*>tfi ?*. msmm UB1 THESAURUS IB! COR iV. Cla** Q&fe ':.-'*.: FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY //i77 . -^; */ #y ^ THE GREAT A Mil SICK. In Two Parts. CONTAINING An Account of the life and Defign of Musick among the Antient Jews, Greeks, Romans, and others ; with their Concern for, and Care to prevent the Abufe thereof. AND ALSO An Account of the Immorality and Profanenefs, which is occafioned by the Corruption of that moft Noble Science in the Prefent Age - // By ARTHUR BEDFORD, M.A. Chaplain to His Grace Wriothefly Duke of Bedford, and Vicar of Temple in the City of BriftoL L O ND O N: Printed by %H, for John Wyatt at the Rofe in St. Paul's Church-yard. 1 7 1 1 . To the Much Efteemed SO CI ETY For Promoting of Chriftian Knowledge, Is this Treatise moft humbly DedU cated, as an Acknowledgment of the Signal Services, which they have done to Religion, within the King- dom of Great Britain, By a Sincere, tho an Unworthy, Correfponding Member, The CONTENTS. PART L CK A P. I. Of the Anti- ent Ufe and Defign of Mufick among the Eqftern Nations, efpecially among the Jews, with their Concern for, and Care to prevent the Abufe thereof. p. i. Ctop. II. Of the Antient Ufe and Defign of Mufick among the Greeks, with their Concern for % and Care to prevent the Abufe thereof. p. 16. Chap. III. Of the Antient Ufe and Defign of Mufick among the Romans, with their Concern for, and Care to prevent the Abufe thereof. p. 3 3. Chap. IV. The Primitive Fa- thers frequently complain of this Abufe of Mujick , and feveral Canons and Laws have been made to prevent it. p. 44. PART II. CHAP. I. The Introdu- Bion. p. 61. Chap. II. The Immodefty of thofe Songs or Ballads which are difperfed among the meaner Sort of People, in. all Parts of the Na- tion, fet to fuch Mufick which is fuitable to their Capacity. p. 64. Chap. III. The Profanenefs of thofe Songs or Ballads which are difperfed among the memer Sort of People, in all Parts of the Na- tion, fet to fuch Mufick which is fuitable to their Capacity. P. 75. Chap. IV. Of the Immodefty of our Englifii Operas, which are fuvg in the Play-houfes. p. 104. Chap. V. The Profanenefs of our Englifh Opeias, which are funginthe Play-houfes. p. 108. Chap. VI. The Immodefty of thofe Songs, which are taught to young Gentlewomen and others, under the Pretence of their better Education. p. 1 3 > > Chap. VII. The Profanenefs of thofe Songs which are taught to young Gentlewomen and others, under the Pretence of their better Education. p. 148, Chap. VIII. The ill Confe- quences of fitch profane and im- modeft Songs. p. 166. Chap. IX. The Corruption of our Mufick by mean Compofures. p. 196. Chap. X. The Corruption of our Mufick by the Organists of Cathedral and Parochial Churches. p. 2,06. Chap. XT. Divine Mufick is the beft of all in its very Compofi- tion, and capable of a much great- er Improvement, p. 217. Chap. XII. The meaneft of Divine Mufick exceeds all other in its good Effetts, and if rightly managed and improved, may be of excellent Ufe to reform the Na- tion, p. 227. Chap. XIII. The Conclufton. p. 255. THE THE GREAT ABUSE O F MUSICK. PART I. H A P. L Of the Ancient Ufe and 'Defign of Mufick among the Eafiern Nations^ effecially among the Jews, with their Concern for^ md Care to prevent the Abufe thereof. MUS IC K, as it is in it felf, is juftly reckoned to be one of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. It hath an extraordinary Force and Power to work upon the Paffions of Men, and is the only Science whofe Original is recorded in the Holy Scriptures. Our chief Defign and End in the Ufe thereof fhould be to fet forth the Praifes of our Great Creator, to fix our Minds in Contemplation upon Di- vine and Noble Subjecls, and to help us forward in our Journey towards Heaven, where we fhall fing perfetu- B al a 1 loe Great Abufe ofMu/ick. Part I. al Hallelujahs to God on High. When Mufick is thus emplcy'd, we lend at cnce both Tongue and Ear for the service of God \ we partake of the moft refin'd Plea- jure ; and the Three Concords in One Sound Teem to be a Refemblance of that God whom we ferve on Earth, whom we hope to enjoy for ever in Heaven, and who fyath" inftiil d into us the Capacity of apprehending fuch incorporeal Delights. Had Mufick been always employ'd in fuch Exercifes,it mull have been commen- ded by all Perfons as a moft ufeful and excellent Science, But fince in this World evil Men are mix'd with the good y and fince «*//. He rarely beftows any Eftthets, But fuch as are full of Refped and Efteem, and when any others are us'd, they come only from his Heroes in a violent Paf- fion. He fhews us. in Telemachus an Example ofO^- dience and 4jfeclion to Parents ; in Penelope, an Exam- ple oiConfiancy to her Husband • and in Ul/J]cs,zn Ex- ample of true AffeBion to his Wife j and heintermix- eth fas Occafion requires) feveral Moral Sentences. 'Tis true that Homer often repeats fome particular Paf- fages of his own., and among them one or two Phrafes which are exceptionable. However, his whole Works feem to have another Tendency, and therefore being an Heathen, he is more excufable ; fince he was un- acquainted with the Caution which (g) St. Paul gives us, and only took his Rules from the Dictates of Na- ture. Horace (h) joins (J) Tyrtaus with Homer, as treat- ing on the fame Subject, and exciting the Hearers to warlike Actions. The Style of both Aurhors is grave and ferious. Tyrtaus hath Drum and Trumpet in his Verfes, and endeavours to ftir up the fame Valour by Exhortation, which Homer recommended by Exam- ple. His faulty Expreffion is defign'd to recommend Modefty. However^ the glorious Succefs of his Verfes cannot be pafs'd over in Silence. The (k) Command of the Spartan Army was given to him., by the Ad- (f) Anno mundi 3000. (g) 1 Cor. 14. z6. (h) Ibid. -Poft hos injignis Homerus, ' Tyrtscufque mares aiiimos in Maitia bella Verfibus exacuit. (i) Anno mundi j^jo t (k) Paufanias in Mefien. pag. 244. Diodor.-Sicul. lib. 15. yag. 49Z. Juftfn. Hid.'. lib. 3. C 2 vice o.o The Great Ahufe of Mufick. PartL vice of an Oracle, (as the Pagan Writers tell us,) in one of the Mcjfenim Wars. He was reckon'd very unfit for luch a Station, being reported to have been fhort^ and very deforrnd, blind in one Eye, and lame., and never bred up to Martial Employments. Add to this, that the Spartans had at that time fuffer'd great Loffes in many Encounters, and all their Stratagems prov'd ineffectual, fo that they began to defpair of Succefs. But then the General acling the Part of a Poet, by his Lectures of Honour and Courage, deliver'd in moving Verfe to the Army, ravifrfd them with the Thoughts of Dying for their Country to fuch. a Degree, that rufliing on with a furious Tranfport to meet their E-. nemiesj they gave them an intire Overthrow., and by one decifive Battle put an happy Conclufion to the War. But to proceed ; Hefiod was (J) next to Homer, as well for the Value of his Works as their Antiquity, being often thought to be cotemporary with him. In thefe two Poets we may obferve the Antient, Sweet, ^Natural and Eafy, Plainnefs of Style, with aa Air of the Graved Virtue. In Hefiod we have an ineftima- ble Treafure of unaffeded Moral Precepts, which he liberally beftow'd on his Brother Perfes ; and the Fa- bles concerning the Race of the Gods are pleafantly told, and ufefully applied. His Poems are defignd for the Benefit both of Town and Country^ and his Mufe is free from the Vices of either. Theocritus (m) ftands next in Order among thofe who are caU'd (n) 'The LeJJ'er Poets. He left Sicily to refide in Egypt, where his Mufe found a favourable Re- ception, and accordingly in his feventeenth layBium addrefs'd to Ptolemy Philadelpbus, King ofthat Coun- try, he extols his generous Protection of Learning (I) Kenneth Lives and Cham ft us of the Antknt Greek Potts, (mj Anno mundi 5680. (n) Minores Poettc. and Chap, a . The Great Abufe of Mufick 2 1 and Ingenuity, as fomething beyond the Degree of common Virtues and Excellencies. Accordingly in his Paftorals, &c. he feems to imitate the Egyptian She f herds, and ufeth the Do-rick or Country D He may well berank'd among the Moral Poets • tho' fometimes his Mufe is fported with Dirt, finks below the Dignity of her Character, and is contented to ufe fome exceptionable Expreffions. The reft of the lejftr Poets are full of excellent ral Sentences ; and fome of their Poems are on! fign'd to inftrud their Hirers in their Duty to God, tbemfelves, and their Neighbour. Moj chits, Bio?}, and Mufans are the only Poets among them,, who mention any Love Stories • and though I do not pretend to e\- cufefeveral of their Expreffions ,• yet I muft fay, that they are comparatively clean and modeft. Py\ ras his Verfes are truly golden, and his Rules are fit to be pra&is'd by the beft of Chriftians. Solon writes in Verfe agreeably with his Charter in all other Refpe&s. Phocylides (peaks of the (0) Refurrection from the Dead in fo plain a Manner, that he is fuppos'd by fome to have been a Cbrifiian. Indeed we may conclude from tlience, that he, as well as Orpbeas, was acquainted with the Jewiflj Learning 5 but his mentioning of the Gods fo often doth plainly fhewus that he was an Hta- then. However, his Instructions are truly admirable • and to mention but one more ,- tho' the Style c ognis is mean, and he writes without the leaft Advan- tage or Ornament, or Difguife, and in the plained: Manner imaginable: yet his Sentences are very ex- cellent. The Meannefs of his Words doth rather illu- ftrate the Greatnefs of his Matter ; and his Verfcs muft be acknowledged for a ufe ml Summary of/ and Reflections, wholly clear from the leaft Imputa- tion of Loofnefs or Debauchery. The Advancement W /';>/> c % 2 n The Great Abuje.of Mufich Part L of Morality was that which the Foets generally aim'd at in thole early Times (and I wifh that I could fay, it is fo ftiil). This rais'd them to fuch a Reputation, that Ifocrates writing art excellent Epifile to Demonicus, as a Rule whereby he might order his Life and Con- vention, tells him at the End thereof, that for his farther Inftru&ion, he ought to be converfant among the choiceft Pieces which were written by the Foets. Asforthe Lyrkk Poets, being the chief Subject of our prefent Inquiry ; Pindar (p) was one of the eideft, and aifo one of the beft. Moft of his Works are pre- fervld intire, and in them we may difcern the ancient Poetick G&niins and what Subjeds were then thought moft proper lor a Mufcal Entertai?iment. His Odes of Victory were all compos'd to be fung by a Chorus of Men at publick Fefiivals and Meetings, affifted with ail the Advantages of Inftrummtal Mufiok. His Wri- tings contain that (q) prodigious Elevation of 'Spirit , that amazing Beauty of Sentences, thatboundlefs Scope of Thought, and that daring Liberty of Figures and Meafures , which {'as Horace truly obferves) is imitable by none. His Mufe was chaft and clean. His chief Defign was to profit and inftruc*. He feldom praifes any but the befr Men, and never thofe who were bad. He would flatter none in their Vices, and gives us excellent Lef- fons on almoft every particular Virtue. He fpeaks of the Immortality of theSoul, the different Efiates of Good and Bad Men after this Life, they*/ Inequality of the Diftributions of Providence f and the Incapacity of Men to. judge of the A&ions of Heaven. He protefts againft rhat dangerous Vice of his Art, namely, The delive- ring unworthy Stories about the Sovereign Beings. He r>: ofeireth his Abhorrence of charging the Gods fool- ifhjy with the Vices of Men> and cautions his own "',••• AnflQ Mundi f 43 6. (a) KennetYXfrw and CharaBers of *Mh Chap. 2. The Great Abufe of Mufich 23 Wtfty left flic mould be guilty. Nay, foe declares po- sitively, that he will give the old Relations of their A&ions in a quite different Manner ; : went before him, rather than fatter any Dishonour by his Mifmanagement to be reflected on th And where is a C the Honour of that Gcd> and that to believe ? For thefe Reafons, ( ••) one oj fathers was of the Opinion, That be took out cf the Sacred Serif mes % and bad for a I xonverfant in them. Anacreon (f) liv'd about the fame time, and his Works are alio extant at this Day. His St)le is eafie, and full of great Flights of Fancy ; it is natural and elegant ; but in his M i h very defective. He feems to be devoted to Win* and Love ; from which, Pindar carefully abftain'd j neither mail I exctift from Pleading for irfelf. Flere we fee, thac the evil was mix.dwiib and as the t was honoured by the one, i'o it 1 by the o- ther. However, his , as the Subjects could admit. When the her into the A/;Y in . C 4 a 4 The Great Abufe of Mufick. -Part I. Crimes, which he fo often pleads for. His Death was alfo as remarkable as his Life, fince he was choak'd with a Grape r ftone in the midft of his Jollity. The reft of the Lyrich, whofe Fragments ftill re- main, feem too often to follow Anacreons Copy. What; Jguintilian faid otAUaus, (who was one of them ) is too true, when fpoken of others, (t) He often defends to Sports and Love • tho at the fame Time he always jhews himjelftohave been born for greater Subjecls. Indeed we may plainly learn by their Examples, That when Wit and Humour is let loofe beyond it Bounds^ it runs into mort Extravagancies } and is afterwards with great Difficulty if ever refrain d. But as the Stage at Athens, and efpecially the Cho- rus, had fo great a Share of their Mufick ; fo it is im- poffible to give an Account of the one, without fome Account alfo of the other. The Plays ("both Comedy and Tragedy) confifted of two Parts., the Acls and the Chorus : The Acts do ge- nerally confift of Iambick and Trochaick Verfes, or fuch other as are fit for Dialogues and Colloquies. Among thefe there is fometimes a Chorus, or Company of Men ipoming upon the Stage, when one of them plainly fpeaks to the reft of the ABors, according as the Poet thinks will be moft agreeable to carry on his Humour and Defign. But befide this., when Dramatick Poefy was brought to fome Perfections there was alfo a Cho- rus between the Acls, confifting of feveral Verfes, in the fame Meafure and Order like thofe in Pindar, and which was fung according to the Mufick of thofe Times. It generally confifted of three Parts, and the Verfes of each refpe&ive Part were ufually the fame both