Psalterium Americanum. The Book of Psalms, in a translation exactly conformed unto the original;…

§ 10. IT has been among the Glories of our PSALMS, that wherever the Kingdom of GOD has been upon making any New and Great Appearance, the Singing of THEM, has been very notably Subservient and Instrumental unto it. More particularly, It is well-known, That when the Reformation in France began, the PSALMS were turned into French Metre, and agreeable Tunes were set unto them. The Singing of THESE charmed the Souls of Court and City, Town and Country. They were Sung in the Louvre itself, as well as in the Protestant Churches: Ladies, Nobles, Princes, the King himself Sang them. All Ranks of Men practised it; A Gentleman of the Reformed Religion would not Eat a Meal without ⟨p. xxxii⟩it. This One Thing mightily contributed unto the Downfall of Popery; which the Popish Clergy railing at, they never gave over until the profane and obscene Odes of the Pagan Poets, had among many People of Quality thrust out the PSALMS of David. And Juel writing from England unto Peter Martyr beyond Sea, 1560, reported, That a Change now appeared visibly among the People, but nothing promoted it more, than the Inviting of People unto the Singing of PSALMS. This was begun at one Church in London, and quickly spread itself unto the Neighbouring Places; and sometimes at Pauls Cross, there would be no less than Sir Thousand People Singing together. Truly, a growing Regard unto the Book of PSALMS, allowing us to say, The Time of Singing is come, and the voice of the Turtle is heard in the Land, will be among the hopeful Signs of the Times, and give as cause to hope, that it won't be long before it be said, The Winter is past, and the Rain is over and gone.

§ 10. IT has been among the Glories of our PSALMS, that wherever the Kingdom of GOD has been upon making any New and Great Appearance, the Singing of THEM, has been very notably Subservient and Instrumental unto it. More particularly, It is well-known, That when the Reformation in France began, the PSALMS were turned into French Metre, and agreeable Tunes were set unto them. The Singing of THESE charm'd the Souls of Court and City, Town and Countrey. They were Sung in the Louvre itself, as well as in the Protestant Churches: Ladies, Nobles, Princes, the King himself Sang them. All Ranks of Men practised it; A Gentleman of the Reformed Religion would not Eat a Meal without ⟨p. xxxii⟩it. This One Thing mightily contributed unto the Downfall of Popery; which the Popish Chergy railing at, they never gave over until the profane and obscene Odes of the Pagan Poets, had among many People of Quality thrust out the PSALMS of David. And Juel writing from England unto Peter Martyr beyond Sea, 1560, reported, That a Change now appeared visibly among the People, but nothing promoted it more, than the Inviting of People unto the Singing of PSALMS. This was begun at one Church in London, and quickly spread itself unto the Neighbouring Places; and sometimes at Pauls Cross, there would be no less than Sir Thousand People Singing together. Truly, a growing Regard unto the Book of PSALMS, allowing us to say, The Time of Singing is come, and the voice of the Turtle is heard in the Land, will be among the hopeful Signs of the Times, and give as cause to hope, that it won't be long before it be said, The Winter is past, and the Rain is over and gone.