Church-Pageantry DISPLAYED: OR, Organ-Worship, Arraigned and Condemned, As inconsistent with the Revelation and Worship of the Gospel, the Sentiments of the Ancient Fathers, the Church of England, and several Eminent Divines, both Protestants and Papists.  
That it may please Thee to bring into the Way of Truth all such as have Erred, and are Deceived.  
We beseech Thee to hear us good Lord. Amen!  The best Musical Instrument for God's Praise is an upright Heart. Bishop Cowper's Works Printed at London, 1621. Page 371. 
By Eugenius Junior— In ANSWER to a Letter about ORGANS.  
Nitimur in vetitum semper cupimusque negata.  
Is any Merry? Let him sing Psalms.  
LONDON: Printed for A. Baldwin, at the Oxford-Arms in Warwick-Lane, 1700.   

CHAP. I.  
The Introduction. The Patriarchal and Old Testament-Church about Three Thousand Years without Organ-Worship. An Account of other Instrumental Music used in Divine Praises. Organs and other Musical Instruments under the Legal Dispensation, Parts of the Ceremonial Law, instituted by Divine Authority; are not obligatory under the Gospel, no more than other Branches of the Ceremonial Law, which by the Confession of Organical Advocates are abrogated.  
SIR,  
THERE's no Request of yours, but is equivolent to a Command with me: Whereas in your Letter to the 20th. Current you earnestly craved my Sentiments about the use of Church-music; because a Friend of yours was going to erect a Pair of Organs in his Parochial-Church: I have complied with your Desires, and in the following Observations have delivered my own Thoughts, and the Judgement of many oothers, touching its unlawfulness under the Evangelical Oeconomy.  
Before I go on, I must beg the favour of you, as to give Place to calm and sober Thoughts, and impartially to weigh the force of my Evidence: And (in order to that) I hope you'll be so just as to read over the whole Essay, before you proceed to a judicial definitive Censure. I am persuaded you are of a candid Temper, and therefore I can the more freely communicate my Sentiments to you; and that I may the more effectually set the Affair in debate in its true Light, I'll begin with the first Rise and Use of Music and Musical Devotions.  
1. 'Twas about Three Thousand Years after the Creation, before any Organs were used in Divine Worship, That they were invented in the Infancy of the World, we readily grant. Gen. 4.21. Jubal, he was the Father of all such as handle Harp and Organ; but if one of the Posterity of Bloody Cain was the Contriver of these paltry sidling Pipes, will it therefore follow that their use in Sacred Services was equally Ancient, with their first Invention? But it's doubtful, whether the Organs mentioned in this Scripture be the same with ours, for the Hebrew Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Organs which comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lusit, adamavit, signifies quodvis instrumentum Musicum, quasi amabile dictum. Schindl. The Chaldee renders it, he was Master of all that Play on the Psaltery, and knew Music: And the Greek Version reads it, this was he that showed the Psaltry and the Harp,  
We have no Account of them as used in the Devotions of the Antediluvian Patriarches, and 'twas about Seven Hundred Years after the Deluge, before any sort of Instrumental Music was used in Divine Worship. The first remarkable Instance that occurs, we have in Exod. 15.20, 21. Where it's said, that Miriam the Prophetess took a Timbrel in her Hand, and all the Women went after her with Timbrels and with Dances. There are Three Things that show the invalidity of this Instance, in reference to the Point in debate (1.) You must Note, that this Woman was a Prophetess, and what she did was by an extraordinary impulse; now Sir, when any of our Organical Friends are actuated by a Prophetic Spirit, even let them use all the Cymbals, Timbrels, Tabrets, and Harps, upon the Terrestrial Globe, and spare not, and I do assure you I'll never interrupt their Musical Mirth; only let them stay till then. (2.) You must observe, that these were Women who played— and sung— but Paul has been so kind to the Female Sex in our Days as to tie their Tongues at Church; tho' now and then notwithstanding his Apostolical Injunction many of them will have their full share in iouncing and racketting David 's Psalms, and be as clamorous in their Responses as any of their Masculine Neighbours; and therefore, if you're inclined to follow the Miriamite Pattern, you may soon find a parcel of brisk singing Girls for the Purpose without going as far as Billingsgate for ' m. (3.) These Musical-Women danced at the same time, so that Sir, you may see without the help of a pair of Canonical Spectacles, that Dancing in Divine Worship is of the same Age with Instrumental Music: A capering Devotion can pretend to as great Antiquity in the Church as any sort of Instrumental Music. And therefore, I know no Reason why you should graciously receive the Musical Part of the Old Service into the Church, and utterly reject the Dancing part.  
2. It's acknowledged that Organs and other Instruments of Music were Parts of the Ceremonial Law, or things peculiar to the Jewish Pedagogy, as Circumcision, Passover, Sacrifices, Trumpets, Cymbals, were, Now if these and other Parts of the Legal Ceremonies are perfectly abolished, how comes it to pass that Organs are continued? Why should not the same Arguments conclude against the Ecclesiastical Use of Organs, as conclude against the Church-use of other Jewish Musical Instruments? Why should the worshipful Organs (forsooth) be readmitted into the Bosom of the Church, when other famous Instruments of Music are totally excluded? What warrant have you to restore and retain one Part of the Ceremonial Law more than another Part? Why a pair of Organs and not a brace of Timbrels? I believe neither you nor the Parson would Consent to have the Jewish Harps, Dances, Tabrets, Trumpets, Cymbals, and Psalteries, used in the Divine Service, and yet all these may be warrantably introduced into our Church, if your Arguments for Organs hold Water. Pray good Sir, even let's have a parcel of Ecclesiastical-Trumpeters, Church-Dancers, Canonical-Harpers and Tinkling-Cymbalists, as well as a cumbersome Herd of expenceful jovial Organists. The Greek Churches 
‖ Vid. Monsieur Lortie de Coen. ●om. p. 1. Cap. 6.  have upbraided the Papists for using a Roasted Lamb in the Lord's Supper, because 'twas Part of the Ceremonial-Law: But I'll not insist upon the monstrous Effects of Superstitious Love and Testy Zeal, because both of them are Blind; which (if you'll believe Scarron) made Aeneas once when he went to Sacrifice, mistake a black curled Spaniel for a black Ram.  
3. But under the Law the Musical Instruments in the Church were appoined by the Infallible Directions of Heaven, 2 Chron. 29.25. He set the Levites in the House of the Lord, with Cymbals, with Psalteries, and with Harps, according to the Command of David, and of Gad the King's Seer, and Nathan the Prophet, for so was the Command of the Lord by his Prophets. But pray Sir, where is your Command for Organical Worship under the Gospel? 've neither the Command of God, nor of the King, nor of the Parliament, nor of any Convocation, nor of any Canon, or Rubric, and yet maugre all these awful Powers, you'll be meddling with your Pipes and hank'ring after the forbidden Fruit. Tho. Aquinas, 
* Nihil debemus assumere in Divinum cultum Praeter ea quae nobis autoritate traduntur. Aquin. Sum. Qu. 91. Art. 1. Typ. Mand. Ven. MDLXXXVI  that grand Master of Church-Ceremonies; even he could say, That nothing aught to be introduced into the Divine Service, but what may be warranted by Scripture-Command. But lest you should take it as an Affront to be corrected by a Catholic Friend, while you have a Mother alive; I'll therefore bring you under the righteous Sentence of her Maternal Censure. Saith She, 
† Homilies Serm. of good Works. Part 3. p. 38.  Such has been the corrupt Inclination of Man ever superstitiously given, to make new honouring: of God, of his own Head, and then to have more Affection and Devotion to keep that, than to search out God's Commandments and do ' m. The Jews used them by Divine Order, and therefore, they were blest for the great End they were designed for, but that therefore God will bless them now to the same Ends, when they are not commanded, is such a Consequence that all the Espousers of the Organical Cause can never make good. What they did was the matter of a Divine Command, but being Ceremonial, 'twas abrogated by the Death of Christ, and therefore can't bind us under the Gospel. Upon which account you must produce some new Proof, Order, or Commission, or be Content to own yourselves guilty of adding the Traditions of sinful Men to the Sacred Canon. Because the stiffnecked Jews of Old used Organs, Psalteries, Trumpets and Cymbals, pursuant to the Heavenly Command, may you therefore do't now without a Command? This is most wonderful Logic, and it may be, may pass for good arguing among a profane Crew of singing Boys and their passionate Admirers.  
