err_v i_o think_v in_o say_v osculemini_fw-la filium_fw-la which_o be_v according_a to_o the_o genuine_a &_o most_o common_a understanding_n of_o yâ—_z original_n word_n among_o the_o hebrew_n i_o apprehend_v that_o the_o holy_a â—…host_n exhort_v his_o church_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o homage_n and_o worship_n that_o son_n of_o god_n who_o be_v diverse_a way_n make_v manifest_a unto_o they_o to_o be_v their_o true_a king_n and_o apprehendite_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la be_v according_o to_o that_o translation_n which_o i_o be_o persuade_v god_n himself_o extraordinary_o provide_v to_o reveal_v his_o truth_n by_o unto_o the_o heathen_a i_o conceive_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n persuade_v his_o church_n among_o the_o gentile_n who_o yet_o know_v not_o christ_n their_o king_n to_o embrace_v the_o knowledge_n of_o he_o and_o adorate_v pure_a be_v the_o first_o transâ—…ation_n that_o in_o latin_n the_o church_n public_o receive_v and_o about_o that_o time_n the_o true_a worship_n of_o jesus_n christ_n begin_n to_o be_v adulterate_v my_o mind_n give_v i_o that_o psalm_n be_v a_o manifest_a prophecy_n concern_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n to_o the_o world_n end_n it_o may_v be_v that_o god_n do_v by_o that_o interpretation_n persuade_v those_o perverter_n of_o his_o truth_n to_o repentance_n who_o shall_v disturb_v the_o peace_n and_o quiet_a of_o his_o kingdom_n in_o these_o late_a time_n but_o i_o stand_v not_o so_o thereupon_o as_o if_o i_o can_v not_o submit_v to_o better_a judgment_n sure_o i_o be_o this_o meditation_n be_v no_o way_n repugnant_a to_o the_o catholic_a verity_n and_o howsoever_o it_o shall_v be_v approve_v it_o serve_v well_o enough_o to_o my_o purpose_n for_o demonstratinge_v that_o the_o variety_n or_o different_a expression_n of_o sacred_a thing_n be_v not_o needle_n but_o do_v afford_v advantage_n unto_o those_o of_o mean_a capacity_n if_o they_o meditate_v upon_o they_o with_o reverence_n and_o humility_n if_o it_o be_v but_o to_o awaken_v our_o dullnes_n and_o take_v away_o our_o wearisomenesse_n in_o holy_a duty_n variety_n be_v needful_a for_o flesh_n and_o blood_n as_o we_o find_v by_o daily_a experience_n loathe_v those_o thing_n wherwithal_o they_o be_v natural_o best_o plese_v if_o they_o be_v to_o frequent_v how_o much_o more_o tedious_a than_o will_v those_o thing_n be_v unto_o we_o which_o be_v perpetual_o iterate_v in_o the_o same_o word_n be_v natural_o unpleasing_a to_o a_o carnal_a ear_n since_o god_n in_o mercy_n have_v provide_v and_o permit_v we_o mean_n to_o assist_v our_o weakness_n let_v not_o such_o as_o be_v strong_a enough_o to_o be_v without_o they_o condemn_v the_o use_n of_o such_o help_n in_o those_o who_o be_v not_o so_o able_a must_v have_v their_o affection_n wean_v by_o degree_n from_o their_o childish_a inclination_n we_o see_v the_o flesh_n and_o the_o devil_n have_v for_o their_o service_n thousand_o of_o vain_a song_n and_o profane_a ballad_n store_v up_o in_o the_o stationer_n warhouse_n have_v nevertheless_o many_o muse_n perpetual_o ymploy_v for_o the_o compose_n of_o new_a strain_n and_o that_o many_o hundred_o pound_n be_v yearly_a consume_v upon_o they_o to_o the_o enrich_n of_o those_o merchant_n to_o the_o shame_n of_o our_o profession_n to_o the_o corruption_n of_o youth_n and_o to_o the_o build_n up_o of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o sin_n and_o satan_n as_o it_o be_v well_o know_v and_o observe_v by_o many_o of_o good_a note_n in_o this_o reverend_a assembly_n yet_o there_o have_v be_v for_o diverse_a age_n together_o but_o so_o many_o hymn_n compose_v and_o publish_v as_o make_v in_o some_o impression_n not_o above_o two_o sheet_n and_o a_o half_a of_o paper_n for_o the_o reverence_n and_o practice_n of_o devotion_n unto_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n they_o be_v censure_v impertinent_a malicious_o exclaym_v on_o violente_o oppose_v and_o the_o author_n of_o they_o seek_v for_o the_o needful_a hire_n of_o his_o labour_n