THERE's no Request of yours, but is equivolent to a Command with me: Whereas in your Letter to the 20th. Current you earnestly crav'd my Sentiments about the use of Church-Musick; because a Friend of yours was going to erect a Pair of Organs in his Parochi­al-Church: I have comply'd with your Desires, and in the following Obser­vations have deliver'd my own Thoughts, and the Judgment of many o­others, touching it's unlawfulness under the Evangelical Oeconomy.

Before I go on, I must beg the favour of you, as to give Place to calm and sober Thoughts, and impartially to weigh the force of my Evidence: And (in order to that) I hope you'll be so just as to read over the whole Essay, before you proceed to a judicial definitive Censure. I am perswaded you are of a candid Temper, and therefore I can the more freely communicate my Sentiments to you; and that I may the more effectually set the Affair in debate in it's true Light, I'll begin with the first Rise and Use of Mu­sick and Musical Devotions.

1. 'Twas about Three Thousand Years after the Creation, before any Or­gans were us'd in Divine Worship, That they were invented in the Infan­cy of the World, we readily grant. Gen. 4.21. Jubal, he was the Father of all such as handle Harp and Organ; but if one of the Posterity of Bloody Cain was the Contriver of these paltry sidling Pipes, will it therefore fol­low that their use in Sacred Services was equally Ancient, with their first Invention? But it's doubtful, whether the Organs mention'd in this Scrip­ture be the same with ours, for the Hebrew Word [...] for Organs which comes from [...] lusit, adamavit, signifies quodvis instrumentum Musicum, qua­si amabile dictum. Schindl. The Chaldee renders it, he was Master of all that Play on the Psaltery, and knew Musick: And the Greek Version reads it, this was he that show'd the Psaltry and the Harp,

We have no Account of 'm as us'd in the Devotions of the Antediluvi­an Patriarchs, and 'twas about Seven Hundred Years after the Deluge, be­fore any sort of Instrumental Musick was us'd in Divine Worship. The first remarkable Instance that occurs, we have in Exod. 15.20, 21. Where it's said, that Miriam the Prophetess took a Timbrel in her Hand, and all the Women went after her with Timbrels and with Dances. There are Three Things that shew the invalidity of this Instance, in reference to the Point in de­bate (1.) You must Note, that this Woman was a Prophetess, and what she did was by an extraordinary impulse; now Sir, when any of our Orga­nical Friends are actuated by a Prophetick Spirit, e'en let 'm use all the Cymbals, Timbrels, Tabrets, and Harps, upon the Terrestrial Globe, and spare not, and I do assure you I'll never interrupt their Musical Mirth; on­ly let 'm stay till then. (2.) You must observe, that these were Women who plaid — and sung — but Paul has been so kind to the Female Sex in our Days as to tye their Tongues at Church; tho' now and then notwith­standing his Apostolical Injunction many of 'm will have their full share in iouncing and racketting David's Psalms, and be as clamorous in their Respon­ses as any of their Masculine Neighbours; and therefore, if you're inclin'd to follow the Miriamite Pattern, you may soon find a parcel of brisk sing­ing Girls for the Purpose without going as far as Billingsgate for 'm. (3.) These Musical-Women danced at the same time, so that Sir, you may see without the help of a pair of Canonical Spectacles, that Dancing in Di­vine Worship is of the same Age with Instrumental Musick: A cap'ring De­votion can pretend to as great Antiquity in the Church as any sort of In­strumental Musick. And therefore, I know no Reason why you shou'd graciously receive the Musical Part of the Old Service into the Church, and utterly reject the Dancing part.

2. It's acknowledged that Organs and other Instruments of Musick were Parts of the Ceremonial Law, or things peculiar to the Jewish Pedagogy, as Circumcision, Passover, Sacrifices, Trumpets, Cymbals, were, Now if these and other Parts of the Legal Ceremonies are perfectly abolisht, how comes it to pass that Organs are continu'd? Why shou'd not the same Ar­guments conclude against the Ecclesiastical Use of Organs, as conclude a­gainst the Church-use of other Jewish Musical Instruments? Why shou'd the worshipful Organs (forsooth) be readmitted into the Bosom of the Church, when other famous Instruments of Musick are totally excluded? What war­rant have you to restore and retain one Part of the Ceremonial Law more than another Part? Why a pair of Organs and not a brace of Timbrels? I believe neither you nor the Parson wou'd Consent to have the Jewish Harps, Dances, Tabrets, Trumpets, Cymbals, and Psalteries, us'd in the Divine Ser­vice, and yet all these may be warrantably introduc'd into our Church, if [Page 3]your Arguments for Organs hold Water. Pray good Sir, e'en let's have a parcel of Ecclesiastical-Trumpeters, Church-Dancers, Canonical-Harpers and Tinkling-Cymbalists, as well as a cumbersome Herd of expenceful jovi­al Organists. The Greek ChurchesVid. Monsi­eur Lortie de Coen. [...]om. p. 1. Cap. 6. have upbraided the Pa­pists for using a Roasted Lamb in the Lord's Supper, because 'twas Part of the Ceremonial-Law: But I'll not insist upon the monstrous Effects of Superstitious Love and Testy Zeal, be­cause both of 'm are Blind; which (if you'll believe Scarron) made Eneas once when he went to Sacrifice, mistake a black curl'd Spaniel for a black Ram.

3. But under the Law the Musical Instruments in the Church were appoin­ed by the Infallible Directions of Heaven, 2 Chron. 29.25. He set the Levites in the House of the Lord, with Cymbals, with Psalteries, and with Harps, accord­ing to the Command of David, and of Gad the Kings Seer, and Nathan the Pro­phet, for so was the Command of the Lord by his Prophets. But pray Sir, where is your Command for Organical Worship under the Gospel? You've neither the Command of God, nor of the King, nor of the Parliament, nor of any Convocation, nor of any Canon, or Rubrick, and yet maugre all these aw­ful Powers, you'll be meddling with your Pipes and hank'ring after the for­bidden Fruit. Tho. Aquinas, Nihil debe­mus assumere in Divinum cul­tum Praeter ea quae nobis auto­ritate traduntur. Aquin. Sum. Qu. 91. Art. 1. Typ. Mand. Ven. MDLXXXVI that grand Master of Church-Ceremonies; even he cou'd say, That nothing ought to be intro­duced into the Divine Service, but what may be warranted by Scrip­ture-Command. But lest you shou'd take it as an Affront to be corrected by a Catholick Friend, while you have a Mother a­live; I'll therefore bring you under the righteous Sentence of her Maternal Censure. Saith She,Homilies Serm. of good Works. Part 3. p. 38. Such has been the corrupt Inclination of Man ever superstitiously given, to make new honour­ing: of God, of his own Head, and then to have more Affection and Devotion to keep that, than to search out God's Commandments and do 'm. The Jews us'd 'm by Divine Order, and therefore, they were blest for the great End they were design'd for, but that therefore God will bless 'm now to the same Ends, when they are not commanded, is such a Consequence that all the Espou­sers of the Organical Cause can never make good. What they did was the matter of a Divine Command, but being Ceremonial, 'twas abrogated by the Death of Christ, and therefore can't bind us under the Gospel. Upon which account you must produce some new Proof, Order, or Commission, or be Content to own your selves guilty of adding the Traditions of sinful Men to the Sacred Canon. Because the stiff-necked Jews of Old us'd Or­gans, Psalteries, Trumpets and Cymbals, pursuant to the Heavenly Com­mand, may you therefore do't now without a Command? This is most won­derful [Page 4]Logick, and it may be, may pass for good arguing among a prophane Crew of singing Boys and their passionate Admirers.

