but I have been led to write of Divine things, according as I have experienced them, amidit the various changes that have happened to me in life, and as facred impreffions have occafioned Devout Breathings to arife in my Soul after God. For what relates to doctrine, exhortation, or the encouragement of others, &c. I have carefully and impartially examined whatever fell in my way, either from men or books, with a mind wholly in fearch after TRUTH; and as fuch I have advanced nothing but what I fincercly be lieve is built on this everlasting foundation. For which reafon, I readily offer my beft thoughts to the world, hoping my labour will not be in vain. in the Lord. Concerning poetry we find there is but little. mention made of it in the Scriptures; yet it appears to be quite agreeable to the Gofpel, or the Apoftle Paul would not have quoted the Athenian. Poets in fupport of its doctrines; neither would our LORD have fung an Hymn with his Difciples,, had not fuch a compofition been confiftent with the true Spirit of Devotion. Herein then we have an infallible precedent, without having to refer back to fuch accounts as are, at beft, only. handed down by tradition. Much might be faid alfo in favour of finging,. but I have already treated a little on this fubject in the Preface of a volume of Hymns, which I published at Whitby, in the year 1781, and fhall take fome notice of it again at the latter end of this bookt I will, therefore, now only speak of its ufe. We find the Ephefians are exhorted to fpeak to themfelves in. Pfalms and Hymns, and: Spiritual Songs, &cf. and the Coloffians are bid to admonish one anothers in the fame manner: from which it evidently appears, that finging is recommended as a very profitable means both for pri (e) Matt. xxvi. 30.-Mar. xiv. 26. (g) Col. iii. 16, (d) Acts xvii. 28. See the Conclusion, page 255. vate and public worship; and this is happily experienced by all those who fing with grace in their hearts to the Lord, whether alone or in the affemblies of the righteous. Therefore, that this book might be rendered ufeful for both purposes, I have divided it into two parts, and arranged each part in fuch order as I truft will meet the approbation of serious perfons of every denomination. With refpect to the ftyle of this work, let the reader take notice, that I make no pretences to much erudition; and I have much better work for the few precious moments that can be spared from the temporal concerns which are neceffary for the fupport of a large family, than to wafte them in hammering a work upon the anvil, to make it proof against cenforious Critics. I rather judge it is more my duty to do that which may promote the glory of God in my own falvation, and the falvation of others. To this end I have every where, as much as poffible, clofely confined myself to the language held forth in the Scriptures, and all along have pointed to fuch paffages. as will in fome degree illuftrate the fubject, and render its ufe more extenfive. As to the work in general, no part of it is borrowed or picked up from other authors, except. fome of the remarks which are made as marginal references: of these I have selected a few, but the name of each author is given, or where this was not known, the place is mentioned where the quo tation is taken from. For all the reft I am answerable, and must fhortly give an account to the Searcher of Hearts, who will bring every work into judgment, and reward every man according to his works. JOSHUA PEEL. GILLING, 4th of the 11th month, 1793. INDEX. A fool I'm counted for Chrift's fake, Alas! how vain is fallen man ? All glory be to God most High! All nations tremble at the rod Almighty God! lay to thine hand; Almighty God! how great art thou? Almighty God of fov'reign pow'r Almighty God how wondrous great? And has our friend, fo late deceas'd, Angels with joy good news do bring; Arife, O God, come and make known Arife, my foul, thy Maker praife, Awake! God bids his faints rejoice Awake, my foul, arife and fing Awake, my foul, and call to mind Behold! the Lamb of God was flain Before the awful judgment feat, Bow down thine ear, O Lord, to hear Chief Shepherd, thou thy Lambs doft bear; Come, ye guilty finners, come, Come ye who wish to dwell above 133 Come now, moft gracious Lord, 216. Come join to praife the Lord, 225 Come brethren, praise the Lord moft High 231 Daily from the fource of good, Dejected, forrowful, caft down, Down on thy waiting children, Lord, 83 135 171 Dying worms are called to live Eternal glory be Eternal God of truth.and love! Exalt the Lord ye nations all, Except God doth keep the city,- Extol the great JEHOVAH's name, Except God the all-wife builder Father of Spirits bright! Fir'd with the facred flames of Jefu's love For thy free grace and boundless love, For ever bleffed are the dead From fin, Lord, convert Give ear, O earth, 'tis God commands! Glory to God alone God of mercy, my delight, Give fuff'ring grace, Lord, we implore Glory be to thee, O Lord!: God fpeaks! let man confider well, Page God willeth not at all 148 God fully to prove 150 God is a fure defence to those God's love we may trace, God of all grace, to thee we bow Hark how angels are refounding Have I the grace of God withstood - Hofannahs to the God of love In Chrift, the new and living way - In mercy view thy creatures, Lord, In the beginning thou, O Lord, haft laid I will give thanks, and praise the Lord Jehovah Jah! eternal is thy fame; - Jehovah, Lord! all praife to thee, |