We are not under the Law, but under the Gospel. So the Church of England speaks. 
‖ Her Discourse about the Abolition of Ceremonies.  Christ's Gospel is not a Ceremonial Law, but it's a Religion to serve God, not in Bondage of the Figure or Shadow, but in the Freedom of the Spirit. That is, God is to be worshipped now under the Gospel in Spirit and in Truth, and not with the antiquated Ceremonies of the Law, such as Cymbals, Organs, Sacrifices, Trumpets, Psalteries— Now will any Man of common Sense plead for the use of a Thing as lawful under the Gospel, because 'twas made of Old a part of the Legal Service?  
4. And it's certain, the New Testament makes no mention of any Instrumental Music used in Divine Worship, and had it been really profitable, would the Holy Jesus and his faithful Apostles pass it by in such profound Silence? Now Mr. Chorister, I challenge you, or any of your Musical Tribe to prove that ever Christ or his Apostles used, recommended, or encouraged the Practice of Instrumental Music in the Sacred Assemblies of Christians. It's remarkable in Matth. 9.23, 24, 25. that Christ does no Miracle till he turns out the Pipers and Fiddlers.  
But suppose, for once we humour your Fancy about Organs, will you then tell me, when and where you'll stop? If this be allowed, may you not by Parity of Reason introduce the whole Body of Romish, Paganish, Judaical and Mahometan Ceremonies into the Church? If you are empowered to bring in so considerable a thing as a pair of Devotional Organs, why mayn't you 〈◊〉 the same Power fill the Church with a great many more new fangl'd Ceremonious Superstitions? And at this rate, why mayn't we expect a 〈…〉 of Articles, and new Schemes of Religion every new Year? 〈…〉 spawning of Novel Creeds and equipping out of Organical Confessio●● every Spring.   

CHAP. II.  
No Organs in the Primitive Church. They were first introduced into the New Testament Church by Pope Vitalian about Six Hundred Years after Christ, their use in Divine Service a Popish Practice in the Opinion of some Churchmen. Many of Opinion, they were not Churchifyed as soon as Vitalian's Time. For there were no Organs in France, and Germany in Aquinas' Time, which was about Five Hundred Years ago. The Fathers, as Clemens Alexandrinus, St. Chrysostom, Isidore, P. Theodoret, Ambrose, Austiu— against the use of Organs in the Church.  
SIR,  
1. IF what is wanting in the Sacred Text could be made good by Authentic Primitive Records, I should not have attended this Musical Business. I must needs say, that I own the Fathers of the Church the Debt of an Honourable Memory; and therefore, if you had fled for Refuge into the abstruse receptacles of venerable Antiquity, I would not have presumed to haunt you out of your Burroughs; but upon a little search into the Ancient Ecclesiastical Registers, you'll soon find that the Primo-Primitive-Christians never made use of Organs in their Applications to the Heavenly Throne.  
The Ancient Fathers in their Writings are wholly silent; they give us not the least hint that they approved of or had Organical Worship in the Church; but we have a new Generation of Pipers that are wiser than their Forefathers, and able to fathom the Indian Gulf, and if need be, reach the twinkling Stars with a Jacob's Staff. These are the evaporating Wits of the Age with whom alone (if you'll believe them) the Crystal Springs of Knowledge dwell. No doubt, but these Musical Gentlemen drew their first breath in Tempe or Parnassus, and had Apollo himself for their Progenitor, and the Harmonious Spheres for Nurses; for their first and last Notes are nothing else, but Lispt Meeter and Castalian Lays. But see how this sidling humour draws me out o'th' way.  
2. Say some, 'twas about Six Hundred Years after Christ before Organs were introduced into the Christian Church. The 
† Tandem Anno 666. pleno numero Bestiae, Apoc. 13. Cantum Latinum cum Organis Ecclesiae a Vitalino Pontifice susceperunt missamq deinde. Magdeb. Centur. Cent. 7. Cap. 6.  Centuriators tells us, That at last in the Year Six Hundred Sixty Six, in the full number of the Beast in Revel. 13th. the Churches received Latin singing with Organs from Pope Vitalian, and from thence began to say Latin Mass, and to set up Altars with Idolatrous Images.— And of this Opinion are Balaeus, Platina 
‖ Plat. in Vital.  and others. You may Note hence, that this Theatrical pompous sort of Worship was first hatched at Rome, where a great many other Ecclesiastical Gewgaws and Gibble-Gabbles have been invented; and had no meaner Person for its Original, than a Sovereign Pontiff, and he none of the best of the Purple Order, for by M. Prideaux he's ranked in the Class of usurping Nimrods'. And besides we must observe, that these Organs were introduced into Church in the Time of Popish Darkness, and were accompanied with Latin Service and Idolatrous Images—.  
And, that this sort of Organical Devotion looks like that of Rome, I Appeal to the Reverend 
* Vid. Ceremony Monger, Chap. 1. page 11. 17.  Mr. H. the present Rector of All Saints— in Colchester in Essex, who expresseth himself thus— His Cope, his Hood, his Surplice, his Rochet, his cringing Worship, his Altars with Candles on them, his Bagpipes or Organs, and in some Places Viols and Violins, and singing Boys are so very like Popery, that (saith he) I protest when I came in 1660. from beyond Sea to Paul's and White-Hall, I could scarce think myself to be in England, but in Spain or Portugal again, I saw so little difference but that their Service was in Latin and ours in English, but less intelligible and edifying by Reason of the inarticulate Boatus and braying, the alternate Jabberings and Mouthing of the People, whilst all of them read half the Psalms with a noise as confused as the rumbling Thunder; that any Man in the World that had seen High Mass beyond Sea, must say, that the Contrivance of both was to keep People in Ignorance, Bellarmine's Mother of Devotion.  
3. Some others are of Opinion, that the use of Organs in the Christian Church was not so early as this Pope's Time: For, long after that; Organs were unknown in France and Germany. Marianus Scotus tells us, they were first sent of a Token to King Pepin in France; Aventinus gives the same Account, but adds, that they came not into any Church in France till the Year 828. when by the Industry of a Venetian Priest they were there set up. Church-music was not introduced into the Western Churches before the Time of Ludovicus Pius about the Year 840. One Georgius a Greek Priest, who was recommended to the Emperor by Count Baldric persuaded him to admit into the Church 
† Aimon. Monach. de Gestis. Franc. lib. 4. Cap. 114.  inusitatam adhuc in regno Francorum melodiam. But Aquinas saith, there were no Organs used in the Church, in his Time, which was about the Twelfth Century. Thus you see, tho' the Learned vary in the Account they give of their Original, yet they all agree they were not used in Christian Assemblies for several hundred Years after Christ.  
4. As to the Fathers, it's plain, that they accounted Organs and other Musical Instruments in Divine Worship, as Parts of the Old Ceremonial Law, and suited only to the Infant State of the Church, and therefore no way Congruous to the spirituality of Gospel-Services; this will more plainly appear, by considering the subsequent Passages collected out of ' m.  
