To give an account of “Music's Monument,” which Dr. Burney calls a matchless book, not to be forgotten among the curiosities of the seventeenth century! will be to give the character of Thomas Mace himself, for no author ever more compleatly embodied his own spirit in his writings. It is introduced with an Epistle Dedicatory, which by an easy misrepresentation has been made to appear profane. To Thee, One-Only-Oneness, I direct My weak desires and works. Thou only art The Able True Protector; Oh be my shield, defender and director, Then sure we shall be safe. Thou know'st, O Searcher of all hearts how I, With right, downright, sincere sincerity, Have longed long to do some little good, (According to the best I understood) With thy rich talent, though by me made poor, For which I grieve, and will do so no more, By thy good Grace assisting, which I do Most humbly beg for. Oh, adjoin it to My longing ardent soul; and have respect To this my weak endeavour, and accept, In thy great mercy, both of it and me, Even as we dedicate ourselves to Thee. An Epistle, in verse, follows “to all Divine Readers, especially those of the Dissenting Ministry, or Clergy, who want not only skill, but good will to this most excelling part of divine service, viz. singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, to the praise of the Almighty, in the public Assemblies of his Saints: and yet more particularly, to all great and high Persons, Supervisors, Masters, or Governors of the Church, (if any such there should be) wanting skill, or good will thereunto.” He says to those “high men of honour,” that Example is the thing; There's but one way, which is yourselves to sing. This sure will do it; for when the vulgar see Such worthy presidents their leaders be, Who exercise therein and lead the van, They will be brought to't, do they what they can. But otherwise for want of such example, Tis meanly valued, and on it they trample; And by that great defect, so long unsought, Our best Church Music's well-nigh brought to nought. Besides, No robes adorn high persons like to it; No ornaments for pure Divines more fit. That Counsel given by the Apostle Paul Does certainly extend to Christians all. Colossians the third, the sixteenth verse; (Turn to the place:) that text will thus rehearse, Let the word of Christ dwell in you plenteously, (What follows? Music in its excellency.) Admonishing yourselves, in sweet accord, In singing psalms with grace unto the Lord, _Sed sine arte_, that cannot be done, _Et sine arte_, better let alone.