for Number and Meafure. When the fir ft Part was fung, the Chorus turn'd to the Right Hand, which they cal- led (u) Strophe. ' When the' fecond Part was fung, the (t) Inftit. lib. xe. cap.' i. pag. 447. (u) "Zr&fii. Chorus Chap. a. The Great Abufe ofMufich 25 Chorus turn'd to the Left Hand, which they call'd (x) Antifirophe : And when the third Part wzsjung, the Chorus turn'd to the middle Part oi the Audience, which they call'd (y) Epodos. This Chorus was a Company of Attors, reprelenting the Affembly or Body of thofe vulgar Perfons who either were prefent, or probably might be fo upon that Place or Scene where the Bufi- nefs wasfuppos'd to be tranfa&ed. This may be the Reafon that the Chorus is not always exact as to Num- ber and Meafurc in their Verfes, and that it fometimes confuted of a Tingle Poem, and fometimes of a Colloquy in the Nature of an Ac! : However, this Diverfion was then but in its Infancy, and fcarcely reduc'd to Rules, and the Mufick of thofe Times feems to be but little better. Their chief Defign was to inftrud: and im- prove the Audience ; and accordingly in the Acls, but efpecially in the Chorus , the Poets frequently intermix many excellent Moral Sentences ; and the Vulgar at A- thens were not then reprefented as fpeaking the Lan- guage of Billinfgate, much lefs as profane or obfcene in their Expreffions. They talk honourably of their Gods ; mention their Power, Wifdom, Providence, Ju~ fiice, and other Attributes, with Refpect and Gravity. They difplay Vice in its moft horrible Shapes, and paint Virtue with the higheft Beauties, and with the beft Rewards. They fometimes approach the Gods by Prayer $ they implore the future Protection of the Tutelar Deities, and fometimes they return folemn Thanks for Buffings on the Publick. The Indecencies of the Atlors are often reprov'd by the Chorus, who tells the Audience, that fuch are punifh'd for their Haughtinefs and Impiety. All this was ma- nag'd by them with the utmoft Air of Gravity and £>e- votion, and with fuch a Strain of Piety, as was more fit for a Temple than a Scene. Thus the Example and .Argumentj 26 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part L Argument of the Vulgar on the Stag*'- contributed" to promote a Senfe of Religion ; and the Songs were not intended to debauch the Nation. The Greek Tragedians chiefly intending to excite the ' PaffionsofSom?^ andP/Vj, or to ftir up the Audience to martial Aclions ; but the Audience being more in- clinable to Mirth and Jollity , and frequenting thefe Places for Diver fion, and not for Information ; the Poets conform'd themfelves in thefe Entertainments to the Humour of the Times, and accordingly the old Comedy was uiher'd in. This (z,) at firft met with an universal Efteem. This univerfal Efieem made the Poets affume to themfelves an unaccountable Liberty , fo that they, would not be confin'd to the Rules of Piety, Modefy, or Gravity ; but without Diftincrion, expos'd the wifeft and beft of Men, and greater! of Magiftrates. This unaccountable Liberty provok'd the Government/ info-, much that the Ancient Comedy was fupprefs'd by a Law, and was accordingly Succeeded by the Middle and the New y and the Chorus was forc'd to be filent, at leaft in comparifon of its former Liberties, and render'd un- capable of doing any farther Mifchief. And there- fore, as Ariflofhanes was one of the Old Comedians^ and liv'd immediately before the Regulation ; fo it is no wonder that we meet with fo many exceptionable Paflages in him, which gave fo great an Offence in a Pagan Country. The Old Comedy fas an (a) ingenious Author ob- serves) was a bare-fac'd expofing of the greateft Per- fons on the Stage, without the leaft Difguife of the Subjed or of the Name. The Middle Comedy prefent- (z) Horat. Be Arte Poetica. Succeflit Vetus his Comasdia, non fine mult£ Laude , fed in vitium Libertas excidtt, & vim DIgnam Lege regi : Lex ell accepta, Chorufque Turpiter obticuit, fublato jure nocendi. f^Keanet'i Lives and Characters oftfojntient Greek iW;. P. 133. ed Chap. J. The Great Abuje of Mufick 2j ed real Faults and Mifcarriages under the Difguife of borrow'd Names; and the New or Third Sort, was an entire Reformation of the Stage to Civility and De- cency, obliging the Poet to fuppofe thz4dtionsas well as the Names ; and without making any particular Reflections, to give only a probable Defcription of human Life. Accordingly their Chorus was modera- ted and rertrain'd, and retained only the Part of a common A&or without Offence. And tho' we have none of thofe Plays now extant ; yet we may fuppofe that Horace took his Inflations from their Example, when he (£) advis'd the Poets to take Care, that no- thing is fnng by the Chorus between thtAch, which may not be pertinent and proper to the Subject in Hand. That the Chorus fhould fpeak well of good Men, and give good Counfel as to Friends. That it fhould perfwade them to lay afide their Paffions, and treat with Refpecl: fuch as are inoffenfive in their Lives and Converfations. That it mould praife Fru- gality, and the Adminiftration oijufiice y fpeak ho- nourably of the Laivsy and commend the Bleffing of Peace and Unity. That it ftlould be no Divulger of Secrets ; and in its Addreffes to the Gods fhould pray, that they who are miferable fhould be comforted, and they who are proud might be humbled. Thus the Stage and their Songs were foon brought again into good Order and Decorum. What Pity then is it that we do not follow their Example ? or that the Laws of (h) Be Arte Poetica lib. Aftoris Partes Chorus, officiumque Virile Defendat: neu quid medios imercinat adus, Quod non propofito conducat 8c haereat apte. Ille bonis favearque, &coniilietur amicis-: Et regac ira*bs, $c amet peccaretimentes. Ille dapes laudet menfe brevis, ille falubrem Juflitiam, legefque, & apertis otia portis. Ille tegat commifla, Deofque pTecetur, &oict,- Ut iedeai miferis, abeat Fortuna fupeibis. God a 8 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part I. God cannot have fo good an Effect in a Cbrifiian, which the Laws of Men had in a Pagan Country ? Mufick being 'highly efteem'd in the 'State,. was alfo introduced into the Camp. Accordingly (c) before they fought^they fang an Hymn (a*) to Mars -, and after a pros- perous Battle, they fang an Hymn (e) to Apollo. Lycur- gus the King of the Lacedemonians (f) commanded the Soldiers to adorn their Heads with Garlands, and when the Enemy was near, and the Army drawn up in Bat- talia, he order'd the Flutes to play the Tune of Caftors Hymn, and he himfelf advancing forward began the Hymn to Mars before the Battle ; fo that it was at once both a delightful and a terrible Sight to fee them march on, keeping an equal Time or pace to the Tune of their Flutes, without ever troubling their Order, or con- founding their Ranks, whilft their Mufick led them on cheerful and unconcern'd into the midft of Danger. • And as the Hexameter Verfis of Orpheus, Homer, Hefiod, Tyrtaus, &c. (g) were compos'd for an antknt, grave, and equal f fuch as we call common) Time ; fo I fuppofe, that thefe were the Meafures Jung on thofe Occaiiens^ and that they might for this Reafon be calPd Heroick. However, when Mufick was in its greateft Efteem among the Greeks, they feem'd to have a very watch- : ful Eye to prevent the Abufe thereof. They who heard the pompous Diver fions of the Stage m thofe Times, were fo pious zn&fober, that they themfeives would not en- dure any thing which was profane or immoral. For this Reafon, (b) sAEchylus was condemn'd as a Defpi- fer of the Gods, upon the Account of one of his bolder (c) Thucydid. Schol. lib. i. Sec. (d) Umav i/$ijify0% (e) Ucuav hmviH4&. (f) Plutarch. Lycurgus. (g) Auguilin. de Mufica, lib. z. cap. z. Daftylus 8c Anaprertus 8c Spondaeus, non folom aequalium Temporumfunt, fed etiam percutiuntur equa- liter. In omnibus enim tantum levatio, quantum poiitio pedis fibi vendicat. (b) Keiinet's Lives and CharaHeis of the Antknt Greek Poets. I Tragedies, Chap. 2. The Great Abufe of Mufich 29 Tragedies y and the Athenians had certainly thereupon proceeded toftone him to Death, if he had not been refcued by the Reputation of his Brother Amynias. When (i) Euripidesus'd this Expreffion in his Hippo- lytus, My Tongue hathfivorn, but fiill my Mind is free , it was look'd upon as a bold Stroke, and he was indited thereupon, as a wicked Encourager of Perjury, tho' it doth not appear that he fuffer'd for it. At another Time alfo in the Tragedy of Bellerophon, he incens'd the Audience to as high a Degree ; for when one of the ASfors had fpoken very elegantly in Praife of Mony againft Honefty, they rofe with a general Confent to demolifli the Play, cenfure the Poet, and punifh the ABor, and were with great Difficulty appeas'd. And as their Caution was fo great in the Body of the Play, fo we may conclude that it was the fame in the Mufifik The Athenians made Laws, that (k) no chief Magi- firate fliould be openly expos'd in a Comedy - that no Perfori mould be nam'd in any of thofe Pieces ,• that (/; no Judge of the Areopagus fliould make one : And they alfo took an effe&ual Care (as (m) Horace informs us J to fupprefs the Extra vaguncy of the Chorus, by a particular Statute ena£ted for that Purpofe. In the moft early Times among the Greeks, their En* tertainments were feldom made, but on the Feftivalr of the Gods -, and the Songs which they then us'd, were commonly Hymns in praife of thofe Deities, the Singing of which was accounted a Part of Divine JVorjhip. Af- terward their Arguments were of various kinds, and moft of them ferious, containing (») Exhortations and ufeful Inftru&ions. Sometimes they confided of thzPraife s and Illuftrious Aciions of Great Men,and com* (1) Kennet's Lives, 8cc. (k) Sam. Petit. Comment, in Leges Atticas. pag. 79, 80. (I) Plutarch, de Gloria Athenienfium. (m) Lib. de Arte Poetica. (n) Dr. Potter'j Greek Jnticpiitics* lit). 2. pag. 4 8i * raonlv 30 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part I. monly bore the Perfons Names whom they celebrated. Hence Athenaus was of the Opinion, that (o) Mufick ivas not brought into Entertainments for the fake of any mean and vulgar Plea fare ; but tocompofe the PaJJions of the Soul, and to better Mens Manners. And from the Defcription of the Entertainments which we find in Homer, it ap- pears that the Songs us'd about the Time of the Trojan War conufted chiefly of Hymns, wherein the A&ions of the Gods and Heroes were related. The foft and wan- ton Songs were then unknown. But when the Subje&s at Feafts began to be ludicrous and fatyrical, amorous and filthy, the Mufick and the Feafts were foon brought in- to Duefteem : And in later Ages, it was fo uncom- mon a thing to have facred Hymns at Entertainments, that Ariftotle was accus'd by Hemophilus for Singing a Taan every Day at his Meals, as an A& of very great Impiety. So that the Abufe of Mufick did in this Cafe "even abolifh the Religious Ufe thereof. The (p) lonians are reported to have delighted moft in wanton Songs and Dances. Their Way of Singing was very different from the Antients, and their Harmony was more loofe and extravagant. Accordingly their Manners were more corrupted than any other Nation in Greece. They were alfo (y) a proud, angry, and UU naturd People. Accordingly their Mufick was de- fpis'd by others for Fear of the Infection, infomuch that as in the Syriack Language the word Comedy figni- fied a Curfe and a Reproach 3 - fo in Greece, the Ionick Motions were us'd to fignify wanton Geftures, or Mufick^ and proverbially defign i a for a Token of Contempt. The Lacedemonians endeavour'd very carefully to preferve their Antient Mufick in its Original Plainnels, and it is recorded of them, that (r) tho' they approv'd (o) Lib. 14. cap. 11. (p) Theophraflus. (q) Athenaei Dei- pnoibphilla. lib. 14. Cip. 10. (r) Plutarclii Laconica . inilitutio, pag, 504. of Chap. 2. The Great Abufe ofMufich 3 1 of a modeft and grave Harmony, yet they utterly ex- ploded all effeminate, light, and wanton Airs ; and their Efhoriy or Magiftrates, fin'd and cenfur'd Terpander and Timotheus, for affe&iqg to be otherwife. And there- fore (f) when Timotheus added four other Strings to the Harp, he was enjoin'd to cut them off with his own Hands , and to be baniih'd from Sparta, becaufe he defpis'd the Antient Mufick, and introduced a greater Variety. The Ahufe of this Science made fbme among the Greeks condemn even the very Science it felf. It was the Opinion of Ephorus, that (t) Mufick was intended only to deceive Men. Akibiades (u) rejected delici- ous Mufick, as unworthy of any ingenious Perfon ; and (x) Diogenes negle&ed it, as an unprofitable, a need- lefs, and a ufelefs thing. Belide thefej they who were moderate in their Cenfures, and admir'd the due Ufe of Mufick, did all agree in condemning the Abufe thereof, and were not filent on this Occafion. Arifiotle (y) brings in Socra- tes, and joins with him in the fame Evidence. Plu- tarch (z.) compares Poetry to the Polypus's Head, which contains many things both profitable and pleafant to them who make a right Ufe of it ; but to others it is ve- ry Prejudicial, filling their Heads with vain, if not impious Notions and Opinions. Athaneus (a) commends Mufick, as regulating Mens Manners, reftraining their Anger, and reforming their Minds, as curing Difeafes, and chearing the Spirits, He tells us, that (b) the Greeks of old were ftudious in this Science : But at the fame Time he complains, that when Confufion follow'd their Order, and the antient (f) Cicero de Legibus lib. 2. (t) Polybii Hiftor. lib. 4. A- ti en2ei Deipnofophifla, lib. 14. cap. 11. (u) Plutarchi Akibi- ades. (x) Diogenis Laertii, lib. 6. (y) Polit. lib. 8. cap. 6, 7. (z) Initio HbeUi de audiendis Poetis. (a) Deipnofoprufta, lib. 14. cap, 10, 11. (I) Cap. 15. Laws 3 7 The Great Abufc of Mufick. Part I. Laws had loft their Vigour, their Mufick was corrupted, which unbent the Sine ws-of Mens Minds, made them effeminate, not courteous, and intemperate inftead of being chap. And he adds his Opinion, That it would never be better, but rather grow worfe and worfe, until the Mufick was refin'd, and by this Means had recovered its former Dignity. Plato (c) tells us, That Mufuk and Thilofofhy were appointed by the Gods, and by the Laws for the Im- provement of Mens Minds. He (d) fpeaks