(1.) We'll begin with Justin Martyr 
† 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉— Just. Martyr. ad Orth. Quest. 107. , who Died about the Year 164. He saith to this Purpose, That in his Time there was only plain simple singing with the Voice used in the Church: And he calls the use of Church Music under the Old Testament, a puerile carnal Service, or a Childish serving of God.  
(2.) Clemens Alexandrinus, 
‖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉— Paedag. Lib. 2. Cap. 4.  who Lived about the Year 196. saith, we're commanded to Praise God on the Psaltery, that is on the Tongue, because the Tongue is the Psaltery of the Lord. Praise him with the Harp, that is, with the Mouth; Praise him with the loud tinkling Cymbal, that is, the Tongue. And a little further he saith, That then they made use only of one Instrument, the peaceful Word with which they honoured God. Note hence, (1.) That he looked upon the Jewish Church-music to be Typical, i. e. a resemblance, to emblematize or shadow out that inward Melody— which should be in Gospel Times, so saith Junius, Of those Things commanded by the Law, some were significative of some future Thing: Others were peculiar to that Church; now (saith he) to make use of things which were significative of some thing Future after the coming of Christ, is Wicked; and now to use those things which were peculiar to that Church is ridiculous. So that according to his Judgement the use of Church-music under the Gospel is either impious or ridiculous. (2.) Clemens in some of's Writings, complains much of the decay of Zeal and of the Power of Godliness among Professors in his Time, and yet I believe it ne'er entered into the Brains of the good Man, that a pair of Organs would have been a Remedy for that growing Evil.  
(3. St. Chrysostom, 
† 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉— in Ps. 144. Edit. etc.  who Died about the Year 407. saith, That under the Old Testament, there were Organs by which Songs of Praise were offered up to God, but now in the stead of Organs we make use of the Body, the Members of which become a Psaltery and a Harp—. And in another Place 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  speaking of Musical Instruments in God's Service, he saith, Let no Man deceive you, these appertain not to Christians: These are Alien to the Christian Church; all these the Nations of the World seek after. Note hence, (1.) He asserts that Organs— did not belong to Christian Worship. Either he was erroneous in's Judgement, or the Patrons of our melodious Organs are guilty of an unchristian Practice. But (2.) He makes those to be deceivers of the People that introduce Organs, or any other sort of Instrumental Music into Church-Worship: Here's a heavy Charge, and some Body must be Guilty; either the Father of the Church, or the Ecclesiastical Organeer. You must either brand the good old Man for a lying Scribbler, or own Organical Worship to be a mere Cheat, and a Church Delusion— Vtrum horum mavis accipe— (3.) He makes Organ-Worship to be a Heathenish Practice. This puts me in mind of what the Learned Dr. Stillingfleet 
† Orig. Sacr.  late Bishop of W. tells us out of Strabo, that the Corybantes of old in their Worship danced about with their Cymbals, Pipes, Drums, and Arms, as if Bedlam had been broke lose among ' m.  
(4.) Isidore Pelusiota, 
‖ Isid. Pel. lib. 1. Ep. 457. in Ps. 150. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  who Lived about the beginning of the Fourth Century, saith, If ye seek an Explication of that Music mentioned in Scripture, understand after this manner; viz. They praised God with the sound of a Trumpet in Memory of the Resurrection; which will be with a Trumpet. Praise him with the Psaltery and Harp, that is, with the Tongue and Mouth. Praise him with Strings and Organs, that is, with the Body and all the inward Parts.  
(5.) Theodoret, 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.— Theod. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Serm. 7.  who flourished about the Year 430. after Christ, saith, God indulged them (the Jews) the use of Musical Instruments, not that he was delighted with their Harmony, but so by little and little he put a stop to the deceit of Idols. And in another Place, he saith to this Effect, 
† 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉— Comment. in Ps. 32.2, 3.  that those Musical Instruments spoken of in the Old Testament agree to us, if they're understood spiritually— And we must render ourselves an Harmonious Organ to God, and Praise him by the Instruments of all the Senses.  
(6.) Ambrose, who Died Anno 397. 
‖ Aug. Confess. IX. 7.  introduced the Eastern Way of Singing at Milan, to divert the good People that watched with him in the Church, to prevent Justina, Valentinian's Mother, from delivering it to the Arians, whose Heresy she favoured: And from Milan that more artificial way of singing spread through the Western. Churches.  
(7.) This melodious Singing did so tickle St. Austin's Ears, and cause in him such a degree of carnal Delight, that the wishes 'twere laid aside in the Church, 
†— Ab auribus meis remcveri velim atque ipsius Ecclesiae. Conf. X. 33.  and reckons it much safer to imitate the Alexandrian Way of singing in Athanasius' Time, who made his Reader to sound the Psalm with so small a turn of his Voice, ut pronuncianti vicinor esset quam canenti. 
* Ibid.  If the more artificial Way of Vocal sing seemed ensnaring to this devout Father, what would he have said to our Modern Organical Consorts?  
(8.) Add to all these the Account we have of the Primitive Worship, viz. When the Congregation was assembled they first read the Scriptures, and sometimes other Writings, then Prayed, and then Preached, and concluded with Prayer. In our Public Assemblies saith 
† Scripturae leguntur, Psalmi canuntur, ad locutiones proferuntur, & petitiones delegantur. Tertull. de Anima Cap. 3.  Tertullian, (who Lived about the Year 202. after Christ) The Scriptures are Read, Psalms are Sung, Sermons Preached, and Prayers presented. Not a Word of Common Prayer, nor of the Vitalian and Gregorian Organical Cant; which things were not known in the Primitive Church.  
Thus you see the Venerable Fathers unanimously declare against the Ecclesiastical use of Organs; and therefore, you must either Rebel against their Paternal Authority, or be content to Knock under, as we say. The Church of Old looked like itself, a Pure, Holy Virgin; and had no Superstitious Ornamental Appendages to enhance its Native Simplicity.  
But Alas! How is her beautiful Face now mangled? As some of our modish Ladies, who (tho' Nature has accommodated them with comely Features, yet) ridiculously paint ' mselves: So some of our Prelatical Tantivies have so miserably daubed the Face of the Church with Organical and Spanish Dyes, and other Ceremonious Untempered Mortar, that if the Primitive Fathers were now alive again, they could not know their own Daughter.  — Hinc illae Lachrymae— 
We'll conclude this Chapter with that excellent Prayer of our Church, viz. God grant all us, the King's Highness, faithful and true Subjects, to feed of the sweet and savoury Bread of Gods own Word: And (as Christ commanded) eschew all our Pharisaical and Papistical leven of Man's feigned Religion— Homily of good Works, Part III. Page 38.   

CHAP. III.  
Many of the Reformed Churches without Organs. Animadversions on those that have ' m. Several Modern Divines, Churchmen, Papists, and others, and the Church of England itself, against the use of Organs in Divine Worship.  
IN the next Place, we'll consider the extent of this Organical Worship, and in doing that, it mayn't be amiss to lay before you an Account of those Places, where (1.) Organs are not used in their Spiritual Worship. And (2.) Where they are used.  
(1.) There are many of the Reformed Churches, and some of them, the best in the World, that never used Organs, or any other Musical Instruments in their Sacred Assemblies and Worship. As the Reformed Churches in Germany, the Helvetian and French Protestant Churches: Many of the Protestant Churches in Poland, Sweedland, Denmark, and many of those in the Belgic Provinces. The Hungarian, and Transylvanian Churches, and those of Piedmont. The Scotch Churches. All the Protestant Dissenting Churches, and indeed the greatest Number of Parish Churches in England and Ireland. Observe here, (1.) That the greatest Number, and some of the purest Protestant Churches in the World, have always been without Organs. And (2.) That the defect thereof, has been no hindrance to the flourishing State of those Churches; nay (3.) If we may judge of the Tree by its Fruit, some of the Anti-Organical Churches have been the most eminently Pious, and have most remarkably signalised their Courage and Constancy, in the persecuted Cause of Christ, and Defence of Gospel-Simplicity, which is the main Thing pleaded for in this Essay, in Opposition to pompous and carnal Devotion.  
