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this book would not have been written. However much such a work was wanted, at the present time, I had no wish to obtrude myself upon the public, or to encounter a pen nibbed for the immolation of character. Having, however, repelled these slanders, I cannot anticipate any thing our author can say, that will induce a reply. My mind is fixed, never again to reply for the same purpose which produced the present attempt: but whether any, or what other circumstances may produce such a result, I know not.

With respect to the Apology, I do not, if I know any thing of the workings of my own mind, say it from any feeling of resentment, but from a satisfactory conviction of its truth, that I have never read any work, on religious controversy, containing such a tissue of abuse, and misrepresentation, as is presented in that book. However contemptible, too, I may appear to its author, I would not be the writer of it for all the literary honours he will ever wear-no, not for all the laurels that ever entwined the brows of a bookmaker.

Perhaps the reader may think me sometimes too severe, and he may be correct: but, while I admit that the whole truth ought not always to be expressed, I have not expressed one sentiment, in principle, nor stated one circumstance as a matter of fact, of which I am not fully persuaded. Having, however, taken my leave of the Apology, I have a few words for the reader, before we part.

Although there were peculiar circumstances, which brought the author before the public, it will be seen, that these take up but a small portion of the work. I have made it my business, as I apprehend it to be my duty, to defend the reputation of others, and to oppose the unfair influence, that has been exerted, to destroy their reputa tion, and their writings. As these things have not belonged to the subject, I have kept them by themselves, and have attempted to turn the reader's attention from them, to the real question before us, which has been so artfully avoided. The reader then will please to examine with care the third, and the beginning of the fourth chapters. My opinion, of course, is, that there is much weight in the other parts, but, as repeatedly stated, I view this as our strong hold. Should the reader believe with me he will then see the

obligation he is under, of presenting a New Testament song, in the very name of that Saviour, in whom he professes to believe-he will see, that he is required to be as explicit, in that act of worship, as in any other. It is not required, as some state, that he should throw aside the Old Testament, or its songs; but it is required, that he should sing the New, and the triumphs which it unfolds.

In many places, your pastors have to do as the apostles did with the believing Jews, in weaning them from their beggarly elements, in a gradual manner. But wherever they are disposed to honour the Son, even as they honour the Father, they are, we think, required to unite their hearts, and their voices in a New song of exulting praise, to HIM that sitteth on the throne, and also to the LAMB.

Although, therefore, there has been a great deal too much personality, in these discussions, you will perceive that it is not an individual, but a general concern-you will see, that it involves the privilege, the duty, and consequently the interest, of the church of God-that it puts to you, at once, the interesting and important question, whether "By him you will offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of your lips, giving thanks to his name"-and whether, you will "do all in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

You will see, that I have not undertaken the defence of any particular version of Psalmody. My own opinion is, that we have not yet that version, we ought to have, and were it of any use, I would say, if a version were selected with care, from all those extant, by sound divines, of learning and taste, and a collection of hymns formed in the same manner, the prospect of this part of worship being conducted with more advantage to the church, would be greatly increased. Until something of that kind is accomplished, we must use those we have; and for all the errors the most vigilant enemies of Watts have discovered, I do not see the danger of using it. Of that in common use, I have only finally to say, that many of the old psalms, are well executed, nor do I expect to see them much, if any thing improved-of a number of others, it is acknowledged, that obsolete words, and the violation of the rules of prosody, render the language obscure, and the metre

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limping and as to the ceremonial peculiarities, I have given my opinion more at large. Indeed, I think we have a right to take it somewhat hard, to be accused of enmity to these psalms, while admitting their divine authorityand appealing to them as the word of God, only because we cannot say they are fitted for a particular purpose in his worship, in the present circumstances of the church. All these things however are now left to the candid consideration of the reader. Let him assure his own heart of his duty before God, and, above all, let him endeavour to realize an interest in that Redeemer, whose praise it is our wish to promote. The times are big with events-the church will soon put on her beautiful garments-her children will soon see eye to eye-her songs of praise will then fill every mouth, and warm every heart-and her "headstone will be brought home with rejoicing, crying grace grace unto it."

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But while we anticipate with delight the days of Zion's meridian glory-co-operate in the adoption and application of means to hasten it in its time"-and unite in the praises of her glorified Redeemer-let us not forget that these external expressions will avail us little, unless we have "prepared our hearts to seek God, the Lord of our fathers." But, if our hearts be thus prepared, we will not only be enabled to unite in a song of triumphant praise, to him,

Who "comes to make his blessings flow,

Far as the curse is found;"

but when he shall "appear the second time without sin unto salvation"-when he comes in the clouds and every eye shall see him," we will be ready to unite with the full choir of angels and glorified spirits, in celestial, appropriate and eternal praises. May this be the happy portion of the writer and of every reader-AMEN.

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IN this age of apologies, the author of the present treatise, in justice to himself, thinks one due to his literary friends. Having had this work in view for some time, and being frequently urged by several of his brethren, whose opinions he felt himself bound to respect, he made arrangements for its execution; at least, so far as he thought expedient, until the prospect of patronage would be in some measure ascertained. When proposals were issued, it soon appeared that considerable solicitude was felt, and expressed in different places for the publication, and the author was urged to hasten it. At this time, however, he had resolved on an entire change in the form of his book; a change which rendered all he had before written entirely useless, except so far as it had tended to familiarize his mind to the subject. The printer commenced as soon as a few sheets of manuscript were afforded, and the author was obliged literally and truly to write cum calamo currente, and the corrections consisted in a hasty revision, scoring some words and interlining others. Had it not been for these circumstances, the language would have been considerably improved -some repetitions would have been avoided-and the arguments would have been better wrought. The distance, too, of eight miles between the study and the press, was an additional inconvenience; for, by attending, three times in the week, to review the proof sheets, his attention was so much divided, between these and the preparation of the manuscript, that neither received that attention that was necessary to correct execution. Yet, with all these drawbacks, the information, arguments, and evidence, the book contains, although more diffuse than was designed, is laid before the public, with a degree of confidence in their weight, correctness, and application, which the author does not affect to conceal To his brethren, indeed, and men of extensive reading, the information may not be important; but his readers, generally, will be found in a different class of society, and he hopes they will not have cause to regret the expense of purchase, or the trouble of perusal.

ERRATA.

There are a number of errors in punctuation and otherwise, which, as
they do not materially affect the sense, it is not thought necessary to notice.
The following, however, being of more importance, the reader will please
to notice and correct them.

Page 15 line 18-the quotation begins at “said.

25-opposite the dates 2961, 1043, for 86 read 96.

"26-opposite 3459, 545, Ps. 106, read When David brought up
the Ark, &c.

"28 line 5 from the bottom-for 11 read 4.

"48" 20 for principle read practice.

❝ 57 "
" 58"

❝ 63 "

" 77 "

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2 (in some copies) for prophets read prophetes.

2 from the bottom (in some copies) for Phophesy read
Prophesy.

8 for N. of E. read N. of W.

3 for 32 read 22.

"21-for 25 read 35.

"120" 34-for Hulin read Huglin.

"121 " 22-for translation read translators.

"135" 18-and who does not, should be enclosed in parenthesis,

with a note of interrogation after it.

"136" 13 from the bottom-before the word lagging insert young.

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