wee take in plainness and then all Art and Industry is little enough to shun a harsh Translation becaus as ill cooking spoil's good meat and make's men loathe so ill Psalmodie like the loosness of Ely's sons make's men abhorr the offering of the Lord to recover whose appetites to this Ordinance there had need to be an exquisite composure Now to give the Reader som account of the particulars under publication I desire that hee may understand I. That I do not magnifie my self but as the Apostle saith in another case I magnifie my Office so say I in this I magnifie God's ordinance many ravishing expressions wee have heard in praier though not altogether composed out of Scripture how much more might wee bee stirred with Psalm-composures out of Scripture if it were indeed exactly don as to the worthiness of this work I say in relation to men that it is not all mine own and in reference to God I say it is not one jot mine own except the Errata and truly they are not all mine own neither II. Much less do I endeavour to cast aspersions upon any or to triumph in the ruines of an old Psalm-book which as in many things it may easily bee mended so in som respects it is heard to bee excelled nor in all defects is easily redressed wherefore I have mentioned the faults but sparingly as may appear by these particulars 1. There are many unseemly phrases unmentioned as I do not lust to haunt or use be bold and have a lust yea from my youth I had a lust and in other places so Trade often used for Religion c. 2. Many obsolete words as glory goodly dight the woful hearted wight thousands of Neat and Kine the springing wels and bourn ay eke agast revere and many more 3. There are many more examples to the other heads but for swelling the View into a volume 4. I have but instanced in one or two examples for the 7th head whereof are many hundreds were it not necessary to compare them with the text still and so to set down both which were too troublesom and tedious for omissions additions and mistakes are not easily judged of but by them that know the text verie well 5. I hinted not how manie faults may oft be spied out of one example let mee give a short one Psal. 107.27 Or had of sense no feel First the word is clipt No feel for no feeling Secondly transposed of sense no feeling for no feeling of sense Thirdly improper for wee say no sense or no feeling but no feeling of sense is an improper Pleonasm 6. I omit to mention of Apocryphal Psalms and tunes which are many and as all men know need to bee redressed III. Lastly I do least of all intend disadvantage to any man's interest by this work wherefore I crave the concurrence of all good people that the old Psalm book more exceptionable then the Common-Praier-book may without farther prejudice against singing Psalms bee removed and a compleat one come in the room The only end of this enforced pains and publication beeing this 1. To discover the original Caus that impedeth Psalm-singing and the effectual Cure 2. To engage all parties interessed to accommodation for the publick good 3. To acknowledg the deserved honor of those worthy Men that have encouraged and do encourage this necessary Work I. Improper unseemly and non sensical passages in the old Psalm-book Psal. 33.21 OVr soul in God hath joy game Psalm 31.9 my womb for wo doth ake Psalm 35.21 With open mouth they run at mee They gape they laugh they steer Well well say they c. vers 18. Lord when wilt thou amend this geer ver. 26. so so this geer goes trim Psalm 119.110 to catch mee at a bay Psalm 18 14. and at thy chiding chear ver. 35. nor stumble at a balk Psalm 77.8 for ever and a day Psalm 33.8 All men on earth both least and most Psalm 94 20. Wilt thou inhaunt thy self and draw with wicked men to sit Psalm 74.20 Forget not alwaies in thy power the poor that much do rue Psalm 8◠6. And likewise laws both all and some Psalm 87.7 through God's device appear Psalm 119.131 For joy I have both gap't breath'd Psalm 24.6 This is the brood of travellers in seeking of his grace As Jacob did the Israëlite in that time of his race Psalm 119.53 and did procure thy judgments who know's when Psalm 27.2 While yt my foes wth al their strength begin with mee to braul Psalm 89.39 annoint him king of all the rout Psalm 119.93 when I