We are not under the Law, but under the Gospel. So the Church of England speaks.Her Discourse about the Abo­lition of Cere­monies. ‘Christ's Gospel is not a Ceremonial Law, but it's a Religion to serve God, not in Bondage of the Figure or Shadow, but in the Freedom of the Spirit.’ That is, God is to be worshipp'd now under the Gospel in Spirit and in Truth, and not with the antiquated Ceremonies of the Law, such as Cymbals, Organs, Sacrifices, Trumpets, Psalteries — Now will any Man of common Sence plead for the use of a Thing as lawful under the Gospel, because 'twas made of Old a part of the Legal Service?

4. And it's certain, the New Testament makes no mention of any In­strumental Musick us'd in Divine Worship, and had it been really profita­ble, wou'd the Holy Jesus and his faithful Apostles pass it by in such pro­found Silence? Now Mr. Chorister, I challenge you, or any of your Musical Tribe to prove that ever Christ or his Apostles us'd, recommended, or en­couraged the Practice of Instrumental Musick in the Sacred Assemblies of Christians. It's remarkable in Matth. 9.23, 24, 25. that Christ does no Mi­racle till he turns out the Pipers and Fidlers.

But suppose, for once we humour your Fancy about Organs, will you then tell me, when and where you'll stop? If this be allow'd, may you not by Parity of Reason introduce the whole Body of Romish, Paganish, Judaical and Mahometan Ceremonies into the Church? If you are empower'd to bring in so considerable a thing as a pair of Devotional Organs, why mayn't you [...] the same Power fill the Church with a great many more new fangl'd Ce [...] ­nious Superstitions? And at this rate, why mayn't we expect a [...] of Articles, and new Schemes of Religion ev'ry new Year? [...] spawning of Novel Creeds and equipping out of Organical Confessio [...] eve­ry Spring.

1. IF what is wanting in the Sacred Text cou'd be made good by Au­thentick Primitive Records, I shou'd not have attended this Musi­cal Business. I must needs say, that I owe the Fathers of the Church the Debt of an Honourable Memory; and therefore, if you had fled for Refuge into the abstruse receptacles of venerable Antiquity, I wou'd not have pre­sum'd to haunt you out of your Burroughs; but upon a little search into the Ancient Ecclesiastical Registers, you'll soon find that the Primo-Primitive-Christians never made use of Organs in their Applications to the Heavenly Throne.

The Ancient Fathers in their Writings are wholly silent; they give us not the least hint that they approv'd of or had Organical Worship in the Church; but we have a new Generation of Pipers that are wiser than their Fore-Fathers, and able to fathom the Indian Gulph, and if need be, reach the twinkling Stars with a Jacob's Staff. These are the evaporating Wits of the Age with whom alone (if you'll believe 'm) the Chrystal Springs of Knowledge dwell. No doubt, but these Musical Gentlemen drew their first breath in Tempe or Parnassus, and had Appollo himself for their Progeni­tor, and the Harmonious Spheres for Nurses; for their first and last Notes are nothing else, but Lispt Meeter and Castalian Lays. But see how this sid­ling humour draws me out o'th' way.

2. Say some, 'twas about Six Hundred Years after Christ before Organs were introduc'd into the Christian Church. TheTandem An­no 666. pleno numero Bestiae, Apoc. 13. Cantum Latinum cum Organis Ecclesiae a Vitalino Pontifice susceperunt missamq deinde. Magdeb. Centur. Cent. 7. Cap. 6. Centuria­tors tells us, That at last in the Year Six Hundred Sixty Six, in the full number of the Beast in Revel. 13th. the Churches receiv'd [Page 6]Latin singing with Organs from Pope Vitalian, and from thence began to say La­tin Mass, and to set up Altars with Idolatrous Images.—And of this Opini­on are Balaeus, Platina Plat. in Vi­tal. and others. You may Note hence, that this Theatrical pompous sort of Worship was first hatcht at Rome, where a great many other Ecclesiastical Gewgaws and Gibble-Gabbles have been invented; and had no meaner Per­son for it's Original, than a Soveraign Pontiff, and he none of the best of the Purple Order, for by M. Prideaux he's rank'd in the Class of usurping Nimrods. And besides we must observe, that these Organs were introduc'd into Church in the Time of Popish Darkness, and were accompany'd with Latin Service and Idolatrous Images —.

And, that this sort of Organical Devotion looks like that of Rome, I Appeal to the ReverendVid. Cere­mony Mon­ger, Chap. 1. page 11. 17. Mr. H. the present Rector of All Saints — in Colchester in Essex, who expresseth himself thus — ‘His Cope, his Hood, his Surplice, his Rochet, his cringing Worship, his Altars with Candles on 'm, his Bag-pipes or Organs, and in some Places Viols and Violins, and singing Boys are so very like Popery, that (saith he) I protest when I came in 1660. from beyond Sea to Paul's and White-Hall, I cou'd scarce think my self to be in England, but in Spain or Portugal again, I saw so little dif­ference but that their Service was in Latin and ours in English, but less intelligible and edifying by Reason of the inarticulate Boatus and bray­ing, the alternate Jabberings and Mouthings of the People, whilst all of 'm read half the Psalms with a noise as confus'd as the rumbling Thun­der; that any Man in the World that had seen High Mass beyond Sea, must say, that the Contrivance of both was to keep People in Ignorance, Bellarmines Mother of Devotion.’

3. Some others are of Opinion, that the use of Organs in the Christian Church was not so early as this Popes Time: For, long after that; Organs were unknown in France and Germany. Marianus Scotus tells us, they were first sent of a Token to King Pepin in France; Aventinus gives the same Account, but adds, that they came not into any Church in France till the Year 828. when by the Industry of a Venetian Priest they were there set up. Church-Musick was not introduc'd into the Western Churches before the Time of Ludovicus Pius about the Year 840. One Georgius a Greek Priest, who was recommended to the Emperour by Count Baldric perswaded him to admit into the ChurchAimon. Mo­nach. de Gestis. Franc. lib. 4. Cap. 114. inusitatam adhuc in regno Fran­corum melodiam. But Aquinas saith, there were no Organs us'd in the Church, in his Time, which was about the Twelfth Century. Thus you see, tho' the Learned vary in the Ac­count they give of their Original, yet they all agree they were [Page 7]not us'd in Christian Assemblies for several hundred Years after Christ.

4. As to the Fathers, it's plain, that they accounted Organs and other Musical Instruments in Divine Worship, as Parts of the Old Ceremonial Law, and sui­ted only to the Infant State of the Church, and therefore no way Congruous to the spirituality of Gospel-Services; this will more plainly appear, by considering the subsequent Passages collected out of 'm.

(1.) We'll begin with Justin Martyr [...]— Just. Martyr. ad Orth. Quest. 107., who Dy'd about the Year 164. He saith to this Purpose, ‘That in his Time there was only plain simple singing with the Voice us'd in the Church:’ And he calls the use of Church Musick under the Old Testament, a puerile carnal Service, or a Childish serv­ing of God.

(2.) Clemens Alexandrinus, [...]— Pae­dag. Lib. 2. Cap. 4. who Liv'd about the Year 196. saith, we're commanded to Praise God on the Psaltery, that is on the Tongue, because the Tongue is the Psaltery of the Lord. Praise him with the Harp, that is, with the Mouth; Praise him with the loud tinkling Cymbal, that is, the Tongue. And a little further he saith, That then they made use only of one Instru­ment, the peaceful Word with which they honour'd God. Note hence, (1.) That he look'd upon the Jewish Church-Musick to be Typical, i. e. a resemblance, to emblematize or shadow out that inward Melody — which shou'd be in Gospel Times, so saith Junius, ‘Of those Things commanded by the Law, some were significative of some future Thing: Others were peculiar to that Church; now (saith he) to make use of things which were significative of some thing Future after the com­ing of Christ, is Wicked; and now to use those things which were peculiar to that Church is ridiculous.’ So that according to his Judgment the use of Church-Musick under the Gospel is either impious or ridiculous. (2.) Cle­mens in some of's Writings, complains much of the decay of Zeal and of the Power of Godliness among Professors in his Time, and yet I believe it ne'r enter'd into the Brains of the good Man, that a pair of Organs wou'd have been a Remedy for that growing Evil.

