in some families it can seldome be done for want of leasure and opportu∣nity, vnlesse it be on the Sabbath, and in some places not then, for want of conuenient company to ioyne together; yet where it may conuenient∣ly be performed in respect of company, leasure, and other occasions, it is an excellent duty, which is no wayes to be neglected. For first it is inioy∣ned in the Scriptures. The Prophet Dauid in many places exhorteth to it, O come (saith he) let vs sing vnto the Lord; let vs make a ioyfull noise to the Rocke of our saluation. Let vs come before his presence with thanksgiuing, and make a ioyfull noise vnto him with Psalmes. Make a ioyfull noise vnto the Lord, all ye lands, serue the Lord with gladnesse, come before his presence with singing. Sing aloud vnto God our strength, make a ioyfull noise vnto the God of Iacob, &c. Sing vnto him a new song, play skilfully with a lowd noise. So the Prophet Esay, Sing vnto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth. And Ieremy, Sing ye vnto the Lord, praise ye the Lord, for he hath deliuered the soule of the poore out of the hands of euill doers. The Apostle Paul likewise exhorteth vs, to speake vnto the Lord in Psalmes, and Hymnes, and spirituall Songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. Of which, wee haue the Saints of God in all ages examples for our imitation, in the time both of the Law and the Gospell, and in the purest ages of the primitiue Church, who were complained on to the persecuting Emperours, for their diligent performance of this duty day and night. Yea, our Sauiour Christ himselfe at the celebration of his last Supper, is sayd with his Dis∣ciples to haue concluded that holy action, with singing of a Psalme. Which examples, that we may imitate, let vs further consider in the next place, that it is a notable meanes to rowze vp our drowzie and dead hearts, and by the sweete melody affecting our outward sense, to rauish them with ioyfull delight, and make them cheerefull in Gods seruice, which was the cause why Elizeus being to prophecie, and finding his Spi∣rit dulled with the vnpleasing presence of the idolatrous King, who toge∣ther with Iehosaphat was to haue the benefit of his good indeuours, desi∣reth a Musician to play before him, to stirre vp his heart vnto the more cheerefull performance of this duty. Secondly, it is an acceptable seruice vnto God, as being a singular meanes to glorifie him, when as our hearts are filled with thankfulnesse, and our mouthes with his praises; according to that of the Psalmist, Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth me; the which, in the same Psalme he preferreth before oblations and burnt sacrifices. Finally, it is an heauenly exercise of the glorified Saints, which we shall performe with them in that place of ioy and happinesse, if wee take delight in it whilst we liue in the earth.