and feems to approve of the ancient Law, That all the different Airs, andfpecifick Kinds of Mufick Jlwuld be obferv d, and each of them be made ufe of at its peculiar Fefiival. He was of the Opinion, That ( Gcd, and promifes to own him as his God, as long as he liv'd, and facrifice frequently to him. And at ano- ther time ,Damcetas, in a Mufical Sfrai^contending with Menalcas for Victory, imitates Theocritus and Aratus y by beginning his Poem with a Senfe of a Deity, by hi-* timating that this ought to be the conftant Cufiom? and by adding that God was in every Place, he dwelt upon the Earth, and took Notice of fuch Poetick Raptures, which I wifli that our own Poets did ferioufly con- fider. In the later Poets, among the Romans, and efpeci- ally the Lyricks, we lhall too often find a very unaccountable Liberty. Ovid, Juvenal, Martial, Ho- race, Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius, are very faulty : They are moft extravagant upon the Subject of Love, and fometimes without any Regard to Modefty or Decency. Some of then-, commend Gluttony, Drun- kennejs, and fuch like Exceffes. Moft of them liv'd in the moft debauch'd Time of the Roman Empire, and they aded their Parts to fpread the Infection, or at leaft complied with the Humour of the Times. Here Wit fcorns to be confin'd to Rules, and fticks at no- thing* T^he Liquor of the Grape, inftead oiParnaffus, feems to be that which infpir'd thefe Poets, and the Mufi is fick of the Diforder,when Ihe attempts to write. However, in their fiber Intervals, they fpeak in another Language, Juvenal defigns to fhame Vice out of Coun- tenance, and he is* not without a Satyr which is wholly inofFenfive. Ovid's Epi files are as modeft as the Subjed lb copiouily handled will allow. His Mttamorphofis is a commendable Poem, adorn'd with many moral Senten- ces, and with more Examples, and his Defcription of £»~ *vy is curious and fine. Mart ial hath fome Epigrams de- fign'd for the Inftru&ion of the Reader, as well as his Diverfion, and fometimes he mixes Profit vjith Pleafure. Catullus (h) feems to blame himfdf for his wretched (b) Mifer Catuile 3 definus ineptire. Fault, Chap. 3. The Great Alufe ofMnfich 37 Fault, in fuch a Manner, that I did not expwd, that he would afterward flay the fool in the fame Poem. And Horace his Mufe was not fo degenerate^ but fome of the Odes are of excellent Ufe. They commend a mid- dle State of Life ; they dilTuade from exceffire Grief at the Death of a Friend ,• they praife H< prance, and Frugality, and extol a contented and an even Mind in all States and Conditions. He" makes Hymns to praife fome of the Gods, and in his Addref- fes to them he is generally devout. He earnelf iy pe- titions for a found Mind as well as a found Bo- dy. He laments that he had followed the Epicureans fo long, and did not worfhip the Deities, with that Zeal which he ought to have. He fharply inveighs a- gainft the Romans for the Corruption of their Manners; and when he is carried away by their Example, he is the more to be pitied, fince in his Inftrudions to o- ther Poets, he gives them another Leffon, and propo- feth another Defign in their Writings, and efpecially in their Chorus. Thus there is fomething of Good in the worft of thefe Poets, and their Recantations may make a fmall Abatement of their Faults. It is obferv'd by (i) a late ingenious Author, that during the Space of almoft four hundred Tears from the Building of their City, the Romans had never known any Entertainments of the Stage. But Chance and Jol- lity firft found out thofe Verfes, which they calFd Sa- turnian, &c. and then the ABors, upon occafion of Merriment, with a grofs andruftick Kind of Railery, reproach'd one another with their Failings. This rougfi-caft, unhewn Poetry, was alfo afterward infteai of Stage-Plays for an hundred and twenty Tears together. But when the Romans had conquer'd all Italy, and ac- cordingly abounded in Power, J-Vtaltio, and Luxury • then they left thefe Hedge-Notes for another fort of Po- em, a little more polifh'd, which was alfo full of plea- (0 Kcutet'r Roman Antiquities, Pr£ 2.75. D ; fint 5 8 The Great Abufc of Mufich Part I. fant Railery, but without any Mixture of Obfcenity. This new Species of Poetry appeared under the Name of Satyre, becaufe of its Variety, and was adorn'd with Compofitions of Mufick, and with Dances. But when the later Satyrifts took a greater Liberty,* when Mi- micks and Buffoons came in for Interlude^ in all their Plays ; when the Muficians and Dancers had hardly a- ny other Defign but to make themfelves ridiculous ; and when they abus'd all Perfons without any Regard to Decency and Order, they brought themfelves and r.heir Art into Contempt, and all Perfons look'd upon them as they really deferv'd. To appear on a Publick Stage as an At! or, was then (k) in Rente, injurious to any Man's Char abler and Honour. The Hi fir tones were the moft fcandalous Company imaginable. None of that ProfeJJion were allow'd the Priviledge to belong to any Tribe, or rank'd any higher than Slaves ; and therefore Cicero, (1) commending tffe admirable Rof- cius y who was an Actor, and his familiar Friend, gives him this Character ; He was fo compleat an Artift, that he feem'd the only Perfon who deferv'd to tread the Stage $ and yet at the fame time, fo *' excellent a Man in all other Refpe&s, that he feem'd the only Perfon, who of all Men fliould not take up that Pro- feflion. What the Chorus was in the Latin Comedies I fhall not determine, beenufe there are no Remains thereof in Plautus or Terence ; but the Chorm in Tragedies was full of Moral Sentences, and deiign'd for the Improve* rnent of the Audience. Many Inftances of this Na- ture may be produe'd from Seneca. 'Tis true indeed, that fometimes his Chorus is without Morals • that be- ing an Heathen, he alludes too much to the Poetical Fa- bles ; that hebeftowsonthe Gods fuch Epithets, which Poetick Licenfe will not excufe ^ and fometimes com- plains of Providence it fitlf. Thefe were Crimes (k) Idem, pag. zSj. (h Pro Qqinft. whicrj Chap. 3 . I he Great Abufe of Mufick. 3 c) which the Chorus in the Greek Tragedies did always a- void. Befides, as he was a Stoick, fohe reduces all to Fate - and as he had a Tin&ure of the Epicurea?i Pbilofophy, fo hisChorus fpeaks of the Soul as perifhing with the Body ; and I take this to be the Rcafon, thac he commends Self-murder in many Cafes. But not- withftanding the word which can be faid, there are Beauties which deferve our Imitation. His Hymns m Praife of Bacchus, Apollo, and Hercules, mention their famous A&s with Adoration and. Honour $ they exprefs the Poet's Senfe of fuch Deities, and the Epithets on fuch Occafions, are generally thofe which befpeak a due Regard. Sometimes his Chorus is wholly defign'd to teach Morality, to recommend a Middle State of For- tune \ to teach us Hope in Profperity, and Fear in Adverfity ; and to fore-warn us of the Danger of Beau- ty. He declaims againft the Vices of the Age, and a~ gainft affe&ing popular Applaufe, as a dangerous Rock. When he expreffes the Power of Love, de- fcribes the Snares of Beauty, or a beautiful Perfin ; nay, when the Chorus fings an Epithalamium^ it is free from Smut, Vrofanenefs , or indecent Language, infomuch that the moft exceptionable PalTages in other Parts of ths Chorus, are, by judicious Writers, thought to be none of his ; or if they were, yet he may be the better ex- cus'd, by confidering that he was an Heathen. The Antient Mufick of the Italians was very plain and mean in cornparifon of the Greeks, or of their la- ter Improvements. The Aborigines, or rather the firft Inhabitants, who came from Greece, were but a poor Sort of People, bred up to no Arts or Learning, and' forced thither by Neceffity from their Native Country. They had no Academies, where they might learn the Sciences ; neither had they any Leifure or In- clination for the Mufes. The Poets reckon them a va- gabond People, who came thither with Saturn, when he fled from Jupiter, and that their living obfeurely, or hiding themfelves in thefe Parts, was the Caufe D 4 thac 4.0 The Great Abufe ofMufick. Part I. that the Country was call'd Latium. When ^Eneas came into Italy, his Companions were Soldiers, driven out of their Country at the Deftru&ion of Troy, and in their Education little better than the reft. When they were fettled there, we have no Reafon to think, that they held any Correfpondence with Greece, much lefs with Athens, or that the Learning of the Eaft was conveighed thither. In length of Time, their very Language was aker'd, (which a Correfpondence would have preferv'dj and the Latin fucceeded uni- verfally in the Place of the Greek. They had no Scale of Mufick known among them, nor any Author that treated on this Science before St. Aufiin, who takes no Notice of the Di fiance of Sounds, but only fpeaks of the Length and Proportion of Time, as it may be applicable either to Pronunciation or Poetry ; fo that we may con- clude, that the Latins were fo far from improving the Mufick of the Grteks, that they wholly neglected Jc, and forgot that little, which they formerly might have had. When .Row? was built, the Inhabitants were for ma- ny Years involv'd in a Series of Wars. This was that which took up their Time and Thoughts : And as they had but little Notions of Mufick, fo they neglected it as a thing of ill Confequence, as apt to effeminate the Hero, and fpoil the Soldier. For this Reafon, Corne- lius Ne-pos having related that Epaminondas well under- itood tne Art of Dancing, of Playing upon the Harp, and the Flute, with other Liberal Sciences, adds (m) that in Greece tfreie things were very commendable ; tho' in the Opinion of the Romans they were trivial^ and not w orthy to be mentioned. As therefore they took more Care about their Wars, than about their Diverfions ; fo it is probable that their Pipes at firft were only in the Woods and Plains. 'fheir Stages then qonlifted of Seats built with Turf; — — * , — , 1 — , , . ' {m) t>iff of Epaminondas. for Chap. 3. The Great Abufe of Mufick 41 for the prefent Occafion, ftanding on the Ground, and Pompey the Great was the firft who (n) undertook to build a Theater. In thofe Times, (as Horace tells us) their (0) Pipes were not bound about with Brafs, as they have been fince, nor did they vie with the Trumpet, but they were plain and fmall, and had only few (namely four,) Holes. Thefe at firft were fuffi- cient for the Chorus. At that time> the Auditors were a frugal, modeft, and a chaft People. Then was Rome in a thriving Condition. But when they had con- quer'd the Country round about; when the City was larger, and their Walls were made ftrongerj and when they were addicted to Riot and Excefs, without any Fear of Punifhment ; then the Poets took a greater Liberty in their Songs, and the Players in their Mufick. Then the Piper increas'd his f Notes, altered his Time, and had a different Garb. Then they departed from the Antient Rules ; their Tunes were moizfwift and ai- ry, or rather more wanton and bewitching : And then began the State to decline again. However, in Romeitfelf the ^dbufe of Mufick did not pafs unrefented. What the Opinion of the Rabble was in this Cafe is not much to be regarded ,- fince they who were born of better Parentage, or had a more plentiful Eftate, and confequently a more liberal E- ducation, were offended at it. And therefore Ho- race (p) advifeth his Students in Poetry to avoid all fuch things which were obfcene or fcurrilous. The (3) Stage was then under Difcipline, the publick Cenfors (n) Tacitus Annal. lib. 14. (0) De Arte Poetica. y lib. Tibia non, ut nunc oiichalco, vincla, tubaeque JEmula, fed tenuis, fimplexque foramine pauco Afpirare, & adefle Choriserat utilis, atque - Nondum fpiffa nimis complere fedilia flatu, 8cc. (?) Ibid. . Nee immundacrepent, ignominiofaque dicta : Off-nduntur enim, quibus eft equu?, & pater, 8c its. < t p Collier'* Jbort View of the Stage* P.igt 13. formi- 4* The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part L formidable, and the Office of the Chorals was origi- nally defign'd to prevent the Exceffes of Liberty. And (r) a late ingenious Writer obferving, that the Chorus was left out in the Comedies among the Romans, men- tions Horace his Reafon, as equally affe&ing both Italy and Greece. That the Malignity and Satyrkal Humour of the Poets, was the Caufe of it ,• for they made the Chorus abufe People fo feverely, and with fo bare a Face., thai: the Magistrates at laft, forbad them to ufe any at all. Neither did the Abufe oi this Science remain without Cenfure by their own Writers, Jufiin (f) fpeaking of the Irregularities of Ptolomy King of Egypt, faith, That be had alfo Timbrels and Dances, the (f) Instruments of Luxury ; and adds, That thefe things were the fecret Plagues , and the hidden Mifchiefs of a tottering Kingdom. And Salujt (u) fpeaking of Sempronia, as the Tool of Catiline, to foment the Rebellion, adds this among her other Qualifications, that flie was taught to fing more finely than became a Virtuous Woman, with many other things, which he alfo calls (x) The Instru- ments of Luxury. Cicero (y) commends the Mufick both of Strings^ Voice and Pipe, provided it was fuch as was allow'd by Law : But then he immediately approves of the Opi- nion of Plato, that nothing had fo eafy an Influence upon the Minds of Men, as the different Sounds of Mufick, which had an unfpeakable Force to incline either to Virtue or Vice. He tells us, that it ftirs up the feeble, and weakens the adive^ it unbends the Mind and raifeth it again : And therefore many Cities in Greece thought it to be much their Intereft to preferve their ancient Way of Singing. He adds, that the Dege- (»■) Kennet's Roman Antiquities, Page 28}. (f) Hiftor. lib. ?o. (0 Inifrumenta Luxuriae. (u) Belium CatiUnarium. (x) In- itrmnema Luxusise. (y) De Legibus, lib. 2. neracy Chap- 3. The Great Abufc of Mufick. 