was at last cast Psalm 60.6 this was his joyfull tale Psalm 35.16 But they at my diseas did joy and gather on a rout Yea abject slaves at mee did toy with mocks checks full stout Psalm 119.120 My flesh alas is taken with fear as though it were benum'd For when I see thy judgments straight I am as one aston'd II. Old obsolete clip't coined words bald words and botches in the old Psalm-book Psalm Psal. 1.1 TO wicked read his ear Psalm 119.100 I held it ay best read Psalm 2.7 did say to mee I wot Psalm 88.13 of all thy wonders wot Psalm 22.9 I cam by thy behest Psalm 44.3 the land of his behest Psalm 73.15 when other men bee shent Psalm 119.80 That no confusion seise on mee whereby I should bee shent Psalm 35.14 And clad my self in sack Psalm 73.2 And ere I wist even at a pinch my steps awry gan glide Psalm 106.23 before him in the break To turn his wrath lest hee on them with slaughter should and wreak Psalm 78.24 a food of micle wonder Psalm 80.1 Thou herd that Israël dost keep Psalm 28.4 let them receive their meed vers 6. his law nor yet his lore Psalm 119.122 with rage as they were wood Psalm 106.24 that hee behight to give Psalm 136.1 O laud the Lord benigne Psalm 9.16 lie trapt in his own wark Psalm 51.2 my sin is in mine eyne Psalm 107.17 and cannot from them wend Psalm 91.10 with thee it shall not mell Psalm 44.1 in alder time O Lord Psalm 78.11 and all his work most magnifique ver. 12. that call'd is Thaneos Such hath the Scot's psalm-Psalm-book Psal. 18.26 PVre to the pure froward the kythes unto the froward wight III. Transposition or words shamefully put out of order in the old psalm-Psalm-book Psal. 109.20 IT shall be far him fro Psal. 118.6 when God stand's mee about Psal. 60.8 for favour mee unto Psal. 91.12 still waiting thee upon Psal. 119.75 the cause just need 's bee must ver. 172. and on this wise say shall Note that these Transpositions are very great faults especially in Prepositions made Postpositions contrary to their nature and in signs of Verbs as in the last example but are so exceeding frequent in the Scotch psalm-Psalm-book and Mr White's that they need no other faults to bee alleged to satisfie the Reader of their unhandsomness for
A VIEW Of many ERRORS and som gross ABSURDITIES in the Old Translation OF THE PSALMS in English Metre AS ALSO In som other Translations lately published SHEWING How the PSALMS ought to be translated to be acceptable and edifying Together with sundry Epigramms and Suffrages of many Godly and Learned men in behalf of the Author's TRANSLATION And Reasons for publishing the same By W. B. M.A. and Minister of the GOSPEL Psal. 47.7 Sing Praises with understanding Malach. 1.8 If yee offer the blinde for Sacrifice is it not evil And if yee offer the lame and sick is it not evil LONDON Printed by W.D. and are to be sold by F. Eglesfield and Thomas Vnderhill in Paul's Church-yard and F. Tyton at the three Daggers neer the Temple in Fleet-street M.DC.LVI TO THE COVRTEOVS READER THere are three main ends of Psalms 1. That the praises of God which Psalms do chiefly express may bee celebrated by all Psal. 34.3 69.30 2. That every Christian might not only be a visible Professor but an audible Actor in these praises Psalm 66.1 2. 3. That all men might learn by heart the Principles of Religion the Psalms as Rivet saith being a compendium of Scripture affording all points necessary for doctrine and duty Coloss. 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs c. From which words follow also these Conclusions 1. That Scripture psalms even David's Psalms called in Hebrew by the name of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs and no other should be used in the Church for no other are the word of Christ and consequently cannot have that certainty purity authority and sufficiency that the Scripture psalms have 2. That these Psalms of David must as well be translated into Verse for Singing as into Prose for Reading yea into such Verse as is proper for every Nation to take into Tunes and that they should all be so translated that the Church might be fully furnished 3. That they must bee translated very plainly for understanding very smoothly for easie reading and remembring and very sweetly for our delighting otherwise they cannot be suitable to those