayer_n and_o heed_v not_o whether_o god_n hear_v they_o or_o not_o answer_v they_o or_o not_o they_o make_v prayer_n the_o end_n of_o prayer_n and_o rest_v satisfy_v if_o the_o work_n be_v do_v without_o on_o answer_n they_o observe_v not_o where_o they_o light_v or_o what_o come_v of_o they_o if_o thy_o petition_n be_v lawful_a expect_v a_o answer_n if_o it_o come_v be_v sure_a that_o which_o be_v get_v by_o prayer_n be_v wear_v with_o thanksgiving_n be_v not_o like_o the_o unthankful_a leper_n go_v away_o and_o let_v god_n hear_v no_o more_o of_o you_o and_o when_o thou_o pray_v against_o any_o sin_n be_v sure_a to_o set_v heart_n and_o hand_n on_o work_n to_o mortify_v that_o sin_n and_o when_o thou_o pray_v for_o any_o mercy_n be_v sure_a to_o labour_v what_o thou_o can_v in_o the_o use_n of_o mean_n to_o attain_v that_o mercy_n it_o be_v a_o vain_a wish_n which_o be_v not_o second_v with_o endeavour_n it_o be_v but_o a_o mock_n of_o god_n that_o will_v not_o be_v mock_v and_o a_o ridiculous_a thing_n to_o pray_v for_o that_o he_o will_v not_o endeavour_v for_o as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v pray_v to_o come_v to_o london_n and_o will_v not_o set_v a_o step_n that_o way_n if_o thou_o pray_v for_o spiritual_a blessing_n use_v mean_n to_o obtain_v they_o and_o if_o for_o temporal_a thing_n be_v diligent_a in_o the_o use_n of_o a_o lawful_a call_v it_o be_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o diligent_a that_o make_v rich._n when_o thou_o pray_v for_o thy_o neighbour_n be_v as_o willing_a to_o help_v he_o to_o thy_o power_n as_o to_o pray_v for_o he_o many_o man_n show_v more_o divinity_n in_o their_o word_n than_o humanity_n in_o their_o action_n one_o penny_n be_v more_o hardly_o get_v from_o they_o than_o thrice_o god_n help_v you_o and_o when_o thou_o have_v put_v up_o thy_o request_n then_o with_o patience_n wait_v for_o a_o answer_n as_o hannah_n when_o she_o have_v pour_v out_o her_o soul_n to_o god_n she_o depend_v upon_o he_o and_o look_v no_o more_o sad_a 1_o sam._n 1.18_o it_o may_v be_v though_o god_n have_v promise_v and_o will_v perform_v yet_o he_o will_v not_o give_v it_o at_o the_o first_o ask_v he_o will_v make_v thou_o seek_v again_o and_o wait_v also_o when_o peter_n be_v in_o prison_n and_o the_o church_n pray_v for_o his_o deliverance_n it_o be_v the_o last_o night_n before_o god_n grant_v their_o petition_n act_n 12.5,6_o but_o be_v it_o soon_o or_o late_a when_o the_o mercy_n come_v give_v god_n his_o tribute_n of_o praise_n this_o he_o require_v psal_n 50.15_o and_o this_o be_v david_n practice_n psal_n 116.2_o and_o christ_n charge_v this_o upon_o the_o leper_n as_o their_o fault_n if_o he_o deny_v thy_o request_n seek_v out_o what_o be_v the_o cause_n and_o perhaps_o thou_o may_v find_v some_o sin_n un-repented_n of_o and_o then_o no_o wonder_n if_o god_n hear_v thou_o not_o resolve_v with_o saul_n it_o shall_v die_v though_o it_o be_v thy_o jonathan_n 1_o sam._n 4.37_o destroy_v that_o achan_n that_o offend_v god_n and_o trouble_v israel_n or_o perhaps_o the_o petition_n require_v be_v not_o suitable_a or_o thou_o fail_v either_o in_o the_o manner_n or_o end_n if_o so_o be_v more_o wary_a the_o next_o time_n if_o neither_o of_o these_o wait_n for_o a_o answer_n set_v upon_o the_o duty_n with_o strong_a resolution_n if_o prayer_n be_v not_o strong_a enough_o join_v fast_v some_o sin_n like_o some_o devil_n come_v not_o out_o but_o by_o prayer_n and_o fast_v if_o thou_o