La scala santa, or, A scale of devotions musical and gradual being descants on the fifteen Psalms of Degrees, in metre : with contemplations and collects upon them, in prose, 1670.

THE PREFACE TO THE READER.

HAVING with much admiration and delight been long conversant with the Psalter, I find, as it is wisely appointed for the first Book that we read or study, so it may fitly be used to the last minute of our Life and Breathing;* 1.1 since our blessed Lord himself handed his Soul unto his Father in these words of the Psalmist. And I never knew any condition, how sad soever, that might not receive some Entertainment,* 1.2 some Company and Discourse (as well as Music), and so some ease and relief from that glorious Book of the Psalms; which is not only beautified by our Saviour his frequent use of it (both living and dying,) but by the continual Services,* 1.3 and best Devotion of all the Saints and Children of God: For (to say nothing of the Esteem it hath, even in the Mahometan Religion) there hath been no Church, either of Jews or Christians, nay, scarce one eminent Person in either of those Churches,* 1.4 who hath not only allowed much time and attention, but likewise shewn the greatest remarks of Piety and Zeal, in the studious perusal thereof.* 1.5 For these Spiritual Songs (as all sacred

Worship was of old wrapt up in Metre) do, with their most charming Melody, and sweetness of Expression, both set forth the Law of the Lord, and the love of his Servants, (as on Mount Sion, not on Sinai, viz.) in so lofty and taking a way, as that surely they contain not only the Body and Sub∣stance, but the Spirit and Quintescence, the pleasant Tasts, and best Relishes of our holiest Religion! Besides the variety of Subjects, and richness of each Theme, serving (as the Treasures of several Mines) for the furnishing and rewar∣ding both our fancies and labours with Materials, sufficient to please, to profit, to enrich our Meditations. So that truly 'tis a ravishing, and no less than Heavenly delight, to hear the holy Persons of all Times and Ages (like Birds in the Spring) descanting on the self-same Subject; but with such different Notes, Melody, and Accent, as it is wonderful to observe (while every one doth well in doing his best,) what rare Divisions are run by the joyning of so full a Consort: Whilst the Music becomes more excellent by the admirable variety thereof.

This hath often set on work, and satisfied my Thoughts with the Contemplation of our Eternal employ, the praising of God in Heaven, perhaps too in the Songs of David, (as well as of Moses, since these were the Songs of the Lamb while he was here on Sion) according to our best Capacities and Visions: So that as the Angels envy not the Cherub for sitting higher, or seeing more than they; nor the Seraphim despise the Angels, because these cannot reach the others Pitch in their mighty Raptures and heavenly Addresses (for they are all in the same way, though concerned in several degrees of Duty;) It is my opinion, that no true Christian should be discouraged, either by his own weakness, or others greater Abilities, from turning Psalmodist, and helping the Quire with his Notes, though they be of a harsher kind, and flatter Key, than many others which are used there; be∣cause both in the Church here, and that above, he must sing the same which others do, though (it may be) not with the same Elegance; yet if his Heart be right, and his Desires sincere, though his Place and Parts may be inferiour to many, his good Will and Intent shall afford joy, satisfaction, and bliss, and secure him from the Censure of all others.

Nay, he may suppose the Music and the Mirth of Saints to arise like the Flame from those lowest Coals of the Altar,

which lie obscurely in their Ashes; and thence to ascend by the Degrees of the Sons of Fire to the top of their lofty Pyra∣mid, the Deity; and from that Central Point again stream forth such Harmony and Delight, as may reach and fill, enflame and enlighten, array and gild the whole Circum∣ference of the Blest Eternity.

Therefore since he which hath the lowest Voice may bear a Part in Music, we should neither contemn nor hinder their singing, who cannot reach so high a strain as our selves; but bear with, or encourage, rather than silence and disturb the Devotions of the weakest, who may be more acceptable to God in their well-meaning, than we are to Men in our finer expressions.

Upon this account I have often judged it expedient, that Censure should be shut out of the Church Doors, when any ones Verse or Music is brought within them; and though we might be able to mend that which is there allowed, yet we are rather to use than blame it, because it is prescribed by such, whom we must yield best able to discern what is fit for the public Worship, which certainly differs from each Man's private Devotions, more than doth his Night-dress from the Habit he must wear at Noon-day.