but_o his_o due_n and_o what_o stranger_n shall_v have_v be_v suffer_v to_o make_v thereof_o be_v public_o accuse_v as_o a_o man_n coveteous_o hunt_v after_o the_o world_n and_o a_o injurious_a oppressor_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n oh_o god_n how_o partial_a be_v all_o man_n bewitch_v with_o self-love_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o their_o base_a end_n and_o how_o uncharitable_a in_o their_o censune_n for_o the_o stationer_n have_v not_o only_o labour_v to_o deprive_v i_o of_o the_o benefit_n due_a to_o my_o labour_n but_o also_o to_o make_v i_o appear_v without_o christianity_n in_o my_o intention_n by_o affirm_v that_o i_o seek_v i_o own_o benyfit_n only_o in_o compose_v my_o book_n of_o hymn_n &_o in_o publish_v it_o according_a to_o the_o king_n command_n my_o poemâ—…_n last_o dewlge_v be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v write_v in_o my_o own_o praise_n &_o the_o hymn_n for_o my_o private_a profit_n i_o wonder_v to_o what_o purpose_n yâ—_z next_o book_n i_o write_v shall_v be_v compose_v very_o if_o i_o be_v not_o altogether_o forgetful_a of_o my_o own_o thought_n oâ—…_n too_o apt_a to_o believe_v overwell_o of_o myself_o as_o perhaps_o i_o be_o my_o principal_a aim_n be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o both_o those_o undertakinge_n nevertheless_o truth_n be_v i_o be_o so_o incline_v to_o the_o corruption_n of_o other_o man_n that_o although_o i_o do_v what_o i_o be_v able_a yet_o be_v i_o not_o altogether_o so_o free_a from_o outward_a hope_n as_o i_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v in_o those_o work_n my_o weak_a fortune_n my_o trouble_n and_o the_o chargablenesse_n of_o a_o study_n that_o bring_v with_o it_o no_o outward_a supply_n put_v i_o unto_o a_o kind_n of_o necessity_n to_o cast_v my_o thought_n a_o side_n unto_o woâ—…ldly_a respect_n but_o i_o have_v siuâ—…e_v be_v sorry_a for_o it_o upon_o better_a consideration_n and_o as_o a_o just_a reward_n for_o my_o too_o earnest_a look_a after_o vain_a hoâ—…_n i_o do_v now_o accept_v of_o my_o present_a trouble_n that_o outward_o be_v like_a to_o impoverish_v i_o and_o the_o time_n thereof_o draw_v i_o the_o more_o heedful_o to_o consider_v it_o be_v just_a about_o that_o season_n wherein_o i_o expect_v to_o reap_v some_o contentment_n in_o the_o fruition_n of_o my_o labour_n and_o expense_n god_n grant_v this_o experience_n may_v enrich_v i_o another_o way_n and_o settle_v my_o hope_n upon_o more_o certain_a thing_n and_o that_o those_o who_o accuse_v i_o of_o this_o imperfection_n may_v examine_v their_o own_o heart_n and_o if_o they_o find_v they_o guilty_a of_o the_o like_a infirmity_n learn_v by_o my_o example_n to_o confess_v their_o error_n and_o my_o prayer_n shall_v be_v that_o we_o both_o may_v more_o direct_o seek_v god_n glory_n in_o our_o undertake_n but_o why_o shall_v i_o be_v the_o man_n more_o accuse_v theâ—…_n all_o other_o for_o seeke_v after_o the_o just_a hire_n of_o my_o labour_n be_o i_o the_o only_o one_o guilty_a of_o studyinge_v my_o own_o profitâ—…_n in_o the_o course_n of_o my_o painful_a endeavour_n for_o religious_a end_n i_o will_v to_o god_n i_o be_v and_o that_o no_o man_n live_v save_v i_o be_v so_o wicked_a as_o to_o make_v his_o own_o glory_n and_o enrich_v the_o end_n and_o scope_n of_o his_o christian_n diligence_n for_o doubtless_o such_o a_o universal_a piety_n will_v be_v a_o powerful_a mean_n of_o draw_v i_o to_o repentance_n but_o i_o believe_v there_o be_v so_o few_o who_o can_v with_o the_o apostle_n clear_v himself_o herein_o that_o if_o none_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o throw_v at_o i_o the_o stone_n of_o reproof_n but_o only_o they_o who_o be_v free_a from_o this_o weakness_n i_o may_v walk_v from_o saint_n michael_n mount_n in_o cornwall_n to_o doverâ—…_n &_o from_o thence_o even_o through_o our_o mitropolitan_a church_n to_o the_o far_a northeren_n isle_n without_o touch_n of_o exception_n and_o whereas_o they_o object_n i_o have_v compass_v a_o privilege_n to_o the_o public_a greevance_n your_o