N01895:17
The accomplished singer. Instructions how the piety of singing with a true devotion, may…
The accomplished singer. Instructions how the piety of singing with a true devotion, may be obtained and expressed; the glorious God after an uncommon manner glorified in it, and his people edified. : Intended for the assistance of all that would sing Psalms with grace in their hearts; but more particularly to accompany the laudable endeavours of those who are learning to sing by rule, and seeking to preserve a regular singing in the assemblies of the faithful. : [Two lines of quotation]
Boston: printed by B. Green for S. Gerrish, 1721
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.
The Accomplished SINGER.
§ 1. IT is the Concern of every one that would enjoy Tranquillity in this World, or obtain Felicity in the World to come, to follow that Holy Direction of Heaven, Exercise thy self in PIETY. And there is no Exercise of PIETY more unexceptionable than that of making a Joyful Noise of SINGING in the Praises of our GOD; That of signifying our Delight in Divine Truths by SINGING of them; That of Uttering the Sentiments of Devotion, with the Voice, and such a Modulation of the Voice, as will naturally express the Satisfaction and Elevation of the Mind, which a Grave SONG shall be expressive of. 'Tis indeed a very Ancient Way of Glorifying the Blessed GOD; As Ancient as the Day when the Foundations of the Earth were fastened, and the Corner-Stone thereof was laid. The ⟨p. 2⟩Morning-Stars then Sang together. And it is as Extensive an one; For it is Remarkable, That All Nations make SINGING to be one part of the Worship which they pay unto their GOD. Those Few Untuned Souls, who affect upon Principle to distinguish themselves from the rest of Mankind, by the Character of Non-Singers, do seem too much to divest themselves of an Humanity, whereof it may be said unto them, Doth not Nature it self teach it you? Be sure, they sufficiently differ from the Primitive Christians; For, though the Eastern Churches were at first Superior to the Western, for the Zeal of the House of GOD in this matter, yet both betimes Concurred in it. Not only Justin the Martyr, and Clemens of Alexandria, as well as Tertullian, and several others of the Primitive Writers, but also Governor Pliny himself will tell us, what Singers to their GOD, the Faithful were then known to be; and how much they Worshipped Him in these Beauties of Holiness.