In the next hymn, the 95th of the 1st book, the Spirit is said to "new model all the carnal mind," which does not agree with the Apostle's declaration, Rom. 8. that the carnal mind cannot be subject to the law of God. It appears, that in regeneration a new nature is formed, called a new heart and a new spirit; and that the Holy Spirit, by this new nature will oppose, prevail against, and subdue the old till it shall be finally extirpated.

In the 100th hymn, 2nd book, speaking of the soul making God its refuge, there is this line, "For 1 have sought no other rest," an incautious expression, not suited to any of the fallen race of Adam.

I hope none will impute what is here advanc ed to any disrespect to the inemory of this emi nent and useful writer, or of any other author, whose compositions I have taken the liberty to alter. They, who point out what is faulty with a view to edification, may have as much real friendship, as they who receive every thing in the lump. We may also ask, what is the name, or reputation of any man, when put in com petition with the purity of religious truth, the interests of the soul, and the glory of God? The reputation of departed saints is of no worth except as it may prove beneficial to the living. Were glorified spirits acquainted with what passes here, and were they capable of such feelings, I think they would regret, that they had

left any thing in their writings to mislead others, and as it were to perpetuate error; and would rejoice that some friendly hand had stopped its progress by obliterating the cause. It would be well for mankind, if they, who re-publish the works of departed ministers, were both competent to the task, and should see it their duty to correct; and neither apologize by telling their readers they are not answerable for the opinions, nor by their silence seem to allow that the name of any man is of sufficient consequence to sanction the republication and circulation of his mistakes. But I conceive we are now approaching to those better times, when man must be brought low, and Christ alone exalted; to which tinies, as appears from the context, the words of the prophet refer: "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?"* The corruption and depression of the church have been occasioned, in a great measure, by exalting man, and leaning to the human understanding, the fruitful source of error and superstition; her emancipation and enlargement will, I be lieve, be effected by the acknowledgment of human insufficiency, and by a submission in all things to that authority, from which there is no appeal, or to those lively oracles which along can make us wise unto salvation.

Is. 2. 22.

There is another defect, and, as it appears to me, of a serious nature, which pervades all the collections I have examined, and that is the almost total want of hymns on practical subjects, where christian obedience and moral duties are brought forward as they are in the scripture. These subjects form a very considerable part of the sacred volume. They are frequently incorporated in the book of Psalms; and I doubt not had a place in the compositions of the primitive christians, who were exhorted to teach and admonish one another in their hymns. As in a good sermon privilege and duty, should be set forth in their just proportions, something similar seems requisite in our devotional poetry. The following remarks may serve to confirm the fact just mentioned. In two of our most popular hymn-books (if we may judge of popu larity by the number of editions) the term work, or good works has no assigned place in the index. Another only mentions works as insufficient to justify. In three of these publications nothing occurs under the word holiness, except as desired. One popular collection, has only a single hymn under the term obedience; another none except as referring to the obedience of Christ; and two others, which I had the opportunity of examining, not a hymn distinguished by that name. In another, the largest perhaps composed by one author, I have not dis covered more than two bymns, which are proper

ly of that class. Thus the view, which these compilations exhibit of christian doctrine, is defective in a material and indispensable part of it. We complain of conformity to the world in our hearers; of the small influence our labours seem to have on their conversation; we are grieved to observe in the profession of many little more than that they are hearers of the word, and lament the prevalence of antinomianism but we seem in general not aware, that our very hymn-books, by withholding an important part of the divine counsel, may indirectly have been among the causes. It ap pears surprising that some of our ministers, when at a loss for hymns on practical subjects, have not attempted to supply them. Is it be cause those subjects, which are strictly called didactic, do not admit much animation, or embellishment in the language? They however admit, and require a style that is neat, clear and ner vous and in larger works persons of candour will make allowance for some prosaic lines, or repetitions, where the design is to promote the happiness of mankind by rectifying their moral conduct.

There are several hymns in our collections, descriptive of the heavenly state, where I think the writers have used too much freedom in describing scenes inaccessible to flesh and blood; for could we be admitted there, and return again. to these bodies, we should not be able to utter

the things we had seen. 2 Cor. 12. 4. 1 Jo. 3. 2. Borrowing their imagery from the most beautiful scenes in the visible creation, they have represented a heaven free indeed from evil, but resembling an earthly paradise. But as on all divine subjects, so especially on this, we should be careful not to exceed what is written. There is no need of a luxuriant imagination to lend her daring, but feeble aid; it will do us no good to trespass beyond the bounds which the Lord himself has drawn around the mount: He has revealed enough to engage the hearts and animate the hopes of his people, and, I may add, quite enough to dignify the language of man.

In my first plan I had designed not to distinguish the original hymns from the others, as availing nothing to edification; but having been particularly desired to print the former separate, I have so far attended to that request as to mark the original compositions with an asterisk.

The alterations in the selected hymns have been made with a view to purity of doctrine and general usefulness, rather than to any improvement in the language. It has however been my wish to have nothing in the style throughout this volume, to offend persons of education, and a taste for polite literature. But perspicuity in delivering truth, has been my predominant am. I have considered it a duty, and felt a prevailing desire to be understood by persons without learning, andof weak capacities;