ends for which God hath ordained and indited a Psalm book in his Word for the edification of his Church Now that the Psalms of David may be thus translated since nothing in the Text may be omitted but must virtually at least be put into the Translation neither must any thing be added in the Translation that is not virtually in the Text it must needs follow that some latitude of paraphrastical expressions must be allowed neither can any Translator either by way of Verse or Prose avoid it for what I pray you is the translation of any Hebraism but paraphrase The Vers-translation therefore which require's exact measure and abundant metre and some variety for the better help of memory and delectation of the minde require's oftentimes a more ample paraphrase For the Matter therefore of the Vers-translation let it be 1. The very words of the text or 2. words to the same effect or 3. an allusion to some parallel Scripture or 4. an amplification of the plain scope of the text or 5. an explication of the true sense of it or 6. a fuller exposition of the Hebrew of which there are at least five hundred instances to bee given in the Translation which I offer For the Manner of the Translation also 1. Let it avoid all transpositions of the words and consequently all interruptions of the sens except what wee admit of usually in prose 2. Let it retain som degree of sense in every line and use no broken verses at all 3. Let it be in usual known tunes that for the most part in double meters which is so excellent an help to memory and a quickner of affection And for the rarer sort of tunes generally harped on let divers bee done in Aliters according to the old 51 113 and 148. 4. Let it avoid all hypermeters whatsoëver except what do naturally run into one syllable 5. Let the Verse be smooth in running for harshness as well as disorder in the words will render it very difficult in reading 6. Lastly let the words be all pure proper seemly and significant the want whereof was the most visible defect of the old Psalm-book and was doubtless the first and principal of those causes that took off and alienated the mindes of Christians from this sweet and sacred duty But now that the removall of all defects of the Psalm-book and to bring it in it 's kinde to the degree and perfection of the Prose-translation is in so ready and hopefull a way let mee gratifie the Reader with a brief and plain Narrative of the whole business whereby the Providence will appear that hath brought it so about Whenas Francis Rous Esquire had many years ago put forth a Translation of the Psalms which Book was by the first Parlament committed to the Assembly of Divines who thinking to bring it nearer to the Original did make it much more harsh and farr less acceptable then it was before I having put out a Translation of mine own and a second Edition thereof which found good acceptation as may appear by the Epigramms which follow addressed my self to Mr Rous and was by him accepted incouraged and directed to amend all and compose a new one out of his and mine This I did and tendred with a Petition to the said Parlament who referred it to a Committee of Divines to report which report being never made during the Sitting of the said Parlament there was neither opportunity nor safety to print and publish it till I obtained an Order from His Highness for security of the Copie And then not being at leasure in person to attend the Press som errors escaped without correction which might easily have been prevented and for the present may be tolerably amended with a pen In this long vacancy that was there were published two other Psalm books one by the Scots the other in the name of Mr White of Dorchester deceased Both these do take the greatest part of that which is well done in them wholly or partly out of Mr Rous his and mine Compare Psal. 1. of the Scot's Translation with Ours the 16. of that with Mine the 119. of the other with Mr Rous his Their own Verse consist's generally of single rime and that very imperfect it consist's also of broken Verses and multitudes of Transpositions the great inconvenience whereof I must needs lay open to your view in the ensuing pages insomuch as if all the broken and disordered lines and all which they have borrowed out of Ours were taken away I appeal to those that search and see whether one whole Psalm would be remaining in either of the said Translations If now any shall imagine that Wee go in a way to make our Composure too curious I answer no for to be sure