(3.) St. Chrysostom, [...]— in Ps. 144. E­dit. &c. who Di'd about the Year 407. saith, ‘That under the Old Testament, there were Organs by which Songs of Praise were offer'd up to God, but now in the stead of Organs we make use of the Body, the Members of which become a Psaltery and a Harp—.’ And in another Place [...]. speaking of Musical Instruments in Gods Service, he saith, Let no Man deceive you, these appertain not to Christians: These are Alien to the Christian Church; all these the Nations of the World seek after. Note hence, (1.) He asserts that Organs — [Page 8]did not belong to Christian Worship. Either he was erroneous in's Judge­ment, or the Patrons of our melodious Organs are guilty of an unchristian Practice. But (2.) He makes those to be deceivers of the People that intro­duce Organs, or any other sort of Instrumental Musick into Church-Wor­ship: Here's a heavy Charge, and some Body must be Guilty; either the Father of the Church, or the Ecclesiastical Organeer. You must either brand the good old Man for a lying Scribbler, or own Organical Worship to be a meer Cheat, and a Church Delusion — Ʋtrum horum mavis accipe — (3.) He makes Organ-Worship to be a Heathenish Practice. This puts me in mind of what the Learned Dr. Stillingfleet Orig. Sacr. late Bishop of W. tells us out of Strabo, that the Corybantes of old in their Wor­ship danc'd about with their Cymbals, Pipes, Drums, and Arms, as if Bedlam had been broke loose among 'm.

(4.) Isidore Pelusiota, Isid. Pel. lib. 1. Ep. 457. in Ps. 150. [...]. who Liv'd about the beginning of the Fourth Century, saith, ‘If ye seek an Explication of that Musick mention'd in Scripture, understand after this man­ner; viz. They prais'd God with the sound of a Trumpet in Memory of the Resurrection; which will be with a Trum­pet. Praise him with the Psaltery and Harp, that is, with the Tongue and Mouth. Praise him with Strings and Organs, that is, with the Bo­dy and all the inward Parts.’

(5.) Theodoret, [...]. — Theod. [...]. Serm. 7. who flourish'd about the Year 430. after Christ, saith, ‘God indulged 'm (the Jews) the use of Mu­sical Instruments, not that he was delighted with their Har­mony, but so by little and little he put a stop to the deceit of Idols.’ And in another Place, he saith to this Effect, [...]— Comment. in Ps. 32.2, 3. that those Musical Instruments spoken of in the Old Testament a­gree to us, if they're understood spiritually — ‘And we must render our selves an Harmonious Organ to God, and Praise him by the Instruments of all the Senses.’

(6.) Ambrose, who Di'd Anno 397.Aug. Confess. IX. 7. introduc'd the Eastern Way of Singing at Milan, to divert the good People that watch'd with him in the Church, to prevent Justina, Valenti­nian's Mother, from delivering it to the Arians, whose Heresie she favour'd: And from Milan that more artificial way of singing spread through the We­stern. Churches.

(7.) This melodious Singing did so tickle St. Austin's Ears, and cause in him such a degree of carnal Delight, that the wishes 'twere laid aside in the [Page 9]Church,— Ab auri­bus meis remc­veri velim at­que ipsius Ec­clesiae. Conf. X. 33. and reckons it much safer to imitate the Alexandrian Way of singing in Athanasius's Time, who made his Rea­der to sound the Psalm with so small a turn of his Voice, ut pronuncianti vicinor esset quam canenti. Ibid. If the more artifi­cial Way of Vocal Singing seem'd ensnaring to this devout Fa­ther, what wou'd he have said to our Modern Organical Con­sorts?

(8.) Add to all these the Account we have of the Primi­tive Worship, viz. When the Congregation was assembl'd they first read the Scriptures, and sometimes other Writings, then Pray'd, and then Preach'd, and concluded with Prayer. In our Publick Assemblies saithScripturae le­guntur, Psalmi canuntur, ad locutiones pro­feruntur, & pe­titiones dele­gantur. Ter­tull. de Anima Cap. 3. Tertullian, (who Liv'd about the Year 202. after Christ) The Scriptures are Read, Psalms are Sung, Sermons Preached, and Prayers presented. Not a Word of Common Prayer, nor of the Vitalian and Gregorian Organi­cal Cant; which things were not known in the Primitive Church.

Thus you see the Venerable Fathers unanimously declare against the Ec­clesiastical use of Organs; and therefore, you must either Rebel against their Paternal Authority, or be content to Knock under, as we say. The Church of Old look'd like it Self, a Pure, Holy Virgin; and had no Superstitious Ornamental Appendages to enhance it's Native Simplicity.

But Alas! How is her beautiful Face now mangl'd? As some of our mo­dish Ladies, who (tho' Nature has accommodated 'm with comely Fea­tures, yet) ridiculously paint 'mselves: So some of our Prelatical Tantivies have so miserably daub'd the Face of the Church with Organical and Spanish Dyes, and other Ceremonious Untemper'd Mortar, that if the Primitive Fathers were now alive again, they cou'd not know their own Daughter.

We'll conclude this Chapter with that excellent Prayer of our Church, viz. God grant all us, the Kings Highness, faithful and true Subjects, to feed of the sweet and savoury Bread of Gods own Word: And (as Christ commanded) eschew all our Pharisaical and Papistical leven of Man's fained Religion — Homily of good Works, Part III. Page 38.

IN the next Place, we'll consider the extent of this Organical Worship, and in doing that, it mayn't be amiss to lay before you an Account of those Places, where (1.) Organs are not us'd in their Spiritual Worship. And (2.) Where they are us'd.

(1.) There are many of the Reformed Churches, and some of 'm, the best in the World, that never us'd Organs, or any other Musical Instru­ments in their Sacred Assemblies and Worship. As the Reformed Churches in Germany, the Helvetian and French Protestant Churches: Many of the Protestant Churches in Poland, Sweedland, Denmark, and many of those in the Belgic Provinces. The Hungarian, and Transilvanian Churches, and those of Piedmont. The Scotch Churches. All the Protestant Dissenting Churches, and indeed the greatest Number of Parish Churches in England and Ireland. Observe here, (1.) That the greatest Number, and some of the purest Protestant Churches in the World, have always been without Organs. And (2.) That the defect thereof, has been no hindrance to the flourishing State of those Churches; nay (3.) If we may judge of the Tree by it's Fruit, some of the Anti-Organical Churches have been the most emi­nently Pious, and have most remarkably signaliz'd their Courage and Con­stancy, in the persecuted Cause of Christ, and Defence of Gospel-Simplici­ty, which is the main Thing pleaded for in this Essay, in Opposition to pom­pous and carnal Devotion.

(2.) On the other Hand, Organs are us'd in some of the Dutch Churches, in some of the Lutheran Churches, in Germany and Poland, and the Greek Churches; In our Cathedral Churches in England, and in some few Parochi­al Churches, and in the Popish Churches. But then,

[1.] As to the Dutch Churches; it must be remembred that Organs were forc'd upon 'm by some Civil Magistrate against the Consent of the Dutch Ministers; for at the National Synod held at Middleb. Anno 1581. and in the Synod of Holland and Zealand in the Year, 1594. 'twas decreed, ‘That they wou'd endeavour to prevail with the Magistrates to banish Organs — out of their Churches.’ Nothing less than Banishment, it seems, [Page 11]wou'd serve their turn. Such clamorous, noisie, bawling Creatures were not fit to dwell within the Calm, and orderly Territories of the Church.

