A27939:13
Mr. Richard Baxter's paraphrase on the Psalms of David in metre with other hymns…
Mr. Richard Baxter's paraphrase on the Psalms of David in metre with other hymns / left fitted for the press by his own hand.
London: printed for Thomas Parkhurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. Poetry (as all inferior things) hath its conveniences and its inconveniences. The inconveniences are, that matter is oft forced too much to stoop to words and syllables; and that conciseness keeps the matter from a full perception with any but well-prepared understandings. The conveniences are, that is spareth words, avoiding the redundancies and repetitions which Oratory is usually guilty of; and teacheth exactness of expression. And that the delight of Harmony (except in persons whose fantasy is herein impotent and maimed, or minds diseased by Prejudice or Melancholy) doth make the fantasy helpful to the mind; and as it expresseth affections, so doth it raise them.
1. POetry (as all inferiour things) hath its conveniences and its inconveniences. The inconveniences are, that matter is oft forc'd too much to stoop to words and syllables; and that conciseness keeps the matter from a full perception with any but well-prepared understandings. The conveniences are, that is spareth words, avoiding the redundancies and repetitions which Oratory is usually guilty of; and teacheth exactness of expression. And that the delight of Harmony (except in persons whose phantasie is herein impotent and maimed, or minds diseased by Prejudice or Melancholy) doth make the phantasie helpful to the mind; and as it expresseth affections, so doth it raise them.
§ 2. The Tempter knowing this, hath made great use of lascivious, vain, and foolish Poetry, yea, and malignant, to corrupt more the minds that are already corrupt and vain, and to prepossess them against better things. And God knowing it, hath by his Spirit indited sacred Hymns and Psalms, both for his public and private Worship, and excitation of holy desires and delights: Which of old was done with the greatest helps that the Musical and Vocal melody could give.
§ 2. The Tempter knowing this, hath made great use of lascivitus, vain, and foolish Poetry, yea, and malignant, to corrupt more the minds that are already corrupt and vain, and to prepossess them against better things. And God knowing it, hath by his Spirit indited sacred Hymns and Psalms, both for his publick and private Worship, and excitation of holy desires and delights: Which of old was done with the greatest helps that the Musical and Vocal melody could give.