reverence_n shall_v ceive_v how_o innocent_a i_o be_o from_o give_v cause_n of_o such_o a_o imputation_n if_o you_o please_v to_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o majesty_n grant_v with_o his_o pious_a intention_n and_o my_o carriage_n in_o the_o procure_n and_o execution_n of_o it_o for_o i_o do_v not_o as_o some_o of_o the_o stationer_n have_v do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o many_o and_o by_o pretend_v the_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a who_o they_o may_v be_v prove_v thereby_o to_o oppress_v monopolise_v the_o principal_a book_n of_o sale_n within_o this_o realm_n even_o those_o wherein_o the_o whole_a commonwealth_n have_v a_o inst_n interest_n which_o be_v real_o one_o of_o those_o monopoâ—…es_n that_o our_o state_n abhore_n but_o have_v compose_v a_o new_a book_n which_o no_o man_n can_v claim_v a_o share_n in_o while_o it_o remain_v my_o own_o and_o in_o my_o own_o power_n to_o make_v public_a or_o no_o &_o
and_o fancy_n which_o be_v commendable_a in_o other_o thing_n will_v have_v obscure_v the_o majesty_n of_o those_o invention_n to_o this_o i_o have_v so_o much_o regard_n especial_o in_o my_o translation_n of_o the_o canonical_a hymn_n that_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o i_o have_v as_o natural_o and_o as_o playvely_a express_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o as_o most_o prose_n translation_n have_v do_v and_o if_o those_o indifferent_a man_n who_o know_v the_o poesy_n and_o power_n of_o the_o english_a tongue_n may_v be_v my_o judge_n they_o will_v censure_v my_o expression_n to_o be_v such_o as_o shall_v neither_o be_v obscure_a to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n nor_o contemptible_a to_o the_o best_a judgement_n but_o observe_v a_o middle_a way_n best_o become_v that_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v intend_v i_o do_v not_o leap_v on_o a_o sudden_a or_o irreverent_o into_o this_o employment_n but_o have_v consume_v almost_o yâ—_z year_n of_o a_o apprentishipp_n in_o study_n of_o this_o kind_n i_o enter_v thereinto_o conscionable_o &_o in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n nor_o have_v i_o proceed_v without_o his_o assistance_n as_o the_o difficulty_n and_o discouragment_n which_o i_o have_v pass_v through_o do_v witness_n unto_o i_o for_o if_o it_o be_v well_o weigh_v how_o full_a of_o short_a sentence_n and_o sudden_a break_n off_o those_o scripture_n be_v how_o frequent_o these_o particle_n for_o but_o &_o such_o like_o which_o be_v graceful_a in_o the_o original_a text_n will_v seem_v to_o obscure_v the_o dependency_n of_o sense_n in_o the_o english_a phrase_n if_o the_o power_n of_o their_o signification_n be_v not_o heedful_o observe_v in_o those_o place_n how_o haâ—…sh_v the_o music_n will_v be_v if_o the_o chief_a pause_n be_v not_o careful_o reduce_v unto_o the_o same_o place_n in_o the_o line_n throughout_o the_o whole_a hymn_n which_o they_o have_v in_o the_o first_o stanza_n how_o many_o difference_n must_v be_v observe_v between_o lyricke-verse_n and_o that_o which_o be_v compose_v for_o read_v only_o how_o the_o translater_n be_v tie_v not_o to_o make_v choice_n of_o those_o fashion_n stanza_n which_o be_v easy_a to_o express_v the_o matter_n in_o but_o to_o keep_v that_o with_o which_o he_o first_o begin_v how_o he_o be_v bind_v not_o only_o to_o the_o sense_n according_a to_o the_o liberty_n use_v in_o other_o translationes_fw-la but_o to_o the_o very_a word_n or_o word_n of_o the_o same_o power_n with_o those_o use_v in_o our_o allow_a interpretation_n last_o how_o precâ—…se_v he_o must_v be_v when_o he_o be_v force_v to_o express_v any_o sentence_n by_o circumlocution_n to_o labour_v still_o to_o retain_v a_o relish_n of_o the_o holy_a phrase_n in_o his_o expression_n i_o say_v if_o all_o these_o circumstance_n be_v well_o consider_v and_o how_o difficult_a they_o make_v it_o to_o close_v up_o every_o stanza_n with_o a_o period_n or_o some_o such_o point_n that_o the_o voice_n may_v decent_o pause_v there_o i_o be_o parswade_v