in this instance, the example of the royal Prophet alone, but of Solomon, his son, (who severely and directly stigmatizes and condemns the contrary habit,) of tunc invocabunt me, sed non exaudiam ; manè quæ. rent me, sed non invenient me. The same root, here rendered seeking early, w diluculò, manè, sedulò, tempestivè, studiosè quærere, pervestigare, occurs again at Prov. vii. 15, where it is rendered, in our translation, diligently. Therefore came I out to meet thee, diligently to seek thee: על- כן יצאתי לקראתך לשחר פניך According to the Septuagint, ἕνεκα τῦτο ἐξῆλθον εἰς συνάντησίν σοι ποθᾶσα τὸ σὸν πρόσωπον. Idcirco prodii obvians tibi, studiosè quære do faciem tuam, rendered also, idcirco egressa sum in occursum tni, ad quærendum manè, &c. At Isaiah xxvi. 9. With my soul bave I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early. נפשי אותך בלילה אף- רוחי בקרבי אשחרך Ἡ ἐπιθυμει ἡ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν ἐκ νυκτός· ὀρθρίζει τὸ πνεῦμά με πρός σε. Animo meo desidero te per noctem: Spiritu meo qui est in me, tempestivè quæro te. At Job xxiv. 5. Be kings and sages in our own and in * other countries, in modern and ancient times; of patriarchs and prophets; of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; of Moses, of Job, of hold, (as) wild asses in the desert go they forth to their work, rising betimes for a prey. הן בואים במדבר יצאו בפעלם משחרר לטרף En ut onagri in deserto prodeunt ad opus ipsorum, inde a diluculo pervestigantes prædam. At Job viii. 5. If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty אם אתה תשחר אל- אל ואל שדי תתחנן: Σὺ ει ὄρθριξε πρὸς Κύριον παντοκράτορα δεόμενος. Si tu sedulò requireres Deum fortem, et omnipotentem deprecareris. These, and many other passages, prove, that to seek a thing early, and to seek it sedulously, to pray early, and to pray fervently, are, in the Old Testament, often used synonymously. * The Turks and Moors are early risers, and constantly attend their devotions before the dawning of the day; their Muezzims, or criers, having first called out thrice, from the tops of their mosques, Come to prayers; it is better to pray than to sleep.'-It is ❝ lawful and wise to learn even from an enemy." Samuel, of Jeremiah, and of Him, also, whose shoe-latchet none of these were worthy to unloose. The same arguments, then, which evince music to be a desirable adjunct to devotion, prove early rising to be still more essential to it. As an excitement to devotion, early rising is incomparably the most efficacious of the two. It has the same, and greater example and authority. If Church music can render that brief, enthusiastic glow, which it is the mysterious property of harmony to inspire, subservient to devotion, early rising can, by bestowing more permanent vigour and cheerfulness to pray with fervour and efficacy, open a larger space wherein to exercise religious alchemy, teach us to do all to the glory of God, and to improve and change even the natural temper of our mind into a Christian virtue; if we are afflicted, to pray; if merry, to sing Psalms. If we are sorrowful, we shall thus the more heartily pray unto Him who breaks not the bruised reed, nor quenches the smoking flax, for strength against all our temptations; that he will heal all that is disordered within us, and turn our vain and ardent wishes, or regrets, into godly sorrow for our past offences. If our hopes are bright, and our heart joyful, we shall thus with greater alacrity return thanks for the blessings of which we partake so largely. Whatever be our temper, the cheerfulness which, "in spite of sorrow," springs up within us in the morning, will incline and prepare our heart to thankfulness: the bounties of nature will increase our gratitude, and administer to our devotion; and all that inspires us with joy will inspire us with thankfulness. Ω τῆς σοφῆς ἐπινοίας τέ διδασκάλε ὁμέ τε ἄδειν ἡμᾶς καὶ τὰ λυσιτελῆ μανθάνειν μηχανωμένε. The very commandment, to keep the Sabbath holy, might teach us to make the like music," a help to our own devotion, most admirable; and doth much edify, not only the understanding, but surely the affection, because therein it worketh much. They must have hearts very dry and tough from whom the melody of the morning doth not sometime draw that wherein a mind religiously affected delighteth; into whom the sweetness of such harmony can make no entrance for good things." And it is by this harmony that "the Holy Spirit, which seeth that mankind is unto virtue hardly drawn, and that righteousness is the least accounted of by reason of the proneness of our affections to that which delighteth; it is by means of this melody that it pleaseth the wisdom of the same Spirit to convey, as it were by stealth, the treasure of good things into man's mind." He by whose authority and example "the Church of Christ retains to this day the use of music as the means of raising up of men's |