(2.) On the other Hand, Organs are used in some of the Dutch Churches, in some of the Lutheran Churches, in Germany and Poland, and the Greek Churches; In our Cathedral Churches in England, and in some few Parochial Churches, and in the Popish Churches. But then,  
[1.] As to the Dutch Churches; it must be remembered that Organs were forced upon them by some Civil Magistrate against the Consent of the Dutch Ministers; for at the National Synod held at Middleb. Anno 1581. and in the Synod of Holland and Zealand in the Year, 1594. 'twas decreed, That they would endeavour to prevail with the Magistrates to banish Organs— out of their Churches. Nothing less than Banishment, it seems, would serve their turn. Such clamorous, noisy, bawling Creatures were not fit to dwell within the Calm, and orderly Territories of the Church.  
[2.] As to the Lutheran Churches; they ought not to be admitted as Patterns, for they approve of, and use many other Popish Novelties, which all other Protestants justly abhor and condemn, as, Auricular Confession, the Pictures of the Trinity, singing Psalms in Latin, Crucifixes in their Devotion— Cum multis aliis— But what if a Parcel of Consubstantiating Lutherans are inclined to divert ' mselves by the inarticulate sound of a few Musical Pipes, must it therefore follow that English Protestants should Dance after ' m? As to the Greek Churches their Errors in material Things are equally obvious—  
But (1.) Zepperus observes, that the Organs used in the Transmarine Reformed Churches are to Delight People at ordinary Times, when the Worship of God is not performed. But some of our highflown Cassandrian English Love a little innocent Auricular Diversion in their Ecclesiastical Retirements, and will not as much as open their Eyes towards the Heavens, till they're awakened and roused up by the sound of an Organical Machine. But that which makes me smile is, to see poor little diminutive Parishes so eager for Organs, when some of the Richest Parsonages in England are content to go to Heaven without ' m. But oh what a cursed Misery is it to be Poor and Proud!  
And (2.) He that Writes the late History of Denmark, 
An Account of Denmark, as 'twas in the Year 1692. Edit. 3. Chap. XVI. pag. 233.  tells us in Particular of the Danes, That they're all great Lovers of Organs, and have many very good ones, with skilful Organists, who entertain the Congregation with Music during half an Hour, either before or after Service.  
Nay (3.) It seems in Dr. Rivet's Time, only Vocal Music was used in our English Service, and saith he, 
*— Si in Anglia vel alibi iis utuntur, id aliis fit horis quam iis quae praeipuo Divino cultui sunt destinatae.— A. Rivet. Cathol. Orthod. Qu. 36. p. 564.  If Organs were used, 'twas not in the Hours of Divine Worship, but at other Times, and that to divert and recreate the People and not to edify ' m.  
[3.] And as to the English Churches; there are Three Things I would observe concerning ' m.  
1. That the Churches that have Organs are very few, compared with those that have no Organs at all. If they are so eminently useful in Devotion, as a mouthing Cathedralist Swears they are, there's no doubt but the Patrons and Rectors of our Rich Parochial Synagogues that are without them, would soon make their Ecclesiastical Arches echo, with the sound of Melodious and Charming Organists.  
2. Several eminent Churchmen, and other Reformed Divines have expressly showed their dislike of Organs in our Divine Worship. We'll begin with;  
The Learned Dr. Tailor's Opinion about this sort of Ecclesiastical Music. He delivers himself to this Purpose, The Use of Singing Psalms— is very apt for the Edification of Churches, but as for Musical Instruments, they are more apt to change Religion into Fancies, 
Dust. Dubit. lib. 3. about the 329. p.  and take off some of its simplicity, and are not so fitted for Edification. He seems plainly to assert, that this sort of Musical Service is really repugnant to spiritual Worship, which is particularly enjoined in the Gospel. And I've heard many Devout Kirk-men complain, that instead of elevating their Affections, it distracts their Thoughts, and diverts the mind from being seriously intent on the Matter Sung. But alas Sir, you're mista'en in our Organists, for they ne'er intended to be Religious among their Pipes.  
Mr. Maxwell, a Divine of the true Prelatical and Tory stamp, 
In his Book entitled, The Excellency of the Church of England above that of Geneva.  saith, We agree with Reformed Divines, that Instrumental Music is neither a Part of nor a help to Divine or Ecclesiastical Worship. Bravely said Maxwell! The highflown Scot is in the right on't; and the Confession is the more considerable, because it's voluntary, and not forced by the pressure of a Scotch Boot.  
Cowper, 
* His Works in Folio Printed at London, 1621. p. 371.  Bishop of Galloway, saith, That the best Musical Instrument for God's Praise, is an upright Heart: And in's Comment on the Revelations, saith, The Heart is the Harp, the Strings of the Heart are the Affections.  
The famous Dr. Lightfoot, 
† His Works, Vol. 11. p. 1060.  has a very pertinent Passage to the Purpose, saith he, Christ abolished the use of the Temple, as purely Ceremonious, but he perpetuated the Use of the Synagogue, such as Reading the Scriptures, Preaching, Praying and Singing of Psalms, and transplanted it into the Christian Church as purely Moral. Now observe, that Instrumental Music was part of the Temple-Service, and peculiarly so, for 'twas never used in the Jewish Synagogues, or in their Parochial Worship. And therefore 've no more warrant to recall it into the Christian Church, than we have to introduce Lamps, Dances, Frankincense, Silver Trumpets— or the like.  
Peter Martyr, 
‖ Pet. Mart. in Judg. c. 5.  (who died about Year 1562) speaking about this sort of Church Music saith, It cannot be lawfully retained, because the Auditors are so taken with it, that they cannot apprehend and perceive the Words if they would. And therefore, I think it's almost as good, for a Man to pay his Religious Devoirs to Heaven at B— in the midst of Rosemary-Lane S— where nothing is heard but the confused Rumbling of sonorous and clat'ring Tongues. Or, for aught I know, his Advantage may be as great, if he spends two or three Hours at a Quakers Dumb and Silent Conventicle. The Truth on't is Sir, I Love Music dearly well in its proper Time and Place; and Scruple not to divert myself now and then, by a pair of Domestical Organs, but really I had almost as good hear the Mysterious Humms of a Parcel of Leaden-Hall Quakers, as the loud inarticulate confused Noise of Ecclesiastical Pipes. The one is as intelligible and edifying as t'other: But I must not attend my demure Enthusiastical Quaker too long, lest my  be singed, for he smells strong of Italian Smoke which makes me presume there are some Roman Cinders in his Chimney.  
To proceed. Wendeline 
† Syst. Theol. Edit. Post. p. 1643.  saith of the same Music, That the Devil by a Canorous Music tempts the Ears of Christians, that it may emasculate and weaken their spiritual Vigour by a sweeter sound. So that you may conclude hence, when th' Organist Plays on's Pipes there's an invisible Dancer.  
Zanchy, on Eph. 5.19. saith, read St. Jerom on this Place— What he Writes against this Theatrical Gaudy sort of Music, by which Men are drawn to be more attended to the Melody of the Sound than the Words.  
Calvin saith, that the Jewish Altars and Frankincense, are every whit as lawful as Musical Instruments in God's Worship: But I'll not insist upon a Geneva Cut, when triangled Instances are so much in Fashion.  
Zuinglius (the first Reformer of the Helvetian Church) is very warm against this sort of Worship. 
* Zuinglii Act. Disp. 2. p. 106.  It's evident (saith he) that Ecclesiastical Chanting— is a most foolish vain abuse, and a most pernicious hindrance to Piety.  