a_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n can_v not_o have_v be_v persist_v in_o to_o this_o conclusion_n by_o a_o man_n have_v somany_a weakness_n and_o discouragment_n as_o i_o have_v have_v unless_o the_o almighty_a have_v be_v with_o i_o nor_o can_v i_o believe_v that_o the_o devil_n will_v have_v raise_v up_o so_o many_o malicious_o to_o oppose_v the_o same_o if_o it_o have_v not_o tend_v to_o god_n honour_n but_o sure_a no_o man_n will_v grudge_v the_o annex_v of_o the_o book_n of_o hymn_n to_o our_o metricall_a psalm_n now_o use_v in_o regard_n of_o any_o faultinesse_n in_o their_o expression_n if_o they_o consider_v the_o meanness_n of_o that_o translation_n for_o though_o some_o of_o no_o mean_a degree_n be_v very_o violent_a for_o the_o maintenance_n and_o continuance_n of_o their_o old_a version_n plead_v as_o the_o papist_n do_v for_o many_o of_o their_o trumperye_n a_o long_a prescription_n in_o steed_n of_o better_a argument_n yet_o i_o know_v it_o to_o be_v so_o much_o to_o blame_v that_o no_o man_n of_o understanding_n can_v sing_v many_o of_o those_o psalm_n but_o with_o trouble_n to_o his_o devotion_n and_o i_o dare_v undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o full_a of_o absurditye_n sâ—…oeloscismes_n improprietye_n nonsense_n and_o impertinent_a circumlocution_n to_o more_o than_o twice_o the_o length_n of_o their_o originalle_n in_o some_o place_n but_o that_o there_o be_v in_o they_o many_o expression_n also_o â—…uite_o beside_o if_o not_o quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o text._n which_o i_o will_v not_o thus_o open_o have_v declare_v but_o that_o even_o school_v boy_n perceive_v it_o though_o some_o that_o will_v be_v think_v wise_a do_v ignorant_o or_o wilful_o protest_v against_o a_o alteration_n of_o our_o sing_a psalm_n excuse_v i_o i_o beseech_v you_o if_o i_o seem_v a_o little_a too_o plain_a in_o discover_v the_o faultiness_n of_o that_o whereof_o so_o many_o be_v overween_a for_o i_o do_v it_o not_o to_o disparage_v the_o pious_a endeavour_n of_o those_o who_o take_v pain_n in_o that_o translation_n but_o rather_o commend_v their_o laborious_a and_o christian_a intention_n do_v acknowledge_v that_o consider_v the_o time_n they_o live_v in_o and_o of_o what_o quality_n they_o be_v they_o make_v so_o worthy_a a_o attempt_n as_o may_v just_o shame_v we_o who_o come_v after_o to_o see_v it_o no_o better_o second_v during_o all_o the_o flourish_a time_n which_o have_v follow_v their_o troublesome_a age_n especial_o see_v how_o curious_o our_o language_n and_o expressiones_fw-la be_v refine_v in_o our_o trivial_a discourse_n this_o have_v give_v the_o papist_n the_o atheist_n and_o the_o libertyne_n occasion_n to_o scoff_n at_o our_o christian_n exercise_n and_o trouble_v the_o devotion_n of_o many_o a_o religious_a man_n who_o be_v desirous_a to_o sing_v with_o his_o understanding_n in_o the_o congregation_n do_v often_o before_o he_o be_v aware_a lose_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o prophet_n yea_o and_o sometime_o fall_v upon_o direct_a nonsense_n among_o those_o many_o impertynent_a circumlocution_n and_o independancy_n which_o he_o be_v for_o rymes_n sake_n compel_v to_o wander_v through_o in_o that_o translation_n nevertheless_o some_o i_o know_v will_v be_v obstinate_a in_o defence_n of_o their_o old_a meeter_n and_o i_o shall_v seem_v to_o they_o as_o one_o that_o have_v presumpteous_o lay_v a_o imputation_n upon_o our_o church_n and_o unreverent_o tax_v what_o her_o authority_n have_v command_v which_o i_o thank_v god_n i_o be_o not_o guiltye_n of_o for_o i_o well_o enough_o know_v and_o your_o reverence_n can_v witness_v it_o that_o those_o metrical_a psalm_n be_v never_o command_v to_o be_v use_v in_o divine_a service_n or_o in_o our_o public_a congregation_n by_o any_o canon_n or_o ecclesiastical_a constitution_n though_o many_o of_o the_o vulgar_a be_v of_o that_o opinion_n but_o whatsoever_o the_o stationer_n do_v in_o their_o title_n page_n pretend_v to_o that_o purpose_n they_o be_v first_o allow_v for_o private_a devotion_n only_o â—…ept_v