pond with thofe in Dr. MILLER's book, lately published, where the whole of the Mufic is to be found. Seldom have we noticed a revival in re. ligion and delight in facred mufic feparated. The primitive chriftians, we know from the teftimony of their enemies, fung hymns of praise to Chrift as God at the hazard of their lives; Luther, (who was himself a compofer of Mufic) and his worthy affociates were much attached to this delightful exercife; and the fame may be faid of every fubfequent revival in our own country. The following obfervations of the Bishop of London in a charge to the clergy of his diocese, are highly worthy of attention. "At a time when every other fpècies of mufic is cultivated with uncommon ardour, and is become the prevailing taste and paffion of the age, let fome share of our attention be bestowed upon Our PSALMODY; which, though of a humbler and more fober caft than the generality of our mufical performances, yet, from its connection with religion, from its forming an effential part of our public fervice, from its known and powerful influence on the minds and morals of the great mafs of the people, is of more real, and national, and practical importance, than even those sublime and elaborate compofitions of our great mafters, which are fo generally and fo justly admired. And there is one circumstance which ought for ever to recommend and endear it to this proteftant country; which is, that it was in the highest eftimation with thofe moft illustrious of men, the first reformers, both at home and abroad; that it was more particularly one of the prin cipal inftruments of the rapid progress of the reformation in this kingdom; and that it gave confolation and support to confeffors and martyrs in that glorious caufe under the fevereft perfecutions, and even in the midst of flames and tortures." May we be permitted to remind our fellowworshippers of the exhortation addreffed by the zealous Levites to the congregation of Ifrael? Neh. ix. 5. STAND UP and bless the Lord your God forever and ever. Sitting is the ufual pofture of mourning and filence (Lam. ii. 10.) And perhaps it would be difficult to find many congregations who indulge this unfuitable attitude, who are not either too filent or dull in the delightful work of praife: we fpeak not of thofe few individual exceptions, who, on account of age, corporeal infirmities, or great fatigue, cannot accomplish their own wishes. Sitting congregations generally refign that part of divine worfhip which is the nearest akin to heaven, to the clerk or fingers: and we almoft despair of feeing any confiderable or general improvement in this branch of our public folemnities, till our people Stand up to praife the Lord their God. ARRANGEMENT OF SUBJECTS. Sect. PART I. CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES. 1. GOD'sNature, Perfections, and Purposes. -Works of Creation, Providence, 2. 3. and Grace. -Word; promifes, precepts, and fanctions. 4. MAN'S Apoftacy; his ftate by nature, and finful ways; with Invitations to return. 5. CHRIST'S Mediation; incarnation, death, afcenfion, interceffion, kingdom, Page I 19 36 50 66 6. The HOLY SPIRIT; his influences, and graces; the CHURCH, and chriftian character. 7. Death and Judgment, Hell and Heaven. 157 PART II. CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE. Sect. 1. For a ftate of ferious Concern. 2. For a ftate of Perfecution. 3. For a ftate of Pilgrimage; fpiritual conflie, backfliding and defertion. 4. For a ftate of spiritual Comfort. Sect. PART III. CHRISTIAN DUTIES. 1. On Refignation, and Self-denial. 2. On Believing and Hoping. 325 342 3. On the Love of God and our Neighbour. 370 4. On various Duties. Sect. PART IV. SOCIAL WORSHIP. 1. For Family worship; also before and after Journies. 2. The Introductory part of Public wor 382 Page 392 10. At the Lord's fupper. 9. At Baptizing opportunities. 503 11. For public Charities; Sunday fchools, and Miffionary meetings. 514 12. Public Humiliation, Fafting & Thankf giving. 525 A 540 13. On Time and Eternity; the parts and feafons of the year; meeting and parting. 548 14. For different Periods of human life. - 565 Sect. PART V. VARIETIES. 1. On General Praife, and facred Mufic. 2. Mifcellanies. |