[2.] As to the Lutheran Churches; they ought not to be admitted as Pat­terns, for they approve of, and use many other Popish Novelties, which all other Protestants justly abhor and condemn, as, ‘Auricular Confession, the Pictures of the Trinity, singing Psalms in Latin, Crucifixes in their De­votion —’ Cum multis aliis— But what if a Parcel of Consubstantia­ting Lutherans are inclin'd to divert 'mselves by the inarticulate sound of a few Musical Pipes, must it therefore follow that English Protestants shou'd Dance after 'm? As to the Greek Churches their Errors in material Things are equally obvious —

But (1.) Zepperus observes, that the Organs us'd in the Transmarine Re­formed Churches are to Delight People at ordinary Times, when the Wor­ship of God is not perform'd. But some of our high-flown Cassandrian Eng­lish Love a little innocent Auricular Diversion in their Ecclesiastical Retire­ments, and will not as much as open their Eyes towards the Heavens, till they're awaken'd and rouz'd up by the sound of an Organical Machin. But that which makes me smile is, to see poor little diminutive Parishes so eager for Organs, when some of the Richest Parsonages in England are con­tent to go to Heaven without 'm. But oh what a cursed Misery is it to be Poor and Proud!

And (2.) He that Writes the late History of Denmark, An Account of Denmark, as 'twas in the Year 1692. E­dit. 3. Chap. XVI. pag. 233. tells us in Particular of the Danes, ‘That they're all great Lovers of Organs, and have many very good ones, with skilful Or­ganists, who entertain the Congregation with Musick during half an Hour, either before or after Service.’

Nay (3.) It seems in Dr. Rivet's Time, only Vocal Musick was us'd in our English Service, and saith he,— Si in An­glia vel alibi iis utuntur, id aliis fit horis quam iis quae praeipuo Divino cultui sunt destinatae. — A. Rivet. Cathol. Orthod. Qu. 36. p. 564. If Organs were us'd, 'twas not in the Hours of Divine Worship, but at other Times, and that to divert and recreate the People and not to edifie 'm.

[3.] And as to the English Churches; there are Three Things I wou'd observe concerning 'm.

1. That the Churches that have Organs are very few, compar'd with those that have no Organs at all. If they are so eminently useful in De­votion, as a mouthing Cathedralist Swears they are, there's no doubt but the Patrons and Rectors of our Rich Parochial Synagogues that are without 'm, wou'd soon make their Ecclesiastical Arches eccho, with the sound of Melodious and Charming Organists.

[Page 12] 2. Several eminent Church-men, and other Reformed Divines have ex­presly show'd their dislike of Organs in our Divine Worship. We'll begin with;

The Learned Dr. Taylor's Opinion about this sort of Ecclesiastical Mu­sick. He delivers himself to this Purpose, The Ʋse of Singing Psalms — is very apt for the Edification of Churches, but as for Musical Instru­ments, they are more apt to change Religion into Fancies, Duct. Dubit. lib. 3. about the 329. p. and take off some of it's simplicity, and are not so fitted for Edification. He seems plainly to assert, that this sort of Musical Service is real­ly repugnant to spiritual Worship, which is particularly injoyn'd in the Gospel. And I've heard many Devout Kirk-men complain, that instead of elevating their Affections, it distracts their Thoughts, and diverts the mind from being seriously intent on the Matter Sung. But alas Sir, you're mistane in our Organists, for they ne'r intended to be Religious among their Pipes.

Mr. Maxwell, a Divine of the true Prelatical and Tory stamp,In his Book en­tituled, The Excellency of the Church of England above that of Geneva. saith, We agree with Reformed Divines, that Instrumental Musick is neither a Part of nor a help to Divine or Ecclesiastical Worship. Bravely said Maxwell! The high-flown Scot is in the right on't; and the Confession is the more considerable, be­cause it's voluntary, and not forced by the pressure of a Scotch Boot.

Cowper, His Works in Folio Printed at London, 1621. p. 371. Bishop of Galloway, saith, That the best Musical Instrument for God's Praise, is an upright Heart: And in's Comment on the Revelations, saith, The Heart is the Harp, the Strings of the Heart are the Affections.

The famous Dr. Lightfoot, His Works, Vol. 11. p. 1060. has a very pertinent Passage to the Purpose, saith he, ‘Christ abolisht the use of the Temple, as purely Ceremonious, but he perpetuated the Use of the Sy­nagogue, such as Reading the Scriptures, Preaching, Praying and Singing of Psalms, and transplanted it into the Christian Church as purely Moral.’ Now observe, that Instrumental Musick was part of the Temple-Service, and peculiarly so, for 'twas never us'd in the Jewish Syna­gogues, or in their Parochial Worship. And therefore we've no more war­rant to recall it into the Christian Church, than we have to introduce Lamps, Dances, Frankincense, Silver Trumpets— or the like.

Peter Martyr, Pet. Mart. in Judg. c. 5. (who dyed about Year 1562) speaking a­bout this sort of Church Musick saith, ‘It cannot be lawfully retain'd, because the Auditors are so taken with it, that they cannot apprehend and perceive the Words if they wou'd.’ And therefore, I think it's almost as good, for a Man to pay his Religious Devoirs to Heaven at B — in the midst of Rosemary-Lane S —where no­thing [Page 13]is heard but the confus'd Rumblings of sonorous and clat'ring Tongues. Or, for ought I know, his Advantage may be as great, if he spends two or three Hours at a Quakers Dumb and Silent Conventicle. The Truth on't is Sir, I Love Musick dearly well in it's proper Time and Place; and Scru­ple not to divert my Self now and then, by a pair of Domestical Organs, but really I had almost as good hear the Mysterious Humms of a Parcel of Leaden-Hall Quakers, as the loud inarticulate confus'd Noise of Ecclesiastical Pipes. The one is as intelligible and edifying as t'other: But I must not attend my demure Enthusiastical Quaker too long, lest my Cloaths be sing'd, for he smells strong of Italian Smoak which makes me presume there are some Roman Cinders in his Chimney.

To proceed. Wendeline Syst. Theol. Edit. Post. p. 1643. saith of the same Musick, ‘That the Devil by a Canorous Musick tempts the Ears of Christi­ans, that it may emasculate and weaken their spiritual Vigor by a sweeter sound.’ So that you may conclude hence, when th' Organist Plays on's Pipes there's an invisible Dancer.

Zanchy, on Eph. 5.19. saith, read St. Jerom on this Place — ‘What he Writes against this Theatrical Gaudy sort of Musick, by which Men are drawn to be more attent to the Melody of the Sound than the Words.’

Calvin saith, that the Jewish Altars and Frankincense, are every whit as lawful as Musical Instruments in God's Worship: But I'll not insist upon a Geneva Cut, when triangl'd Instances are so much in Fashion.

Zuinglius (the first Reformer of the Helvetian Church) is very warm against this sort of Worship.Zuinglii Act. Disp. 2. p. 106. It's evident (saith he) that Ecclesiastical Chanting — is a most foolish vain abuse, and a most pernicious hindrance to Piety.

Pezelius, Pez. in Sleid. de Quatuor Im­periis. who was Professor of Divinity at Bremen in the lower Circle of Saxony, in his Notes upon Sleidan, calls the Musical Instruments of Pope Vitalian, the Thieves of Prayer, and the Word Preached.