Pezelius, 
† Pez. in Sleid. de Quatuor Imperiis.  who was Professor of Divinity at Bremen in the lower Circle of Saxony, in his Notes upon Sleidan, calls the Musical Instruments of Pope Vitalian, the Thiefs of Prayer, and the Word Preached.  
Many more might be added, but I'll conclude this Head with the Judgement of the Thirty Two Protestant Commissioners, who were in the Reign of Henry VIII. and Edward VI appointed by Act of Parliament to examine and purge all Canons, Constitutions, and Ordinances, Provincial and Synodal, do declare, that they would have all Instrumental Music as Organs— quite taken away out of the Church. 
Reformatio legum Anglicarum de Divinis Officiis. Imperf. Tract.  The same Commission was revived in Queen Elizabeth 's Reign, but quickly dropped, and to the great Prejudice of the Church has slept ever since, as the Learned and Reverend Bishop Burnet saith.  
The Persons Deputed to this Purpose were, Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, Ridley Bishop of London, Ponet Bishop of Winchester, Goodrick Bishop of Ely, Coverdale Bishop of Exeter, Hooper Bishop of Gloucester, Knight Bishop of Bath, Scory Bishop of Rochester, Mr. Taylor of Lincoln, Mr. Cox the King's Almoner, Parker of Cambridge, Latimer, Cook, Pet. Martyr, Sir John Cheek, John a Lasco, Mr. Peter, Mr. Cecyl, Sir Tho. Smith, Mr. Taylor of Hadley, Dr. May, Mr. Traheron, Dr. Lyel, Mr. Skiner, Justice Hales, Justice Bromley, Goodrick, Gosnal, Stamford, Carel, Lucas and Brook Recorder of London.  
These were the Flowers of the English Reformation, and Men eminent for Sacred and Polite Literature. And I think the Judgement of such a valuable Sett of Men deserves a Particular Regard. And therefore wonder with what Confidence some can pretend to have such a mighty Veneration for our first Reformers, when yet they so zealously defend, and are so eager for retaining; what the Old Reformers thought better abolished and quite removed.  
Thus you have th' express Opinion of many great and good Men against your erecting a pair of Devotional Organs in the Christian Church. But if you think, that you can't attain the Supremacy of Bliss without Converting the Church into an Organical Choir, even go on, and let your well-instructed Organist begin his Anthem of O be joyful— while the rest of the Parish are devoutly Praying, like ' mselves, From all blindness of Heart, from Pride, Vainglory, and from all the Deceits of the World, the Flesh, and the Devil— and Contempt of thy Word and Commandment. Good Lord deliver us. And for once I'll suppose myself in the AMEN-Officer's Desk, and presume to say A— m— e— n—. But before you begin, you'd do well to take Advice from those that are able to give it, and who more fit to Counsel you in this Grand Affair than,  
3. The Church of England itself, whose Judgement comes next to be considered, and if you'll not be advised by her, for my Part I shall give you over as a pack of obstinate Sons of the Church. But what saith the Church of England? Why, to be brief, She utterly Condemns the Use of Organs in Divine Worship, as unlawful, and Thanks God She was rid of them in the Infancy of the Reformation; as appears by the following Passage out of her Homilies— Alas Gossip (said a Woman to her Neighbour) What shall we do at Church? Since all the Saints (or Images) are taken away; since all the goodly sights we were wont to have are gone; 
Book of Homilies of the Time and Place of Prayer. Part II. p. 131. Lond. Prinsed 1621.  since we cannot hear the like Piping, Singing, Chanting, and playing upon the Organs that we could hear before— To this the Church very gravely Replies, But dearly Beloved, we ought greatly to rejoice and give God thanks, that our Churches are delivered out of all those things which displeased God so sore and filthily defiled his Holy House—.  
Take Notice here, (1.) That 'twas the Opinion of the Church of England in Queen Elizabeth's days, that Organs— in Churches did greatly displease God. And are they more acceptable in God's account now? Or are our Ecclesiastical Engineers grown more wise than their famous Ancestors? (2.) That Organs— did filthily defile God's House; and therefore she thanks God for the removal of this Organical defilement among other Superstitions. But lest you should Question the Authenticalness of the good Old Homilies, and to look upon the Evidence as weak and impertinent; I'll add, (3.) That the Thirty Fifth Article of the Church of England, confirms the Doctrine of the Homilies, as good, sound, and wholesome. Whoever therefore asserts this New, or rather Old Romish mode of Worship by Organs, directly contradicts the Judgement of the Renowned Church of England, And yet these Organical Hotspurs would be thought her only true Sons, tho' at the same time they publicly and cotumaciously Rebel against her Maternal Authority. The Church of England in another place saith, 
*— Of Ceremonies why some be abolished, and some retained in the Preface part of the Common Prayer.  That some Ceremonies entered into the Church by indiscreet Devotion, and such a Zeal as was without Knowledge. And for because they were winked at in the beginning, they grew daily to more and more abuses, which not only for their unprofitableness, but also because they have much blinded the people, and obscured the Glory of God, are worthy to be cut away and clean rejected:— Injenuous Confession Monstrum horrendum— The Mother and Children so very unlike! What pity is it that so Excellent a Mother should have such a degenerate Brood— but corruptio optimi, pessima.  
[4.] As to the Popish Churches, I shall only declare the Sentiments of some of their learned Men touching the concern in debate. We'll begin,  
1. With Thomas Aquinas, 
† Instrumenta Musica sicut Cytharas— non assu●it Ecclesia in Divinas laudes nè videatur judaizare— Aquin. Sum. 2a. 2ae. Qu. 91. Art. 2. Obj. 4 ta.  who lived about the Year 1270, he tells us that Organs were not received into the Church, in his time. The Church (saith he) does not take Musical Instruments into the Divine Praises, lest it should seem to judaize. And it's observable that Cardinal Cajetan 
‖ Notandum tempore Thomae— Cajet. in eund. loc sum Tho. Aquin.  upon Aquinas saith, Take notice that in the times of St. Thomas the Church made no use of Organs. And Gregory de Valentia is of the same Opinion. It's manifest from hence that the Gallican Churches which boast so much of Antiquity, had no Organs in their Churches about 500 Years ago.  
2. Others of the Romish Stamp look upon Organs to be really prejudicial to the Devotion of the Holy Church tho' they may accidentally excite the Mind.  
Cornelius Agrippa (who was Counsellor to Charles the V and a Papist as appears by his Reflections on Luther) vehemently 
† De Vanitate Scient. Cap. 6. & 17.  declaims against Organs as abused ad fornicariam pruriginem, and filling the Church with such a loud noise that the Worshippers can neither hear nor attend to what is spoken: He looks upon Church-music to be a Lecherous licentious sort of Devotion, and resents it ill that the Holy Mysteries should be chanted out by a Company of wanton Musicians who'd hired with a great Sum of Money— 
* Ibid. . And Aquinas in th' above quoted Question, 
† Aquin. Sum 2a. 2ae. Qu. 91. Art. 2. Resp. 4ta. ad 4t. Objectionem.  saith out of Aristotle, That those sort of Musical Instruments, do rather Create in the Mind a sensual Delectation, than Form in the Mind a good Disposition.  
Another Learned Papist, who resolved not t'approve all he saw and heard in the Romish Synagogue, saith in these Words. Let a Man be a greater Worldling than Crassus, a greater Reviler than Zoilus, yet is he accouned a Devout Man, because he Sings Service well, tho' he understands nothing of it— Nor are they Content with this, but we have also brought into Churches, a Laborious and Theatrical Music, a tumultuous prattling of divers Voices, such a one as I think was ne'er heard upon any Stage among the Romans or Grecians— All Places roar with Pipes, 
Eras. in 1 Corinth. Cap. 14.  Trumpets, Cornets, Dulcimers, and with these men's Voices are mixed; Lovesongs, and Filthy Songs (to which Whores and Mimics Dance) are heard. People run to Church as to a Stage to tickle their Ears, and for this use are bred Organists and maintained at great Charge— A Rabble of sordid and light Persons is bred, and the Church is loaded with their maintenance, and that too for a pestilent Employment. How many poor People that are ready to famish might be maintained with the Salaries of these singing Men?  