publick use IV. Cacophonia's or Ill soundings 1. By Repetition of words Psal. 90.3 THou grindest man through grief and pain to dust or clay and then And then thou sai'st again return again yee sons of men 2. In likeness of the sound of the Vers in three endings together Psal. 47.3 The people hee shall make to bee unto our bondage thrall And underneath our feet hee shall the nations make to fall 3. In the like sound of both rimes Psal. 74.12 Why do'st thou draw thy hand aback and hide it in thy lap Oh pluck it out and bee not slack to give thy foes a rap Note that the Scotch Psalm-book and Mr White's do err with intolerable frequency in the two former waies but for the last they are not guilty of it for Mr White hath not any double rime that I can finde in all the book no not in lines wholly of 8's which is very unhandsom V. Seeming Contradictions of the old Psalm-book Psal. 119.38 WHich am thy servant do love and fear nothing but thee Yet in the next line Reproach and shame which I so fear Psal. 129.7 And made as grass upon the hous yet in the next Vers he speak's of those that are the reapers that they should go to glean upon the land Psal. 42.9 I am perswaded thus to say to him with pure pretence Psal. 70.3 And at my hurt do laugh and cry But these are nothing so many as those that arise by frequent breaking transposing or ill-couching of the words in a line VI Ill Rimes and botches in the old Psalm-book Psal. 5 COnsider and prayer Psal. 13. remembred offended Psal. 16. together and consider Psal. 22. break and heat hereafter and wonder Psal. 78. after and wonder Caterpiller Grasshopper So Lord and world price and wise flies and lice But the defect of rime is much more in the Scot's Psalm-book and in Master White's except when they borrow out of Ours as I would desire you to note out of Psal. 102. of the Scot's Psalm-book the 2d Metre which I cast my eie upon but even now Botches that were not sprung up tho I say is as frequent a botch as any in the book but yet is tolerable and allowable if not commendable in a repetition or question VII Mistakes omissions or additions to the Text Mistake Text. Psal. 68.11 God gave the word great was the company of those that published it Translation GOD will give women causes just to magnifie his name When as the people triumphs make and purchase bruit and fame Mr White also hath it Great multitudes of women it did publish all abroad But must they needs be women publishers becaus the word is of the feminine gender May not the word be rendred publicantium as well as enunciatricum I leav the Learned to judge sure I am that there are Hebrew words as יהוה צב×ת The Lord of Hosts this is of the feminine gender too but not restrained to women Certainly learned Master White took it so restrained it was not wee see to make up the rime as the Scot's Psalm book saith in Psal. 140.3 the poyson of a snake for Adder's poyson whereas a Snake hath no poyson at all but is of an harmless nature as the Physitians teach us So Doctor Read in his Treatise of Tumors Yet if these bee not mistaken I beleeve that is Psal. 18.44 whereas mine own will swerve and in the next line I shall bee irksom to mine own where גכר is interpreted an acquaintance whereas it should have been interpreted a stranger the word beeing of so neer kin in the Original tanquam notum propter nothum saith Pagnine Omission Text. Psal. 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart There is no God Translation There is no God as foolish men affirm in their mad mood Here the principal clause hath said IN HIS HEART is utterly left out without any thing equivalent or pertinent Addition Text. Psal. 48.11 Tell the towers thereof Translation And tell the towers that thereupon are builded on a row I count it no unlawfull addition to say the towers were builded for they must needs bee so but to say they were builded on a row I question howbeit I find Master White to add this also but if this bee not an addition doubtless that is Text. Psal. 8.3 The Moon and the Stars which thou