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
be_v also_o necessary_a that_o thou_o understand_v what_o thou_o read_v it_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n as_o the_o sense_n thou_o shall_v look_v after_o the_o jew_n as_o i_o tell_v you_o have_v great_a care_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o count_v the_o word_n syllable_n and_o letter_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n and_o yet_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o sense_n and_o miss_v of_o the_o meaning_n when_o thou_o read_v a_o dark_a passage_n in_o the_o scripture_n rest_v not_o till_o thou_o understand_v it_o to_o this_o end_n divine_n have_v give_v several_a direction_n such_o as_o these_o if_o thou_o be_v able_a compare_v the_o original_a and_o translation_n together_o and_z perhaps_o this_o may_v resolve_v thy_o doubt_n every_o language_n have_v a_o peculiar_a elegancy_n and_o some_o word_n be_v of_o so_o hard_a a_o signification_n that_o they_o can_v full_o be_v express_v in_o a_o translation_n now_o know_v the_o original_a will_n abundant_o help_v and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o art_n and_o science_n be_v also_o of_o great_a use_n let_v the_o enemy_n to_o learning_n say_v what_o they_o will_v to_o the_o contrary_n if_o this_o help_v thou_o not_o look_v into_o the_o context_n observe_v the_o circumstance_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o place_n and_o receive_v no_o interpretation_n which_o cross_v that_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v compare_v this_o place_n with_o other_o the_o like_a and_o admit_v not_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o contradict_v other_o scripture_n especial_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n those_o plain_a doctrinal_a conclusion_n gather_v out_o of_o other_o plain_a scripture_n of_o which_o no_o doubt_n be_v make_v and_o if_o it_o agree_v not_o with_o this_o reject_v it_o for_o truth_n itself_o can_v oppose_v itself_o we_o must_v reduce_v dark_a place_n to_o those_o that_o be_v plain_a and_o not_o force_v those_o that_o be_v plain_a to_o the_o dark_a one_o if_o this_o help_v not_o read_v some_o learned_a exposition_n upon_o the_o place_n if_o this_o fail_v seek_v assistance_n from_o god_n for_o as_o the_o sun_n can_v be_v see_v but_o by_o its_o own_o light_n so_o the_o will_n of_o god_n can_v be_v know_v but_o by_o his_o own_o spirit_n he_o that_o faithful_o and_o careful_o observe_v these_o direction_n may_v through_o god_n blessing_n come_v to_o know_v as_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a 5._o direct_v if_o thou_o will_v profit_v by_o the_o word_n thou_o read_v careful_o observe_v the_o general_a scope_n of_o it_o and_o what_o design_n god_n be_v aim_v at_o and_o what_o end_v he_o aim_v at_o in_o it_o and_o prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n and_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o mark_n that_o he_o do_v for_o all_o scripture_n be_v give_v for_o our_o instruction_n now_o if_o we_o heedful_o mark_v the_o general_a scope_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o end_n which_o god_n drive_v on_o in_o the_o main_a be_v to_o make_v himself_o know_v to_o the_o world_n in_o his_o wisdom_n power_n and_o goodness_n to_o the_o end_n that_o man_n may_v own_v he_o as_o their_o lord_n owner_n and_o benefactor_n and_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n for_o their_o redeemer_n and_o saviour_n that_o he_o may_v get_v himself_o glory_n in_o their_o salvation_n now_o in_o thy_o read_n prosecute_v the_o same_o design_n that_o god_n do_v and_o aim_v at_o the_o same_o end_n which_o he_o do_v and_o this_o be_v the_o likely_a way_n to_o profit_n the_o scripture_n in_o general_n set_v before_o thou_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o thyself_o what_o god_n be_v and_o what_o he_o have_v do_v what_o thou_o be_v by_o nature_n what_o by_o the_o fall_n and_o what_o by_o thy_o restauration_n and_o also_o what_o god_n require_v at_o thy_o hand_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o end_n the_o scripture_n handle_v those_o point_n which_o conduce_v hereunto_o as_o first_o in_o the_o work_n of_o creation_n thou_o may_v see_v god_n in_o his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n for_o none_o else_o can_v make_v the_o world_n of_o nothing_o yea_o every_o creature_n will_v point_v out_o god_n to_o a_o understand_a man_n for_o it_o pass_v the_o power_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n to_o make_v the_o least_o fly_n especial_o without_o pre-existent_a matter_n nay_o the_o creature_n do_v not_o