43 neracy of their Mannirs was introduc'd at the fame time with the Alteration of their Songs. The Reafon where- of rauft be, either that their Manners were depravd by this Allurement and Corruption, as fome were of Opi- nion y or that when their antient Difciplme was decay'd, becatue of other Vices, the Toets and Muftcians loon complied with the Humour of the Age, aflifted to increafe the Debauchery, and fpread the Infeclion, and then their Fancy and Inclinations foon made way for Change in their Mufick. For this reafon he faith, That Plato, the wifeft and learnedfl among the Greeks^ was fo afraid of the Confequences thereof, 2s to de-, ny, that the Method of Mufick could be changed, ' without a Change of the publick Laws. And he af- terward tells us his own Opinion, That tho' he thinks that there is not fo great a Danger ; yet it is too great to be overlooked. He commends the Greeks for guard- ing againft this Inconveniency, and extols the Lacede- monians for their Severity to Timotbeus, a famous Mufi- cian, on this Occafion, by feizing his Harp, and cut- ting off the Strings. Seneca the Phtiofopher, fpeaking of Mufick, argues thus : (zS) Wilt thou teach me how the acute and grave Sounds may be joind in Harmony among themftlves ? and how there may be a Concord of Strings, which give a dif- ferent Sound ? Shew me rather how my Mind may be in Tune, and my Counfels may not vary. Wilt thou Jliew me how many lamentable Moods there are ? Shew me rather how I may hear Adverfity without repining. And (a) in another Place : What do you think ofthofe whoarebufy in ComPoJing, Learning, and hearing of Songs, whilst they mofi foolijlily twifi and turn the Voice, which Nature bath made plain and even ? They whofe Fingers do always found, as if they were meafuring a Verfe ? They whofe foft tuning of the Voice is heard, when they are concern d in [erious y andfome- (2) Ipift. 88. (a) De brevitate vitae, cap. 12. tim:s 44 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part I; times' in fad Affairs. Theft have no Leifure, but an unpro* fit able Imployment. Nay, Ovid himfelf (whofe Conduct at other times I fliall not pretend to vindicate) in his fober Intervals, mentions the ill Effe&s of this Abufe. He faith, (b) That the Lute and Harp, with nice Singing and a fine Voice, do enervate Mens Minds. He complains, That (c) at Rome they Jang in other Places, whatfoever they had learn 9 d in the Theaters, And (d) that from thence came the profane Jefts, and the filthy Words,, which were fung in other Places ,• and particularly adds 3 That there was no greater Incentive to Luft than this among them. fjb) Be Remedio amoris, lib. 2. £nervant animos citharse, cantufque lyraeque, Et vox, & numeris brachia mota fuis. (c) Faflorum, lib. 3. Illic & cantant quicquid didicere Theatris. (J) Bid. Inde joci veteres, obfcenaque verba canuntur. Nee res hac Veneri gratior ulla fuit. Chap. IV. The Primitive Fathers frequently complain of this Abufe of Mufick ; and feveral Canons and Laws have been made to pre* vent it. AS the Heathens did complain of this Abufe ; fo the Primitive Christians have not been wanting to fpeak their Minds more freely and particularly up- on this Occafion. To Chap- 4- The Great Abufe of Mufich 45 To begin with (a) Clemens Alexandrinus , (b) Marry there are, faith he, who, after they are departed from the Church, jand when they have reverenced that Word, which was fpoken from God, do leave it where they heard it, delighting themfelves abroad with wic- ked Meafures and amorous Songs, and being fiUM with the Noife of Pipes. Thus whilft they fing fuch things over and over again, who before did celebrate the Fraifes of the immortal God, at laft being wickedly inclin'd, they fing the Reverfe to the other, Let us eat and drink, for to morrow we foall die. And in ano- ther Place,, (c) They who are intently bufied in Mu- fick, Songs, and fuch like diffolute Recreations , become immodeit, infolent, and very far from good Difci- pline, as thofe about whom Cymbals and Dulcimers y and the Infiruments of Deceit are founding. But it greatly concerns us Chrifiians to cut off every filthy Sight, every difljonefi Sound, and in ftiort, every lewd Senfe of Intemperance, that doth tickle or effeminate our Eyes or Ears. For the various Sorceries of Songs, and the Meafures of the Carick Mufe, corrupt the Manners with intemperate and wicked Mufick, and draw Mens Inclinations to riotous Living. The Pipe therefore, the Flute, and fuch like Infiruments, are to be excluded from a fober Feaft, as more fit for Beafts than Men, and for thofe People who are leaft endu'd with Reafon. But modefi and chaft Harmcnies are to be admitted, by removing as far as may be, all Joft effemi- nate Mufick, which with a difhoneft Art of warbling the Voice, do lead to a voluptuous and flothful Kind of Life. Tertullian (d) faith, that (e) on the Stage, thofe things which are performed with the Voice and Meafure,have (,1) Anno Chrifii 192. (b) Psedagog. lib. 2. cap. ir. (c) Pe- •dagog. lib. 2. cap. 4. (d) Anno Chrifti 192. (e) Lib. de Spe- ftaculis, pag. 605. Edit. Bail), anno 1562. cap, de Artibus Scenicjs. Apollo, 46 The Great Alufe ofMufich Part 1/ Apollo, the Mu fes, Minerva, and Mercury for their Pro- prietors. And he concludes with this Expreffion : Hate thefe things, O Cbrifiian, fince thou can'ft not but hate the Authors. In an antient (f) Oration, that goes under the Name of(g) Hippolitus, there are thefe Words: Chrift (hall fay at the laft Day, Depart from me, all ye Workers of Iniquity. For I made your Ears, that they might hear the Scriptures ; but you [have prepar'd them for the Songs of Devils, for Harps and ridiculous things. St. Cyprian, (h) or fome other early Writer, was of the Opinion, that (i) the Grecian Games, which confifted of Mufical Infiruments, had feveral Devils for their S«- perintendents. Laclantius (k) fpeaking of Songs, faith, That (7) the Senfes are fo intoxicated either with certain compos'd Orations, or with Verfes or fubtle Difputations, that of- tentimes the State of the Mind is diftra&ed thereby ; and they, who are thus carried away with itching Ears> are eafiiy feduc'd even to Idolatry. He adds in another Place (**), That the Pleafure of Hearing is perceivd by the Sweetnefs of the Voice and Songs ; which Senfe is as enfnaring as the Eye it felf. For who will not count him as a luxurious and wicked Perfon, who keeps in his own Houfe the Scenick Arts* But there is no Difference, whether you are thus luxu- rious alone at home, or with the People in the Theater. A Voice fo manag'd feizes the Mind, and drives it whither it lifts. And People being accuftom'd to fuch fweet and polite Verfes, defpife the plain and na- tural Word of God as mean and fordid, and only feek for that which pleafeth the Senfes. Let him therefore that ftudies the Truth, and will not deceive himfelf, (f) De Confummatione mundi & Antichrifto. (g) Anno Chrifti 220. (70 Anno ChriM 248. (?) De Speftaculis, edi- tione Pamelii. (k) Anno Chrifli 303, (/) Divin. Inftir. Epir. cap. 5. (jni) De vero cultu cap. 21. caft Chap. 4- TheGreatAbufeofMufith 47 caft away thofe hurtful Pleafures, prefer true things before falfe, eternal before momentary, and profitable before pleafant. Let nothing be grateful to the Sight, but what may be done pioufly and juftly. Let no- thing be pleafant to the Ear, but that which nourifhes the Soul, and makes a Man better. If you take plea- sure in hearing Songs and Verfes^ let it be a pleafant thing to hear the Praifes of God. This is the true Plea- sure, which is the Companion of Virtue. This is not fading and (ftort, like the other, which they defire* who like Beafts ferve the Body $ but it is perpetual and delightful, without any Interraiffion. Epiphattius (n) informs us, That (0) the whole Cat bo. Ikk and Apoftolick Church condemn'd Plays and Mur- fields. The Zeal of St. Bafil (?) hath on this Cfccafion almoft exceeded its due Bounds, who faith, that (which are profitable for nothing, being fweet for a time, but bitter afterward ? For with fuch filthy Songs the intie'd Minds of Men are wea- ken'd, and fall away from Virtue, flowing into Filthi- nefs : and for the fake hereof they afterward feel eter- nal Pains, and digefl: with great Bitternefs that which they drank with a temporal Pleafure. St. Chryfoflom (b) faith, That (i) Cymbals, Pipes, and filthy Songs, are the Pomps and Compofition of the Devil. In other Places he hath the following Words (k\ All things which are a Aed on the Stage are moft filthy. The Words, the apparel, the Voice, the Songs, the Tunes y ' he Turning and Motion of the Eyes, the Pipes, the Flutes, :A the Argument of the Plays themfelves, all things full of filthy JVantonnefs. They infufe fo much 'civioufnefs into the. Minds of thofe, who fee and hear them, that they all feem with one Confent utter- ly to root out all Modefiy from the Souls of Men, and to fatisfy their Lufts with pernicious Pleafure. And then he asks, When therefore wilt thou repent, and withdraw thy felf from fo great a Defire of For- (g) De decern choreic cap. 4. (h) Anno Chrifti 598- (i) Ho- JT.1C42.. in Afta Apotf. Tom. 9. and Homi], 12, in 1 Cor. Tom. 10. (k) Homil. in Match. 38. Tom. 8, nication, Chap. 4- The Great Abufe of Mnfich 51 nication, which the Devil hath infus'd into thee? (I) There (in the Stage-Plays) are broken and wan- ton Words ,• there are vrborifb Songs • there are Voices , which vehemently excite to Pleafure. To thefe are added the Allurements of Flutes and Pipes, and fuch like Mujick, enticing to* Deceit, effeminating the Forti- tude of the Mind, and preparing thofe that fit there with Delight for the Traps of Harlots, and caufing them to be more eafily infnar'd. Shall we therefore, where the Spirit is as an Ointment poured forth, caft in the Devil's Pomps ? Shall we therefore lay up the Fa- bles oi Satan, or Songs that are full oiwhorijJj Filtkhmfs ? Tell me, with what Mind can Go d endure this ? (m) There doft thou hear diflioneft Words, and wborijh obfcene Songs, and the Mind is wounded with thofe things which thou heareft. (n) Where are thofe who fit daily in the Flay-boufe, addicted to pernicious Songs ? Verily I am altogether afhamed to fpeak of them, but I mult fpeak of them, becaufe of your Infirmity. (0) Like as Swine run into the Mire,and Bees do live among Spices and Perfumes: So wnere there are -whc- rijh Songs, there the Devils are gather'd together ; but where there wq fpiritual Songs, thither the Grace of the Holy Ghofi doth fly, and the Mouth fan&irieth the Heart. And as they who bring in Stage- Players and Harlots into their Feafts, do call in Devils thither ; fo they who bring in the Pfalms of David with his Harp, do call in Chrift by him. They make their Houfe a Theater, do thou make thy Cottage a Church. (p) If we confider well, we mail find as great a Dif- ference between the Church and the Play-houfc, as if a Man fhould hear Angels finging an Heavenly Song, and (0 Dc Davide & Saule. Homi!. 3. (m) HomiL 1. in Pfal. 5c. (a) Homil. 69. in Matth. (0) Honiil. in Plal. 41. (/) Honiil. 69, in Matth. E 2 Swlnt 5 3 The Great Alufe ofMufich Part L Swine grunting when buried in the Dirt. For in their Mouths Chrift fpeaks, but in thefe Mens Mouths the Devil. The Tipes with puffed up Cheeks, and a de- formed Face, fend forth an uncertain and an inarticu- late Voice to thefe ; but by their Mouths, the Graces of the Holy Ghofi found fo fweetly, that it is impoffi- ble for thole, who are faftned to Clay and earthly things, to fet fo great a Pleafure before their Eyes. Wherefore I wifli that fome of thofe who are mad a- bout thefe things, could but be brought to the Choir of Saints, and then I need not to ufe many more Words. And altho' we relate thefe things to earthly Men ; yet we will fomewhat endeavour to pull them out of the Filth and Dregs. For from thefe Songs of Harlots 2. Flame of Luft doth prefently fet the Auditors on Fire. And as if the Sight and Face of a Woman was not fufficient to enflame the Mind, they have found out the Plague of the Voice too. But by the Singing of our Holy Men 3 if any fuch Difeafe doth vex the Mind, it is prefently extinguifh'd. (q) How doft thou dare to mix the Sports of Devils with the Hymns of Angels praifing God ? (r) We do not prohibit the Voice of Praife, but the Voice of Abfurdity and Confufion, unfeemly and effeminate Songs, which are the proper Sports of thofe who fit idle in the Play-houfes. if) How abfurd a thing is it, after that My filed Voice brought down out of Heaven by a Cherubim, to defile the Lars with whorijh Songs and effeminate Me- lodies. (t) The Devil furnifhing the City with infernal Flames, doth not put under it Stalks of Hemp, be- fmear'd with Brimftone, but things far worfe, filthy Words, and Songs full of all Lewdnefs. (q) Hoir.il. in Ifa, 6. i. (>) Ibid, (f) Homil. ad Antioeh. 21. (t) De Paenitentil, Homii. 8. (u) What Chap. 4. The Great Abufe ofMufich. 53 (u) What wilt thou fay ofchofe Songs which are full of all Immodefty ? Sengs, which bring in diflioneft Intreagues, unlawful and wicked Copulations, and have fo often in them the Name of a Lover, and a Sweet-heart, a'M'iftreJs, 2nd 9. Beloved. And that which is worft of all, there are Virgins prefent at them, who laying afide all Shame, do, in the midft of unchaft young Men, behave themlelves lafciyiouily and un- leemly, fporting themfelves with disorderly Songs , ebfeene Difcourfes, and S Manual Mufick. And do ft thou yet enquire, whence Adulteries, whence Whoredoms, and whence Corruptions of Marriages fliould proceed ? (x) Some did hear whorifo Songs -, but you did give your Minds to the moft pleafant Spiritual Doftr'me. Who hath made them thus to err ? Who hath call'd them away from the holy Sheepfold? Verily the De- vil hath deceived them. (y) As Mud and Filth are apt to flop the Ears of the Body, fo whorifl Songs are apt to flop the Ears of the Mind more than any Filth : Or rather, they do not only ftop, but alfo pollute and defile them. For fuch Difcourfes do, as it were, caft Dung into your Ears. Whatthatiter^r/Vrathreatned, faying, (z,) Te flail eat your own Dung • that alfo many do, not in Word,but in Deed : For adulterous Songs are much more abominable than Dung. And that which is tar worfo to be endur'd, you not only hear them, without being offended or griev'd ; but you laugh and rejoice : And whereas you ought to hate and abhor them, you entertain and applaud them. (a) The Devil is prefent in thofe Companies, being calf d up by whorijh Songs, by obfeene Words, and by a diabolical Pew p. But thou hail renoune'd all Vomp (u) Homil.ad Antioch. zr. (x) Ora*. 6. Tom. 5. (y) Ho- mil. 58. in Matth. (z) 1 Kings 18. 17. l.a. ^5. 