hast ordained Translation The Sun the Moon and all the Stars in order as they stand The Sun ought not to be put in beeing a nocturnal meditation when hee could behold the Moon the Stars which by day hee could not do VIII Ill running Psal. 2.9 AS men under foot trod Psal. 49.18 saying all is well done Psal. Psal. 137.7 when they rais'd our citie Psal. 119.24 and my heart 's great solace Psal. 102.18 The people yet uncreäted Psal. 51.1 Have mercy on mee God after Note that extensions or harsh contractions and hypermeters do beget ill running Psal. 119. to be thy creäture Psal. 51.17 and of all sacrifice th' effect Psal. 119. thy statutes of most excellency Psal. 72. Than thousands ten of silver and gold But these beeing more frequent in the Scot's Psalm-book I will give som instances out of that book Scot's Psal. 2.6 to bee my king appointed And over Sion my holy hill I have him king annointed Psal. 119.36 my heart unto thy testimonies Psal. 12.4 Wee 'l with our tongue prevail our lips are ours who 's Lord ov'r us Psal. 57.9 I 'le prais thee 'mong the people Lord 'mong nations sing will I Psal. 56.9 I know 't God is for mee Psal. 78.21 'gainst Jacob and 'gainst Israël Psal. 51.12 with thy free spirit mee stay Psal. 113.4 'bove heav'n his glory rais'd Wee may all see what little fear there is of having Psalms too smooth when verily the best art of man is not able every where to avoid all harshness In these Synalepha's the rule must bee to curtail no word out of the ordinary rode and of the Hypermeters that there bee none at all but where a short syllable doth naturally run into another IX Presumptuous Assertions Psal. 24.6 ANd God his God and Saviour shall yield to him his right Psal. 20.3 And so receive right thankfully thy burnt offrings each one Psal. 76.3 To all that do in Jury dwell the Lord is clearly known For God is neither known to all Som have not the knowledg of God saith the Apostle nor clearly known to any for wee know but in part and whatsoëver excuse any may make yet it were the best way to remove it as also that place like to it Psal. 119.130 And very ideots understand when they it read or hear Psal. 84.13 For God the Lord light and defence will grace and worship give 136. ult. Wherefore of heaven the God To laud bee it your will X. Broken lines Psal. 75.2 I Will uprightly judg when get Psal. 99.1 The Lord doth reign although at it Psal. 139.16 Were written all nought was before Psal.
140.13 The just shall prais thy name just shall 144. ult. The people blessed are that with Psal. 145.2 Prais and thy power preach ver. 7. And they into the mention shall break of thy goodness great Those psalm-Psalm-books that do very frequently break their lines and transpose their words must needs run into many shamefull absurdities as may abundantly appear out of the Scot's psalm-Psalm-book and Master White's as the instances declare in the ensuing page XI Unavoidable inconveniences occurring by frequent breaking off the lines and transpositions of the words Scot's Psalm-book Mr White's Psalm-book Psal. 14.1 Psal 145. THat there is not a God the fool ANd widows but turn's upside down Non-sense Psal. 183. Non-sense Psal. 17.9 Vpon the Lord who worthy is of praises will I cry and from that wicked scout who are my deadly enemies Ridiculous sense Psal. 34.15 Ridiculous sense Psal. 141.3.1 God's eies are on the just his ears set thou my mouth before Strange sense Psal. 16.5 Strange sense Psal. 99.1 God is of mine inheritance and cup the portion The Lord doth reign before his face Contradiction Psal. 34.9 Contradiction Psal. 145.14 Fear God his saints none yt fear him down hee upraiseth all Improper sense Psal. 37.21 Improper sense Psal. 18.36 The wicked borrow's but the same So that I safely walk my feet Sense broken beyond two lines Psal. 22.1 Sense broken beyond two lines Psal. 17.14 My God my God why hast thou mee forsaken why so far By thy hand from men of this world who in this life obtain False sense Psal. 57.6 False sense Psal. 14.3 for mee they fallen are most filthy there is none Thus it plainly appear's neither can any help this manner of version if you keep the sens you plainly spoil the Vers if you keep the Vers as the Clerk doth to the people then you confound the sens neither can people understand