can_v not_o do_v it_o thyself_o call_v in_o help_n take_v these_o direction_n and_o thou_o will_v find_v the_o banefit_n of_o prayer_n chap._n vii_o direction_n in_o and_o about_o sing_v of_o psalm_n the_o next_o duty_n i_o shall_v instruct_v you_o in_o be_v sing_v of_o psalm_n a_o duty_n much_o press_v and_o practise_v both_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o law_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o many_o thousand_o of_o believer_n have_v receive_v benefit_n and_o have_v be_v refresh_v by_o it_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n it_o be_v evident_a be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o compile_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o though_o sundry_a other_o piece_n of_o scripture_n have_v be_v by_o several_a person_n in_o several_a age_n call_v in_o question_n yet_o this_o be_v never_o question_v by_o any_o it_o be_v express_o mention_v by_o the_o apostle_n peter_n act_v 1.20_o yea_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v canonical_a scripture_n by_o christ_n himself_o the_o great_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n luke_n 20.42_o and_o david_n himself_o say_v in_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n the_o lord_n say_v unto_o my_o lord_n sit_v thou_o on_o my_o right_a hand_n till_o i_o make_v thy_o enemy_n thy_o footstool_n luke_n 24.44_o all_o thing_n must_v be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o the_o psalm_n concern_v i_o the_o hebrew_n title_n of_o this_o book_n be_v sepher_n tehillim_n a_o book_n of_o hymn_n because_o it_o chief_o consist_v in_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n unto_o god_n for_o his_o benefit_n and_o this_o title_n seem_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o inscription_n of_o the_o 145_o psalm_n where_o the_o word_n be_v use_v and_o the_o whole_a psalm_n spend_v itself_o in_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n indeed_o we_o read_v of_o psalm_n and_o hymn_n and_o spiritual_a song_n eph._n 5.19_o col._n 3.16_o but_o what_o the_o difference_n be_v between_o these_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o show_v no_o doubt_n one_o and_o the_o same_o psalm_n may_v admit_v of_o either_o of_o these_o name_n some_o have_v distinguish_v they_o thus_o psalm_n say_v they_o be_v those_o that_o contain_v exhortation_n to_o holiness_n and_o direction_n to_o a_o holy_a life_n hymn_n contain_v praise_n to_o god_n for_o his_o benefit_n spiritual_a and_o temporal_a and_o spiritual_a song_n be_v a_o mixture_n of_o both_o the_o original_a word_n mizmar_n come_v from_o a_o word_n that_o signify_v cut_v off_o superfluous_a thing_n and_o signify_v a_o eomposure_n of_o harmonious_a word_n without_o superfluity_n or_o excess_n and_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o whole_a book_n contain_v several_a subject_n be_v call_v by_o this_o one_o name_n of_o psalm_n even_o by_o christ_n himself_o now_o this_o divine_a ordinance_n or_o holy_a duty_n though_o both_o command_v and_o commend_v and_o practise_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o the_o church_n of_o god_n even_o down_o from_o david_n time_n to_o this_o day_n yet_o be_v deny_v by_o some_o and_o question_v by_o other_o to_o be_v a_o duty_n but_o i_o think_v they_o may_v question_v as_o some_o indeed_o do_v all_o the_o ordinance_n as_o well_o as_o this_o for_o what_o but_o the_o ignorance_n or_o wilful_a pervert_n