a diligent and fair
Perusal of what is written; yet those that pay a sacred Reverence
to the Inspired Writings, may still find it hard to yield to the
Conviction; Scruples and Reliques of an old Opinion will perhaps hang
about their Consciences still: A Fear and Jealousy of admitting any
Forms humane Composure in the Worship of Singing will scarce permit
their Lips to practise that to which their Understandings have given
their Assent. I would intreat such to give this Discourse a thoughtful
Review; and tho they may not judge every Argument conclusive, nor every
Objection sufficiently remov'd, yet if there be but one unanswerable
Reason it ought to be attended to; and the whole put together may give
such Light and Satisfaction as may incourage the Practice of this Duty.
'Tis very easy to make Cavils and Replies to the strongest Reasonings;
but let us have a Care lest we rob our Souls and the Churches of those
Divine Comforts of evangelic Psalmody, by a Fondness of our old and
preconceived Opinions. _He that believeth may eat all Things_, and
should not be forbidden: He may partake of _Flesh {276} and drink
Wine_; he may tast of the various Pleasure of the Gospel, and sing the
New Song: _Another who is weak eateth Herbs_, and satisfies himself
with ancient Melody. _Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth
not_, and _let not him which eateth not judge him which eateth, for God
hath received him_, Rom. 14. 2.

If the Hymns and spiritual Songs which are here presented to the World
are so unhappy as to discourage the Design of this Essay, I will
censure and reprove them my self: If they are condemned as being
unsuitable to the Capacity or Experience of plain Christians, I will
easily confess a Variety of Faults in them; 'twas hard to restrain my
Verse always within the Bounds of my Design; 'Twas hard to sink every
Line to the Level of a whole Congregation, and yet to keep it above
Contempt. However among so great a Number of Songs I hope there will be
some found that speak the very Language, and Desires and Sense of the
meanest Souls, and will be an Assistance to their Joy and Worship. The
Blemishes of the rest may serve to awaken some more pious and judicious
Fancy to a more successful Attempt; and whoever shall have the Honour
of such a Performance, I promise my self a large Share in the Pleasure.
But we must despair of hearing the _New Song of the Lamb_ in its
Perfection and Glory, till _Babylon the Great is fallen