The _First_ Argument I shall borrow from all the foregoing Discourse concerning the Translation of the Psalms of _David_: For by that time they are fitted for Christian Psalmody, and have all the Particularities of Circumstance that related to _David_'s Person, and Times alter'd and suited to our present Case; and the Language of _Judaism_ is chang'd into the Stile of the Gospel; the Form and Composure of the Psalm can hardly be called inspired or Divine: only the Materials or the Sense contain'd therein may in a large Sense be called the Word of God, as it is borrowed from that Word. Why then may it not be esteemed as lawful to take some Divine Sense and Materials agreeable to the Word of God, and suited to the present Case and Experience of Christians, and compose them into a Spiritual Song? Especially when we cannot find one ready pen'd in the Bible, whose Subject is near a-kin to our present Condition, or whose Form is adapted to our present Purpose. The _Second_ Argument shall be drawn from the several Ends and Designs of Singing, which can never be sufficiently attain'd by {257} confining ourselves to _David_'s Psalms, or the Words of any Songs in Scripture. The first and chief intent of this part of Worship, is to express unto God what Sense and Apprehensions we have of his Essential Glories; and what notice we take of his Works of Wisdom and Power, Vengeance and Mercy; 'tis to vent the inward Devotion of our Spirits in Words of Melody, to speak our own Experience of divine Things, especially our religious Joy; 'twould be tiresom to recount the endless Instances out of the Book of Psalms and other divine Songs, where this is made the chief Business of them. In the Texts of the New Testament where Singing is requir'd, the same Designs are propos'd; when the _Ephesians are filled with the Spirit_, the Enlightner and Comforter, they are charged to indulge those Divine Sensations, and let them break out into a _Spiritual Song_, Eph. 5.19. When _any is merry_ or chearful, the Apostle _James_ bids him express it by _Singing_. _Giving Thanks unto God_, is the Command of St. _Paul_ to the Saints while he injoins Psalmody on them; And speaking the Wonders of his Power, Justice and Grace, is the Practice of the Church constantly in the Visions of St. _John_. To _teach and admonish one another_, is mention'd by St. _Paul_ as another Design of Singing; the Improvement of our Meditations, and the kindling Divine Affections Within our selves, is one of the Purposes also of religious Melody, if Eph. 5. 19. be rightly translated. Now, {258} how is it possible all these Ends should be attain'd by a Christian, if he confines his Meditations, his Joys, and his Praises, to the _Hebrew_ Book of Psalms? Have we nothing more of the Nature of God revealed to us than _David_ had? Is not the Mystery of the ever-blessed Trinity brought out of Darkness into open Light? Where can you find a Psalm that speaks the Miracles of Wisdom and Power