only_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o also_o sâ—…_n forth_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n as_o his_o eternity_n wisdom_n power_n majesty_n goodness_n and_o perfection_n these_o clear_o shine_v forth_o in_o these_o his_o work_n the_o least_o creature_n if_o you_o follow_v he_o home_o to_o his_o original_a by_o divine_a meditation_n will_v point_v out_o a_o omnipotent_a arm_n for_o his_o creator_n and_o when_o thou_o read_v of_o his_o work_n of_o providence_n these_o also_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o teach_v the_o same_o lesson_n the_o wonderful_a work_n and_o miracle_n he_o have_v wrought_v for_o the_o preservation_n of_o his_o people_n the_o rule_n and_o government_n which_o he_o have_v set_v in_o the_o world_n the_o preservation_n of_o his_o church_n and_o the_o frequent_a deliverance_n he_o have_v give_v to_o his_o people_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n bespeak_v to_o we_o his_o power_n wisdom_n goodness_n and_o truth_n when_o thou_o read_v of_o the_o work_n of_o redemption_n this_o bespeak_v christ_n the_o lord_n the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o he_o be_v witness_v from_o heaven_n by_o angel_n by_o saint_n by_o enemy_n by_o devil_n all_o which_o give_v testimony_n to_o his_o divinity_n and_o that_o he_o be_v true_o man_n be_v also_o evident_a by_o his_o incarnation_n birth_n growth_n action_n passion_n death_n and_o burial_n and_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n be_v clear_o evident_a by_o scripture_n light_n here_o thou_o may_v find_v that_o all_o the_o prophecy_n that_o go_v before_o of_o he_o be_v clear_o fulfil_v in_o he_o and_o no_o other_o and_o such_o miracle_n wrought_v and_o such_o mighty_a work_v do_v and_o such_o gracious_a word_n speak_v that_o make_v it_o plain_o appear_v that_o he_o be_v indeed_o the_o son_n of_o god_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n again_o when_o thou_o read_v the_o command_n threaten_n punishment_n etc._n etc._n know_v these_o be_v to_o deter_v thou_o from_o sin_n and_o to_o drive_v thou_o home_o to_o god_n thy_o benefactor_n and_o when_o thou_o read_v the_o promise_n invitation_n and_o encouragement_n these_o be_v to_o draw_v the_o near_a to_o he_o therefore_o careful_o observe_v what_o ever_o thou_o read_v and_o some_o way_n or_o other_o it_o will_v conduce_v to_o bring_v thou_o near_o to_o god_n this_o be_v god_n end_n in_o write_v the_o word_n and_o shall_v be_v thy_o end_n in_o read_v it_o 6._o direct_v will_v thou_o profit_v by_o read_v then_o meditate_v upon_o what_o thou_o read_v this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v what_o thou_o read_v thy_o own_o it_o be_v this_o way_n that_o david_n get_v more_o understanding_n than_o the_o ancient_n and_o become_v wise_a than_o his_o teacher_n psal_n 119.98,99,100_o and_o 66.11_o now_o meditation_n be_v a_o studious_a art_n of_o the_o mind_n wherein_o a_o man_n search_v out_o some_o hide_a truth_n by_o the_o discourse_n of_o reason_n and_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o profitable_a heart-enriching_a duty_n thou_o can_v perform_v this_o will_v fetch_v in_o provision_n like_o a_o bee_n from_o every_o herb_n and_o flower_n yea_o from_o every_o weed_n thorn_n and_o bramble_n will_v yield_v some_o honey_n this_o will_v store_v thy_o heart_n with_o treasure_n new_a and_o old_a there_o be_v no_o creature_n so_o barren_a but_o will_v yield_v some_o fruit_n nor_o dead_a tree_n or_o hard_a stone_n that_o be_v so_o barren_a but_o it_o will_v yield_v some_o increase_n no_o creature_n but_o will_v yield_v a_o help_a hand_n no_o fowl_n but_o will_v lend_v a_o feather_n to_o mount_v the_o soul_n aloft_o a_o christian_a skill_v in_o the_o divine_a art_n of_o holy_a meditation_n can_v never_o want_v a_o object_n fit_a to_o work_v upon_o and_o if_o the_o creature_n thus_o furnish_v we_o doubtless_o the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v be_v fruitless_a the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o itself_o be_v mysterious_a and_o dark_a at_o least_o some_o part_n of_o it_o the_o well_o be_v deep_a and_o meditation_n be_v the_o bucket_n hereby_o divine_a mystery_n be_v draw_v out_o and_o the_o water_n of_o life_n pump_v in_o cursory_a read_v many_o thing_n pass_v by_o without_o regard_n which_o by_o meditation_n be_v fetch_v back_o and_o make_v use_n of_o this_o be_v not_o only_o a_o help_n to_o the_o understanding_n but_o the_o memory_n also_o it_o leave_v a_o deep_a impression_n upon_o it_o what_o in_o cursory_a read_n be_v soon_o forget_v be_v press_v hard_o upon_o and_o imprint_v to_o the_o memory_n by_o meditation_n hereby_o the_o heart_n