Ser. IV.fcure, and Country Villages, it may not be amifs to continue the other way; but fo as that now and then, for the fake of others who can read, our Method be obferv'd. And in the mean time it were to be wifh'd, that fuch as are charitably difpos'd would order fome part of their Benevolence towards the erecting of Schools in fuch dark places, and procure that the Poor be taught to read. Herein they would doubtlefs do a Work highly acceptable in the fight of God. As to other Objections, that may be rais'd against what we have recommended; a Pair of Spectacles would answer for the most part thofe of the Aged; for I am fatiffy'd but very few attend our Affemblys, who have outliv'd the Use of these Helps: And a fmall Sum of Mony rais'd in the Congregation to buy a competent number of Books to be given away, will answer the Objections of the Poor. But if after all this, People will cavil and be contentious, we must pity their Weakness, and bless Ser. IV. God who hath fhone upon us with fo great Light, as to remove our most dangerous Prejudices against the pure Adminiftrations of his WorThip, when we fee how difficult it is in leffer matters to wean People from a Custom they have been long wedded to. DIRECTIONS for the Duty of SINGING. SERMON V. EPHES. V. latter Part of the 19th Verfe. in ·Singing and making melody Heart to the Lord. your T HESE Words contain an Exhortation to the Practice of that noble and de lightful Duty, of Singing the Praises of God; and afford us fome Advice and Direction for the right Performance of it. We must be infpir'd and acted, not by a vain and fenfual Spirit, but by the divine; and being thus prepar'd, muft muft fo fing, as to make melody in Ser. V. our Hearts to the Lord. - Here are feveral Words in this Verfe relating to the Nature of this Duty, which I fhall not stay to explain and open: This having been already done to my hand, I fhall no further confider the Text, than it is ferviceable to me in handling that part of the Subject, which is affign'd me in this Exercife; and that is to lay before you fome Practical Rules and Directions for the acceptable Performance of the Duty. The Nature of it has been open'd, your Obligation as Chriftians to perform it fully prov'd, the Divine Excellency and Noblenefs of it clearly manifefted, the Cavils and Objections of those who are Enemys to it fully confider'd : and anfwer'd; and now, I hope, what you have heard has fo far convinc'd your Judgment, and influenc'd your Wills and Affections, that you are refolv'd either to begin or continue in the Practice of fo unquestionable and excellent a Duty, and that you are very defirous to know how you may perH 2 form Ser. V. form it to God's acceptance, and w the advantage of your own Souls.. This Part of the Subject is as neceflary as any, for you to be inftructed in; for after all that has been faid, if you fail in the right manner of Performance, your labour will be loft: How excellent a Duty foever it be in it felf, and how beneficial and pleafant foever it be to others, it will not be fo to you; but God will be difhonour'd, and your Souls prejudic'd. I fear multitudes are very defective and faulty in this part of the Duty: There are many more who are Enemys to a holy Perfor mance, than who are Enemys to the external Duty. I fhall divide the Directions into three parts, I. Such as concern the Choice of I. 'Tis |