into_o public_a use_n by_o toleration_n rather_o they_o command_v yea_o custom_n have_v be_v hitherto_o their_o chief_a authority_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v not_o only_o lay_v open_a their_o defect_n to_o a_o good_a purpose_n without_o just_a blame_n to_o ourselves_o or_o scandal_n to_o the_o church_n but_o i_o hope_v change_v they_o also_o without_o offence_n when_o a_o better_a translation_n shall_v come_v to_o light_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n there_o will_v be_v no_o reason_n i_o be_o sure_a why_o those_o shall_v condemn_v my_o expressiones_fw-la while_n they_o approve_v those_o measure_n we_o have_v hitherto_o make_v use_n of_o in_o our_o devotion_n but_o lest_o the_o work_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o justify_v itself_o in_o spite_n of_o their_o detraction_n my_o aduersary_n do_v pick_v personal_a quarrel_n also_o allege_v that_o i_o have_v undecent_o intrude_v upon_o the_o divine_a call_n and_o that_o my_o performance_n be_v but_o the_o fruit_n of_o a_o private_a spirit_n be_v therefore_o vain_a &_o unwarrantable_a yea_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v the_o stationer_n many_o zealous_a minister_n have_v tax_v i_o for_o meddle_v with_o a_o work_n of_o that_o nature_n affyrm_v that_o it_o be_v a_o task_n fit_a for_o a_o divine_a then_o for_o i_o and_o so_o bitter_o have_v many_o of_o they_o as_o i_o hear_v censure_v i_o for_o it_o in_o their_o private_a conference_n that_o i_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o suspect_v it_o be_v rather_o envy_v than_o any_o thing_n else_o which_o induce_v most_o of_o they_o to_o be_v of_o that_o opinion_n if_o it_o be_v a_o work_n so_o proper_a to_o a_o divine_a that_o no_o man_n else_o aught_o to_o have_v meddle_v with_o it_o i_o will_v some_o of_o they_o have_v take_v it_o in_o hand_n who_o give_v i_o so_o little_a thanks_n for_o my_o labour_n that_o we_o may_v have_v see_v
from_o public_a use_n and_o therefore_o why_o shall_v any_o dissallowe_v free_a passage_n to_o those_o hymn_n in_o their_o proper_a kind_n see_v no_o man_n know_v by_o what_o portion_n of_o his_o word_n the_o divine_a providence_n shall_v please_v to_o call_v his_o child_n unto_o a_o true_a understanding_n of_o their_o duty_n who_o can_v tell_v but_o that_o which_o be_v restrain_v may_v be_v with_o hold_v from_o such_o as_o will_v receive_v needful_a comfort_n thereby_o as_o well_o as_o from_o those_o who_o will_n abuse_v it_o one_o time_n or_o another_o we_o may_v be_v enlighten_v by_o what_o be_v for_o a_o season_n obscure_a unto_o we_o and_o that_o sentence_n which_o be_v a_o occasion_n of_o stumble_v may_v be_v a_o mean_n of_o rise_v again_o to_o more_o strength_n be_v better_o understand_v yea_o i_o persuade_v myself_o it_o be_v less_o inconvenient_a that_o a_o thousand_o carnal_a man_n shall_v add_v to_o their_o confusion_n by_o the_o abuse_n of_o god_n grace_n then_o that_o one_o of_o his_o child_n shall_v want_v any_o comfort_n offer_v in_o his_o word_n much_o more_o may_v be_v say_v to_o this_o purpose_n even_o so_o much_o that_o if_o the_o likelihood_n of_o truth_n deceive_v not_o it_o will_v make_v every_o good_a christian_n fearful_a to_o oppose_v the_o commendable_a use_n of_o any_o part_n of_o god_n word_n upon_o those_o weak_a foundation_n which_o fleshlie_o policy_n have_v lay_v but_o this_o i_o hope_v will_v suffice_v in_o this_o place_n and_o as_o for_o those_o exception_n make_v against_o the_o kind_n of_o measure_n which_o i_o have_v use_v and_o some_o particular_a expression_n i_o perceive_v they_o have_v be_v flirt_v out_o either_o in_o malice_n to_o i_o or_o upon_o a_o superficial_a view_n without_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n the_o propriety_n of_o the_o language_n metaphor_n or_o allegory_n and_o therefore_o i_o regard_v they_o not_o partly_o see_v my_o version_n have_v have_v the_o approbation_n of_o better_a judgemente_n and_o 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a_o manner_n full_o authorize_v the_o same_o and_o if_o our_o metricall_a