of_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v the_o ground_n of_o such_o a_o denial_n it_o may_v be_v indeed_o they_o have_v never_o perform_v this_o duty_n as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o so_o never_o receive_v that_o benefit_n and_o refresh_n from_o it_o that_o other_o have_v do_v and_o hence_o they_o judge_v it_o be_v improfitable_a and_o condemn_v the_o ordinance_n for_o their_o own_o fault_n but_o doubtless_o many_o thousand_o of_o believer_n may_v speak_v out_o their_o experience_n and_o tell_v you_o they_o have_v be_v refresh_v by_o it_o that_o it_o be_v a_o christian_a duty_n shall_v god_n willing_a be_v further_o show_v you_o and_o that_o it_o be_v both_o profitable_a and_o pleasant_a be_v easy_a to_o prove_v the_o psalm_n be_v a_o rich_a store-house_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o provision_n and_o those_o that_o be_v conversant_a herein_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o it_o here_o be_v instruction_n for_o the_o ignorant_a to_o lead_v they_o in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o guide_v they_o by_o all_o the_o byway_n of_o error_n and_o folly_n here_o be_v incitation_n to_o the_o dull_a and_o sluggish_a to_o rouse_v they_o up_o out_o of_o the_o sleep_n of_o security_n here_o be_v prayer_n to_o draw_v down_o mercy_n from_o god_n and_o praise_n to_o god_n for_o mercy_n receive_v what_o shall_v i_o say_v whatsoever_o estate_n a_o christian_n can_v be_v in_o here_o he_o may_v find_v comfort_n or_o company_n or_o both_o here_o as_o in_o a_o glass_n be_v represent_v and_o
psalm_n be_v appoint_v by_o he_o but_o in_o what_o tune_n he_o do_v not_o determine_v any_o further_a than_o the_o general_a direction_n of_o decent_o and_o in_o order_n reach_v hebrew_n tune_n as_o i_o say_v be_v much_o unknown_a and_o if_o know_v can_v agree_v with_o our_o language_n no_o more_o do_v we_o with_o other_o language_n now_o if_o we_o sing_v it_o must_v be_v in_o some_o tune_n but_o no_o tune_n be_v peculiar_o command_v our_o own_o no_o doubt_n may_v be_v lawful_o use_v neither_o can_v it_o be_v just_o call_v a_o innovation_n thrust_v into_o god_n worship_n any_o more_o than_o the_o word_n translate_v out_o of_o the_o original_a into_o english_a in_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v read_v yet_o this_o be_v hold_v to_o be_v lawful_a it_o be_v invention_n indeed_o which_o savour_v of_o nothing_o but_o of_o the_o wit_n or_o will_v of_o man_n thrust_v into_o god_n service_n and_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n this_o may_v be_v suspect_v and_o reject_v but_o this_o be_v not_o of_o that_o nature_n the_o question_n before_o we_o be_v what_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o we_o may_v not_o use_v english_a tune_n as_o well_o as_o english_a word_n in_o god_n worship_n see_v the_o one_o be_v as_o consonant_a to_o scripture_n and_o reason_n as_o the_o other_o another_o scruple_n that_o some_o make_v upon_o the_o like_a ground_n be_v the_o reading_z of_o the_o psalm_n in_o order_n to_o sing_v indeed_o be_v all_o man_n able_a to_o repeat_v the_o psalm_n without_o book_n or_o have_v all_o those_o to_o who_o sing_v be_v a_o duty_n the_o gift_n of_o read_v or_o be_v furnish_v with_o book_n to_o read_v this_o be_v not_o necessary_a but_o till_o this_o come_v to_o pass_v which_o will_v never_o be_v reading_n be_v of_o use_n the_o whole_a congregation_n be_v to_o sing_v and_o unless_o all_o be_v thus_o qualify_v how_o