it unless it keep order and sens in the line or correspond thereto An Epigram upon the exact translation of the Psalms by Mr W. Barton TO raise increase inflame and ravish love Are Psalms indited uttered taught and tun'd But how much more affections shall they move Now thus translated order'd phras'd and prun'd The numbers measures metre with the Matter Are full and just delightfull and Divine Who so compare's the former with the latter Will give to these his praise as I do mine Laz. Seaman To Mr Barton upon his apt translation of David's Psalms in Metre ISraël's sweet Psalmist now in English metre Wee have and ne're till now and 't is the sweeter Mee thinks because so plain nor doth affect To keep the Hebrew phrase and dialect And now none more I hope will scruple make Of singing Psalms in Gospel times nor take Offence at others Fondlings read and then You 'l change your mindes I hope and sing agen Yet 'gainst this book 't is like that envy fierce Will plot as once Saul David sought to slay But friend the Harp of David in thy verse Will surely drive such evil spirits away Sir in this you have the real thoughts and hopes of your neer neighbor and assured friend Arthur Jackson An Epigram upon Mr Barton's excellent version of the Book of Psalms Reader SEt all disdeign and doubting by No longer wait dispute nor try But come away and buy Then put thee in a pleasant vein Sing out some sweet and curious strain And pay thy self again When ere thou shalt a better see Buy that and bring it unto mee And I le buy this of thee Posuit Fr. Roberts Sept. 9. 1645. In Magistri WILHELMI BARTONI Versionem Metricam Sacro-Sanctorum Psalmorum operosiùs Elaboratam {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} VAde Liber summo debes servire Magistro Concinnatus eras integer ejus ope Pulcra reformatis poliuntor tempora formis Qualia Metra vigent candida compta nova Es cordi doctis mulces solertibus aures Arte scatens tantâ compositúsque stylo Es stimulus tardis rudioribus es Paraphrastes Nodosus Momus solvitur arguitur Exiguo venis tanti tamen esse valoris Pagina quaeque rata est ut valuisse duplum So approved by Thomas Case George Walker James Nalton Jeremy Burroughes Samuel Clarke Leonard Cook Robert Harris Francis Woodcock Jeremy Whitaker John Conant John Langley Edmund Staunton Joseph Caryl Henry Scudder Richard Lee Edmund Calamy Thomas Hodges Arthur Salway John Downame William Carter Sydrac Simpson Henry Wilkinson To Master Barton upon his sweet Translation JUstly our French do their translation boast Citing in Sermons our heart-moving measures But now must give the garland to your coast Adorn'd with tropes and all rhetorical treasures For God and nature art and education Long time study meet in this Translation So approved by mee SAMUEL DELAPLACE one of the Assembly REader improve thy reason Behold a work in season Most perfect profound The Psalms that went on crutches Stark lame with maims botches Are now made whole sound O then admire the CVRE The sense and rimes so pure In every piece and part Let the Physician shine In thine eyes as in mine And give him hand and heart William Tutty Martins Orgars LONDON Upon Master WILLIAM BARTON's elaborate Translation of the sacred Book of Psalms GO Book and serve thy Master none so great His gift alone did make thee so compleat Polish the fabrick of reformed times Fresh fair and fine to flourish as thy rimes Lo thou hast art the Learned to content To please the curious thou art eloquent Quickness thou giv'st to them that quickness want And do'st interpret to the ignorant The scrupulous thy skill doth satisfie And captious Carpers are convinc'd thereby Thy price is little but thy worth is such That every leaf deserveth twice as much So approved by Ra. Robinson Immanuel Bourn Fulk Bellers Cornelius Burges Timothy Dod Simeon Ash Thomas Clandon Anthony Burges Samuel Fawcet Christopher Love John Foxcrofte Matth. Newcomen Edward Corbett Humphrey Hardwick John Tombes Francis Roberts William Jenkin Walter Taylor Samuel Bolton Thomas Porter Samuel Fisher William Tutty Cum multis aliis Upon the Translation and Approbation FOedavêre sacros malè tersa vocabula Psalmos Illustrata metro quae meliore nitent Sublimis doceat Majestas addita rebus Mente intellectis concinuisse sonis Debita fundentes vigili praeconia curae Ornant conspicuâ Te Pietate Pii JO LANGLEY REader thou behold'st the front And what praise there is upon 't 'T is to sharpen sight so keen Lest such treasure lie unseen But if once thou read it through There are Epigrams enough 'T is not other men to dare Or to make a proud compare Who shall bear the Bell away That the Author will not say But praie's thee to have an eie And to judg impartially John Barton In Magistri WILHELMI BARTONI Psalmorum Versionem Poëticam Epigramma MAgna Caledoniae Buchananus gloria terrae Aptavit Cytharae Latiali Davidis odas Hunc sequitur genio felix
