464 DIRECTIONS FOR GETTING AND BEEPING, might bestow a greater part of it in psalms and solem* praises to our Redeemer. And I could wish that the ministers of England, to that end, would unanimously agree orr.some one translation of the English Psalms in metre, betterthan that in common use, and, if it may be;better than any yet extant, (not neglecting the poet- ical sweetness under pretense of exact translating,) or at least, to agree on the best now extant ; (the London, ministers may do well to lead the way;) lest that blessed part of' God's solemn worship should be blemished for want either of reformation or uniformity. And in my weak judgment, if hymns and psalms of praise were new invented, as fit for the state of the gospel church and worship, (to laud the Redeemer:come in the flesh, as expressly as the work of grace is now express,) as David's Psalms were fitted to the for- mer State and infancy of the church, and more obscure revelations of the Mediator and his grace, it would be no sinful, human inven- tion dr addition, nor eny more want of warrant, than our inventing the form and words of every sermon that we preach, and every prayer that we make, or any catechism or confession of faith. Nay, it may .see l of sogreat usefulness as to be next to g necessi- ty. (Still provided that we force not any to the use of them that through ignorance may scruple it.), And if there be any convenient parcels of the ancient church that are fitted to this use, they should deservedly be preferred. I d' not think I digress all this while from the scope of my discourse. Fors, doubtless, if God's usual solemn worship on the Lord's days were more fitted ánd,directed' to a pleasant;delightful, praising way, it would do very much to frame the spirits of Christians to joyfulness, and thankfulness, and delight in God ; than which there is no greater cure for . their doubt- ful, pensive, self-tormenting frame. O try this, Christians, at the request of one that is moved by God to importune you to it! God doth pity you in your sorrows: But he delighteth in you when you delight in him. See Isai. lviii. 14. compared withZepli. iii. 17. And if sin interpose and hinder your delights, believe it, a cheerful amendment and obedience is that which will please God better than your self-tormenting fears. Do not you like that ser- vant better that will go cheerfully about your work, and do it as, well as he can, accounting it a recreation, and will endeavor to mend where he hath done .amiss, than him that will at every step fall a crying, " O I am so weak, I can do nothing as. I should ?" A humble sense of failings you will like ; but not that your servant should sit still and complain when he,should be working; nor that all your service should be performed with weeping, dis9uietness anti lamentations: you had rather have your servant humbly and modestly cheerful, and not always dejected for fear of displeasing' you. 0 how many poor souls are overseen in this ! You might
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