can_v they_o sing_v if_o it_o be_v not_o read_v nature_n itself_o dictate_v to_o we_o we_o must_v use_v mean_n to_o bring_v to_o the_o end_n and_o the_o scripture_n never_o deny_v it_o now_o this_o be_v a_o good_a mean_n for_o instruction_n and_o why_o may_v we_o not_o receive_v instruction_n by_o the_o ear_n in_o hear_v as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o eye_n in_o read_v in_o prayer_n we_o think_v it_o more_o convenient_a to_o join_v with_o the_o minister_n hear_v he_o than_o if_o we_o can_v read_v the_o same_o prayer_n along_o with_o he_o in_o a_o book_n when_o all_o israel_n sing_v together_o with_o moses_n it_o be_v like_o it_o be_v read_v to_o they_o exod._n 15.1,2_o etc._n etc._n for_o doubtless_o all_o have_v not_o copy_n of_o it_o if_o they_o can_v have_v read_v neither_o have_v commit_v it_o to_o memory_n neither_o can_v the_o read_n of_o it_o any_o way_n hinder_v the_o melody_n neither_o will_v it_o hinder_v but_o help_v the_o understanding_n neither_o any_o way_n dull_a the_o affection_n and_o thus_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v remove_v those_o objection_n and_o answer_v the_o doubt_n of_o those_o that_o scruple_n this_o ordinance_n 6._o direct_v if_o thou_o be_v now_o convince_v that_o sing_v psalm_n be_v a_o gospel_n duty_n yea_o thy_o duty_n which_o god_n require_v of_o thou_o set_v upon_o it_o then_o with_o hope_n of_o success_n but_o be_v sure_a to_o observe_v that_o in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o duty_n thy_o end_n be_v good_a otherwise_o the_o action_n must_v needs_o be_v bad_a many_o a_o man_n lose_v much_o labour_n and_o pain_n and_o spend_v much_o time_n to_o little_a purpose_n a_o evident_a example_n we_o have_v in_o the_o pharisee_n mat._n 6.1,2_o etc._n etc._n who_o fast_v pray_v and_o give_v alm_n all_o excellent_a duty_n but_o those_o sacrifice_n though_o otherwise_o good_a be_v mix_v with_o the_o dung_n of_o their_o own_o self-seeking_a and_o desire_v of_o popular_a applause_n god_n throw_v it_o back_o into_o their_o face_n as_o dung_n without_o a_o reward_n and_o so_o it_o will_v be_v with_o thou_o if_o thou_o seek_v thyself_o and_o not_o god_n in_o the_o duty_n if_o custom_n credit_n or_o a_o desire_n of_o popular_a applause_n drive_v thou_o on_o to_o this_o duty_n and_o not_o the_o sincere_a desire_n of_o god_n glory_n thou_o may_v expect_v thy_o reward_n from_o man_n and_o not_o from_o god_n many_o man_n in_o sing_v psalm_n aim_v at_o no_o high_a end_n nor_o make_v any_o better_a use_n of_o it_o than_o they_o do_v in_o their_o profane_a song_n or_o ungodly_a ballad_n viz._n their_o own_o recreation_n to_o drive_v away_o the_o time_n or_o a_o desire_n to_o be_v applaud_v for_o their_o good_a voice_n or_o tune_n or_o excellent_a gift_n in_o sing_v but_o the_o chief_a end_n which_o every_o christian_a shall_v aim_v at_o in_o all_o his_o action_n especial_o in_o all_o his_o act_n of_o divine_a worship_n shall_v be_v god_n glory_n and_o his_o own_o soul_n good_a if_o this_o be_v lay_v aside_o thou_o may_v expect_v a_o curse_n and_o not_o a_o blessing_n upon_o thy_o proceed_n if_o this_o be_v want_v the_o duty_n be_v spoil_v if_o this_o be_v mind_v god_n will_v accept_v of_o it_o though_o accompany_v with_o many_o imperfection_n this_o heavenly_a duty_n be_v perform_v to_o this_o end_n by_o the_o angel_n and_o the_o whole_a church_n triumphant_a as_o before_o be_v show_v and_o will_v be_v the_o work_n of_o eternity_n and_o here_o upon_o earth_n