dance of the heart the mouth speaketh; and it is 1662-9. difficult not to run into such discourse as is ready' prepared for us by the constant application of our thoughts. And therefore I think we may safely conclude, that whoever maketh religion his main business, and loveth God above all, cannot be better entertained in conversation than by such topics, which tend to cultivate and promote piety, and every thing that is praiseworthy; neither will such an one readily omit any reasonable occasion that offers itself to advance and instil the sense of religion into the minds of others.

of psalms in

devotions.

Before I quit this head of his private devotions, I His singing must beg leave to observe, that singing the praises his private of God made a part of his spiritual exercises in his retirement, which he chose to celebrate in the words of the royal Psalmist, as translated into metre for that purpose. A duty recommended by St. Paul in several of his Epistles; and yet how few can be prevailed upon to join in psalmody, when it is made a part of the public service of the church! And still there are fewer who perform it with that intenseness of mind, and application of thought, and reverence of posture, as such a solemn part of worship requireth from us; where the great Majesty of heaven and earth is the object we address to, and where the acknowledgment of His infinite perfections, and thankfulness for the mercies we receive, is the worship we design to pay. It is very fit indeed, that this part of the public service should have all the advantage imaginable of agreeable harmony, consisting both in voices and musical instruments, because we ought to offer to God that which is most excellent in its kind. But however it must be re

1662-9. membered, that these are only to be used as helps to raise our souls to a higher pitch of devotion, and are of no value in the sight of God, any farther than they express the gratitude of our hearts; for if we permit ourselves to dwell too much upon the skill of the performance, and suffer our minds by the pleasure of the ear to be carried away from a serious attention to the matter, the religious worship of it will begin to sink; and though there may be melody in the composition, yet by this means there will be none in the heart, which God chiefly regards. But the generality of those who do not join in the singing of psalms, and who are otherwise very serious, excuse themselves from the bad poetry of the old version, wherein there are several old words used which are now out of date, and several odd phrases that give them great offence. Now though this objection doth affect only some parts of the version, if it should be allowed to have its full weight, yet certainly it is no great argument of a devout mind, to be diverted by little things from a duty substantially good in itself.

The singing psalms of

the old ver

ed by bishop

But notwithstanding these objections, the excellent bishop Beveridge hath defended the old version sion defend- in a particular discourse upon that subject; and defend-in Beveridge. after having impartially weighed it and compared it with the new, giveth it by much the preference; as keeping closer to the sense of the original text, and by being composed in a plain and low style, lying more level to the capacities of the common people,

* A Defence of the Book of Psalms, collected into English metre by Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins, and others, with critical Observations on the New Version compared with the Old. Printed for R. Smith, 1710.

who are far the greatest part of the kingdom. That 1662-9. as to the old words, they are few, and easily explained, and purely English; whereas the style of the new version is much more unintelligible to the vulgar, by a great mixture of words derived from the Latin, French, and Greek, and often rather a paraphrase upon the text, than the text itself. And I wish the authority of this great man may prevail as much now he is dead, as his example did while he was alive, in this matter which we are now considering; for I have with pleasure beheld the conformity of the whole congregation to his own devout practice, who constantly stood with reverence while he sung the praises of God; and when he went into the pulpit, he neither altered his posture, nor forbore to join with the congregation till the psalm was finished.

ter of his

And now I have named this great and good man, The characI cannot forbear acknowledging the favourable dis-sermons. pensation of Providence to the age in which we live, in blessing it with so many of those pious discourses, which this truly primitive prelate delivered from the pulpit; and I the rather take the liberty to call it a favourable dispensation of Providence, because he gave no orders himself that they should be printed; but humbly neglected them, as not being composed for the press. But this circumstance is so far from abating the worth of the sermons, or diminishing the character of the author, that to me it seemeth to raise the excellency of both; because it sheweth at once the true nature of a popular discourse, and the great talent this prelate had that way. For to improve the generality of hearers, they must be taught all the mysteries of Christianity, and the holy institutions belonging to it; since it is upon

1662-9. this true foundation that the practice of Christian virtues must be built, to make them acceptable in the sight of God. And then all this must be delivered to the people in so plain and intelligible a style, that they may easily comprehend it; and it must be addressed to them in so affecting and moving a manner, that their passions may be winged to a vigorous prosecution of what is taught. If I mistake not, the sermons of this learned bishop answer this character; and I am confirmed in this opinion by the judgment of those who are allowed to have the greatest talents for the pulpit, as well as for all other parts of learning. He had a way of gaining people's hearts, and touching their consciences, which bore some resemblance to the apostolical age; and when it shall appear that those bright preachers, who have been ready to throw contempt upon his lordship's performances, can set forth as large a list of persons whom they have converted by their preaching, as I could produce of those who owed the change of their lives, under God, to the Christian instructions of this pious prelate, I shall readily own that they are superior to his lordship in the pulpit. Though, considering what learned works he published in the cause of religion, and what an eminent pattern he was of true primitive piety, I am not inclined to think that his lordship will, upon the whole of his character, be easily equalled by any But to proceed.

Mr. Bull's

manner of

one.

XV. In the governing this parish of Suddington, governing Mr. Bull observed the same method which he had this parish. prescribed to himself in that of St. George's near Bristol, which hath been already mentioned.

And

certainly nothing could better answer the end and 1662-9. design of his function, than a constant watch over the conduct of his flock; that the seed he sowed in such plenty might not be scattered by the winds of violent temptations, nor be destroyed by the evil one, who goeth about seeking whom he may devour. This personal acquaintance of a minister with his parishioners will give him a great advantage in forwarding their spiritual welfare, provided it is chiefly employed to that purpose. For besides that profit which redoundeth to them from the thing itself, this tender and compassionate regard towards the people will create in them a great love for his person, and a cheerful attendance upon his ministry, which are admirable dispositions to prepare the mind for instruction. And I think no man ought to be deterred from attempting this, because some inconsiderate minds censure it as an affectation of popularity; for to endeavour to procure the love and good-will of the parishioners, is so far from being a fault in a parish priest, that I look upon it as his duty, it being the likeliest means to make his labours among them effectual. All the mischief of popularity is, when men betray their consciences rather than displease men, and sacrifice their duty to the breath of the people; when, by mean and unworthy arts, they court that applause which is only due to merit; and rather than forfeit the favour of the lord of a manor, comply with him in his follies, and yield to his sacrilegious encroachments. But there is no danger that a clergyman, who understandeth the weight of his employment, and hath a zeal for the salvation of souls, will ever vouchsafe to be popular upon such terms.

F