translation_n of_o the_o psalm_n be_v rectify_v and_o purge_v from_o those_o imperfection_n and_o escape_n which_o the_o first_o translator_n worthy_a to_o be_v christian_o excuse_v unwilling_o commit_v in_o that_o infancy_n of_o reformation_n there_o be_v never_o any_o one_o accidental_a thing_n in_o the_o outward_a worshipe_n of_o god_n more_o helpefull_a to_o devotion_n or_o more_o powerful_o stir_v up_o the_o affection_n towards_o set_v forth_o his_o praise_n than_o the_o sing_v of_o psalm_n hymn_n and_o spiritual_a song_n in_o such_o manner_n as_o the_o reform_a church_n now_o use_v it_o i_o can_v believe_v therefore_o but_o that_o the_o sing_v both_o of_o david_n psalm_n and_o of_o the_o song_n of_o solomon_n be_v practise_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n since_o christ_n as_o free_o and_o as_o frequent_o as_o the_o strictness_n and_o blindness_n of_o the_o time_n will_v permyt_n though_o not_o with_o so_o full_a and_o in_o so_o public_a a_o choir_n as_o at_o this_o present_a but_o what_o if_o the_o canticle_n have_v not_o be_v ordinary_o sing_v in_o former_a time_n can_v that_o prove_v the_o vulgar_a use_n of_o they_o to_o be_v now_o unlawful_a or_o inconvenient_a more_o than_o the_o use_n of_o yâ—_z rest_n of_o holy_a scripture_n in_o our_o mother_n tongue_n be_v prove_v inconvenient_a because_o the_o blindness_n of_o pass_a age_n causeleslye_o restrain_v it_o may_v we_o not_o judge_v it_o be_v rather_o through_o ignorance_n and_o because_o they_o have_v they_o not_o prepare_v to_o be_v sing_v as_o now_o they_o be_v or_o may_v it_o not_o be_v because_o the_o time_n be_v not_o then_o come_v in_o which_o a_o more_o public_a use_n thereof_o will_v be_v most_o necessary_a for_o the_o state_n of_o the_o mystical_a body_n of_o jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o creation_n to_o the_o last_o judgement_n be_v express_v allegorical_o in_o that_o song_n with_o the_o several_a appearance_n it_o have_v and_o shall_v have_v in_o the_o several_a peryod_n of_o time_n together_o with_o those_o admirable_a love-passage_n interchange_v between_o the_o divine_a and_o human_a nature_n we_o doubtless_o who_o live_v in_o the_o last_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o have_v see_v by_o long_a experience_n and_o success_n of_o thing_n much_o more_o of_o that_o prophetical_a song_n fulfil_v than_o those_o who_o go_v before_o we_o may_v without_o disparagement_n to_o their_o knowledge_n unriddle_v some_o dark_a aenigma_n heretofore_o not_o understand_v and_o the_o consummation_n of_o the_o lamb_n marriage_n be_v near_o at_o hand_n may_v the_o more_o proper_o sing_v that_o marriage_n song_n of_o he_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o name_n and_o our_o own_o spiritual_a comfort_n to_o that_o end_n i_o fit_v the_o same_o unto_o our_o english_a lyre_n in_o measure_n become_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o subject_n in_o a_o plain_n and_o unaffected_a phrase_n and_o if_o those_o who_o understand_v both_o the_o scripture_n dialect_n and_o the_o language_n of_o a_o english_a muse_n may_v be_v my_o censurer_n in_o word_n agreeable_a to_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a text._n yea_o i_o have_v so_o well_o as_o i_o be_v able_a in_o so_o few_o line_n open_v also_o according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_a church_n the_o allegory_n of_o every_o particular_a canticle_n that_o god_n may_v be_v the_o more_o glorify_v and_o the_o unlearned_a both_o delight_v and_o profit_v in_o the_o repetition_n of_o those_o hymn_n and_o thus_o much_o i_o have_v deliver_v concern_v what_o have_v be_v object_v touch_v the_o song_n of_o solomon_n not_o presume_v to_o lead_v your_o opinion_n towards_o my_o own_o end_n but_o to_o declare_v with_o what_o know_v edge_n and_o conscience_n i_o have_v proceed_v therein_o and_o as_o this_o testify_v i_o have_v some_o understanding_n of_o