1^. (a) Ho- mil. in S. Juiianuin. E I of 54* The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part I. of this Nature ; thou haft devoted thy felf to the Wor- ship oichrifi, in that Day in which thou haft been ac- counted worthy of the [acred Myfteries, namely, Bap- tifm and the Lord's Supper. Remember therefore the Words then fpoken. Remember the Covenant then made, and beware how you break it. (b) By this we are taught to how great Punifhment they are ^obnoxious, who utter filthy and obfiene Songs. (c) But fay 'ft thou, I nvrtv[ppkc nor [ang thefe obfiene Songs, thefe Incentives of Pleafure. But what is the Difference? If thou doft not utter them, yet thou heareft them willingly. Nay, how wilt thou make it appear, that thcu doft not utter them, when it is apparent that thou doft willingly hear them with Laughter, and runneft to receive them. (d) This j, faith David) is my perpetual Song : This is my conftant Work and Office, to pralfi the Lord. Let them hear this, who effeminate themfelves with Diabolical Songs. What Punifhment (hall they not un- dergo ? Or what Portion (hail be given them, when as he was always employ'd in pratfing his Saviour, fo they are perpetually -wallowing themfelves in thefe filthy Notes ? (e) If then defpidng and forfakingSf^-?/^, thou fhalt hereafter frequent the Church, thou haft reftor'd Safety to thy halting Feet. If thou fhalt defpife dia- b oh cdl Songs , and inftead of them fhalt learn [piritual Pfitfos. then fhalt thou fpeak, who before waft dumb. ([ St. Hierome calls thefe Songs, (g) The poifon'd Sweets of a Singer poflefs'd by the Devil. And in o- ther places he writes in this Manner. (k) The Luft of the Palate is not fufficient, for you, pleafe your Ears with the Songs of the Pipe, the V[al- (h) H)ini!. in Pfal. 119. ver. T70, 171. (c) Ho:nil. }8. ii> Matin. ' (d) HomiJ. in Pfa). n8. (e) Homil. 33. in Matth. ■f) Anno Chrifti 598. (g) Lib. 3. Epift. 5. ad Salvinam ds iighiitaic. (h) Comment, in Amos 6. Tom. $. tery Chap. 4- The Great Abufe of Mufick. 5 5 tery and the Harp ; and that which David made for the Worfllip of God, inventing mufical Inftruments, you transfer to Pleafure and Luxury. (0 Let the Singtrbz thruft out of thine Houfe at noxious. Expel out of thy Doors all Fidkrs and Sing- ing Women, with all this Choir of the Devil, as the dreadful Songs of Syrens, (k) Let them whofe Office it is to (i?ig inthe Church, hear thefethings. We mu&fing zoGod with the Heart, not with the Voice alone. We muft //»g in Fear., and , in the Knowledge of the Scriptures. Let the servant of Chrlft fi?jg in fuch a Manner, not that the Voice of the Singer, but the Words which are read, may pleafe ; that the evil Spirit, which was in Saul, may be caft out of thofe, who are polTefs'd by him, and that he may not be brought into thofe, who have made a Play- houfe of the Church of God. (I) St. Cyril of Alexandria complains, That (m) in every Place upon Holy-days, Men run to Taverns^ to Plays, Sights, and Revels, in Contempt of the Name of God, and great Abufe of fuch Days. And he affirms That where there is the Sound of the Harp, the Beating of Cymbals, the Confort oiFidlers, the Quaint- nels of Numbers and Applaufes, there is alfo all Kinds of Filthinefs : And thofe things are done of fuch in private, which it is not fit to mention. (0) Valeriana faith, That (p) as often as the Hear- ing is iboth'd with a pleafant Voice,- fo often is the Sight invited to a filthy Deed. Let no Man truft thofe treacherous Songs, nor look back to thofe Allure- ments of a luftful Poke, which rage when they delight, and kill whilft they flatter. (i) Epift. 10, ad Furum, cap. 4. (k) Comment, in Ephef, lib 3. cap. z. Tom. 6. (I) Anno Chnfli 412. (m) In Johar. lib. 8. cap. 5. .(n) In Ifa. lib. t. cap. 5. Tom. 1. (0) Anno Chriili 439. (p) Ds otiofis verbis, Homil. 6. E 4 We 56 The Great Abufe ojMufick. Part I. . (e/) We oftentimes find a Way to be guarded to In- continency *, and Fomentations to Adulteries to be from hence adminiftred. Thefe are the Snares, by whofe Afliftance, among other Wounds, the Devil works the Death of Men. (r) Damafccnm (J) complains, That when Men are call'd to Church, they are frozen with Sloth, and make Delays. But when the Harp or Trumpet founds, they all run, as if they had Wings for this Purpofe. He faith (t) That in the Church we hear the Serapbims fing- ing Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, the Words of the Evange- lift, and efpecially pf the Holy Ghoft, the Frophets founding forth the Hymn of Angels and the Hallelujah. There every thing is fpiritual. There every thing is worthy of Salvation ; and there every thing helps us forward to the Kingdom of Heaven. But what doth he hear, who runs to the Theater ? Devilijh Songs and fuch likeDiverfions. And (u) he pronounceth a Wo againft liich who play upon the Harp on the Lord's Day, and compares a Fidler to the Dwi/. And to name but one Author more, (x) St. Bernard tells us, (?) That the Soldiers of Chrift do refufe and abhor fcurrilous Songs, as a Vanity and a falfe Frenzy. And he alfo faith (z,) That he who is delighted with the Singing of the Age,, and prefers fuch things before Chrift, f is in the Tent of the Devil. Neither was this the Opinion of fingle Men only ; but whole Councils have fully and frequently declar'd their Minds on this Occafion. There are fome Canons in feveral Councils, which relate pnly to thq Clergy, and accordingly it is decreed (q) De otiolis verbis, Hoxml. 6. (1) Anno Chrifli 750. (fj Parallel, lib. 3. Cip. 47. (t) Ibid, (u) Ibid, (x) Anno Chrif.i iii$. (%) Ad Milites Templi Sermo, cap. 4. pag. 83*. (2) Lutetian Pans, v Anno 164c. Parabola de nuptiis filii Regi?.- m Chap.4- The Great Abufe of MuficL 57 in one Council, (a) that none (hall be prefent in thofe Meetings, w here 'fib by and Love-fongs zrQfung. Another (b) forbids them to utter vain Fables, or prefume to fing Songs, becaufe it is a Devilijlj Practice, and forbidden in the Hcly Scriptures. Another (c) forbids them to be prefent in thofe Com- panies, where fib by and Love Songs are perform'd ^ left they, who are devoted to the Celebration of the Holy Sacraments, fhould be polluted by the Contagion of filthy Sights and Words. (d) And in other Places it peremptorily forbids all {\ic\i to fing filthy, wanton, or Love Songs, or to be pre- fent at, or to favour fuch Singing, becaufe (e) Evil Communications corrupt good Manners. (f) Another Council at the fame Place, not only forbids them to fing fuch Songs, but even to utter them. (g) Another faith, That formerly fo much Hone- nefty was required in fuch Perfons, that it was not lawful for them to be prefent at Plays, or thofe Af- femblies, where Love Songs are perform'd • left the Sight and the Hearing, being devoted to the Holy My- fieries of Religion, fhould be polluted with fuch filthy Words. There are other Canons alfo which lay a Reftraint upon the Laity in this Cafe ; and among them (h) one decrees, That none of thern who watch at Funerals (hall prefume to fing there any Devilijlj Verfes or Jefts, which the Pagans invented by the Teaching of the Devil. And adds, That fuch a foclifij Mirth, and fuch pefiilential Sengs are forbidden by the fame Authority. (a) Concilium A^athenfe, anno 506. Can. 39. (b) Concili- um Nanarenfe, Anno 890. (c) Synodiis Senonenftf, anno 1524. Bochelli Decreta Eccleiiaj Gallics, lib. 6. tir. 19. cap. z. p.icz* (d) Bochelli lib. 6. Tit. 19. cap. $, 4, zo, zi. (e) 1 Cor. 15. v ' (/; Concilium Senonenfe anno 1518. Can. 2$. (g) Concilium Cploncn.e anno 1526. Part 2. cap. z$, 16. (b) Concilium Are- Jaseiife 3. anno 524. But 5 8 The Great Abufe of Mujich Part L But if any one defires to fing, let him fing, Lord have Mercy upon us, or otherwife let him be wholly filent. (i) Another decrees., That the irreligious Cuftom which the Common People have introduc'd into the Fefiivals of the Saints, is utterly to be rooted out. The People who ought to. attend upon Divine Ser- vice^ are employ'd with filthy Songs ; which do not only hurt themfelves, but do alfo hinder the Duties of Religion, (k) Another faith, Let Men give Thanks to God, not with Play-houfe Methods and Sat anted Songs, and whorijh Voices, whom the Curfe of the Prophet follows, who faith, (/) Wo to them, who have the Harp, and the Viol, and Wine in their Feafts ; but they regard not the Work of the Lord, nor confider the Operations of his Hands. And if there be any fuch among Chriftians let them be punifhed. {m) Another alfo faith, We defire that all evil Communication, filthy Songs, and in fhort, all Luxury, be forbidden on the Lord's Day, and on all Holy Days. For with thefe things, and with the Blafphemies and Terjuries, which aue almoft continually the Confe- quences of thefe things, the Name of God is profaned, and the Sabbath is defiled, which teacheth us to ceafe to do evil, and learn to do well. And laftly, another faith, (n) We condemn and rejed filthy Songs, and in fhort, all Luxury and Wanton* nefs, and all profaning of the Holy Days. To thefe I fhall add fome Laws and Confiitutions of the fame Nature in our own Kingdom. The (o) Articles to be enquir'd of in Vifitations, fet (i) Concilium Toietanum 3. anno 617. Can. 22. (k) Syno- > 1 5, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22 twice, 25 twice, 24, 25 twice, 26, 28,29, 3°i 33> 37> 41, 45 twice, 44 twice, 47, 56, 72, 7;, 74, 7 5, 78,80, 8i, 8z, 92, 118, 146, 162, 166, 168, 172, 188, and 21 6. (b) Pag* 5, 50, and 127. CO Pagezz. 00 Page^z. (e) Page 9, 12, 24, J5, 17 twice, 42, 48, 57, 67, 97, 140, 190, 234. (/J P.^ io5. F finft 66* The Great Abufc ofMnfick. Part II. ftrefs is (h) reprefented as dying, becaufethe Holy An- gels were her Lover's Rival., thereby (i) burlefquing the Holy Scriptures, and reprefenting our BleJJed Saviour himfelf as a Liar. A (k) Lover being doubtful whether or no he fhall enjoy his Miftrefs, compares her to Heaven, looks up- on himfelf as in everlafting Torments, and faith, that in his Cafe the Sight of his Mifirefs is worfe than Hell. And to fum up this at once, the Joys of the other Wcrld are frequently reprefented as not worth the feeking after, ani(i) Whoring prefer'd as a Pleafure which exceeds them . The Smgwgon. Earth is (m) ex- tolled beyond the Celefiial Choir of Saints and Angels ; and (n) Mony reprefented as that only, w hich can give Life to the Soul of Man ; fo that when we have it, we have no Reafon to ask for any thing elfe. Betides, here we have (o) Curfmg and (p) Swearing for Diver- sion. God himfelf is call'd on (q) tofave us all, in fuch a manner as renders his Salvation moft ridiculous. Cupid is (r) reprefented as a God, an&Cyntbiaasif) the Goddtfs mofi divine. The (0 Devil is mention'd as if there was no fuch Being. The Words of («J Solomon are (x) burlefqu'd. And whereas that profane Saying, (y) Let us eat and drink, for to Morrow we jhall die, is juftly reckoned by St. Vaul among thofe evil Communi- cations which corrupt good Manners; here we have (zs) the quite contrary recommended in oppofition tq his Dcttr'ine, and ajhort Lift and a merry look'd upon as the only thing which is defireable by us. And now, if the Faults of the Book had died with the Tublifar, there had been no Neceffity at this time (h)' Page 212. (i) Mark 12. 25. (k) Page 132. (I) Page 64. (m) Page 158. (n) Rige 27. (0) Page 6, 9, and 52. (p) P:,ge6i, 97, and 204. (q) Page T44. (r) Page 116, 140, and 154- (D ^ n & e 4* W P*& e l - ^ Je Dsvil a Nlan, that is 9 710 Man. (u) Cant. 1, 2. (xj rage 53, (y) 1 Cor. 15. 1*, H- (z) P^s 164. to Chap. 1. The Great Abufe of Mufich. 67 to rake into the Afhes of the Dead, and fearch for fuch Matter which will juftly offend the Living ; but the Son Henry comes up in his Father's ftead, and in Pub- lifting of Profane nefs and Debauchery, excels all that went before him. The Volumes fold by him, intituTdj Wit and Mirth, or, Tills to purge Melancholy ; might more properly have been calfd, Trcfantnefs for Diver- ficn y or Hot Irons to fear the Confidence; and a Poet gives them this Character in the Front of one of the Volumes, That they will never bring a Man to Repentance, but always leave the contrary Effect. In the Preface ho informs us, That as his Father before had fpar'd no Coft nor Pains to oblige the World with Smut and Prc- fanenefs; fo he would make it his Endeavour to come up to fuch an Example ; and indeed he hath done ic ' effe&ually. Accordingly he adds, that as for thefe Tills, he dares to avouch 'em to be made up of the beft Ingredients, and the greateft Variety, that ever was or ever will be made publick. They are indeed the moft in Number, confifting of four Volumes, and the ftrongeft that ever were invented. And as, (a) one of the Volumes already bears the third Imprejficn, fo ("the more is the Pityj the Poifon takes, and therefore 'tis high time to givd Notice of the Danger. To omit the Infolence of the Poets, in reprefenting the (b) Nobility as notorioufly guilty of Drunkennejs e- ven to a Proverb, I fhall only take Notice of their Im+ mode fly, as it relates to the Seventh Commandment 3 which is fcandalous to the higheft Degree. The Love Songs (c) in every Volume, both for Men and (a) The fir ft Edition jr.u Anno 1699. and the third Edition of Vol. I. was Anno 1707. (h) Vol. II. Page 23, and 277. $c) Vol. I. Page $-j t 181, 182, 196, 208, and iio. Vol.11. Pjgcjs, 76, 8$, 114, 118, 133, 142, 166, 2CO,2IO t 226, 248, 250, 251, 252, 256, 257, 258, 259, 261, 262. 263, 264, 28?, 290, 291, 29J, 295, i9$> *9?