3. They sing Hymns and Psalms at Dinner, a Custom which Clem. Alex. commends, Paedag. l. 2. c. 4. Chrysostom greatly pleads for it, to be used as ordinary Works, at Meals, after Meals, as an excellent Antidote against Temptations. in Ps. 41. Tom. 3. Cypr. Ep. 1. p. 7.
4. St. Augustin saith, We have the Precept and Example of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles, for Singing in our Assemblies. Orig. Brit.
Also he saith, The Customs of Churches were very different about these Matters. In the Churches of Afric. he saith, The confined themselves to the prophetical Hymns, for which they were upbraided by the Donatists, as too Grave and Formal; but he allows Singing, for one of the solemn Parts of, Divine Ser∣vice, with which he joyns Reading the Lessons, Preaching, and Praying, either aloud by the Bishop, or in common by the Deacons giving notice. Ibid.
5. In the Ancient Church, the Christians were much exercised in repeating the Psalms of David; many had them by Heart, and used to be reciting them when they went about their Work.— (A. C. 1548.) They were Translated into English Verse, and much Sung by all who loved the Reforma∣tion, Dr. Burn. Hist. Reformation.
6. Hierom relates of the place where be lived— You could not go into the Field, but you might hear the Plow-man at his Halelujahs, the Mower at his Hymns, and the Vine-dresser singing David's Psalms. Dr. Cave's Prim. Christianity.
It would take up a great deal of time, to recount over the many Instances of Persons singly, or Families conjunctly, using this Exercise of Devotion; many Persons on their Death-beds, some in Prison, and others at their Execution, have cheared themselves with this Exercise, and have taken a mighty Pleasure, even in the midst of their Troubles, and most bitter and heavy Afflictions, to ease their Minds, and give their Devotions full Vent and Play, by singing Praises to the God of Jacob: Tho' I know very well, that the Children of this World, who have no comfort but in things of this Life, cannot dance to, nor well digest (without some Scoff or Censure) this Musick.
7. Dr. W. Johnson, in the Story of his Deliverance at Sea, tells us, That after his second Shipwrack upon the Coast of Norway, being got upon a Rock to save their Lives, they betook themselves to their old Remedy, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 their Prayers; the Danes (with them) first began their Devotions, who having sung one of Luther's Psalms, fell to their Prayers; and then (saith the Doctor) me sung one of our own Psalms, and as long as I was able to speak, Prayed with the Company. Dr. Johnson's Deus Nobis∣cum. p. 34.
8. In the Life of Mr. Herbert, writ by Isaac Walton (if I mistake not) we are told of a Gentle∣man of good Estate, who after his Travels, came home, with a Resolution to devote the remainder of his time, to a close and spiritual Devotion; and the Method which he pitcht upon, was to Sing over David's Psalms every four and twenty Hours; which was so ordered, that while some were re∣freshing themselves, and attending upon the Necessities of Life, others should continue in the Chap∣pel, and keep on the Devotion. To this Society, Mr. Herbert, who was a Man both Devout and Musical, joyned himself for some time. I have not the Book by me, but the Relation may be seen in Mr. Herbert's Life, before his Poems.
9. Thomas Hudson, Martyr in Queen Mary's Reign, after walking abroad for certain days openly in the Town crying against Popery, at last returned home, and seting himself down on his Knees, having his Book by him, read and sung Psalms continually, without ceasing, for three Days and three Nights together, refusing Meat, and other talk, to the great wonder of many. Fox's Martyrol.
10. George Eagles, Martyr, likewise in the same Reign, when he was drawn on a Sled to Executi∣on, had in his Hand a Psalm-book, wherein he read very devoutly all the way, with a loud Voice till he came there. Ibid.
11. Five Martyrs in Canterbury, viz. John Lucas (a young Man) Ann Albright, John Catmer, Ag∣nes Sn••th (Widow) Joan Soale (Wife) when the Fire was flaming about their Ears, did sing Psalms; whereat the good Knight, Sir John Norton, being present, wept bitterly at the sight. Ibid.
12. Mr. John Denly, being set in the Fire, with a burning Flame about him, sung a Psalm; but being interrupted by occasion of a Fagot thrown in his Face, which made him bleed, he left off, and clapt both his Hands on his Face: Truly, quoth Dr. Story to him that hurled the Fagot, thou hast marr'd a good old Song; at which, Mr. Denley, still in the Flames, resumed Courage, put his Hands abroad and sung again. Ibid.
13. St. Augustin, speaking of the time when he was Baptized at Milan, professeth, That the sweet, Musick and Melody of the Church, provoked his Affections so far, that the Tears run down his Checks, and he was mightily pleased with it. Confes. l. 9. c. 6, 7.
14. St. Hierom, speaking not of the universal Church in solemn Assemblies, but what the compa∣ny of the solitary Virgins were wont to do of their own accord in his time, saith, That in the Morn∣ing at three, six, and nine a Clock, at evening, and at Midnight, they sung Psalms, only on Sunday; they went into the Church. Bullinger's Decads.
15. The first Act of Uniformity in King Edward the Sixth's Reign, gives leave for the using of any Psalm, agreeable to the Word of God: Which Act is not annulled by any subsequent Act, but rather confirmed by those which have followed.
16. Te Deum's are in Fashion all over Christian Europe, at least, the Protestant and Popish Churches at this day.
See more of the Singing, and religious Musick of other Churches, in my History of all Re∣ligions.
17. Mr. John Bruen in singing of Psalms, had his Spirit so ravished with Joy, that his Heart would even spring and leap in his Body; was so affected with Praising of God, that he took the word Hal∣lelujah for his Motto. See his Life, in Mr. Clark's second Volume of Lives, p. 176.
18. Mr. Peacock, after his great Afflictions, being at last joyfully delivered and comforted, a three Chapter read to him, Rev. 19. Rev. 21. Rom. 8. Oh! (saith he) they be glorious Comforts: Will you have any more read? said his Friends, yea, saith he, a Psalm if you please; and named the 23d.