§. 1. Of the XCV Psalm, and the Division of it:
THe Holy Spirit being the Enditer, and David the Penman of this sacred Hymn, the matter of it is unquestionable(t) 1.1, and the placing it here to be used in the daily service, doth further confirm (what we may every where observe) the prudent and pious care of the Church in her choice of this part of Scripture, which is as fit a preparatory to all the succeeding offi∣ces, as is to be found in all the holy word of God. It contains both directions and exhortations to Praises Prayers and hearing Gods word, which (as was shewed before)(u) 1.2, are the duties of our Church-As∣semblies; and its very composure shews it was designed for the pub∣lique service; Grotius thinks for the Feast of Tabernacles(x) 1.3, Calvin and others for the Sabbath day(y) 1.4: but St. Paul(z) 1.5, whose authority we follow, thinks it fit for every day; and by his appli∣cation of it, we have sufficient ground to adopt it into the Christian worship; having also the Testimony of the Jewish writers, that it belongs to the times of the Messiah. And 'tis too evident, the sluggishness of our hearts to all holy duties, makes those powerful exhor∣tations necessary to awaken us, those strong arguments to convince us, and those dreadful threatnings and ex∣amples to warn us; which are contained in this Psalm, as will appear by the following Scheme.