_Paulus Samosatenus_ the Heretick Bishop of _Antioch_, that he
_abolished those Psalms which were wont to be sung to the Honour of the
Lord Jesus Christ as novel and compos'd by Modern Authors, and that he
appointed Women on Easter Day in the Middle of the Church to sing
Psalms in his Praise_. And in the Fragment of an anonymous Author
extant in _Eusebius_ we find the Heresy of _Artemon_, who denied the
Divinity of Christ, confuted not only by the Scriptures and the
Writings of the precedent Fathers, but also by the _Psalms and Hymns of
the Brethren which were formerly compos'd by them, wherein they sung
Praises to the WORD of God, declaring Christ to be God_. Such a private
composed Hymn was that which _Clemens Alexandrinus_ mentions as one
commonly known among the Christians in his Days, beginning _Kaire
Phos_, or _Hail Light_. _Spanheim_ in his sixth Chapter of the fourth
Century of his Christian History speaks thus, _Besides Hymns and Songs,
and private Psalms, of which there was a great Number in their solemn
Assemblies, the Psalm Book of_ David _was brought into the Western
Church in this Age in the Time of_ Damasus _and_ Ambrose; _but in the
Eastern Church the singing of_ David _'s Psalter by Antiphona's or
Responses was brought in by_ Flavianus Antiochenus. The Use of Psalms
compos'd by private Persons seems not to be forbidden in the Church
till the Council of _Laodicea_ in the fourth Century.

CONCLUSION.

THUS have I drawn together my Thoughts upon this Subject at the Request
of several Ministers and private Christians who practise Psalmody in
this Method themselves, and sing the Songs of the {275} Lamb as well as
the Psalms of _David_ in their publick and private Worship, and
especially at the Celebration of the Lord's Supper. I had design'd and
almost prepar'd a larger Discourse, wherein the Duty of Singing and the
Manner of Performance would have been consider'd. But this Essay has
already swell'd beyond the Bulk propos'd: There are many that would
rejoice to see Evangelic Songs more universally encouraged to the
Honour of their Lord _Jesus_, and to the Joy and Consolation of their
Fellow-saints. If the Spirit of God shall make any of these Arguments I
have used successful to attain this glorious End, I shall take pleasure
in the Release of their Souls from that part of _Judaism_ which they
have so long indulged. I hope the Difficulties that appear'd frightful
and discouraging will be lost, and vanish by