of_o their_o malicious_a wrong_n than_o the_o nightingale_n in_o a_o summer_n night_n do_v of_o the_o bark_n of_o dog_n &_o whoop_v of_o owl_n but_o sing_v on_o without_o distemper_n to_o the_o contentment_n of_o my_o own_o soul_n yet_o since_o their_o clamorous_a noise_n hinder_v other_o from_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o charmer_n and_o through_o my_o side_n wound_n the_o credit_n of_o authority_n and_o may_v parhapps_o hereafter_o encourage_v they_o presumptuous_o for_o the_o bring_n in_o of_o great_a inconvenience_n i_o desire_v their_o deal_n with_o i_o may_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o this_o most_o reverend_a assembly_n to_o which_o end_n i_o have_v here_o set_v down_o what_o they_o cry_v out_o to_o the_o disparagement_n of_o i_o and_o my_o book_n instead_o of_o disperse_v it_o abroad_o according_a to_o his_o majesty_n royal_a command_n some_o give_v out_o that_o my_o book_n contain_v nothing_o but_o a_o few_o needle_n song_n which_o i_o compose_v and_o get_v privilege_v 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they_o who_o in_o such_o term_n of_o ribaldry_n as_o no_o stew_n can_v go_v beyond_o they_o blaspheme_o affirm_v that_o the_o canticle_n be_v obscene_a and_o not_o fit_a to_o be_v divulge_v in_o song_n or_o verse_n yea_o many_o other_o objection_n they_o make_v and_o cast_v out_o diverse_a aspersion_n aswell_o upon_o the_o author_n as_o on_o his_o book_n to_o bring_v both_o into_o contempt_n the_o maliciousness_n and_o superfluity_n of_o wickedness_n appear_v in_o these_o their_o evil_a speakeinge_n your_o reverence_n can_v easy_o perceive_v nevertheless_o forasmuch_o as_o there_o lie_v padd_n in_o the_o straw_n which_o the_o best_a judgement_n can_v discern_v at_o the_o first_o sight_n and_o see_v i_o have_v be_v open_o traduce_v as_o unbeseem_o intrude_a upon_o the_o divine_a call_n and_o stand_v now_o accuse_v as_o one_o that_o have_v hatch_v and_o bring_v forth_o such_o thing_n for_o my_o temporal_a advantage_n which_o be_v offensive_a and_o scandalous_a to_o the_o church_n and_o conscience_n of_o good_a man_n which_o i_o will_v not_o willing_o be_v guilty_a of_o for_o all_o the_o world_n by_o your_o patience_n i_o do_v hereby_o give_v a_o account_n of_o my_o action_n now_o in_o question_n hope_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v to_o the_o satisfy_n of_o this_o reverend_a assembly_n the_o contentment_n of_o such_o as_o have_v upon_o misreport_n be_v offend_v &_o to_o the_o shame_n of_o my_o opposer_n and_o i_o trust_v also_o it_o shall_v discover_v that_o although_o there_o may_v be_v find_v indiscretion_n or_o oversight_n in_o my_o undertake_n yet_o i_o have_v deserve_v fair_a usage_n my_o adversary_n less_o credit_n and_o my_o study_n better_a entertainment_n than_o heretofore_o they_o have_v find_v to_o keep_v myself_o the_o close_a to_o that_o which_o shall_v be_v pertinent_a to_o this_o apology_n i_o will_v make_v these_o particular_a objection_n my_o theme_n which_o i_o have_v repeat_v nor_o will_v i_o bring_v any_o other_o authority_n to_o make_v good_a my_o defence_n than_o the_o true_a relation_n of_o what_o have_v be_v do_v and_o such_o plain_a argument_n as_o my_o own_o reason_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o frame_v for_o if_o this_o discourse_n come_v to_o the_o view_n of_o your_o reverence_n only_o you_o well_o enough_o know_v what_o the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n can_v afford_v to_o these_o purpose_n and_o if_o it_o happen_v among_o those_o only_a of_o mean_a capacity_n such_o plain_a expression_n as_o i_o purpose_v to_o use_v will_v acquire_v most_o credit_n among_o they_o and_o first_o whereas_o they_o give_v out_o that_o my_o hymn_n be_v needle_n they_o do_v not_o only_o thereby_o contemn_v and_o slight_a my_o pain_n but_o lie_v a_o imputation_n of_o vanity_n upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n also_o for_o a_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v parcel_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n original_o song_n and_o to_o say_v any_o fragment_n thereof_o be_v needless_a be_v in_o effect_n to_o diminish_v from_o god_n word_n upon_o which_o follow_v a_o heavy_a curse_n god_n deserve_v every_o day_n