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but I have been led to write of Divine things, according as I have experienced them, amidit the various changes that have happened to me in life, and as facred impreffions have occafioned Devout Breathings to arife in my Soul after God.

For what relates to doctrine, exhortation, or the encouragement of others, &c. I have carefully and impartially examined whatever fell in my way, either from men or books, with a mind wholly in fearch after TRUTH; and as fuch I have advanced nothing but what I fincercly be lieve is built on this everlasting foundation. For which reafon, I readily offer my beft thoughts to the world, hoping my labour will not be in vain. in the Lord.

Concerning poetry we find there is but little. mention made of it in the Scriptures; yet it appears to be quite agreeable to the Gofpel, or the Apoftle Paul would not have quoted the Athenian. Poets in fupport of its doctrines; neither would our LORD have fung an Hymn with his Difciples,, had not fuch a compofition been confiftent with the true Spirit of Devotion. Herein then we have an infallible precedent, without having to refer back to fuch accounts as are, at beft, only. handed down by tradition.

Much might be faid alfo in favour of finging,. but I have already treated a little on this fubject in the Preface of a volume of Hymns, which I published at Whitby, in the year 1781, and fhall take fome notice of it again at the latter end of this bookt I will, therefore, now only speak of its ufe. We find the Ephefians are exhorted to fpeak to themfelves in. Pfalms and Hymns, and: Spiritual Songs, &cf. and the Coloffians are bid to admonish one anothers in the fame manner: from which it evidently appears, that finging is recommended as a very profitable means both for pri

(e) Matt. xxvi. 30.-Mar. xiv. 26. (g) Col. iii. 16,

(d) Acts xvii. 28.
(f) Eph. v. 19.

See the Conclusion, page 255.

vate and public worship; and this is happily experienced by all those who fing with grace in their hearts to the Lord, whether alone or in the affemblies of the righteous.

Therefore, that this book might be rendered ufeful for both purposes, I have divided it into two parts, and arranged each part in fuch order as I truft will meet the approbation of serious perfons of every denomination.

With refpect to the ftyle of this work, let the reader take notice, that I make no pretences to much erudition; and I have much better work for the few precious moments that can be spared from the temporal concerns which are neceffary for the fupport of a large family, than to wafte them in hammering a work upon the anvil, to make it proof against cenforious Critics. I rather judge it is more my duty to do that which may promote the glory of God in my own falvation, and the falvation of others. To this end I have every where, as much as poffible, clofely confined myself to the language held forth in the Scriptures, and all along have pointed to fuch paffages. as will in fome degree illuftrate the fubject, and render its ufe more extenfive.

As to the work in general, no part of it is borrowed or picked up from other authors, except. fome of the remarks which are made as marginal references: of these I have selected a few, but the name of each author is given, or where this was not known, the place is mentioned where the quo tation is taken from. For all the reft I am answerable, and must fhortly give an account to the Searcher of Hearts, who will bring every work into judgment, and reward every man according to his works.

JOSHUA PEEL. GILLING, 4th of the 11th month, 1793.

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Before the awful judgment feat,
Bleffed are all the pure in heart,
Bleffed and happy are all they
Bleffed are they that fear the Lord,
Born of thy Spirit from above,

Bow down thine ear, O Lord, to hear
Bow down my foul, and evermoré
Buy the truth, and fell it not,

Chief Shepherd, thou thy Lambs doft bear;
Chrift's kingdom is a place of peace,
Chrift is the true and living VINE!
Chrift, the good Shepherd of his fheep
Come, Lord, and teach me how to pray,
Come, Lord, and make known
Gome, Holy Ghoft, my heart inspire

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Come, ye guilty finners, come,

Come ye who wish to dwell above

133
206

Come now, moft gracious Lord,

216.

Come join to praife the Lord,

225

Come brethren, praise the Lord moft High

231

Daily from the fource of good,

Dejected, forrowful, caft down,

Down on thy waiting children, Lord,

83

135

171

Dying worms are called to live
Eternal God of love,

Eternal glory be

Eternal God of truth.and love!

Exalt the Lord ye nations all,

Except God doth keep the city,-

Extol the great JEHOVAH's name,

Except God the all-wife builder

Father of Spirits bright!

Fir'd with the facred flames of Jefu's love

For thy free grace and boundless love,

For ever bleffed are the dead

From fin, Lord, convert

Give ear, O earth, 'tis God commands!

Glory to God alone

God of mercy, my delight,

Give fuff'ring grace, Lord, we implore

Glory be to thee, O Lord!:

God fpeaks! let man confider well,

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God willeth not at all

148

God fully to prove

150

God is a fure defence to those

God's love we may trace,

God of all grace, to thee we bow
Great God! thou art most High,
Great God how shall I stand and gaze
Great God, to whom all things are known
Great God! the course we take is wrong
Great God! thy love and fov'reign care,
Great God! when men thy laws forfake
Great JEHOVAH! heav'nly Father!
Hail Jefus, lover of my foul,
Happy! thrice happy is their cafe,
Hark how the herald angels fing

Hark how angels are refounding
Hafte at Jehovah's call

Have I the grace of God withstood
Help us, thy feeble followers, Lord,
High over all Jehovah reigns.
Ho! ev'ry one that thirsteth come
Holy God, I ask of thee,

-

Hofannahs to the God of love
How small do worldly pleasures seem
How weak at firft is ev'ry child
How dark are all who live in fin?
How pleasant is the way to life,
I am that certain man which fell
I'll caft my burden on the Lord,
I long before the God of gods
I love thy righteous law, O Lord,
Inceffant for thy love I cry,

In Chrift, the new and living way
Infallible Lord,

-

In mercy view thy creatures, Lord,
In trouble, Lord, I pray to thee,

In the beginning thou, O Lord, haft laid

I will give thanks, and praise the Lord
Jehovah Jah is my ftrong tow'r

Jehovah Jah! eternal is thy fame;
Jehovah juft and true,

-

Jehovah, Lord! all praife to thee,

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