Many more might be added, but I'll conclude this Head with the Judge­ment of the Thirty Two Protestant Commissioners, who were in the Reign of Henry VIII. and Edward VI. appointed by Act of Parliament to examine and purge all Canons, Constitutions, and Ordinances, Provincial and Syno­dal, do declare, that they wou'd have all Instrumental Musick as Organs — quite taken away out of the Church.Reformatio le­gum Anglica­rum de Divi­nis Officiis. Im­perf. Tract. The same Commission was reviv'd in Queen Elizabeth's Reign, but quickly dropt, and to the great Prejudice of the Church has slept ever since, as the Learned and Reverend Bishop Burnet saith.

The Persons Deputed to this Purpose were, Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, Ridley Bishop of London, Ponet Bishop of Winchester, Goodrick Bi­shop of Ely, Coverdale Bishop of Exeter, Hooper Bishop of Glocester, Knight Bishop of Bath, Scory Bishop of Rochester, Mr. Taylor of Lincoln, Mr. Cox the King's Almoner, Parker of Cambridge, Latimer, Cook, Pet. Martyr, Sir John Cheek, John a Lasco, Mr. Peter, Mr. Cecyl, Sir Tho. Smith, Mr. Taylor of Hadley, Dr. May, Mr. Traheron, Dr. Lyel, Mr. Skiner, Justice Hales, Justice Bromley, Goodrick, Gosnal, Stamford, Carel, Lucas and Brook Record­er of London.

These were the Flowers of the English Reformation, and Men eminent for Sacred and Polite Literature. And I think the Judgment of such a va­luable Sett of Men deserves a Particular Regard. And therefore wonder with what Confidence some can pretend to have such a mighty Veneration for our first Reformers, when yet they so zealously defend, and are so eager for retaining; what the Old Reformers thought better abolisht and quite remov'd.

Thus you have th' express Opinion of many great and good Men against your erecting a pair of Devotional Organs in the Christian Church. But if you think, that you can't attain the Supremacy of Bliss without Converting the Church into an Organical Quire, e'en go on, and let your well-instruct­ed Organist begin his Anthem of O be joyful — while the rest of the Parish are devoutly Praying, like 'mselves, From all blindness of Heart, from Pride, Vain-Glory, and from all the Deceits of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil — and Contempt of thy Word and Commandment. Good Lord deliver us. And for once I'll suppose my self in the AMEN-Officer's Desk, and presume to say A—m—e—n—. But before you begin, you'd do well to take Advice from those that are able to give it, and who more fit to Counsel you in this Grand Affair than,

3. The Church of England it self, whose Judgement comes next to be con­sider'd, and if you'll not be advis'd by her, for my Part I shall give you o­ver as a pack of obstinate Sons of the Church. But what saith the Church of England? Why, to be brief, She utterly Condemns the Use of Organs in Divine Worship, as unlawful, and Thanks God She was rid of 'm in the Infancy of the Reformation; as appears by the following Passage out of her Homilies — Alas Gossip (said a Woman to her Neighbour) What shall we do at Church? Since all the Saints (or Images) are tak'n away; since all the goodly sights we were wont to have are gone; Book of Homi­lies of the Time and Place of Prayer. Part II. p. 131. Lond. Prinsed 1621. since we cannot hear the like Piping, Singing, Chanting, and playing upon the Organs that we cou'd hear before — To this the Church ve­ry gravely Replies, But dearly Beloved, we ought greatly to rejoice and give God thanks, that our Churches are deliver'd out of all those [Page 15]things which displeased God so sore and filthily defil'd his Holy House —.

Take Notice here, (1.) That 'twas the Opinion of the Church of England in Queen Elizabeth's days, that Organs — in Churches did greatly displease God. And are they more acceptable in God's account now? Or are our Ecclesi­astical Engineers grown more wise than their famous Ancestors? (2.) That Organs — did filthily defile God's House; and therefore she thanks God for the removal of this Organical defilement among other Superstitions. But least you shou'd Question the Authenticalness of the good Old Homilies, and to look upon the Evidence as weak and impertinent; I'll add, (3.) That the Thirty Fifth Article of the Church of England, confirms the Doctrine of the Homilies, as good, sound, and wholesome. Whoever therefore asserts this New, or rather Old Romish mode of Worship by Organs, directly con­tradicts the Judgment of the Renowned Church of England, And yet these Organical Hot-spurs wou'd be thought her only true Sons, tho' at the same time they publickly and cotumaciously Rebel against her Maternal Authori­ty. The Church of England in another place saith,— Of Cere­monies why some be abo­lisht, and some retain'd in the Preface part of the Common Prayer. That some Ceremonies enter'd into the Church by indiscreet Devotion, and such a Zeal as was without Knowledge. And for because they were winked at in the beginning, they grew daily to more and more abu­ses, which not only for their unprofitableness, but also because they have much blinded the people, and obscur'd the Glory of God, are worthy to be cut away and clean rejected: — Injenuous Confession Monstrum horrendum — The Mother and Children so very un­like! What pitty is it that so Excellent a Mother shou'd have such a dege­nerate Brood — but corruptio optimi, pessima.

[4.] As to the Popish Churches, I shall only declare the Sentiments of some of their learned Men touching the concern in debate. We'll begin,

1. With Thomas Aquinas, Instrumenta Musica sicut Cytharas — non assu [...]it Ecclesia in Divinas laudes nè vide­atur judaizare — Aquin. Sum. 2a. 2ae. Qu. 91. Art. 2. Obj. 4 ta. who liv'd about the Year 1270, he tells us that Organs were not receiv'd into the Church, in his time. ‘The Church (saith he) does not take Musical In­struments into the Divine Praises, least it shou'd seem to ju­daize.’ And it's observable that Cardinal Cajetan Notandum tempore Thomae — Cajet. in eund. loc sum Tho. Aquin. upon Aqui­nas saith, Take notice that in the times of St. Thomas the Church made no use of Organs. And Gregory de Valentia is of the same Opinion. It's manifest from hence that the Gallican Churches which boast so much of Antiquity, had no Organs in their Churches about 500 Years ago.

2. Others of the Romish Stamp look upon Organs to be really prejudicial to the Devotion of the Holy Church tho' they may accidentally excite the Mind.

Cornelius Agrippa (who was Counsellor to Charles the V. and a Papist as appears by his Reflections on Luther) vehementlyDe Vanitate Scient. Cap. 6. & 17. declaims against Organs as abus'd ad fornicariam pruriginem, and filling the Church with such a loud noise that the Worshippers can neither hear nor attend to what is spoken: He looks upon Church-Mu­sick to be a Lecherous licentious sort of Devotion, and resents it ill that the Holy Mysteries shou'd be chanted out by a Company of wanton Musicians who're hir'd with a great Summ of Money —Ibid.. And Aquinas in th' above quoted Question,Aquin. Sum 2a. 2ae. Qu. 91. Art. 2. Resp. 4ta. ad 4t. Objectionem. saith out of Aristotle, ‘That those sort of Musical Instruments, do rather Create in the Mind a sensual Delectation, than Form in the Mind a good Disposition.’

Another Learned Papist, who resolv'd not t'approve all he saw and heard in the Romish Synagogue, saith in these Words. ‘Let a Man be a greater Worldling than Crassus, a greater Reviler than Zoilus, yet is he accoun­ed a Devout Man, because he Sings Service well, tho' he understands no­thing of it — Nor are they Content with this, but we have also brought into Churches, a Laborious and Theatrical Musick, a tumultuous pratling of divers Voices, such a one as I think was ne'r heard upon any Stage a­mong the Romans or Graecians — All Places roar with Pipes,Eras. in 1 Co­rinth. Cap. 14. Trumpets, Cornets, Dulcimers, and with these Mens Voices are mixt; Love-Songs, and Filthy Songs (to which Whores and Mimicks Dance) are heard. People run to Church as to a Stage to tickle their Ears, and for this use are bred Or­ganists and maintain'd at great Charge — A Rabble of sordid and light Persons is bred, and the Church is loaded with their maintenance, and that too for a pestilent Imployment. How many poor People that are ready to famish might be maintain'd with the Salaries of these singing Men?’