So that though I might plead for Hopkin's and Sternhold's, for the meanest Translation of the Psalms in our Parish Churches, (as Men do for some Customs and Fashions) be∣cause countenanced by Authority and long Usage; yet I would not from thence conclude, that they are the best, or that I must keep them in my own Closet, or particular Devotions: But as I will not refuse them publicly whilst commanded, so I will not reproach them privately; much less censure or deter others in their singular Industry, who have not only design'd, but attempted, both to do better than the weakest Age of English Poetry; and withall, equal the strongest Reach of Sence and Expression that is found in the best Translators of the Psalms.

Amongst whom I would count two very late Authors,* 1.6 (who might be fancied the two Poles, including a World of our Rithmical Paraphrasts, and pretending something above them) but that the one seems to be in the excess of Gaudi∣ness, and liberty of Fancy, while the other is in the worse extream of meanness of Verse, and want of plainness; so that as the former will be thought by some too Luxuriant and

Copious, (both in Measure and Conceit) the latter will be found incurious, and fallen short of expectation; since he forgets the Poet, while he stoops to accommodate the People, and can neither afford Rhime to half his Lines, (which is easie enough to be had in our tinkling Tongue) nor clearness to his Verse, which might have excused the other defect, (and is but needful for the vulgar way of reading, and then singing) because the Sentence of his Verse too frequently out-runs the Measures, and so leaves that unfinished at the end of these; which surely is a fault that my self (as most others) may be guilty of sometimes in those short Caesura's we make use of, but should be avoided with all possible care; for when the Stops reach farther than the Lines, the Breaks of these must needs be as unpleasant to the Ear, as it is commonly injurious to the Sence: And so are the big-belly'd Epithetes (the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) wherewith some Versions abound, which are Pedantic Charms, conjuring Ignorance into Admiration, pleasing or employing those most of all, who least understand their use and meaning: Whereas the words of Truth and Soberness,* 1.7 such as were dictated by God's own Spirit, want (no Bombast) neither the Dress of Dinah, nor of Thamar, to make them seem wanton, and then alluring.

The Heathens indeed set out their Fables, like Prostitutes, to put them off, and made them cried up by the mistakes of too many; but to trick up the most Sacred Poems in the mode of the Idolatrous Ethnick, is a License no Man hath a Patent for from Holy Writ: And though, with Politian and Bonamy, some have preferred Pindar, I think there are as many genuine Beauties, excellent Parts and Proportions in David, as in any uncircumcised Philistine, any monstrous Pagan,* 1.8 we can meet with: And as he appeared to Samuel, when God himself said, Arise, anoint him, for this is he; so when I look upon him in his Psalms, I guess surely the Anoin∣ted of the Lord is before me. How frequent, full, and admi∣rable, are his Metaphors, Similies, Figures, and Enrichments of Phrase! All which ought to have right done them, (being the Daughters to so great a King) and to be cloathed accor∣ding to their Quality and Excellency;* 1.9 and that is not with Babylonish Garments, with the Thread of Egypt, or the Garb of Aliens, but, like the Silk-worm, only with Robes, spun out of their own Bowels; for they are rich enough to furnish

themselves (as the Israelites did their Tabernable) both with Coverings and Ornaments: And as the Armour of Saul did not fit David's Person, no more doth extravagant Words or Conceits become his Poems,* 1.10 who is said to be as prudent in his Speech, as skilful in his Music.

And seeing there are such apposite Allusions and Relations in each part of these Divine Poems to the other Portions of holy Writ, which (as the Rays of the Sun do to the World) dart Light and Beauty from one corner of the Bible to the other; we need repair to no other Wardrobe than the Book of God, for the trimming out any part of it, with sufficient elegancy, fulness, and embellishment.

Therefore I endeavour in these Essays, not only to have as much of the sence of the Psalm, but likewise of such other Scriptures as it may seem to relate to, (whereby it may be unfolded and adorned) that they might be composed in the plainest English, and easiest manner of Verse; yet with as much of holy Writ as can be put into them, studying for Con∣gruity between them and the Original, more than Curiosity in the Texture; and to be full, though not prolix; and use∣ful to some, if not pleasant.