> 300, 201, 302, 504, 307, 308, and 311, F 2 VoL 6 8 The Great Abufe ofMufick Part II. and Women are generally immodeft, rampant, and flaming ; but the (d) Smut, with which every Sheet is fluff 'd, is of the fouleft Nature that ever was feen, and generally without fo much as a double Entendre to excufe it. Sometimes it is mix'd with a whorijh In- treaguc; fometimesit is the Burden of the Song; fome- times it is the Argument of the Chorus ; and fometimes the whole Wit, Rumour, and Dejign of the Poem is bu- Vol III. Page 156, 165, 191, 207, 227, 2.31, 241, 242,243, 24s, 247, z-49, 252, 253, 256, 258, 259, 264, 2 7*» 2 73, *77» 286, 287, 3°3, 5o5, 3*3, 517, 32i» 325, 334, <"«* 33<5- fai. IV. Page 57, 62, 74, 77, 78, 83, 8$, 99, i°5, "7* 120, 132, 134, 136, 157, 159, 167, 168, 169, 172, 178, 185, 186, 187, 194, 195, 199, 2 °5, 216, 223, 227, 230, 232,238, 240, 241, 245, 246, 248, 253, 259, 266, 273,27$, 276, 278, 294, 296, 297, 301, 304, 312, 314, 3L8, 326, 327, 328, 334> 33 5, 339, and 346. (d) Vol I. Pjg. 15, 19,' 2T, 24, 35, 42, 43, 60, 62, 67, 76, 77, 80, 82, 83, 85, 86, 89, 90, 91, 92-5 I0I » I0 4» I0 5, Ie >7> 110, 114, 116, 120, 121, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 144, 146, 151, 152, t$4, 166, 169, 173, 174, 178, 180, 184, 185, 187, 188, 192, 202, 211, 214, 216, 218, 219, 220, 222, 227, 2;$, 247, 248, 2$0, 2$I, 258, 263, 270, 27I, 274, 276, 278, 287, 297, 301, 304, 312, 314, 318, 326,327, 328, 334, 33$, 339, and 346. " Vol. II. Page 43, 6r, 66, 68, 71, 72, 73, 74» &>, 8i, 83, 9*» 93, 94» 95, 98, 100, 104, 105, 113, "7, 123, 124, 125, 126, 134, 135, 137, 138, 140, 142, 143, 144, 146, 147, 151, 160, 161, 162, 164, 179, 181, i8<% 187, 190, 191, 19$, 196, 197, I98, I99, 200, 202, 203, 206, 212, 213, 215, 2l6, 22T, 234, 235, 236, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 249, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 286, 288, 289, 293, 294, 319, 320, end 321. Vol. III. Pag. 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 43, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 5'd i and therefore that which happens to one, who would reprove this Excefs of Naughtinefs, is wholly new, thar tho' without doubt he is an honeft Man who would accufe it, yet he cannot accufe it without Prejudice to his Honefty. Befides, all other Evils pollute 'the Afters, but not the Hearers. If you hear a Man blafpheme, you are not guilty, becaufe you do abhor ir, Bat thefe Impurities alone are of fuch a Na- ture, which bring in the Speaker and Hearer guilty pf the fame Crime. For whilft they hear the fame willingly, and approve thereof, they become Part a- (h) Anno Chriili 440, (i) Salvian de Guhernatione Dei. ken Chap.a. The Great Abufe of Mufich 7 1 Iters of fuch evil Deeds, and therefore the Saying of (k) the AfoftU is full againft them, That not only they who do thefe things are guilty of Death, but alio they who have Pleafure in tbofe that do them. By thefe Re- femblances therefore of/ '/boredoms, the common Peo- ple are wholly guilty of the Crime. For when a Man willingly hears an obfcene Difcourfe, and is pleas d therewith, he is immediately polluted thereby!. By thefe things we are therefore undone, according to (/) the Saying of the Holy Scriptures, It is a Sport to a Fool to do mischief. And we, whilft we laugn at thefe filthy and fordid things, are guilty of a Grime, a Crime not of the leaft Degree,' but fo much the more provoking, becaufe Men look upon it to be but imail, whilft in its own Nature it is of a moft pernicious Con- fequence. But that the Reader may have fome faint Notion of this Over-flowing of Ungodlinefs, fince the tenth Part cannot be told him, and the Monfters are too deform'd to be produc'd, let him only confider, that fometimes in their Songs the Pcets plead (m) for Who* ring, as (n) being common to every one, and make it {0) the Burden and Moral of the Song. Whoredom is (f) commended as delightful, and therefore (?) when Nature excites us, and Beauty allures us, we fhouid purfue and not reftrain our brucifn Affections. Nay, fuch a (rjpromifcuous Way of Living is reprefented as the greateft Bleffing. The Profeffion of a (f) B recommended as an effectual Way to be-rich. Some- times the ( t) Poets reprefent Women as longing for Marriage, and almoft dead without it. At one time, (k) Rom. 1. 52. (1) Prov. 10. 2$. (m) Vol. 1. Pag 202, £07, 2.S5, and $22. Vol. 2. P-igeps, i.:f. I 286. Vol 2. Page 195 and 250. Vol. 4. Page 84. (11 Page 285. (0) I'ol. 1. P.7g£5 4. 128 and 181. VA.z. Page 2Z$ andzz6. (p) Vol z. Pare 204. ($j Vol. 1. Page 207. (r)Voh 5. Pags 289. (J) Vol 4. flfee tf. (t) Vol. 3. Pi . F.4 *]% Tbe'Great Abufe ofMufich Part II, a young Girl is defcrib'd as (u) grown up to a great Height of Impudence. At other times, all (x) Wo- men are look'd upon as Whores, or (7) to have Whorifo Inclinations ; that (z,) they only mind their own Re- putations, that they are (a) vex'd at the Difappoint- ment, and (b) angry, becaufe Men will not be guilty of Whoredom with them. Sometimes the Toets recom- mend being conftant to one Whore, as (c) the fame in Effed with Marriage it felf. Sometimes they endea- vour (d) to ridicule dying a Maid, or (e) living long in that Condition, becaufe it is the (f) Way to bring Sorrow and Vexation to them, when they are old ; and the more effectually to droll upon the Holy Scrip- tures, this Sorrow is ridiculoufly ftil'd by the Name of Repentance. To live honeft iri (g) a fingle State is ac- counted a very great Crime in a Man as well as in a Woman. Modejly, which was formerly the Ornament of the Female Sex, is (k) now cenfur'd and expos'd, and Women are reprefented a? lamenting, becaufe (*J they have not been Whores. The ( k) Children lawfully begotten are look'd upon to be all Sots • fo that every one, who is temperate, rnuft be a Baftard. That Men may carry on their wicked Defigns with greater Sucgels, they are oftentimes (I) advis'd to be impudent in their Spllicitations and Endeavours to debauch the Women, with Aflurances, that in fuch a Cafe they fhail not always be denied : And indeed it is thecpnftant Doftrine pf the Poets, that no Denials (u) Vol 1. Page 228. . ,:) Vol. 1. Page 277. Vol. 3. Page 72, 156, and 1J7- Ml. 4- Page 119, 162, 204, 215, and 218. (y) Vol. 4. Page 204. (z) Vol. 4- Page 119. (a) Vol. 4. Page 190. (b) Vol. 4. Page 64. (c) Vol. 1. Page 101. (d) Vol. i. Pt&Uff Vol. ?• Page 184. (e) Vol. ?. Page 171 and 318. Vol. z. Page 219 and 306. . Vol. 4. Page 32, 311, and 316. (f) Vol, 4. Page 9 5. (g) Vol. 4. Page 289. (//) Vol 4. Page pJh W Vol. 4. Page 106. (fc; To/. 4. /% 221. (/; W. 1. page 264. fo/. 2. Page 90 d?ji 91. W. 2. P^g i^ i} 214, flwi 271. *V- 4- ^* ji 3j I 3°>' tf ^ I 3"8? ought Chap. 2. The Great Abuje of Mufick. 73 ought to be taken. In one Song Men are advis'd, that (m) the Way to bear a conftant Affedion to the Mi- ftrefs whom they fancy, is to make her their conftant Whore, and never to marry any fuch Perfon. In ocher Places, (n) Adultery is look'd upon as a Glory and Ho- nour, or (0) at worft is reprefented but as a Jeft. And the more effe&ually to run counter to the Scriptures, (p) not to be guilty of Whoredom, is cenfur'd in thefe Songs as a Sin ; becaufe we do not follow the Precepts and Examples, which the Divine Beings have given us. This (if we will believe the Poets) is (q) our only Plea- fure, our only folid Joy, and our brighter! Jewel. In thefe Songs we are told, that (r) the Pleafures of Who- ring do exceed the State of Marriage, and that a Wench or Whore is better than a Wife. That if a (f) Woman do prefent us with an Opportunity to debauch her, it is our Faults if wenegle&to improve it to this Pur- pofe. Honefty (t) is but a dull Qualification at the beft, and they who do moil notorioufly break the Seventh Commandment, are the moft carefs'd, and the moft ad- mir'd. To prevent fo much Uncleannefs, which thefe Songs are apt naturally to produce, God was plea- fed, in Pity to Mankind, to ordain the State of Mar- riage • but becaufe this is a Curb to fuch Extravagan- cies, and an Hinderance to the Poets filthy Defigns ,- therefore, without the leaft Regard to the Author^ they vent their Paflion, and bitterly exclaim againft it. Accordingly, all married Women are reprefented as Whores, and all married Men as Cuckolds. The Jguo- tations would be endlefs, and therefore I muft forbear dire&ing to them. This Holy State is (u ) expos'd and ridiculed, and the more effectually to droll upon the- (m) Vol. 1. rage $2 2. (n) Vol 2. Page 202. Vol. 4. Page 168 (o) Vol 4. Page 59- (?) Vol. 2. Page 213. (q) Ibid, (r) Vol. 3. Tag. 211. (f) Vol 3. Pag. 255. (/) Vol 2. Page 201. (#) Vol. I. Pagez: Duties 74 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. Duties of 'Contrition and Repentance^ 2L Husband is (x) faid by this Means to be brought to a Sight of his Sins, as if it was the greateft Judgment that could befal him. According to the Language of thefe Poets, a (y) mar- ried Life is a dull Life, and fuch a Man looks like a Fool." For this Reafon, there are fo many (&) Satyrs and Inveclives againft it, and (a) Adultery is fo greatly commended. In fhort, there are fo many Examples of Debauchery, fo much Variety of Smut and Love- Sengs, fo many Inftruclions, and fuch a large Encomi- um of Wickednefs, that it is beyond Expreflion. And that it may do the more Mifchief, it is all propos'd as a Diver/ion, as Wit and Mirth, and the Way to pre- vent Melancholy ; fo that when we confider the various Wiles and Devices of the Devil and h\s Agents, we have a wonderful Caufe to blefs Almighty God for his Good- nefs and Mercy, that we had not before this Time been like unto Sodom and Gomorrah. (#) Vol. I. Page 204. (y) Vol 3. Page 291. (2) Vol 1. Page 322. Vol. 2. Page 319 and 222. Vol. z. Page 195, 231, 250, 289, d«<* 291. To/. 4. Page 65 and no. (a) W. 2. P^ge $7. Chap. Chap, 3. The Great Abufe ofMufich 75 H A P. III. "The Trofanenefs of tbofe Songs or Ballads^ which are differ id among the meaner Sort of Feople, in all Tarts of the Na* tion^ Jet to fuch Mufick which is fuita* lie to their Capacity. ' ANother Charge againft thefe Songs is their Pro- fanenefs. In this Cafe the Poets fink down to Pa- v ganlfm for the Sake of their Fancy, imitate the Hea- thens in adoring their falfe Gods, and really do their Utmoft to fubvert Chrifiianity it felf. Here they lay the Axe to the Root of Religion, and if they can but place Jupiter, Juno, Cupid and Venus, with the reft of the Pagan Deities, upon the fame Level with the True God, it will be aHome-ftroke, and they will hew it down effe&ually. If not, they have this Excufe, that it was only a Fancy, and they meant no Harm, That therefore the Reader may obferve, how fair- ly they bid for this Matter, and that I may give him feme View of this horrid Impiety, I fhall firft take No- tice of that which is intermix'd with their Immodefty, or Difcourfes of Love, and afterward of that which is us'd on other Occafions. In Difcourfing on Love, thefe Poets reprefent it as an holy Flame, and that it is a Sin to quench or en- deavour to fupprefs it ,• they tell us, that its Fuel is Divine, that (b) to love without Succefs or a Promife, is to have the Soul for ever intangled with Grief, as if there was no other Hell, and that (c) firft to burn and (b) Vol. I. Page no. (r) Vol. I. Page 180, rage 7 6 The Great Abufe ofMufick Part IL rage with Love, and then to obtain the Willi, is to be made blefs'd like thofe above ; as if there was no better Heaven, nay, that (d) there is no folid Joy except this Bleffing. A Lover, both Male and Female, is (e) call'd all in all, and all in every Fart. Such a Man profefleth to the Gods that (f) he hath his only Wifh, when he dies at his Miftrefs's Feet ,• and (g) that tho* he woo'd the Gods with Fafiing and Prayer to gain an heavenly Crown, yet if his Miftrefs could but love him, he would no longer purfue that tedious Search after the Joys of the other World ; but find out an Hea- ven below, which Ihoutd be preferred before the other. The (h Duties of Love and Prayer, which in Scripture is refer'd to God^ is here applied to a Mifirefs, and re- prefented as the only Way to Heaven, and Beauty is ftil d (i) a Heart controuiing Grace. The Character which thefe Poets give of Whoring is (k) that the Joy thereof is immortal, it makes a Man become a great God, and there is no greater Bleffing ; that (I) there is no Contentment like it, and that (m ) it is a Soul melting Pleafure. Befides, that they may more effe&ually droll upon the ferious Offices of Religion, he who is guilty of this horrid Crime is ad- vis'dO; to declare his Thankfgiving with Heart and with Voice, and (o) pray heartily to God ( as if he was the Author and Encourager of fuch WickednefsJ that the Power of Whoring may never decay. A Difappointment in Whoring is caird (/>) an eter- nal Woe, as if there was no other Hell. A Woman's final Anfwer is compar'd to the Condemnation of de- parting into an Eternity of (q) Hell Torments. A Man faith, that (r) he ne'er repented half fb much for all (d) Vol. z. Page 213. (0 Vol z. Page 301. (/J Vol 2. Page 199. (g) Vol 2. Page 297. (/;) Vol. 3. Page 258. (i) Vol. ?. Page 215. (k) Vol i. Page 202. (I) Vol 3. Page 231. («) Vol. 3. Page 245. (w) Vol 2 Page 160. (0) Vol 2. Page 162. (f) Vol. 1. Page 116, (if) Vol 3. Page 220. (r) Vol. 1. Page 261. his Chap. 3. The Great Abufe ofMufich 77 his Sins, as for lofing an Opportunity of Whoring, and (f) that Maids do ne'er repent fo much as when they are too holy, that is, when they are not willing to be debauch'd, and play the Whore. And fince this is the Cafe, it is no Wonder that a lawful Copulation is defcrib'd by (f ) a Man with his Heaven in his Arms, and (u) that which alone compleats all Joys. The Characters, which, for this Reafon, they give of Women, are moft blafphemous. That they are ( x) Angels , (y) Cherubims and Seraphims, and (z>) have diviner Looks. A Woman is defcrib'd as (a) Heaven's Mafter-Piece, and the divineft Frame, (b) one whom Nature hath made divine ^ her (c) Hands are like the Weapons, with which Jove fubdues proud Mortals ; fhe fhines like his Lightning, and batters like his Thunder, and her Eyes dart Lightning ; that (d) Crowds adore her ; fhe can wound a Lover like Fate, and can recover him like a Goddefs. She bringeth down to the Pit, and raifeth up again. The Great Crea- tor chofe fuch Eyes to kindle Nature, or raife Luft, and that Man is curs'd that can refufe her/ that (he is (0 a Soul delighting Creature, beyond a Cherubim, a Star, or Divinity it lelf. She is (f) a Goddefs and a Dei- ty $ her Bofom is Love's Paradife, and there is no Heaven but in her Eyes. That (g) 'tis Celia^ not Hea- ven, which muft give us Relief,- that (hj her Charms are celeftial ; (i) fhe alone can give Relief, and her Bieffings will be manifold. Nay, when fhe is (k ) kind, it is not in the Power of Heaven to grant a f greater Blefling. A Lover (I) defpifeth all Other Plea- iires except thofe which flow from his Miftrefs's Eyes, ([) Vol.z Page 95. (t) Vol. 1. Page^. (u) Vol 4. Page 77. (*) Vol. 4. Page 317. (y) Vol. 3. Page 168. (z) Vol. 1. Page 173. (a) Vol. 1. Page Si. (b) Vol. 1. Pageijoj. (c) Vol. 1. Page 331. (d) Vol. z. P age zzi. (e) Vol. z. Page zSz. (F) Vol. 1. Page zoo. (g)Vol.