PREFACE. PREACHING and praying are excellent ordinances: The former is speaking unto men, for God: The latter is speaking unto God for ourselves and all men; but when time ends they will be laid aside, being entirely useless. But singing is calculated for both worlds. In this, it is that delightful part of devotion which animates our hearts, and raises our affections, and testifies the inward joy of our souls. Rejoice in the Lord O ye righteous, for praise is comely for the upright. Psalm, xxxiii. 1. Thy statutes have been my song in the house of my pilgrimage. Psalm cxix. 54. The matter of singing is God's praise. (Psalm xlvii. 6.) the manner, with a loud voice (Psalm lxxxi. 1.) making melody in our hearts to the Lord, (Eph. v. 19.) with the spirit and understanding. And singing doubtless will be our employment when time shall be no more. Rejoice ye heavens and ye that dwell in them, Rev. xii. 12. And they sung a new song, saying thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood -and I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the Elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice worthy is the Lamb, &c. Therefore let us praise God * with sincerity and awe, for he is a God of terrible majesty, he is a God of glory, and such transcendant perfection that he will not look upon us with pleasure, unless we offer praise from the heart. WILLIAM NORTHUP. DIVINE HYMNS. COME HYMN 1. REDEMPTION. OME friends and relations let us join heart and hand. The voice of the turtle is heard in our land; Let us all walk together and follow the sound, 2 The place it is hidden, the place is conceal'd; 3 The place it is hidden by reason of sin, 4. And if you are wounded and bruis'd by the fall, 5 And you my dear brethren that love my dear Lord, Who have witness'd free pardon by faith in his word, |