ates to the point in question, together with Heylin's remark upon it, is here inserted:

“—and yet nevertheless for the comforting of such as delight in Musick, it may be permitted that in the beginning or in the end of Common Prayer, either at Morning or Evening, there may be sung an Hymn or such like song to the praise of Almighty God, in the best sort of melody and musick that may be conve niently devised, having respect that the sense of the Hymn may be understood and perceived.” *

"No mention here of singing David's Psalms in Metre, though afterwards they first thrust out the Hymns herein mentioned, and, by degrees, also did they the Te Deum, the Magnificat, and the Nunc Dimittis."+

As this injunction has never been superseded or repealed, it is evident that a clergyman is still permitted to select such Hymns for the comfort and edification of his flock as circumstances may appear to him

The last words of this sentence refer to the choice of tunes and the style of singing. In the former part of the injunction Her Majesty indirectly forbids that mode of chanting which obscures the sense of the prayers; and here condemus those melodies for the Hymns which are not calculated for the edification of the audience.-See the Injunction, Sparrow's Collection of Articles, p. 80.

+ Heylin's Hist. of Reform. p. 289.

to justify; though, of course, he is under the same responsibility for the doctrines they contain, as for those which he delivers in his discourses from the Pulpit.

Whilst the compiler of the present volume is himself satisfied respecting the conformity of his conduct to the strictest rules of Ecclesiastical discipline,* in bringing it forward for the occasional use of his congregation; yet, at the same time, he considers it a respect due to them to state the reasons upon which he grounds the expediency of the measure. "It must be acknowledged that a variety of Psalms in both versions, more especially the old † are far from conveying an adequate idea of the devotional spirit, or even poetical beauties of the sweet singer of Israel. Independently

The Lord Bishop of Lincoln has recently permitted the introduction of Hymns, by the Incumbent of the Parish where his Lordship resides. (See p. 10, Note) The circumstance will convince any one, who is acquainted with the Bishop's character and writings, that he does nor consider the use of Hymns to be inconsistent with the dicipline of the Church. It may be remarked also, that, their use in the Church is countenanced by the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, who publish several at the end of their.. Prayer Books.

+ Heylin, speaking of a wretched translation of the Psalms by Marot, observes: "yet it is not to be compared with that barbarity and botching which every where occur in the trans! lation of Sternhold and Hopkins."

of this consideration, something appears still wanting to a Christian Congregation; something, that in addition to the holy effusions of the Old Testament, may convey that clearer view of God's dispensations, those astonishing and consoling promises, which are supplied by the inspired Penmen of the New. For although in sublime descriptions of the attributes and perfections of the Almighty, in earnestness of supplication, and in warmth of adoration, the Royal Psalmist must ever stand unrivalled, yet his knowledge of divine things was necessarily incomplete; because the day spring had not yet dawned from on high. Even under the influence of Prophetic inspiration, David saw but through a glass darkly the saving truths of Redemption and sanctification. These truths therefore, taught as they were by our Lord and his Apostles, and illustrated as they were by the great transactions of his life and Death, may surely form in a Christian congregation, as fit subjects for devotional melodics, as the events of the Jewish History, and the precepts of the Mosaic Law, suggested to the Holy Psalmist. Such a feeling has of late so generally prevailed, that there are not many large congregations in our National Church, where some version of the Psalms, different from those which are authorised, and some Hymns

founded upon the History and Doctrines of the Gospel,

have not been admitted"*

Under the influence of these reasons the Compiler determined to make a selection of Hymns for the use of his Congregation; little aware, at the moment, of the difficulties which would impede the execution of his plan. It is true, that at the present time, publications containing Hymns are very abundant; but when such as are exceptionable for their rude and familiar mode of addressing the Deity, for their total want of Poetry, for their application only to the circumstances of individuals, or for their assertion of doctrines which

* Preface to a Selection of Psalms and Hymns by E. Maltby, D. D. R. Tillard, M. A, and T. S. Banks, M. A. published in the year 1815, for the use of their respective Churches, and dedicated, by Permission, to their Diocesan, the present Lord Bishop of Lincoln.

A few of this class have been inserted on Affliction, &c. that the poor, who cannot obtain a variety of books, might not be altogether destitute of something on so important a subject. The introduction of that on Suicide, was suggested by its alarming increase. And it may not be improper to remark here, that the Hymns on the state of the Jews, are adopted to direct our attention to it, as a constant evidence of Christianity, in the fulfilment of Prophecy; and also to excite our prayers for a people, to whom, in a religious sense, we are under infinite obligations, (Rom. ix. 4, 5,) and whose restoration is pointed out as an Era in the Christian dispensation.

have been controverted at all times with warmth and acrimony, are subducted, a very few remain which seem proper for the use of a mixed congregation. In -search of those last mentioned, the writings of several Poets, many of the Periodical Publications, and a variety of selections of Psalms and Hymns, have been carefully examined; and it is hoped that nothing has been drawn from these sources which can be offensive to the true disciple of the Church of England. The names of Authors are purposely omitted, as having a tendency to call off the attention from the subject to the Writer of the Hymn, and to swell the page unneces sarily ;-otherwise those of Addison, Barbauld, Bowdler, Chatterton, Cotton, Cowper, Cunningham, Lo. gan, Montgomery, Pope, Lord Roscommon,* Watts, and many others would have made their appearance. Private friendship has supplied a few compositions, and for a few the Compiler is himself responsible.

With these remarks the present volume is introduced as an associate with the Metrical Psalms † now in use:

"The day of wrath" &c. p. 128, is a translation by his Lordship of a Leonine Hymn:-the general beauties both of the original and translat on more than counterbalance the awkwardness of their triple Rhymes.

New Version.