aequaliter illi Felix Bartonus modulamina caetara vincens Ecce reformatis Psalterion induit Anglis Fulgentem vestem votis quae mille petita est Anglia Bartonum Buchananum Scotia jactat Alterutrique decus par est Psalmodia docta WAL TAYLOR in Ecclesia Clementis Pastor To Mr BARTON upon his Exquisite and Elaborate Translation of of DAVID'S Psalms into English Metre T Were strange thy times and tunes should meet in one While harshness suit's the times thy tunes have none If by thee David's works translated are And on thee David's woes 't is Kingly fare If both his lines and life thou dost explain Not Helicon but Heaven shall be thy gain Exactly thou translatest David when His life thy lot translate's his lines thy pen Momus my friend neglect's thy frown thy tush This wine of Angels sell's without thy bush Christ-Church London WILL JENKIN Upon the sweet and exquisite Version of the PSALMS by my dear and loving Friend Mr William Barton THis musick rock's the spheres Ye heav'nly Quires Make melody wipe off your tears wing your desires Be ravish't with these notes Let every creature Each instrument give strings or throats joyn art with nature 'T is turnd ' and tun'd so well our hearts are wonn And this shall bear away the bell when all is done PETER WATKINSON of Chigwell in Essex To the Reverend Learned and Godly Ministers whose hands or hearts are to my Book An Epigram A.D. 1645. LOvers of desert and Learning You are pleas'd beyond my earning To vouchsafe mee commendation Were my thanks as great and learned It should be as well returned With deserved gratulation All the honor I can do you Is submitting all unto you For one day you must be tryers If you finde a word amiss I le provide a help for this And compleat it to the buyers Shew what version then is vicious Tell what tie is superstitious Say what scope the work afford's Speak what Dialect earn's your praises Proper or improper phrases Order'd or disorder'd words Though I fear a lingring death More then strangling my first breath Do your minde and do not sin And if so you can please God Let it quite bee under-trod When a better shall come in But I have such hopes in store That unless the world loos more I shall never loos my labors And however envy spites's mee This requite's mee this delight's mee To have dwelt by so good neighbors After Publication of these Epigrams sundry of the city-Ministers beside-those that are already set down gave their approbation in order to publick use Anno 1646. viz. Stanly Gower Thomas Gouge John Yates William Taylor James Sibbald John Dickes George Fowler John Crosse Thomas Cawton George Crosse William Blackmore John Thompson John Garret William Wickins William Rosewell And now at present being in pursuance for publick use divers of the chief Ministers of London have given subscriptions to a Petition for the removal of the old and the admission of this translation whose ready acceptation and encouragement with divers in the Countrey now concurring induceth and engageth mee to tender my service and supply at their direction as is further exprest in the lines following August 10th 1655. To the Reverend and Learned Ministers of England whose hearts or hands are to my book A double Epigram DId not I well At first fore-tell and say You must bee Triers of my work one day My promiss then To all good men was this That I would mend what ever word amiss I have begun And shall have don no less May my prepared papers guid the press If ought beside Unrectify'd appear The change is easie or the answer clear One crooked knot My lines may not retain But Verse and Prose must joyn in every strain Your lines and hands Are strong