if_o heart_n and_o voice_n go_v together_o it_o be_v a_o resemblance_n of_o heaven_n and_o represent_v though_o dark_o that_o melodious_a harmony_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n among_o those_o glorious_a chorister_n we_o shall_v make_v melody_n in_o our_o heart_n and_o not_o only_o with_o our_o mouth_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n and_o service_n and_o appoint_v for_o spiritual_a consolation_n not_o for_o profane_a recreation_n and_o therefore_o we_o shall_v with_o the_o psalmist_n say_v not_o unto_o we_o lord_n not_o to_o we_o but_o to_o thy_o own_o name_n be_v the_o glory_n let_v we_o work_v for_o god_n and_o he_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o give_v we_o a_o reward_n and_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v in_o this_o duty_n trumpet_n out_o his_o praise_n for_o all_o we_o have_v be_v he_o and_o from_o his_o hand_n it_o be_v we_o receive_v every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n we_o have_v our_o life_n and_o be_v from_o he_o and_o have_v no_o more_o breath_n than_o what_o he_o put_v into_o we_o and_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n we_o shall_v render_v to_o he_o the_o praise_n due_a for_o all_o and_o this_o be_v one_o way_n we_o have_v to_o praise_n he_o eph._n 5.19_o col._n 3.16_o thus_o the_o holy_a man_n of_o old_a have_v go_v before_o we_o and_o aim_v at_o this_o very_a end_n thus_o deborah_n and_o barak_n moses_n and_o miriam_n and_o many_o more_o and_o thus_o david_n resolve_v to_o do_v psal_n 7.17_o i_o will_v sing_v praise_n to_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n most_o high_a psal_n 111.1_o and_o exhort_v other_o to_o follow_v his_o example_n psal_n 30.4_o sing_v unto_o the_o lord_n o_o you_o saint_n of_o he_o etc._n etc._n psal_n 47.6_o &_o 92.1_o now_o this_o duty_n though_o it_o especial_o concern_v the_o godly_a as_o those_o that_o have_v receive_v the_o most_o and_o great_a mercy_n and_o have_v the_o great_a ability_n for_o the_o work_n yet_o other_o also_o have_v receive_v all_o they_o have_v from_o god_n be_v also_o oblige_v to_o render_v praise_n and_o thanks_o to_o god_n and_o be_v frequent_o call_v upon_o thus_o to_o do_v psal_n 110.1_o where_o all_o nation_n be_v excite_v to_o this_o duty_n and_o as_o god_n glory_n be_v chief_o to_o be_v mind_v so_o our_o own_o benefit_n be_v not_o to_o be_v neglect_v and_o our_o soul_n good_a and_o the_o psalm_n serve_v also_o for_o instruction_n and_o direction_n for_o this_o as_o well_o as_o other_o scripture_n serve_v to_o this_o end_n eph._n 5.19_o col._n 3.16_o and_o if_o we_o observe_v every_o psalm_n will_v yield_v we_o some_o profitable_a instruction_n direction_n or_o exhortation_n and_o inform_v we_o in_o many_o thing_n concern_v god_n word_n his_o attribute_n providence_n promise_n word_n and_o work_n or_o something_o concern_v ourselves_o or_o other_o good_a or_o bad_a concern_v this_o life_n or_o that_o to_o come_v and_o this_o we_o may_v not_o only_a treasure_n up_o in_o our_o own_o heart_n but_o also_o press_v it_o upon_o other_o and_o teach_v one_o another_o in_o psalm_n and_o hymn_n and_o spiritual_a song_n nay_o wicked_a man_n may_v hence_o be_v instruct_v convince_v and_o reprove_v to_o this_o end_n moses_n song_n be_v indict_v deut._n 31.19_o it_o be_v matter_n of_o consolation_n also_o to_o the_o godly_a in_o all_o condition_n here_o be_v petition_n put_v up_o to_o god_n here_o be_v promise_v make_v by_o god_n