St. Hillary shews us from the Revelations who it is that holds the Key of David:* 1.11 It is too hard for any Mortal to open the Door of this vast Palace. Humane Fancy may peep in, only to see it, might go far, rather than venture therein to lose it self. And if the adventurous Poet draw Stanza's of an extraordinary length (like a Body on the Wrack) the Coherence of the Parts is often loosen'd, distor∣ted, or undiscerned; and the Musician discouraged from setting or composing such tedious Numbers into Anthems, since these are usually not long.

And if it be so, (as I have heard) that the Hebrew Meter through the Book of Psalms is generally very short, surely we are more obliged to conform to the Original, and mea∣sure our Feet (as near as may be) by that Model, or else by the Standard Measures of our Age, which have been al∣lowed, known, and directed, even to the vulgar: There∣fore as I have somewhat observed the manner of the Jewish Music in these Psalms of Degrees, (by frequent Repetitions and Responses) so I have confined my self, perhaps with∣out too much straitness, to the Staffs, our ordinary Church Tunes do lean upon, that they may be made useful to many

by the common Notes, as they may become grateful to others by their being capable of various better Compositions, (they being designed for Anthems and Hymns, as well as Psalms.)

Yet would I not have them humorously set up, nor sent forth strangely drest,* 1.12 like the Mistress of the Levite, or the Idol of the young Man; but modestly and gravely accou∣tred like the Mother of Solomon,* 1.13 like our Church of England, that the Graces in these Spiritual Songs may be more char∣ming, as more conspicuous, by being suited to the benefit and conversation of all, even of the lowest, as well as of the sublimer Capacities: Since by these I wish as general a good as is possible, without any undeserved Praise to my self, or any Detraction from another Person. For though I have pointed at two modern Men, as the Herculean Pillars, between whom I take my way; yet I have no great occasion to find fault with them, because the one stands on this side, and the other on that, of the Course I steer, whilst both serve to my safer Convoy into those Streights whither I am bound.

'Tis true, the kinds of Verse I make use of, are neither grateful nor fashionable (in this Licentious and Dytherambique Time); but they are the best known of any, and have no small interest in the common Approbation; and, as the old Maxim told me, The more common the better, of what is good: So the late excellent Bishop of Chichester (Dr. H. King) indu∣ced me, rather (by his Example) to redress and amend the Vulgar, than to deride their lame and feeble Sence; espe∣cially if (by the boldest attempts of Wit and Learning) we cannot come near the Majesty and Excellency of the first Pen-man, it is more reasonable that we should submit our Endeavours (as Publicola did his Fasces) to the use and benefit of the most and meanest, rather than make them Trophies of our own Arrogance, and our Brethren's weakness.

Our continual work is,* 1.14 to have about us that Salt of Cha∣rity, which may season our Offerings both to God and Man, while we thank the one, or assist the other.

It it not double Superstition, and worse than Folly, to court the Prayers of Men in Heaven, and the Praises of Men on Earth? 'Tis enough to have an Interest quite other∣wise in Religion, and to forward Man's Good with God's Glory, (more than with our own); or God's Blessing with our own good Deeds, rather than with others good Words.

So that I would not be thought Censorious nor Singular; nor any other ways Pharisaical in my Entertainments here. Though I bring several Courses of Devotion, they are not worthy to be compared to the good piece of Flesh, and Fla∣gon of Wine, wherewith our great Exemplar once treated the People; yet (let these be never such course Fare) they are really designed for a Blessing to all, as David's Banquet was, in 1 Chron. 16.34. and I can conclude with his Royal word, As for me,* 1.15 in the uprightness of my Heart I have willingly offered all these things.

Noli altum sapere, sed time.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luke 23.46. Psal. 30.6.
• * 1.2

  Mat. 21.16.21.42.2••.46.22.44.13.35.
• * 1.3

  John 2.17.6.32.10.34.13.18.15.25.19.24.
• * 1.4

  Sixty Proofs cited out of the Psalms in the N. T.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 1.2.
• * 1.6

  Mr. S. W. Mr. M. S.
• * 1.7

  Acts 26.25. Gen. 34. Gen. 38.14.
• * 1.8

  1 Sam. 16.12.
• * 1.9

  2 King. 9.34.
• * 1.10

  1 Sam. 16.18.
• * 1.11

  Rev. 3.7.
• * 1.12

  Judg. 17.5.19.29.
• * 1.13

  Prov. 31.
• * 1.14

  Mark 9.49, 50.
• * 1.15

  1 Chron. 29.17, 18.