to_o be_v praise_v of_o we_o for_o deliver_v his_o church_n by_o the_o overthrow_n of_o pharaoh_n in_o the_o red_a sea_n as_o much_o as_o he_o do_v in_o the_o very_a moment_n of_o their_o deliverance_n and_o the_o song_n of_o moses_n then_o use_v do_v in_o each_o particular_a as_o proper_o concern_v every_o christian_n congregation_n as_o it_o do_v the_o jew_n themselves_o upon_o that_o occasion_n for_o god_n mercy_n show_v to_o uâ—…_n in_o our_o baptism_n and_o the_o spiritual_a overthrow_n of_o the_o devil_n pursue_v we_o with_o a_o host_n of_o sin_n and_o temptation_n be_v in_o my_o opinion_n more_o effectual_o express_v to_o a_o spiritual_a understanding_n by_o apprehend_v the_o action_n and_o circumstance_n of_o that_o temporal_a deliverance_n they_o it_o can_v be_v by_o the_o power_n of_o any_o word_n or_o by_o any_o other_o ordinary_a mean_n except_o by_o contemplate_v of_o that_o most_o excellent_a material_a object_n the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n itself_o of_o which_o the_o other_o be_v but_o a_o type_n in_o like_a manner_n all_o the_o other_o canonical_a hymn_n do_v admyrablie_o help_v towards_o god_n everlasting_a mercy_n and_o for_o illustrate_v those_o particular_a mystery_n of_o our_o christian_n faith_n which_o they_o do_v typical_o and_o prophetical_o foreshow_v yea_o they_o be_v part_n of_o the_o prophetical_a witness_n as_o the_o hymn_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v patt_a of_o the_o evangelicall_a witness_n of_o our_o interest_n in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o very_o the_o late_a neglect_n of_o their_o application_n in_o our_o christian_n mystery_n have_v not_o only_a much_o injure_v one_o of_o the_o two_o great_a witness_n of_o our_o salvation_n but_o give_v occasion_n also_o that_o many_o unsound_a professor_n have_v corrupt_v they_o even_o to_o the_o bring_n in_o of_o diverse_a jewish_a and_o talmudicall_a fancy_n to_o the_o fearful_a distraction_n of_o weak_a people_n but_o be_v not_o those_o hymn_n necessary_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o variety_n of_o their_o argument_n yet_o the_o variety_n of_o expression_n be_v somewhat_o needful_a although_o the_o matter_n be_v the_o same_o for_o as_o the_o several_a dress_n of_o one_o sort_n of_o meat_n make_v it_o diverse_o agreeable_a to_o the_o palate_n and_o stomach_n of_o man_n so_o the_o various_a manner_n of_o thing_n deâ—…uered_v in_o holy_a scripture_n make_v they_o applicable_a to_o our_o understand_n and_o what_o in_o one_o kind_n of_o delivery_n seem_v harsh_a or_o obscure_a in_o another_o kind_n be_v acceptable_a and_o more_o easy_o apprehend_v that_o which_o be_v easy_a to_o you_o be_v hard_o parhapps_o to_o i_o and_o what_o may_v be_v think_v a_o impropriety_n to_o some_o great_a judgment_n do_v many_o time_n most_o proper_o insinuate_v the_o speaker_n mean_v unto_o they_o of_o weak_a capacity_n in_o observe_v the_o seem_a difference_n among_o interpreter_n in_o their_o translation_n of_o these_o word_n nassechv_o bar_n part_n of_o the_o last_o verse_n of_o the_o second_o psalm_n i_o conceive_v thereby_o that_o the_o profitable_a use_n of_o variety_n be_v very_o apparent_a for_o the_o translation_n most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o original_a hebrew_n render_v the_o word_n osculemini_fw-la filium_fw-la the_o septuagint_n apprehendite_fw-la disciplinam_fw-la and_o saint-hierome_n adorate_v pure_a which_o be_v all_o orthodox_n interpretation_n and_o agreeable_a both_o to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o psalm_n and_o that_o which_o the_o word_n original_o bear_v and_o all_o stand_v well_o together_o also_o with_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n this_o variety_n make_v i_o conceive_v in_o my_o meditation_n thereupon_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v deliver_v his_o meaning_n in_o these_o triple_a equivoke_v that_o they_o may_v the_o more_o proper_o be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o several_a state_n and_o age_n of_o his_o church_n for_o pardon_v i_o if_o i_o