I come now to say somewhat of the antiquity of Musical Instruments. But that these were not used in the Christian Church in the primitive times, is attested by all the ancient writers with one consent. Hence they figuratively explain all the places of the Old Testament, which speak of Musical Instruments; as I might easily shew by a thousand testimonies, out of _Clement_ of _Alexandria_, _Basil_, _Ambrose_, _Jerom_, _Augustine_, _Chrysostom_, and many others. I can hardly forbear laughing, when I meet with some of their allegorical interpretations. Thus an Instrument with ten strings, according to them, signifies the Ten Commandments, as the unknown author of the Commentary upon the _Psalms_, among _Jerom’s_ works, often explains it, _In_ Ps. xxxii. 2. xliii. 4, &c. But the pleasantest fancy is the explication of those words: _Praise him with stringed Instruments and Organs_. Ps. cl. 4. “That the guts being twisted by reason of abstinence from food, and so all carnal desires being subdued, men are found fit for the kingdom of God, to sing his praises.” But _Chrysostom_ talks more handsomly; “As the _Jews_ praised God with all kind of Instruments; so we are commanded to praise him with all the members of our bodies, our eyes, _&c._” _In_ Ps. cl. And _Clement_ of _Alexandria_ talks much to the same purpose. Pædag. _lib. ii. c. 4_. Besides, the ancients thought it unlawful to use those Instruments in God’s worship. Thus the unknown author of a Treatise, among _Justin Martyr’s_ works: “_Q._ If songs were invented by unbelievers with a design of deceiving, and were appointed for those under the Law, because of the childishness of their minds; why do they, who have received the perfect instructions of grace, which are most contrary to the foresaid customs, nevertheless sing in the Churches, just as they did, who were children under the Law? _Answ._ Plain Singing is not childish, but only the Singing with lifeless Organs, with Dancing and Cym-bals, _&c._ Whence the use of such Instruments, and other things fit for children, is laid aside, and Plain Singing only retained.” Resp. ad Orthodox. _Q._ 107. _Chrysostom_ seems to have been of the same mind, and to have thought, the use of such Instruments was rather allowed the _Jews_ in consideration of their weakness, than prescribed and commanded. _In_ Ps. cl. But that he was mistaken, and that Musical Instruments were not only allowed the _Jews_, as he thought, and _Isidorus_ of _Pelusium_, (whose testimony I shall mention presently) but were prescribed by God, may appear from the Texts of Scripture I have before referred to.