It's remarkable how our Author saith, that People came to Church as to a Stage-play, and Hospinian saith, they went away ordinarily as soon as th' Music (for which alone they came) was over. And it's well if th' Organical Part of Mankind be reformed in our Days. Now Sir, shall Protestants declare so vehemently for th' use of these Ecclesiastical Whistles, when even Roman Catholics ' mselves condemn them as Enemies to spiritual Devotion? And those of them that Dance after these Pipes, how do they laugh at us for being their  Apes. It's to me unaccountable, that there should be any English Protestants, who in spite of Scripture, Reason, Antiquity, and th' Church itself, I say, in spite of all these, will yet be the Pope's Baboons and expose th' English Reformation to the Jeers of Jesuits, Priests, and Friars, who deride us sadly for this notorious Piece of Religious Mimickry.   

CHAP. IU.  
Organ Worship an improper Method to correspond with the End of Religion. The Grand Organical Objection, considered and answered. The ill Consequence and the pretended good Effects of Religious Organs examined. Th' Erecting Organs in a Parochial Church— against th' Act of Uniformity, and an unnecessary Charge to a Parish. Organs rob the Poor. Conclusion.  
PRay Sir make your Conscience Chancellor in the Cause, and tell me whether you really think the Heart-searching God is pleased with such Theatrical Pomp, and noisy Ostentation in his Worship? Or whether your Organical Chanting will recommend your Devotion any whit the more unto a Holy God? Will that which tickles our itching Ears, be delightful Melody in th' Ears of th' Eternal Being? Will he be affected with that which pleases our distempered Fancies? What, has th' Almighty greater respect to the artificial sound of an Organ-pipe, than to the dolorous Cries of a penitent Sinner? To affirm any such thing, would be wickedly to represent Almighty God, as if he were tinctured with the Vanity of degenerate Mortals.  
It may be there are some Superstitious Fops, and empty Noddies, that may admire and applaud a Worship dressed up Ala●node de Rome, de Spain, de Portugal, (I had almost forgot St. Germane En lay) with the glittering Ornaments of gaudy Ribbons, and towering Topknots, but I'm sure wise and devout Protestants that know better things, will Pity their Childish Simplicity, and Laugh at their Ridiculous Fooleries.  
Lactantius Reprimands the Heathens severely, for believing that their Gods did love what they affected, 
Lactant. Instit. Lib. 2. Cap. 7.  and for believing that their Temples had so much the more Majesty, by how much they were gay and adorned. So the Church of England speaking of Church Images, Precious Vestures, 
Hom. against the Peril of Idol. and Superstitious decking of Churches. Part I. p. 12.  and other Glittering Ornaments of the Church; saith, 've nothing at all profited such as were Wise and of Understanding, but have greatly hurt the simple and unwise, occasioning them thereby to commit most horrible Idolatry.  
Objection, But Organs are helps to Devotion. You must know Sir that generally we're a Parcel of dull Souls, especially at Church, and the Senses of too many of us are extremely stupefied by Banly Opiates, that the most charming Magic in our Rubric can't possibly revive us; and therefore have Thought of this Organical Expedient to New-vamp our Devotion. For, the Truth on't is, we're even tired (and I believe the most laborious Ploughman or Ditcher in the Parish, would not like it as hard as the Times are) to be served with Coleworts all the Year round, and therefore we're fully resolved to get a few Ecclesiastical Dainties to revive our drooping Spirits.  
To which I Answer in these following Particulars.  

(1.) The Learned Bishop Burnet saith, 
* Bishop B's. Abridg. of the Hist. of the Church of England, Edit. 2. Preface p. 7.  All the helps to Devotion, that the Gospel offers are in every one's Hands. But Organs are not in every Body's Hands, and therefore according to his Judgement are no helps to Devotion.  
(2.) I must needs say, that's even a sad lame Devotion, that stands in need of a few tweedling Organ-pipes to make it more brisk and lively. Methinks by th' Air of this Objection your Organical Friends want a little Bottled Ale, or a Dram of the Cask, but because the Kirk-Wardens will not allow the Temple to be turned into a Tippling-house, therefore you must have something else for that Time, to elevate your depressed Minds; and nothing like to a pair of rousing melodious Organs.   
Surely Sir, 've a great many Phlegmatich Sinners among us, and I wish there be no Saulites in the Hierarchy, when there's such violent Application made to Musical Diversions and Organical Plays. The Learned Parous saith, that, to Advocate for Organs is impertinent, for adds he, In the Church the Mind is not to be raised to God, and spiritual Joy, by Pipes, Trumpets, and Timbrels (which God of old indulged his People who were of a stiff neck and dull stupid Mind) but by sacred Sermons, 
Hinc vero Organorum usum templis velle defendere ineptum est— In Ecclesia excitandus est animus ad Deum & loetitiam non tibiis, tubis tympanis (quod veteri durae cervicis & stupidae mentis populo Deus olim indulsit) sed sacris concionibus, Psalmodiis & Hymnis. Com. in 1 Cor. 14.7. p. 599. Edit. 2de.  Psalms and Hymns— Observe here, (1.) He calls the Votaries of Organs a foolish impertinent sort of People. And it's no wonder, he brands them with so black a Character, when they leave the Substance and run after the Shadow. When an Heir is impleaded for an Idiot, the Judge commands an Apple— or a Counter— with a Piece of Gold— to be set before him, to try which he'll take; and if he takes th' Apple, or the Counter, and leave the Gold; he's then cast for a Fool: For he knows not the value of things, or how to make a true Election. And are not our Organical Sinners thus foolish? For when Bugels, and Diamonds, Brass Counters, and Gold are set before them; they leave the Diamonds and Gold of the Gospel, and please ' mselves with the Ceremonious Toys, and Baubles of an abrogated Law. And (2.) He Asserts, that spiritual Joy is not raised by Musical Instruments; and if so, than the Church-use of Organs is notoriously impertinent. (3) He adds, that the Jews were indulged in the use of them, because they were a stiffnecked stupid People. Now, methinks, our Organical Neighbours look as like a parcel of Stubborn Jews, as one Egg to another; and some of them are as stiffnecked Bigots, as ever the Jerusalem Jews were when besieged by Vespasian; and as an evidence of their more than Jewish Bigotry, they make Idols of Ceremonies, and had rather see the Kingdom run down with Protestant Blood than Part with the least Hemm of a Consecrated Frock; but they (forward Souls) will step more than half way o'er th' Hedge to meet his Holiness of Rome.  
But lest you should think I'm a little too uncharitable, give me leave to tell you, I deliver not my own Judgement, but that of the Church of England herself, for she in her Discourse of Ceremonies— has this remarkable Passage— And whereas in this our Time, the Minds of Men are so divers, that some think it a great Matter of Conscience to departed from a piece of the least of their Ceremonies, they be so addicted to their Old Customs—  
And that you have a Pack of dull Animals in the Prelatical Constitution, you acknowledged to me in your Fourth Letter, wherein you added, That these were the Poor Creatures that stood in need of a little Organical Assistance, and 'twas an Act of Charity to relieve them; and you may remember that in my Answer, I resolved this, and a great many other Parochial Irregularities into the Ignorance, ill Morals, and ill Conduct of some dignified Drones among us, who labour more for the Fleece than for the Flock. But then Sir, I made a Distinction, and in particular assured you, that the Parson of my own Parish, was a Man of good Morals, good Learning and of great Pains; and therefore was justly excluded from those Censures. If all that wear his Coat had but his Learning, and exemplary Life; I'm sure our Critical Adversaries would have no grounded occasion to hit us i'th' Teeth with the Scandals of Clergymen.  