It's remarkable how our Author saith, that People came to Church as to a Stage-play, and Hospinian saith, they went away ordinarily as soon as th' Musick (for which alone they came) was over. And it's well if th' Orga­nical Part of Mankind be reform'd in our Days. Now Sir, shall Protestants declare so vehemently for th' use of these Ecclesiastical Whistles, when even Roman Catholicks 'mselves condemn 'm as Enemies to spiritual Devotion? And those of 'm that Dance after these Pipes, how do they laugh at us for being their filly Apes. It's to me unaccountable, that there shou'd be any English Protestants, who in spite of Scripture, Reason, Antiquity, and th' Church it self, I say, in spite of all these, will yet be the Pope's Baboons and expose th' English Reformation to the Jears of Jesuits, Priests, and Fryers, who deride us sadly for this notorious Piece of Religious Mimickry.

PRay Sir make your Conscience Chancellor in the Cause, and tell me whe­ther you really think the Heart-searching God is pleas'd with such Theatrical Pomp, and noisie Ostentation in his Worship? Or whether your Organical Chanting will recommend your Devotion any whit the more unto a Holy God? Will that which tickles our itching Ears, be de­lightful Melody in th' Ears of th' Eternal Being? Will he be affected with that which pleases our distemper'd Fancies? What, has th' Almighty great­er respect to the artificial sound of an Organ-pipe, than to the dolorous Crys of a penitent Sinner? To affirm any such thing, wou'd be wickedly to represent Almighty God, as if he were tinctur'd with the Vanity of de­generate Mortals.

It may be there are some Superstitious Fops, and empty Noddies, that may admire and applaud a Worship drest up Ala [...]node de Rome, de Spain, de Portugal, (I had almost forgot St. Germans En lay) with the glitt'ring Ornaments of gaudy Ribbons, and tow'ring Top-knots, but I'm sure wise and devout Protestants that know better things, will Pitty their Childish Sim­plicity, and Laugh at their Ridiculous Fooleries.

Lactantius Reprimands the Heathens severely, ‘for believing that their Gods did love what they affected,Lactant. Instit. Lib. 2. Cap. 7. and for believ­ing that their Temples had so much the more Majesty, by how much they were gay and adorn'd. So the Church of England speaking of Church Images, Precious Vestures, Hom. against the Peril of I­dol. and Super­stitious decking of Churches. Part I. p. 12. and o­ther Glittering Ornaments of the Church; saith, they've no­thing at all profited such as were Wise and of Understand­ing, but have greatly hurt the simple and unwise, occasion­ing 'm thereby to commit most horrible Idolatry.’

Objection, But Organs are helps to Devotion. You must know Sir that ge­nerally we're a Parcel of dull Souls, especially at Church, and the Senses of too many of us are extreamly stupify'd by Banly Opiats, that the most charming Magick in our Rubrick can't possibly revive us; and therefore have Thought [Page 18]of this Organical Expedient to New-vamp our Devotion. For, the Truth on't is, we're e'en tir'd (and I believe the most laborious Plow-man or Ditcher in the Parish, wou'd not like it as hard as the Times are) to be serv'd with Coleworts all the Year round, and therefore we're fully re­solv'd to get a few Ecclesiastical Dainties to revive our drooping Spirits.

To which I Answer in these following Particulars.

• (1.) The Learned Bishop Burnet saith,
  Bishop B's. Abridg. of the Hist. of the Church of Eng­land, Edit. 2. Preface p. 7.
  All the helps to Devotion, that the Gospel offers are in ev'ry one's Hands. But Organs are not in ev'ry Bodies Hands, and therefore accord­ing to his Judgment are no helps to Devotion.
• (2.) I must needs say, that's e'en a sad lame Devotion, that stands in need of a few tweedling Organ-pipes to make it more brisk and lively. Methinks by th' Air of this Objection your Organical Friends want a little Bottl'd Ale, or a Dram of the Cask, but because the Kirk-Wardens will not allow the Temple to be turn'd into a Tipling-House, therefore you must have something else for that Time, to elevate your depressed Minds; and nothing like to a pair of rousing melodious Organs.

Surely Sir, we've a great many Phlegmatich Sinners among us, and I wish there be no Saulites in the Hierarchy, when there's such violent Application made to Musical Diversions and Organical Plays. The Learned Parous saith, that, to Advocate for Organs is impertinent, for adds he, ‘In the Church the Mind is not to be rais'd to God, and spiritual Joy, by Pipes, Trumpets, and Timbrels (which God of old indulged his People who were of a stiff neck and dull stupid Mind) but by sacred Sermons,Hinc vero Or­ganorum usum templis velle defendere inep­tum est— In Ecclesia ex­citandus est a­nimus ad De­um & loetitiam non tibiis, tu­bis tympanis (quod veteri durae cervicis & stupidae mentis populo Deus o­lim indulsit) sed sacris concioni­bus, Psalmodi­is & Hymnis. Com. in 1 Cor. 14.7. p. 599. Edit. 2de. Psalms and Hymns — Observe here, (1.) He calls the Votaries of Organs a foolish impertinent sort of Peo­ple.’ And it's no wonder, he brands 'm with so black a Cha­racter, when they leave the Substance and run after the Sha­dow. When an Heir is impleaded for an Idiot, the Judge commands an Apple — or a Counter — with a Piece of Gold — to be set before him, to try which he'll take; and if he takes th' Apple, or the Counter, and leave the Gold; he's then cast for a Fool: For he knows not the value of things, or how to make a true Election. And are not our Organical Sinners thus foolish? For when Bugels, and Diamonds, Brass Counters, and Gold are set before 'm; they leave the Dia­monds and Gold of the Gospel, and please 'mselves with the Ceremonious Toys, and Baubles of an abrogated Law. And [Page 19](2.) He Asserts, that spiritual Joy is not rais'd by Musical Instruments; and if so, then the Church-use of Organs is notoriously impertinent. (3) He adds, that the Jews were indulg'd in the use of 'm, because they were a stiff-necked stupid People. Now, methinks, our Organical Neighbours look as like a parcel of Stubborn Jews, as one Egge to another; and some of 'm are as stiff-necked Bigots, as ever the Jerusalem Jews were when be­sieg'd by Vespasian; and as an evidence of their more than Jewish Bigotry, they make Idols of Ceremonies, and had rather see the Kingdom run down with Protestant Blood than Part with the least Hemm of a Consecrated Frock; but they (forward Souls) will step more than half way o're th' Hedge to meet his Holiness of Rome.

But lest you shou'd think I'm a little too uncharitable, give me leave to tell you, I deliver not my own Judgment, but that of the Church of Eng­land her self, for she in her Discourse of Ceremonies — has this remark­able Passage — And whereas in this our Time, the Minds of Men are so di­verse, that some think it a great Matter of Conscience to depart from a piece of the least of their Ceremonies, they be so addicted to their Old Customs —

And that you have a Pack of dull Animals in the Prelatical Constitution, you acknowledg'd to me in your Fourth Letter, wherein you added, ‘That these were the Poor Creatures that stood in need of a little Organical Assi­stance, and 'twas an Act of Charity to relieve 'm;’ and you may remem­ber that in my Answer, I resolv'd this, and a great many other Parochial Irregularities into the Ignorance, ill Morals, and ill Conduct of some digni­fied Drones among us, who labour more for the Fleece than for the Flock. But then Sir, I made a Distinction, and in particular assur'd you, that the Parson of my own Parish, was a Man of good Morals, good Learning and of great Pains; and therefore was justly excluded from those Censures. If all that wear his Coat had but his Learning, and exemplary Life; I'm sure our Critical Adversaries wou'd have no grounded occasion to hit us i'th' Teeth with the Scandals of Clergy-Men.

