God fhould be praised; namely, on account of his "holinefs," and of his " power;" which power is more especially difplayed in the formation of the "firmament," or "expanfion" of the material heavens, and their inceffant operations, by means of the light, and the air, of which they are composed, upon the earth, and all things therein. These are the appointed inftruments of life and motion in the natural world, and they afford us fome idea of that power of God unto falvation, which is manifefted in the church, by the effects produced on the fouls of men, through the gracious influences of the LIGHT divine, and the SPIRIT of holiness, constituting the "firma"ment of God's power," in the new creation.

2. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

"Mighty" were the "acts" which God wrought for Ifrael, and "great" was the Holy One in the midst of his ancient people; but far mightier acts did he perform in Chrift Jefus, for the redemption of the world; and more "excellent greatness" hath he manifested in the conversion of the nations, the overthrow of paganism, and the erection and preservation of the Christian Church. O that her gratitude bore fome proportion to his goodness!

3. Praife him with the found of the trumpets praife him with the pfaltery and harp. 4. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praife him with ftringed inftruments and organs. 5. Praise him upon the loud cymbals;' praise him upon the high founding cymbals.

It is impoffible for us to diftinguish and defcribe
VOL. II.

M m

the

the feveral forts of mufical inftruments here mentioned, as the Hebrews themselves acknowledge their ignorance in this particular. Thus much is clear, that the people of God are enjoined to use all the various kinds of them, in the performance of their divine fervices. And why should they not be so used, under the Gofpel? We read of facred mufic before the law, in the inftance of " Miriam, the prophetess, "the fifter of Aaron," who, to celebrate the deliverance from Pharaoh and the Egyptians, “ took a tim"brel in her hard, and the women went out after "her, with timbrels and dances." Exod. xv. 20. The custom, therefore, was not introduced by the law, nor abolished with it. Well regulated music, if ever it had the power of calming the paffions, if ever it enlivened and exalted the affections of men in the worship of God (purposes for which it was formerly employed), doubtless hath ftill the fame power, and can ftill afford the fame aids to devotion. When the beloved disciple was, in fpirit, admitted into the celeftial choir, he not only heard them " finging" hymns of praife, but he heard likewife "the voice of "harpers harping upon their harps." Rev. xiv. 2. And why that, which faints are represented as doing in heaven, fhould not be done, according to their fkill and ability, by faints upon earth; or why inftrumental mufic fhould be abolished as a legal ceremony, and vocal mufic, which was as much fo, fhould be retained, no good reason can be affigned. Sacred mufic, under proper regulations, removes the hindrances of our devotion, cures the distractions of our thoughts, and banishes wearinefs from our

minds. It adds folemnity to the public fervice, raises all the devout paffions in the foul, and caufes our duty to become our delight." Of the pleasures of "heaven," fays the eloquent and elegant Bishop Atterbury," nothing further is revealed to us, than "that they confift in the practice of Holy Mufic, "and Holy Love; the joint enjoyment of which,

we are told, is to be the happy lot of all pious "fouls, to endlefs ages." It may be added, that there is no better method of combating the mischievous effects flowing from the abuse of mufic, than by applying it to its true and proper ufe. If the worshippers of Baal join in a chorus to celebrate the praises of their idol, the fervants of Jehovah fhould drown it, by one that is stronger and more powerful, in praise of him who made heaven and earth. If the men of the world rejoice in the object of their adoration, let the children of Sion be joyful in their King.

6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praife ye the LORD.

The breath of natural life, which God hath breathed into our nostrils, and, the breath of that new and eternal life, which he hath given us through Chrift Jefus our Lord, fhould be returned in hallelujahs. And then the church, composed of many and different members, all actuated, like the pipes of a welltuned organ, by the fame Spirit, and confpiring together in perfect harmony, would become one great inftrument, founding forth the praises of God moft high.

LET EVERY THING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE

THE LORD!-With this with the fweet Pfalmift of Ifrael clofes the fongs of Sion. With the same with the author defires to close thefe meditations upon them; giving thanks to the Father of mercies, and the God of all comforts, by whofe most gracious favour and aid they have been begun, continued and ended; and humbly praying, that no errors, or improprieties, from which, through human infirmity, during the courfe of a long work, the moft diligent and careful are not exempt, may prevent his labours from contributing, in fome fmall degree, to promote the improvement and confolation of the redeemed, the honour and glory of the Redeemer, who is THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID, AND THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR*.

*Rev. xxii. 16.

AMEN.'