(3.) If Organs may be used in Church-Worship, to elevate our Affections? Why mayn't other Inventions be added, that may as effectually Answer the same End? I'll grant you as much as you desire, that Music may accidentally elevate a drowsy Mind; but so do a great many other things, as a Skeleton, a Bloody Lamb, Devotional Images and Pictures, and the Crucisix, if you're i'th' Humour to believe Lutherans and Romans; but must they therefore be brought into Church, and made a Part of the Ceremonial Service? Risum teneatis—  
(4.) Are Organs helps to Devotion? The Papists say the same of their Images, Crucifixes, Lighted Candles, and all the stupendous Relics mentioned in their Celebrated Legends.  
Bellarmine makes a hideous Clamour about's Altars, Crosses, Images, 
Apud nos Altaria, Cruces, Imagines—  Relics and pictured Walls, those are they, saith he, that stir up Persons to Piety. This is the very Language of our Organical Votaries: By which we may Conjecture, that there's a Snake in the Grass, for they can't plead for an Organ, or Chant out an Ecclesiastical Ode, but th' Old Cardinal's Cant must be the Burden of the Song, and then off it goes with a Bongrace.  
The Papists say, they don't adore th' Image, but only use it as a visible medium as they do Organs, 
Ne Imagini quidem Christi in quantum est lignum Sculptum ulla datur reverentia. Aquinas.  by which they Worship the Invisible God; and yet we count that Idolatry in them, and Pray Sir, are not our Organical Worshippers equally Guilty? Or is that a Virtue in our Members of th' English Reformed Church, which is a Vice in the Panders of the painted Jezabel of Rome? And upon the same pretence as Organs are introduced into Divine Service, the Walls of our Church may be filled with devotional Pictures to inflame th'. Affections; in fine what's there that an English Protestant can say for an Organ, which an Italian Papist will not say for a Crucifix and Carved Images, the darling Instruments of Romish Devotion: The Truth on't is, for you t' assert that by th' use of Organical Melody your Affections are raised to the Supreme Being, is in Effect the same, as if a Woman should say, that she keeps Company with another Man to raise her Affections to her absent Husband.  
(5.) By this Objection, you acknowledge not only the grievous lameness of your Church-Devotion, but th' ineffectualness of the Common-Prayer to Cure it; otherwise, what need of consulting the Vitalian Oracle? This puts me in mind of Serenus Cressy, 
* Vid. his Letter to Mr. B. about Baker's Book.  who forsook the Church of England, because (as be saith) he found no spiritual Devotion in't. And Hutchinson, alias," Berry the Priest Writes, 
† B. Cain and Abel, p. 134, 135.  That the most of serious Godliness among English Protestants is found among those called Puritans. But I'm sure, the Modern Puritans have more Charity for their Friends and Neighbours, than th' Objector's Catholic Friend has.  
Here's then a very considerable defect acknowledged; that the Prayers and Preachments of the Church are liveless and dull, for the Affections of these Organical Gentlemen are not excited by them, but that we mayn't always be dull and drowsy; her's a Muisical expedient thought upon, and the Church-Worship shall be turned into a Stage-diversion, and an Artificial contrivance: and which (I think) should it universally prevail, will transform all Religion into mere Mechanism. However, I am glad to hear your languishing Devotion is of th' mending Hand; and that you are resolved to shake off that Ecclesiastical Rust, which your Affections have contracted for the want of rousing and powerful Pulpiteers. But oh the strange Effects of Organ-Pipes! What charming influence have they on dull and Melancholy Souls! And now therefore, who more happy than the Inhabitants of Organical Parishes? By consecrated Bells, they can drive away the Infernal Hobgoblins, (if they have but Faith enough to Believe what a Spanish Jesuit will Swear to be true) and by the help of a pair of Melodious Organs, they may Conjure not only the lazy and Ess-hole, but all the Calvinistical Parishioners to Church, and so their Pews shall be as throng as three in a Bed.  
This puts me in Mind of a certain Philosopher, who complained that when he spoke Soberly to the People, they gave him no Audience but playing on's Pipes Multitudes floct after him.  
Oh rare Melody! What pity it's all our Parlours are not Converted into so many pompous Theatrical Quires; and that all our Bairnes and Servants are not trained up in this Organical way. What more revicing than a Canonical Consort of Music! What strange and wonderful feats have been performed by the Melodious charms of Musical Pipes.  
These were the sweet Sirens that charmed the famous Ulysses' and's Companions. And Theophrastus tells us, that by the Art of Music the pain of the Hip-Gout has been cured. Here's good news to our Gouty-Parishioners; if they can but make shift to creep to Church and lay their left Ear to the leading Organ-Pipe, the Cure is Effected, only they must be sure to pay the Piper, for Money is all— Nay Zenocrates cured Madmen by the means of Music. Well then, if you'll be advised by a Friend; send your Organical Music to New-Bedlam, and first try the experiment there, for I'm sure there are many in that dismal Place that want help: Particularly two forlorn Church Parsons, Mr. Pr—d. d. Who you'll find i'th' Tenth Figure. And Mr. Perkins, who was put in but few Months ago by my Lord Mayor upon the Request of his Grace of Canterbury, as the public News told us. I'd have you make trial of skill on them, for a good pair of Organs are an admirable Catholicon; and therefore don't despair of success. And when 've turned Bedlam into a College of Wisdom, I do assure you, I'll hearty join Hand and Heart with you, and be the most forward in the Crowd to Cry, Oh happy Cathedralists! And what mighty Advantage have those that dwell near a Cathedral or an Organical Church! Where a Man Ears shall be constantly regaled with Harmonious Melody, and the Health of the Body secured by the secret Charms of Canonical chanting: And what is more (for 've reserved the best Wine till last) the sweet and Melodious sound of the Pipes (especially if they be consecrated) will Effectually dispel all gloomy Thoughts out of your Minds, and you shall be as Merry as forty Beggars in a Barn, and never fall any more into the Quagmire of Melancholy and madness. But after all the Patriarches of St. David's, and St. Asaph, must confess that the charming Melody of Organs has not been able to preserve the Sacred Choir from the great Plague of Simony. But both Church and State have honourably Acquitted ' emselves from this Gild, by exposing the Criminals to the Righteous and public Censure of the Law.  
But pray Sir, to be serious, upon what bottom do your Friends and you go? I've been told you can't regularly Erect a pair of Organs in your Parish-Church, unless you be Authorised by some just Power; either by the King, Parliament, Convocation, Canons, or Rubric. And if you're not authorised by these or some or one of them, I humbly conceive you're accountable to Authority for a breach of the Law of Uniformity. But I'm sure 've not power from His Majesty, no warrant from any Statute Enacted by Parliament, nor from any Canon, or any Convocation, nor from any Rubric in our English-Common-Prayer-Book, for the setting up Organ-Worship in your Parochial Church. And many of the Learned are of Opinion, that according to th' Act of Uniformity, and the Constitution of the Church of England, no particular Pastor of a Parish-Church is allowed to introduce new Rites and Modes of Worship into his Parish-Church over and above what are Appointed by the Act of Uniformity, without a warrant either from a Parliament, or Convocation.  