(3.) If Organs may be us'd in Church-Worship, to elevate our Affecti­ons? Why mayn't other Inventions be added, that may as effectually An­swer the same End? I'll grant you as much as you desire, that Musick may accidentally elevate a drousie Mind; but so do a great many other things, as a Skeleton, a Bloody Lamb, Devotional Images and Pictures, and the Cru­cisix, if you're i'th' Humor to believe Lutherans and Romans; but must they therefore be brought into Church, and made a Part of the Ceremonial Ser­vice? Risum teneatis —

(4.) Are Organs helps to Devotion? The Papists say the same of their Images, Crucifixes, Lighted Candles, and all the stupendous Relicks menti­on'd in their Celebrated Legends.

Bellarmine makes a hideous Clamour about's ‘Altars, Cros­ses, Images,Apud nos Al­taria, Cruces, Imagines— Relicks and pictur'd Walls, those are they, saith he, that stir up Persons to Piety.’ This is the very Language of our Organical Votaries: By which we may Conjecture, that there's a Snake in the Grass, for they can't plead for an Organ, or Chant out an Ecclesiastical Ode, but th' Old Cardinals Cant must be the Bur­den of the Song, and then off it go's with a Bongrace.

The Papists say, they don't adore th' Image, but only use it as a visible medium as they do Organs,Ne Imagini quidem Christi in quantum est lignum Sculp­tum ulla datur reverentia. A­quinas. by which they Wor­ship the Invisible God; and yet we count that Idolatry in 'm, and Pray Sir, are not our Organical Worshippers equally Guilty? Or is that a Vertue in our Members of th' English Re­formed Church, which is a Vice in the Panders of the painted Jezabel of Rome? And upon the same pretence as Organs are introduc'd into Divine Service, the Walls of our Church may be fill'd with devotional Pictures to enflame th'. Affections; in fine what's there that an English Protestant can say for an Organ, which an Italian Pa­pist will not say for a Crucifix and Carved Images, the darling Instruments of Romish Devotion: The Truth on't is, for you t' assert that by th' use of Organical Melody your Affections are rais'd to the Supream Being, is in Effect the same, as if a Woman shou'd say, that she keeps Company with another Man to raise her Affections to her absent Husband.

(5.) By this Objection, you acknowledge not only the grievous lameness of your Church-Devotion, but th' ineffectualness of the Common-Prayer to Cure it; otherwise, what need of consulting the Vitalian Oracle? This puts me in mind of Serenus Cressy, Vid. his Let­ter to Mr. B. about Baker's Book. ‘who forsook the Church of England, because (as be saith) he found no spiritual Devo­tion in't. And Hutchinson, alias, "Berry the Priest Writes,B. Cain and Abel, p. 134, 135. That the most of serious Godliness among English Prote­stants is found among those call'd Puritans.’ But I'm sure, the Modern Puritans have more Charity for their Friends and Neighbours, than th' Objector's Catholick Friend has.

Here's then a very considerable defect acknowledged; that the Prayers and Preachments of the Church are liveless and dull, for the Affections of these Organical Gentlemen are not excited by them, but that we mayn't always be dull and drousy; her's a Muisical expedient thought upon, and the Church-Worship shall be turn'd into a Stage-diversion, and an Artificial contrivance: and which (I think) shou'd it universally prevail, will trans­form all Religion into meer Mechanism. However, I am glad to hear your languishing Devotion is of th' mending Hand; and that you are resolv'd to shake off that Ecclesiastical Rust, which your Affections have contracted for the [Page 21]want of rousing and powerful Pulpiteers. But oh the strange Effects of Or­gan-Pipes! What charming influence have they on dull and Melancholly Souls! And now therefore, who more happy than the Inhabitants of Orga­nical Parishes? By consecrated Bells, they can drive away the Infernal Hob­goblins, (if they have but Faith enough to Believe what a Spanish Jesuit will Swear to be true) and by the help of a pair of Melodious Organs, they may Conjure not only the lazy and Ess-hole, but all the Calvinistical Parishioners to Church, and so their Pews shall be as throng as three in a Bed.

This puts me in Mind of a certain Philosopher, who complain'd that when he spake Soberly to the People, they gave him no Audience but play­ing on's Pipes Multitudes floct after him.

Oh rare Melody! What pity it's all our Parlors are not Converted into so many pompous Theatrical Quires; and that all our Bairnes and Ser­vants are not train'd up in this Organical way. What more revicing than a Canonical Consort of Musick! What strange and wonderful feats have been perform'd by the Melodious charms of Musical Pipes.

These were the sweet Syrens that charm'd the famous Ʋlysses and's Compa­nions. And Theophrastus tells us, that by the Art of Musick the pain of the Hip-Gout has been cur'd. Here's good news to our Gouty-Parishioners; if they can but make shift to creep to Church and lay their left Ear to the leading Organ-Pipe, the Cure is Effected, only they must be sure to pay the Piper, for Money is all — Nay Zenocrates cur'd Mad-Men by the means of Musick. Well then, if you'l be advised by a Friend; send your Organi­cal Musick to New-Bedlam, and first try the experiment there, for I'm sure there are many in that dismal Place that want help: Particularly two for­lorn Church Parsons, Mr. Pr—d. Who you'l find 'ith Tenth Figure. And Mr. Perkins, who was put in but few Months ago by my Lord Mayor upon the Request of his Grace of Canterbury, as the publick News told us. I'd have you make tryal of skill on 'm, for a good pair of Organs are an admi­rable Catholicon; and therefore don't despair of success. And when you've turn'd Bedlam into a Colledge of Wisdom, I do assure you, I'll heartily joyn Hand and Heart with you, and be the most forward in the Croud to Cry, Oh happy Cathedralists! And what mighty Advantage have those that dwell near a Cathedral or an Organical Church! Where a Man Ears shall be constantly regail'd with Harmonious Melody, and the Health of the Body secur'd by the secret Charms of Canonical chanting: And what is more (for we've reserv'd the best Wine till last) the sweet and Melodious sound of the Pipes (especially if they be consecrated) will Effectually dispel all gloomy Thoughts out of your Minds, and you shall be as Merry as forty Beggars in a Barn, and never fall any more into the Quagmire of Melan­cholly and madness. But after all the Patriarchs of St. Davids, and St. A­saph, [Page 22]must confess that the charming Melody of Organs has not been able to preserve the Sacred Quire from the great Plague of Simony. But both Church and State have honorably Acquitted 'emselves from this Guilt, by ex­posing the Criminals to the Righteous and publick Censure of the Law.

But pray Sir, to be serious, upon what bottom do your Friends and you go? I've been told you can't regularly Erect a pair of Organs in your Pa­rish-Church, unless you be Authoriz'd by some just Power; either by the King, Parliament, Convocation, Canons, or Rubrick. And if you're not authoriz'd by these or some or one of 'm, I humbly conceive you're accoun­table to Authority for a breach of the Law of Uniformity. ‘But I'm sure you've no power from His Majesty, no warrant from any Statute Enact­ed by Parliament, nor from any Canon, or any Convocation, nor from any Rubrick in our English-Common-Prayer-Book, for the setting up Organ-Worship in your Parochial Church. And many of the Learned are of Opinion, that according to th' Act of Uniformity, and the Con­stitution of the Church of England, no particular Pastor of a Parish-Church is allow'd to introduce new Rites and Modes of Worship into his Parish-Church over and above what are Appointed by the Act of U­niformity, without a warrant either from a Parliament, or Convocation.’

