If the Addition of humane Testimony concerning the Practice of Churches in former or later Ages might have any influence to establish the Consciences of those who are doubtful in this Matter, I might acquaint them that the Churches of _Germany_ and the _Eastland_ Churches, use many Divine Hymns which are compos'd on several Subjects of the Christian Religion, without any Pretence to extraordinary Gifts. The Church of _England_ approves this Practice, as appears in those Spiritual Songs at the End of the old Translation of the Psalm-Book, and some Churches among the Dissenters. The _Christians of the first Ages were wont to meet together on a Day appointed before it was Light, and to speak a Song to Christ as to God_. Thus _Pliny_ the _Roman_ testifies in a Letter to _Trajan_ the Emperour in the Beginning of the second Century. _Tertullian_, who flourish'd about the Beginning of the Third Century, relating the Manner of Administration of the Lord's Supper, asserts _That after they had eat and drank what was sufficient for those that must worship God by Night, &c. Every one was urged to sing unto God publickly either out of the holy Scriptures, or according to their own Genius and Ability_, Apol. C. 39. _Origen_, who flourish'd in the Middle of the Third Century, speaks of _singing Hymns or Praise to the Father in or by Christ in good Rhime, Tune, Metre and Harmony. Origen de Orat. Sect. 6. _Eusebius_, B. 7. C. 19. quotes _Dionisius_ writing against Nepos thus, _Altho I heartily love _Nepos_ for his Faith, his Study of Knowledge and the holy Scriptures, as well as {274} for various Psalms and Hymns composed by him, which are used to this Day by some Brethren, yet, &c. In the Acts of the Council of _Antioch_ mention'd by _Eusebius_, B.7. C.30. It was one of the Accusations of _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