The Church of England herself speaks expressly to this very purpose in her Discourse, about the Abolition of Ceremonies, Her Words are, That no Man ought to take in Hand, or presume to appoint— any public or common Order in Christ's Church, except he be lawfully called, and authorised thereunto. Pray then Sir, have not your Organical Friends by their appointing this new Model of Worship, outrun Canons, Convocations, Rubrics, and Homilies, and travelled as far as Rome itself before some of their Brethren have crept as far as Canterbury? And pray Sir, mayn't overdoing the Rule, as well as underdoing? Mayn't excesses as well as defects in reference to the same Canon be a real Schism in the Church? How comes it to pass that only defects in Dissenters are Sins, and yet excesses in Conformists are such Virtues? Why is't that a Man may advance towards Rome and be no Schismatic, but yet one glance o'th' Eye towards Geneva makes him a damnable one: What is't not Crime in a Churchman to out run the Constable? In a word, mayn't the Statute of Uniformity be violated by a Supra-Conformity, as well as by Subter-Conformity? And if so, your Organ-Adorers ought to be Excommunicated ipso facto, and not restored until they Repent and publicly revoke this wicked Error, As to Mr. Baxter's Arguguments for Organs, I'm ready to account for them if called upon—  
And as to the Parish itself, where these Organs are to be Erected: It's reported to be generally poor, and not without just reasons, complains bitterly of some late unreasonable Impositions laid upon't by Lay-kirk-Officers. And Sir, shall we encourage them to add to the Burden? For you know that the purchase of a pair of Organs will be very chargeable. And must the Purses of the poor Parishioners be squeezed again to gratify the Musical fancy of a few Persons, that are a little more Merrily given than their mortified Neighbours.  
Besides, will any of our Friends be so unnatural to Posterity, as to entail perpetual Italian Gabels, as an Inheritance upon ' m? For you and they can't but know, that a pair of Organs will be a constant Charge to the Parish; and 've already more Poor than you're well able to maintain.  
Therefore in the Name of the Poor of the Parish, what do you mean? Will you bring in the Babylonian Bell and Dragon among them, to devour them a live? I've read that Pharoah's Lean Kine eat up the Fat Ones; but for the Fat Ones to eat up the Lean, is most horridly unconscionably. But thus 'tis in some Towns and Parishes, as in some Fishponds, Five or Ten great Jacks devour all the small Fry; and so if things go on at this rate; in a short time we must all join in Consort with the Jovial Beggar and sing, A begging we willgo—  
The poor Parishioners must throw away their Money upon Organs; when ('tmay be) their Family want Bread at home. Nay, and these poor Sheep must not bleat neither, tho' severely clipped; they must be dumb, and if any of them be so mad as plead Poverty, or complain of Oppression, than a parcel of sinful Scoundrels are immediately sent to rifle the House, and these (forsooth) are authorised to turn Auctioneers, and to sell the Poor man's Goods by an inch of Candle; and his Neighbour for's impertinence is consigned over to the Ecclesiastical Purgatory, (the most intolerable Grievance that the English Nation this Day groans under 
* Notes in usum Sarum p. ) where he's worried out of's Life, by a mercyless Crew of Infernal Locusts, that feed upon the Sins of the People.  
Now Sir, it's hoped you're in some measure convinced how you and your Organical Companions, have Erred and strayed from your Ways like lost Sheep, and have followed too much the Devices and desires of your own Hearts— for, from the whole, it's evident that Organ-Worship, was part of the Ceremonial Law, which is now abrogated; that the Apostolical and Primitive Fathers, have not as much as a favourable Sentence to befriend the Cause of your admired Organs, that Organ-Worship is a Popish Neoterical practice, foisted into the Church, when Churchmen had prostituted ' mselves to the Babylonian Whore; and ever since this and such like Meritorious Pomp has been accounted the greatest Splendour of the Romish Hierarchy.  
The Church of England herself has born a very ample Testimony against you, and what will the true Sons of the Church, as they call ' mselves, have no Umbrage of regard to her grave Dictates? To own her as a Mother, and yet to slight her Advice, shows that you mind your beloved Organs more than your Fifth Commandment. In a forequoted place, the Church complains bitterly of the excess and Multitude of Ceremonies, that the burden of them was intolerable— These are her own Words. And what will you add more, when your good Ancient Mother complains there are too many already? One would think that they that cry up the Church, the Church, should show greater degrees of Reverence to her Maternal Authority, and not prefer sensitive Contentments before their Mother's Blessing.  
But I perceive that those who Proclaim themselves the Sons of the Church (and pray make Room for them, for they be bulky ones, God bless them) after all, are but a parcel of overgrown Children, that are past Correction: And Children will be Children still, and therefore no wonder, that there are so many taken up with Childish Toys and Bartholomew trifles, but one would think you and your Musical Acquaintance big enough to be ashamed to ride upon a Penny Colt, or a two Penny Gelding; though the famous Alcibiades did once (to please a Child) Condescend  Ludere par impar equitare arundine longâ. 
To play the Fool at Even or Old  
And for a Hobby-horse ride a Rod.  
But if Organs are so eminently useful, pray shall I ask you a few Innocent Questions before we part.  
1. Why have you been so long without ' m? No doubt but ye are the Men, and Wisdom shall die with you. But how then comes it to pass that you did not think sooner of this Ecclesiastical Artillery to mend your crazy Devotion? Or were our Organical Friends born under a Midsummer-Moon? Whether they were or not, I dare not pretend to so much Astrology as to determine it. But sure I am, the Lord of their First-House was wonderfully culminant, or else it's impossible it should ever enter into their Pericrany's to advance Folly and Vanity, Pride and Pomp into the Ecclesiastical Throne in so notorious a manner.  
2. If Music in Divine Worship be so good; why don't you add more Musical Instruments? For good added to good, makes the greater good; and you know two good things are better than one, and the more the Merrier. Ay but nothing compared to a pair of Organs: Oh Organs! dainty brave Organs! they're all in all, the very Cream of the jest and Prim'st Jannock i'th' oon. In a word, 've luckily hit upon a Sovereign Remedy that'l never fail to rouse up the most Phlegmatic Endymion in the Paroch.  
3. If there be such Excellency in Organs, why are there so many Parishes that were never yet honoured with a Choir of Musical Levites? If they're ignorant, and done't know the worth of this sort of Musical Devotion: Then the Beams of the Ecclesiastical Light are not so diffusive and penetrating as is usually pretended, and our Parochial Guides are accountable for this our damnable Sin of Ignorance. But and if they be poor, and can't purchase and maintain a pair of Expenceful Organs without selling their Patrimony; then in the Name of the poor Parishes of England, I humbly beg and beseech all Parsons (by what Names or Titles soever dignified or distinguished) who have their hundreds and their thousands per Annnm, to contribute towards the purchasing of Religious Organs for them, and towards the Annual charge that attend them; But mum, not a Penny I'll secure you.  
But it's time to think of parting, for it's late: And besides, you know it's excessive Cold; and that our Consort of vocal and Instrumental Music has lasted long; longer than any that has been known in Salisbury-Court for these Seven Years last passed.  
〈◊〉 pray Sir, Excuse my freedom, and attribute the Exorbitancy of my Pen, to that pleasant motion which the very thoughts of Melodious Music put upon my juvenile Blood. And as to this trouble, I question not, but you'll be so just as to place it to your own Account, because your excess of Reverence for Ecclesiastical Music, and your earnest Request to me for my Sentiments about it, drew it upon yourself; and I hope you'll Love me never the less, because I part abruptly, and conclude without Ceremony,  
SIR, Yours Affectionately to serve you without the Accent of Organs.   

ADVERTISEMENT.  
A Letter to a Friend in the Country, concerning the Use of Instrumental Music in the Worship of God: In Answer to Mr. Newte's Sermon Preached at Tiverton in Devon, on the Occasion of an Organ being Erected in that Parish-Church. Printed for A. Baldwin, at the Oxfard-Arms in Warwick-Lane, 1698.