commands to mee To make my Verse as good as good can bee I willingly Imbrace the tye and call To get faults mended by the aid of all And you can tell It savour's well mean while Of Hebrew roots and Academick oyl II. DVlcia famigero capiatis Carmina plausu Edo1 condio2 paro3 CANDIDA3 COMPTA2 NOVA1 Mellitâ Celebres rapiant dulcedine Coâ—us Tempus1 anior,2 pietas3 postulat1 urget2 agit3 Solertis celerem repetant modulaminis usum Afficit1 ornat2 habet3 secula3 rostra2 choros1 ANd thus at length I turn my pen To the pursuit of erring men That either Idolize the old Or do against the duty hold Or that prefer to sacred Writ The fancie of their mother-wit Or dare defend the lying plea Of Psalms Compos'd ex tempore So have I heard with shame enough The pedling fidlers paltrie stuff And now in publick these must have As poor expressions as the Knave Their Plalms must bee as seldom els As are the Quakers miracles Postscript IT is easie to be understood how sparingly Psalms are used in these daies the Clarks keeping to som few of better translation yet therein can hardly avoid expressions too exceptionable Psal. 11. hath say thus my soul untill the 15 hath bribe or els purloin This not only beget's a decay of the duty but a continuance of the fault for lack of notice and our scorn and scandal among the Papists for want of reformation Excuse therefore good Reader this impeachment of the old and imbrace yea and advance our endeavour for admission of the new FINIS Sive serena tibi sit frons Liber ibis in urbem Sive superveniat grande supercilium Courteous Reader TAke notice that the old Psalms do follow the old Translation of the Bible and therefore must needs differ greatly in expression from the new now if there were such great necessity as godly people did plead to cause a better Translation of the reading Psalms together with the whole Bible how much more should we think it necessity to have a new Translation of the Psalms in Meeter 2. Observe that ten or twelve of the old Psalms are in such obsolete Tunes that of necessity those must be wholly new Translated 3. This new Translation being in the very order of the Prose as neer as may be will soon be as familiar as ever the old was and far more ready because it runs so much upon the words of the Text as the Epistle of my book more fully argues 4. The old Psalms are amended in this Translation of mine and every perfect line that would well accord with the text of the new Translation is left in for example see the 113. Psalm 5. If we did bring the old Psalms to as compleat an amendment as the Text affords there would scarce be two lines of the old Text together in any place Soon after the publishing of this Book there were many hands of Eminent persons added to several Petitions in behalf of this Translation an account whereof follows M. G. Whalley M. G. Goffe L. Chief Justice Glin. L. Chief Baron Steele Col. Chadwick of Notingham Col. Hacker Col. Beaumont Col. Temple Maj. Beak Maj. Babington Esquires Archibald Palmer Will. Sherman Will. Danvers Edw. Smith Mr. Stanley of Leicester Mr. Cradock Jo. Goodman Capt. Hubbert Capt. Dale Capt. Dreury Capt. Cockram Capt. Sherman Ministers Commissioners for approbation of publike Preachers Mr. Greenehill Mr. Caryll Mr. Peters Mr. Carter Mr. Griffith Mr. Balmford Mr. Cooper Mr. Manton Ministers of London Mr. Calamy Mr. Carter Mr. Jacomb Mr. Clendon Mr. Nalton Mr. Cranford Mr. Watson Mr. White of Holb Mr. White of Maryhill Mr. Wood then of Christ Church new of the Abby at Westminster Mr. Gouge of Sepulchres Mr. Crofton of Algate Mr. Blackwell Ministers of the Country Mr. Sheffield of Ibstock Mr. Simmes of Leicester Mr. Yaxley of Kibworth Mr. Grace of Rearsby Mr. Rocket of Market-Bosworth Mr. Firth of Mansfield Mr. Palmers of Gedling Mr. Lee of Hatfield Mr. Owen Mr. Watkinson sometimes of Chigwell in Essex Mr. Bagshaw Mr. Porter of Paintridge Mr. Taylor of Darby Mr. King of Okeham Mr. Rowlandson of Whitewell Mr. Bourne of Ashover Mr. Bourchier of Biscarthorp Mr. Burroughs of Codsbrook Mr. Lawry of Harborough Mr. Gilbert Mr. Boheme of Hallaughton Mr. Johnson of Sutton-Cheney Dr. Boylston of Weston Mr. Shelmerdine of Maileck Mr. Birdall of Walsall Mr. Fowler of Crick in Northhamtonshire Mr. Whitlock of Nottingham With some others