^. Pagez$$. (h) Vol. 3. Page lo6. (i)lbid. (k) Vol.}. Page n6. (I) Yol+ Pdge 73. and 78 The Great Abuje ofMufick Part II. and confeffeth himfelf blefs'd in her alone. That (jn) fhe is all a Lover's Pain, and all his Pleafure : AH that he efteems is her Favour^ and all thac he fears is her Difdain. He would live and die with her alone, and when fhe is his, he partakes of the Joys above ; as if the Happinefs of the Saints in Heaven, did not confift in the Beatifick Vifion^ but in Carnal Copulation. A Woman, according to this Lan- guage, \> (n) divine ,- me is ( o) a Goddefs, and abfo- lutely reigns ,• it is fhe alone that can fave or kill, and f/Ofhe alone can pleafe. He^) who gains her, hath all that can be in Heaven. It is a (rj Tweet Pleafure, which contains all Paradife^ and gives a Man the full Poffeffion thereof, infomuch that if a Man had this dear Happinefs, he need not to covet any other. And ([) the Gods themfelves could never yet conceive the Worth of fuch a Creature. In fhort, a Woman cannot -be commended, but Christians muft turn Turks, and think of no other than a brutal Paradife. God and Heaven muft be undervalued, Religion be e- fteem'd as nothing, and the Torments of Hell be re- prefented as infignificant. The Poets had rather utter the mpft dreadful Blafphemy than Iofe the meaneft Fancy. I fuppofe that no Hyperbole, or Poetical Liberty, will excufe fuch an Extravagancy. It is bad to be immo- deft in Expreflions. It is worfe to be fmutty. It is dreadful to be thus profane ,• but when it is alfo affe- &edly blafphemous, I want a Word to exprefs it. It is, I think, beyond the Impudence of the very Devils themfelves. It is enough to caufe the Ears to tingle, and the Heart, where any Grace is left, to tremble, and yet all this paffeth for Mufick and Diver/ion. The Characters, which they give of a Lover, are generally extravagant and Blafphemous. That (t) he (m) Vol. 4. Pagezo-j. (n) Ibid. (o) Vol 4. Page 212. (p) Vol. 4. Page 310. (q) Vol. 4. Page 232. (r) Vol. 4. Page *o*» ({) Vol. 4. Pagtz\z._(t) Vol z. Page 248. is Chap. 3 . The Great Alufe ofMufich 7 9 is all the Delight of a Woman's Soul ,• that (x) if the Gods will only reftore him, the Nymphs will ask no more ,• and that (y) he is all in all,, and all in every Part. As fuch profane Chara&ers are given of Women in thefe Songs , fo the Poets flop not here. They afcribe to them the Honour which is due to God alone, and which he pofitively faith fhall not be given to ano- ther. Nothing is more common than the (&) adoring of the Sex. Crowds (a) of People pay this Devotion, and (b) the Hearts of Men were ordain'd for this Pur- pofe. Accordingly they (c) fwear, by that dear pant- ing Breaft, and by that Soul, thatrefts in her : When at the fame Time they fpeak contemptibly oiGod y in applying thofe Words, (d) By the Grace of the Lord, to Smut and Naftinefs, and (e) God have Mercy , m a Bravado to the A& of Whoring.. But to proceed. In the Scriptures we are command- ed (f) to fear the Lord, and when Occafion requires in weighty Matters, to [wear by his Name ; but here they (g) [wear by Love. Accordingly Cupid is reprefented as the fupream Be- ing. He is call'd (h) the little God 3 and (i) the God. His Godhead (k) is fpoken of with Efteem. His (/) Em- pire is ftil'd eternal, and he is faid to be (m) the Kind God, and (n) the God of Love. Women are exhorted to (0) appeafe and obey this mighty God of Love, left they fhould fall as Sacrifices to his Fury. Men vow by (*) Vol. 2. Page 261. (y) Vol. 2. Page 301. (z) Vol. 2. Pageiij, 248, and 256. Vol. 4. Page 101, 105, 127, 245, and 288. i6. (n) Vol 3. Page 221. (a J Vol. 3. P?g« 291. f/>) Vol. 2. Pj£) by the Wounds of Chrifl; fometimes ( a) by their M^ker ,• by (0 the Blood ofCbrift, by (c) his Heart, by (d) the (n) Ludere cum facris. (o) Non vacat exiquis rebus adefle Jovi. Ovid. (p) Marth. 7. 21. (q) Vol. z. Page 20. (r) Vol. 2. Page 19 and 228. (f) Vol. 2. Page 286. Vol. $. Page 114, 115, and 19 * Vol. 4. Page 82 and 332. (t) Volz. Page 19. (u) Vol. 1. Prgc 38. (x) Vol. 2. Page 233 and 281. (y) Vol. 2. Page 255 and 241. Vol 3. page 209, and Vol. 4. Page 42. fz) Vol. 1. P ( t^ 55, 88, 295, 296, 501, 305, 207, 508, and 209. Vol. z. Pg; 2^3, 238, 269, 181, awi 214. Pb/. 2. Pjge 209, and Vol. 4. Page 1.93. Caj Vol. 4. Pagez$. (b) Vol. 1. P.Tgejn. awi Po/. 3. i^75. fO ro/ - I. ^<5 5. (A) Vol 4. *4g* ijr. G 4 £/W 88 The Great Abufe ofMufick. Part II. Blood of Chrift, and the Fire of Hell ; and by (*) the Bordy of God. Sometimes they fwear (f) by Heaven, (g) by their Bodies , (h) by their Souls, (i) by their Salvation, and ( &) by their Conscience. Sometimes they fwear (/) by their Faith, tjn) by their Troth, (n) by all that's true,, (o) by their Honour, (p) by their ' Youth, and (q) by their Hand, which latter Oath, tho* one of the mod trivial, is own'd to be of that Nature, that the Danger of the Soul depends upon it, if it fhould be broken, when thofe which are more fo- lemn are related as if they were moft ridiculous. Sometimes they fwear (r) by the Afafs, (f) by their good Faith, (f) by the Lord Harry, (u) by good Saint Patrick, and (x) by all things that are holy ; And to fhew how effectually thefe (y) evil Communications do corrupt good Manners, a Poet, who commends thefe Poems in (z,) the Beginning of one Volume, [wears by his Soul, that they will not confine a Man to a righte- ous Behaviour, nor ever be the Occafion of bringing any to Repentance. Another Inftanqe of their Profanencfs is (hewn in their horrid Curfes • which, one would think, was e- nough to fpoil the Mufick, and fill the Ears with Hor- ror and Amazement. It is no uncommon thing to (e) Vol z. Page 98. (f) Vol 2. Page 28$. (g) Vol 2. Page 515. (h) Vol.z. Vage^iy 280, 28?. Vol. 3. Page 526. and Vol. 4. Page 41. (i) Vol. i. Page 348. and Vol. 1. Page 2^3. (k) VoU 1. #7^348. (/) Vol.i. Page 20, 58, 54, "4> Xi 9, H5, 161, 265, 266 //>m pmes 9 and 285. /W. 2. Page 19, 22, 25, 210, 218, 219, f7& 185, *W 22i. /o/. 3. Page z^ 45, 74, 8s, 150, 161 /iwaf 102. F0/. 4. Pagez% 45, 149, *» ) damn them (9) eter- nally ; that (r) the Bat and the OWmay be their Mates, and a Pain in their Brains may make them howl, that the Pox may be their Friend, and the Plague may work their Deftru&ion. In one Place (f) this Profanenefs is their Diverfion for twenty Verfes together, with Swear- ing and Smut intermix'd to compleat the Profanenefs. Sometimes they curfe in this Manner, that (t) the Plague may light upon the Objeft of their Hate ,• and that (u) the Devil may take it, where the Word Devil isorder'd by the Mufician to be repeated four times for the greater Diverfion of the Singer. In another Place, they wifh that what is there fpoken of may go to the Devil, and (x) the Word Devil is repeated nine Times for the fame Reafon. Sometimes they wifh (a) V0I.2. Page 229. (b) Vol. z. Page 299. (c) Ibid. (d)Vol. 1. Page 88, 99, 100, and 205. Vol 2. Page 313. and Vol. 3. Page 27 and 71. (e) Vol. I. Prge 198, 205, and zoj. Vol. z. Page 63, 79, 124, 206, and 239. Vol. 3. Page 169, 209, and 236. Vol. a,. Page 258. (f) Vol. 1. Page 88. (g) Vol. 1. Page 117 and 296. Vol. 3. Page 44. (b) Vol. 1. Page 199 and 215. Vol. 4. Page iS and iz 1. (i) Vol. 1. Page 325. Vol. 2. Page 229. and Vol. 4. Page 108 twice, {k) Vol. z. Page 79. and Vol. 4. Page 22?. (I) Vol 2. Pagezzi. and Vol. 2. Pagez^. («) Vol. 1. Page 319. To/. 2. Page zSi. and Vol. 2. Page 326. (nj To/* 2. JV 281. Co; Fo/. 3. ^V 75* O; W- 5- p *g* 74. f?J To/. 5, Pj£« 68. (r) Vol. 3. Ptfgff 199- 09 '«'• 3- ^109. (0 r /> j. Po^o 326. («; To/. 3. P^< 279. (x) Vol. 4. Page 156. that 90 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. that (y) they may die, and (z,) their Vitals may be ftop'd, and (*) a Curfe may be their Fate, and (J?) to thunder out their Anathemas all at once, that others may fwing in Halters, be fhamm'd, be damn'd, be nick'd, be kick'd, never beget Sons, be punifh'd out of hand, and forc'd to pawn their Eftates : And as Damnation is that which they fo often call' for, fo we need not wonder that it is a beloved Epithet (c) on other Occafions. I am forc'd to tire the Reader with fuch horrid Language, other wife the Patrons of Immo- rality will complain that their Poets are condemn'd, without any Evidence to prove them guilty. And now if the Voet s, Compofers of Mufick, or Sing, ers, but confider what a dreadful thing the Curfe of God is, it might make them repent, and do no more fo wickedly. They would certainly then forbear u- fing the Language of Hell whilft they are upon the Earth, and imitate the Devil in a Chrifiian Country, left that with which they now jeft, may be hereafter their Portion in earneft. David faith (d) of the pro- fane Perfon, that as he loved Curfing, fo it jhall come unto him - as be delighted not in the Blejpng, fo it jhall he far from him. And as he cloathed himfelf with Curfing like as with a Garment, fo it jhall come into his Bowels like Water, and like Oyl into his Bones : It Jhall be unto him as the Garment which cover eth him m , and for a Girdle where- with he is girded continually. I pray God, that they may lay it to Heart ; and then I am fure that the Thoughts hereof will have a different Effecft from what they propofe to themfelves in their Mufick, by increa- fing their Melancholy, bringing them "to Repentance, and fpoi ling this their Diverfion. As thefe Songs are thus fcandaloufly guilty of Swear- (y) Vol. 4. Page i$z. (z) Vol. 4. Page 156. {a) Vol. 4. Page i^i. (b) Vol 4. Page 32.1. (c) Vol. 1. Page 331. and VqU J. Page 16, 73, a** 74. (d)Vh\. 109, 17, 18, 19. ing Chap. 3. The Great Abufe ofMufich 91 ing and Curfing, fo it cannot be imagin'd, that the iWjhave on thefe Occafions ftuck at any other thing whereby the Intereft of Religion may be undermin'd. I might on this Occafion mention feveral things which I have already touch'd upon, but the Monfiers are too deform'd to appear twice in publick View. However, there is no Occafion of farther Recourfe to them for want of frefh Matter. In one Place, (e) a Beggar boafts of himfelf, becaufe he hath no Religion. It is reckon'd as a Happinefs (f) to be eas'd of all Religions , and the (g) Men to be worfe than Cannibals who obey Church Rules. A pious Man is (h) ftiTd a religious Fool, and reckon'd fit only (i ) to make a Feaft for the Devil. Religion is (k) tax'd as a Cloak for all Wicked- nefs and (I) Hypocrify at the Bottom. It is affirm'd, • (m) that they who are bred up from their Youth in a Senle of Religion, do afterward turn to the greateft Debaucheries, and (n) the Leaving of Wine for Ale is call'd a Change of Religions. The Song call'd (0) The Rambling Rake is fcandalous in the higheft Degree, and contains a Droll on Religion, in the fame Manner with a Part which I fhall venture to tranferibe. While he open'd his Text, I was plaguely vexd, To fee fuch a canting Crew Of Satan sDifciples With Prajer-books and Bibles, Enough to have made a Manfptw. Reformation is call'd (p) a Joyning with the Devil to pull down the Fope, and the Poet (Jf) thus expreffes his "Leal for the Proteftant Religion : (e) Vol. 1. Page 117. (f) Vol 2. Page 1. (g) Vol. 2. Vagez. (h) Vol.i. Page 310. (i) Vol z. Page 101. (fe) Vol. 2. Page 87. (I) Vol 1. Pageiz^ (m) Vol 2. Page 284 and 285. (n) Vol. 1. Page 154. (0) Vol. 4. Page 302, 303, and 304. (f) Vol 1. Pfl&tS* (3) Vol i» Page 199. Come 9* The Great Abufe ofMufich Part IL Come France, or the Pope, or the DeviUo foot, Or come Faggot or Stake, I care not a Groat : Never think that in SmithfieUl Porters will beat. No, no, Mafier Fox, fray excufe me for that. On the other hand, fpeaking againft (r) the Play- houfe, and the Profanenefs of fuch Songs as thefe, is compared to Treafon againft the Government • and we are roundly told, that they who are guilty of the one will make no Scruple of the other. Thefe Poets are very good Friends to the Playhoufe, and they them- felves (f) are pleas'd to give us the Reafon ; For Play-houfe Diver fions, With Mid-night Excurfions Debauch* d the (female) Sex into Whores. Topafs by fuch loofe Expreffions as thefe, (t) I be- lieve in my Soul, on a ridiculous Occafion ; fitting of Hunting (u) the only Pleafure that can cherifti the Soul, and (x) commending of Friendftiip as the moft perfed Image of all things Divine, and the bright Center of endlefs Defires, 1 (hall only mention thofe of a more horrid Nature, and which ftrike at the Root of all re- veal'd Religion. The firft Inftance of this Sort is the Burlefquing of the Holy Scriptures. Accordingly, as a Droll upon the Five Books of Mofes, (y) Time is defcrib'd with his Pen- tateuch oiTenfes. In Scripture (&) we are told, that the Lord killeth and maketh alive j in thefe Songs, (a) a. Miftrefs is repre- fented as one that can wound or recover, can kill or fave from dying. (r) Vol. 4. Pagetf. (f) Vol. 4. Page it 9. (0 Vol. 1. Page 14. (u) Vol. 5. Page 221. (x) Vol. 3. Page 270. (y) Vol. 1. Page 29. fz) 1 Sam. z, 6. (a) Vol. 2. Page in. In Chap. 3. The Great Abufe ofMufich 93 In Scripture God is faid (b) to have Regard to the Heart, in thefe Songs (c) when they fpeak of carnal Copulation, they fay, The Gods, who knew the noblefi Part In Love, fought not the Mind but Heart, Meaning the Body, as it is afterwards explain'd, and which is here prefer'd before the Soul. In Scripture God complains of profane Perfons, fay- ing, (d) Thefe things hafi thou done and 1 kept Silence, and thou thoughtefi wickedly, that I was altogether fuch a one as thy feJf ; but I will reprove thee, and Jet them in order be- fore thine Eyes. In thefe Songs they wreft the Scriptures to encourage Whoring ; they make it the End of our Creation, and the Defign of God therein, and affirm that the Refufal thereof is the Way to be abhor'd by him. They (e) reprefent God as an unchaft Perfon, and boldly fpeak out that which is a Sin to think. In Scripture (f) Solomon fpeaks of a Bear robbed of her Whelps ; which Proverb in (g) thefe Songs, are join'd with other Expreffions that are moil ridiculous. In Scripture there is this Pbrafe (h) The Sorjg of Songs, which is Solomons, but to make the Book and the Au- thor as contemptible as poffible, a paltry Play is made equal to it, and the Blejfmg of God is made a Jeft of in thefe Words ,• (#) Now God blefsall that will be blefs'd, And God bkfs DavenantV Opera, Which is the Sport of Sports. The Prophet (k) faith, That the righteous perijheth, and no man layeth it to Heart; and merciful Men are taken (b) i Sam. \6. 