The Church of England her self speaks expresly to this very purpose in her Discourse, about the Abolition of Ceremonies, Her Words are, That no Man ought to take in Hand, or presume to appoint — any publick or common Order in Christ's Church, except he be lawfully called, and authoriz'd thereunto. Pray then Sir, have not your Organical Friends by their appointing this new Model of Worship, out-run Canons, Convocations, Rubricks, and Homilies, and travel'd as far as Rome it self before some of their Brethren have crept as far as Canterbury? And pray Sir, mayn't overdoing the Rule, as well as underdoing? ‘Mayn't excesses as well as defects in reference to the same Canon be a real Schism in the Church? How comes it to pass that only defects in Dissenters are Sins, and yet excesses in Conformists are such Vertues?’ Why is't that a Man may advance towards Rome and be no Schismatick, but yet one glance o'th' Eye towards Geneva makes him a damnable one: What is't no Crime in a Church-Man to out run the Con­stable? In a word, ‘mayn't the Statute of Uniformity be violated by a Supra-Conformity, as well as by Subter-Conformity? And if so, your Or­gan-Adorers ought to be Excommunicated ipso facto, and not restor'd until they Repent and publickly revoke this wicked Error, As to Mr. Baxter's Argu­guments for Organs, I'm ready to account for 'm if call'd upon —’

And as to the Parish it self, where these Organs are to be Erected: It's re­ported to be generally poor, and not without just reasons, complains bit­terly of some late unreasonable Impositions laid upon't by Lay-kirk-Officers. [Page 23]And Sir, shall we encourage 'm to add to the Burthen? For you know that the purchase of a pair of Organs will be very chargeable. And must the Purses of the poor Parishioners be squeez'd again to gratify the Musical fancy of a few Persons, that are a little more Merrily giv'n than their mor­tifi'd Neighbours.

Besides, will any of our Friends be so unnatural to Posterity, as to entail perpetual Italian Gabels, as an Inheritance upon 'm? For you and they can't but know, that a pair of Organs will be a constant Charge to the Parish; and you've already more Poor than you're well able to maintain.

Therefore in the Name of the Poor of the Parish, what do you mean? Will you bring in the Babylonian Bell and Dragon among 'm, to devour 'm a live? I've read that Pharoah's Lean Kine eat up the Fat Ones; but for the Fat Ones to eat up the Lean, is most horridly unconscionably. But thus 'tis in some Towns and Parishes, as in some Fish-Ponds, Five or Ten great Jacks devour all the small Fry; and so if things go on at this rate; in a short time we must all joyn in Consort with the Jovial Beggar and sing, A beg­ging we willgo —

The poor Parishioners must throw away their Money upon Organs; when ('tmay be) their Family want Bread at home. Nay, and these poor Sheep must not bleat neither, tho' severely clipt; they must be dumb, and if any of them be so mad as plead Poverty, or complain of Oppression, then a parcel of sinful Scoundrels are immediately sent to rifle the House, and these (forsooth) are authoriz'd to turn Auctioneers, and to sell the Poor man's Goods by an inch of Candle; and his Neighbour for's impertinence is con­sign'd over to the Ecclesiastical Purgatory, (the most intollerable Grievance that the English Nation this Day groans under Notes in u­sum Sarum p.) where he's worri'd out of's Life, by a mercyless Crew of Infernal Lo­custs, that feed upon the Sins of the People.

Now Sir, it's hop'd you're in some measure convinc'd how you and your Organical Companions, ‘have Erred and strayed from your Ways like lost Sheep, and have followed too much the Devices and desires of your own Hearts — for, from the whole, it's evident that Organ-Worship, was part of the Ceremonial Law, which is now abrogated;’ that the Apostoli­cal and Primitive Fathers, have not as much as a favourable Sentence to be­friend the Cause of your admired Organs, that Organ-Worship is a Popish Neoterical practice, foisted into the Church, when Church-Men had prosti­tuted 'mselves to the Babylonian Whore; and ever since this and such like Meritorious Pomp has been accounted the greatest Splendor of the Romish Hierarchy.

The Church of England her self has born a very ample Testimony against you, and what will the true Sons of the Church, as they call 'mselves, have [Page 24]no Umbrage of regard to her grave Dictates? To own her as a Mother, and yet to slight her Advice, shows that you mind your beloved Organs more than your Fifth Commandment. In a forequoted place, the Church complains bitterly of the excess and Multitude of Ceremonies, that the burthen of 'm was intollerable — These are her own Words. And what will you add more, when your good Antient Mother complains there are too many already? One wou'd think that they that cry up the Church, the Church, shou'd show greater degrees of Reverence to her Maternal Authority, and not prefer sensitive Contentments before their Mothers Blessing.

But I perceive that those who Proclaim themselves the Sons of the Church (and pray make Room for them, for they be bulky ones, God bless 'm) after all, are but a parcel of over-grown Children, that are past Correcti­on: And Children will be Children still, and therefore no wonder, that there are so many tak'n up with Childish Toys and Bartholomew trifles, but one wou'd think you and your Musical Acquaintance big enough to be a­sham'd to ride upon a Penny Colt, or a two Penny Gelding; tho the fa­mous Alcibiades did once (to please a Child) Condescend

But if Organs are so eminently useful, pray shall I ask you a few Innocent Questions before we part.

1. Why have you been so long without 'm? No doubt but ye are the Men, and Wisdom shall dye with you. But how then comes it to pass that you did not think sooner of this Ecclesiastical Artillery to mend your cra­zy Devotion? Or were our Organical Friends born under a Midsummer-Moon? Whether they were or not, I dare not pretend to so much Astrolo­gy as to determine it. But sure I am, the Lord of their First-House was wonderfully culminant, or else it's impossible it shou'd ever enter into their Pericrany's to advance Folly and Vanity, Pride and Pomp into the Ecclesi­astical Throne in so notorious a manner.

2. If Musick in Divine Worship be so good; why don't you add more Musical Instruments? For good added to good, makes the greater good; and you know two good things are better than one, and the more the Merryer. Ay but nothing compar'd to a pair of Organs: Oh Organs! dainty brave Organs! they're all in all, the very Cream of the jest and Prim'st Jannock 'ith oon. In a word, we've luckily hit upon a Soverain Remedy that'l ne­ver fail to rouse up the most Phlegmatick Endymion in the Paroch.

[Page 25] 3. If there be such Excellency in Organs, why are there so many Pa­rishes that were never yet honour'd with a Choir of Musical Levites? If they're ignorant, and don't know the worth of this sort of Musical Devoti­on: Then the Beams of the Ecclesiastical Light are not so diffusive and pe­netrating as is usually pretended, and our Parochial Guides are accountable for this our damnable Sin of Ignorance. But and if they be poor, and can't purchase and maintain a pair of Expenceful Organs without selling their Patrimony; then in the Name of the poor Parishes of England, I humbly beg and beseech all Parsons (by what Names or Titles soever dignified or distinguished) who have their hundreds and their thousands per Annnm, to contribute towards the purchasing of Religious Organs for 'm, and to­wards the Annual charge that attend them; But mum, not a Penny I'll se­cure you.

But it's time to think of parting, for it's late: And besides, you know it's excessive Cold; and that our Consort of vocal and Instrumental Musick has lasted long; longer than any that has been known in Salisbury-Court for these Seven Years last past.

[...] pray Sir, Excuse my freedom, and attribute the Exorbitancy of my Pen, to that pleasant motion which the very thoughts of Melodious Mu­sick put upon my juvenile Blood. And as to this trouble, I question not, but you'l be so just as to place it to your own Account, because your ex­cess of Reverence for Ecclesiastical Musick, and your earnest Request to me for my Sentiments about it, drew it upon your self; and I hope you'l Love me never the less, because I part abruptly, and conclude without Ceremony,