IT appeares plainly by Justin Martyr, Ter­tullian, & many others, That the ancient Chur­ches used not onely Davids Psalmes, but other portions of Scri­pture, chosen ad libitum, to be put in Song for their Edification.

Yet it doth not appear so plainly, that they used Psalms Apocryphal or Unscriptural in Primitive times; but rather that such by corruption crept in. Eu ebius reporting of Paulu [...] San oseta­nus (the gr [...]nd Heretick) that he coun­tenanced such Songs in the Church, as [Page] would make a mans haire stand staring on his head to hear, and we find among the Papists sundry Hymns savouring of horrid blasphemy, and shameful super­stition; Neither are our own altoge­ther allowable, for that which is called the complaint of a sinner (next before the Psalmes) is very non-sensical, and in that after veni Creator, the Author sayes, that in the glorifi'd body of our Saviour in heaven, the wounds are yet to be seen. Now such inconvenien­ces as these would not so easily occur, if we kept our selves to Scripture ex­pressions: And what other doth the A­postle admit, when he saith, Col. 3. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, &c. Surely Apocryphal Hymns are not the Word of Christ. We see Justin Martyr (if that work be his) speaking of this, saith, [...]. It is the Word of God, Omitting, ther­fore all unscriptural hymns (which ma­ny great Councels did forbid and con­demne) I have here composed an hun­dred Hymns out of express Scriptures, not injured I hope in their conjuncti­on, but may say with Divine Her­bert.

These Hymns are plainer then Psalms and more sutable to our condition, and more pertinent to Cospel occa­sions: such as wherein Christians may truly say, that they do teach and ad­monish one another. Such as incul­cate our duties, and reprove our vices out of the most piercing pas [...]ages of holy Scriptures; such as may answer all Sermons, and accommodate all oc­currences, and may competently serve instead of Psalms, till a better translati­on then the old comes in. Finally, they are such as do excellently instruct a Christian unto prayer, and Minister both hints and helps abundantly.

To Dedicate these to your Honours is as necessary, as well-beseeming, both to give you account, and crave your countenance in so great a business, which is no innovation or induction, but a reduction to primitive use and [Page] order; And humbly prays for this en­couragement to be recommended or allowed to be sung in publick and pri­vate Congregations. Now the God of mercy that hath withdrawn the cloud of interruption, Give you the spirit of reformation, that your authority may be universally owned, honoured, and obeyed, pray'd for to God by us, and God praised for it as a singular blessing to this Nation, under which we may lead peaceable and quiet lives in all godlinesse and honesty, in perswasion whereof I rest,

TO you also do I cheerfully ren­der an account of my labours, since at the request, and with the good liking of some of you, I composed some Hymns, (published heretofore) and sundry others now. Wherefore I intend no further Apology then what is tendred in the preceding Epistle to the Parliament, and if more be necessary, I hope I may reasonably expect it from you in behalf of the Work.

I have not much medled with the Lamentations (though a book Poeti­cal) in regard the like subject is so fre­ [...]uent in the Psalmes, neither with the Canticles (not onely because they are done, [...]oth in plaine way and paraphrase, by o­ther [Page] hands, but because of the difficul­ty of the sense; I think best to glosse upon that Text of Cant. 5. 10. By the ex­pression of 2 Cor. 5. ult. And of that fruit spoken of, Cant. 2. 3. I add this glosse.

The Word and Sacrament.

Not that I want occasion to steak of His Odors sweet of scent, or some such out of the letter of the Text, but for the occasion for which I chose it, as being virtually imply'd, and ap­ply'd fittingly.

Indeed I would gladly annex to these Hymns some select places, and whole Psalmes touching the most spiritual and concernable matters of praise and pub­lick worship, Exhortation, and Consola­tion, that thereby I might again bring in those frequent Metres which some of you say I have left out (to your losse and mine own) in the last Edition, and which you do prefer (and I think justly) to those that are put in.

To what end therefore should I comply any further with the old, which, being alter'd no more then needs must, would be like an old garment with a new pi [...]ce, and would put the people to as much cost [Page] as a new Translation, much neerer to the Text, much easier to be sung, and got without book. The best way, as I con­ceive, is to collect a Semicentury of choice Hymns (which out of my store I can easily afford) and make no other addition to the last translation then you shall think necessary. So shall you finde (among the Psalms or Hymns) all the frequent Metres that are not harsh, the 119. Psalm all of a piece, the short Psalms (and here and there a longer) ren­dred in duplicates. The whole might be reduc'd to six s [...]eets Nump [...]il; whereof the Hymns would (with the Psalme-Hymns added) make up two.

Te Deum is an exquisite Hymn, harp­ing all along upon Scripture, and in my Translation exemplified with Scripture­proofs, done at the request of one of you, but there is no room for printing either it or any Psalm-Hymns, till the next im­pression. And that with your concurrence and the Company of Stationers, lest any should suspect the prejudicing of their in­terest. Thus desiring to answer your de­sires in all things to edification. I rest