7. (0 Vol i. Page 170. (d) Pfal. 50. 21. (e) VoU 5. PageUp, (f) Prov. 17. 12. (g) Vol. z. Page 11 J. (b) Cant. 1. 1. (0 Vol. z. Page 12. (k) lia. $7.2. away, 94 The Great Abufe of Mufich Part II. away, none confidering that the righteous is taken away from the Evil to come. And this (I) Text is applied to a poor Drunkard. When our BleJJed Saviour delivered his Sermon upon the Mount, he began with this Expreffion, (m) BleJJed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. This Text is profanely wrefted, and (n) applied to the fahie Drunkard. Oh he is blefs*d for he was poor. And could not go to Hell. Our hlejjed Saviour exhorted his Difciples before his Crucifixion (o) to watch and pray, that they might not enter into\Temptation ; but (p) here a Man who had loft his Hat by Sleeping at Church, is profanely twitted by the Foet, who (I doubt) never pray'd when he was an wake. Thou doft not ohferve the Scriptures aright, For thou mufi have watctid as well as prayd. St. Paul faith ( There dies a brave Mm, and that* sail. The Mayor (i) of a Town, and Jufikes of the Peace are burlefqu'd, as tit Meat for the Devils to feaft them- felves with. The Lord-Mayor and Aldermen of London (k) are reprefented moil ridiculoufly, in a long Droll for that Purpofe, ftufTd with Scurrility beyond Com- parifon. Informers (/ )are reckon'd Rogues , taking dou- ble Bribes, and worfe than thofe whom they are hir'd to profecute. In fhort, when Magifirates do their Duty, and Informers are encouraged, then Vice is fup- prefs'd- and the Poets are angry. The Differing Teachers are reckon'd as (m) fcanda- loufly guilty of Whoredom, and their (n) Families as being all addicted to the feme Vice, in Sengs wholly calculated for fuch a Purpofe. IJut the Clergy of the Church of England are the Men again (I whom chey mod violently rage. Religion can never fink whilft they are in Credit, and therefore the- Poets mil ft drwn with them even to the if round. Prelates (u) are rank d with Players. Their Difcourfes of (p) Hell znd Judgment are reckon'd but as idle Tales. They (g) Anno 1699? (I) Vol. 1. P.ige 298. (i) Vol. 1. Page 102, and' 101. (k) I'ol. t. Page 40, 41, 42 and 45, (I) Vol. 5. Page 68. (m) veL 4. rage io7, ;o3, and 309. (72) To/. 2. Pj^ 284 *»<* 185- *»<* W. 3 /^ 80, (0) VoL 1. I'ageS. ($) Vol. 1. have Cha p . 3 . The Great Akitfe of Mufick . J o 3 have ( Chap. IV. Of the Immodejiy of our Englifli Operas^ which are Jung in the Tlay^boufes, t~T y HE Operas are a Mufical 'Entertainment upon the JL Stage, for the Diverfion of fuch Gentlemen and Ladies, who are Lovers of this Science, confiding of jiUs and Scenes, like a Comedy or a Tragedy, The De- fign thereof is not only to divert the Hearer with fuch an Awu\iment ; but alfo to advance the Science of Mu- fuk to the utmoft Perfection : And indeed, that which is divine being only excepted, this Method feems moft likely to accompliih the fame. As the Performance is long ; fo it is capable of the greater!: Variety, that Art and Fancy can invent. The Notes are generally fo franvdj as to ftrike upon the Vajfions, and give a pe- culiar Emphajis to the Words. The Junes are fliort, and he who views the Score, may obferve an (a) Im- (a) When the Key is fharp, the last Clofe except one is often in {heTnud above it, with a [oft and. free Preparation, fuitable to fuch a Lh'i^n and Humour. This Note is very proper for a Clofe, "heirtg that on which the Nature of the Key depends : It alfa introdw ceth a greater Variety, theone Clofe beivgfidX^ and the other fliarp ; and makes the Compofer more capable of jtr iking upon two different ¥MW&* as his Iar or the fiords require. pGvement Chap. 4. The Great Abufe of Mufick. 105 provement hardly known in the laft Century among thofe eminent Mafiers. What Pity is it then, that there fliould not be as great Care taken of the Words, as there is of the Notes ? and that whilft the one is harmonious, thz other fliould not be offenfive ? But here the Poets take their ufual Liberty, and fcorn to be confln'd^ more than in the reft of their Works to the Rules of Modefty and Religi- on. Thefe Piece s are generally very full of Love-Sengs, and the whole Plot and Contrivance of the Poets runs this Way. And that we may know what Love it is, which they are moft defirous to promote, we find them frequently (b) expofing of Marriage as a Lofs of Freedom, and a Confinement ; as but a weak and fee- ble Tie, when compar'd with the Obligations of 3 Friend or a Benefactor, commonly call'd in plain Eng- HJJ), a Rogue or a Whore ; and as an old Law defign'd to make a Man melancholy, and look like a Fool. I fhall alfo add, that they very frequently intermix (c) Smut with thefe Difcourfes ; and they are too ram- pant and flaming in (d) their Difcourfes on the Joys of Love, efpecially when we conilder that (ej at another time they perfwade to Whoredom and Adultery. That the Science of Mufick may be brought to a greater Perfection, our modem Poets have tranflated the Words of fome Italian Operas in fuch a Manner^ that the Translation may agree with the Tuiies made for thei (b) Love's Tnumph, P.ige 20. Line 7. The Britifh Enchan- ters, Page 6. Line 16. The Wonders in the Sun, Pjge 52. Line. 17. (c) Clotilda, Page 2. Line 12 and 23. Loves Triumph, Page 3. Line 27. p. 4. /. 27. p. 57. /. 17, 24, and uk. and p. 40. 1. 16. Rofamond, Page 5. Line 6. and p. 6. L 17. The Britifh Enchanters, page 31. Line 29. The Temple of Love, Page 3. Line 4. The Wonders in the Sun, Page 12. Line 36. p. 21. /. 23. p. 31. /. I. and p. 65. /. 22. Thomyris, page it. Lzn^ 2, &c. p. 12. /. 1. p. 22. /. 16 W 17. ara* />. 22.. /. 5. (d) Almahide, Page 56. Line 12. Arfinoe, Pj£* 45. Line t. Hydafpes, Pjge 3c, Line $i. andp.<]2* /. 23. (0 Clotilda, Page 10. Line 1. Original. ■I o6 The Great Abufe of Mufich Part II. Original. By this Defign they have given us an Op- portunity to judge between what were made in Italy , and what are made in England. Now, tho' I cannot pretend to determine how many profane or immodeft Expreffions are added to the one, which is not to be found in the other, and what Liberties our Poets take on this Occafion to vary from their Copies, and com- ply with the Humour of the prefent Age ; yet fuppo- fingthe Translations tobt exa£t, if by the Defign of the whole Pieces, we were to judge of the Religion of both Nations, we mult to our Shame conclude, that we are the Heretkh, and they arereform'd. If (as a late Poet obferves) Plays were (f) ever accounted the Genuine Hiftory of the Age, then we muft from thence conclude, that we are the moft profane, debauch 1 d and daring People that ever God fuffer'd to live on the Earth, (g) Tell not the Manner of our Diver/ions in Gath, publijh them not in the Streets of Askelon, left the Daughters of the Philiftines rejoice, and left the Daughters of the uncircumcifed tri- umph. Let not thefe things be known in foreign Parts, left the Roman Catholicks reproach our Reforma- tion, and both Jews and Turks take occafion to glory becaufe they are not Chriftians. The Defign among us is to corrupt good Manners, and debauch the Nation, whilft others are more mbdeft ,• and the moft rampant Inftances of Profanenefs fo frequently us'd among us, are fuch of which they are wholly innocent. The O- pera call'd Love's Triumph, written in Italy, is compa- ratively modeft and inoffenfive. Almahide and Hydaf- pes are better than any of our Stage Performances. Clo- **'/*/* hath feveral moral Sentences, and concludes with very excellent Jnftru&idns, colle&ed from the Defign and Plot of the whole : And tho' I have no Inten- tion to excule the Faults of either, yet in this refped, (f) The Epijlle Dedicatory of a Phy calTd, An A£t at (Mori. fa) 2 Sim. i. 2,0. there Chap. 4. The Great Abufe ofMufich 107 there is fomething in them which excels, and may fliame us. How can we pretend to judge others, whilft we have fuch Abominations among our felves i Shall not we, who pretend to Sobriety, be moil m- excufable, whilft we daily publifh fuch things as a Re- prefentation of our Morals, which are the moil fcan- dalous that ever were invented, the like whereof couid never be endur'd in the Heathen World ? Whilft the Papifts, whofe Religion is more corrupt, are in their Diverfions more regular, it fhews that they have fome Regard to God and Man. But while we fcorn to be confin'd, what occafion do we give them to biafpheme the Name of God, and villify his holy Religion for our fakes ? And (hall not they, tW molt corrupt in their Worfnip, if they obferve a Decorum, rife up in Judg- ment againft us, if we, who pretend to feparate from them for Confcience fake, do fuch things which they a- voided upon the fome Principle. Wirh what force of Argument may they urge againft us the Words of St. Paul, (h) Thou that make ft thy boaft of the Law, and pretendeft to know his Will, and approveft the things that are more excellent, being inftrufled out of the Law, tran- dated into thy Mother Tongue, and art confident that thou thy j elf art a Guide of the blind, and a Light of them which are in Darknefs. Thou therefore which teacheft ano- ther, teacheft thou not thy f elf 1 Thou that fay eft, a Man fljould not commit Adultery, doft thou promote it in all thy publick Diver (ions ? Thou that abhorreft Idols, doft thou WOrfhip the Devil ? Thou that makeft thj boaft of the Law, through breaking of the Lav>, diflxmoureft thou God ? Thus it is abfolutely neceffary, if we regard the Glory of God, the Welfare of Religion, the Securing it from Contempt, the Promoting of it at home, or the propa- gating of it abroad, to (top the Mouths both ofAtheifts and Papifts, either by an intire Reformation or a total (h) Rom. z. throughout, Suppreflion io8 Jbe Great Abufe ofMufick. Tart II. Suppreffion of the Stage, that fo one of its own Poets may be a true Prophet , who faith, (i) that Good Mufick with bad Words is like good Wine in bad Company : And tho we may bear with it a little, till we have allay d our thirfi, yet no body can endure it long. (i) The Dedication of Love's Triumph. ■ Chap. V, The Trofanenefs of our Englifli Operas^ which are Jung in the Tlay-boufes. IN treating of the Vrofanenefs of thefe Operas, I fhall take the fame Method which was obierv'd in the third Chapter ; And tho' their Smut and Immodefiy Js of fuch a Nature which will not bear the Difcovery ; yet this Impiety is too horrid to be longer conceal'd, and will, I hope, breed an Abhorrence thereof in e- very one who confiders it. Accordingly, I fhall firft take Notice of that Impiety which is intermix'd with their Immodefiy or Difcoitrjes on Love ; and afterwards of that which is us'd on other Occafions. There is hardly any Inftance of Love in thofe few Operas which are printed in Englijl), but a Woman is reprefented as a God, Heaven and Paradife, that fo the Poets, by openly commending the one, may fecretly undervalue the other. Nothing is more common than the (a) adoring of their (a') Almahide, Page 14. Line 19. and p. 54. /. 10. Arfinoe, Tag* 16. Line 1. Camilla, page 5. Line jz. p. 11. /. $3. f* 15. 1% 1. Chap. 5- The Great Ahufe of Mufich 1 09 their Miftrejfes, as (b) the Idols of their Hearts. Ac- cordingly every Perfon who is^ difcours'd of, or ad- drefs'd to in this Manner, is re^refented as (c) one, who walks and fpeaks as a Deity, that is, who is known to be a divine Perfon by her Gate and Speech ; as (d) zGoddefs, or (e) as a bright Goddefs, 01(f) a Race di- vine, (g) divine in each Feature ; (h) of no mortal Race, but wearing an heavenly Form ; (#J with an heavenly Beauty, and therefore ( k) every Feature is to be ador'd. They are reprefented with (I) Eyes fhooting forth Lightning (a Satyrical Expreffion, did not (m) the profane Allufion make it pafs for a Com- plement). Their Charms are adord by (n) Crowds of Lovers ; and (0) they are endued with fuch Graces, which will turn the very Tables of the Law into the Reverfe, and inftead of their worfliipping of God y thzGods mould worfhip them ,• and therefore (p) Kings themfelves do kneel on fuch Occafions. I mall only quote fome Expreffions us'd by the Actors on the Stage* and let the pious Reader obferve if his Blood doth not turn cold at the Perufal of them. ■ /. 31. and p. 26. /. 24. Clotilda, Page 14. Line penult. Hydaf- pes, Page 44. Line 3 1. Loves Triumph, Page 6. Line 10 and 18. and p. 18. /. 15. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 8. Line 1 and 13. />. 23. I- 22. p. 31. /. 4 and 12. and p. 55. /. 31. The Britifh Enchanters, Page 7. Line 29. Thomyris, Page 11. Lineiq. and p. 16. I 15. Qb) Camilla, Page 28. Line 14. Hydafpes, Page 6. Line 16. (c) Arfinoe, Page 3. Line penult, (d) Arfinoe, Page 16. Linez. Camilla, Page 3. Line 9 and 15. Thomyris, Page 15. Line penult, -p. 28. I. 16. aw*/ />. 32. /. 11. (e) Camil- la, Page 3. Line 1$. The Wonders in the Sun, Epilogue, Page 2. Line penult, (f) Camilla, Page 2. Line 30. (£) Thomyris, Page 7. Line 24. (A) Camilla, Pagez$. Line 31. (7) Camilla, p, 7 £g 26. Lznc 2. (k) Arfinoe, Page 16. £?ne 2. (/) Camilla, Page 11, Line 28. f»0 Rev. 1. 14. Exod. 20. 18. Rev. 4. 5. W ii« 18, 19. (w) Camilla, Page 5. L?w* 32. (o> Camilla, Page 21. J-j'we ?$• Loves Triumph, Page 6* Line 10. (/) The Britifh Enchanters, P^gc 39. £/** 35. " r?)7j« no The Great Abufe of Mufick Part II. (q) The charming Idol of mine Heart, (r) My Life, my Soul, my Joy. (f) The Soul of my Defire. (t) An immortal Spring of Joy, («) J Priz>e no Joy above her. (jx) To thee, as unto God, I bow. (y) Soul of Pleafure, Heaven and you muft grant the BUJftng. (&) Tou are my Soul's Ambition, I have no wijh above ye. (a) Blefs'd will be my Condition, if you can love me. (J?) It is Life to be with her, and worfe than Death to be without her. (c) I [wear by all that's good, my Life f my Love f (d) Not Saints to Heaven with more SubmiJJion bow. I have no Will but what your Eyes ordain, Defiind to love as they are doom'd to reign. That is, ( condemn'd to live with God in Heaven. (e) So much, fo tenderly , your Slave adores, He hath no Thought ofHafpinefs but yours. And now, inftead of relenting fuch unufual and ex- travagant Ex pre ffions^ as theydojuftly deferve 3 the Female Sex on the Stage are taught by the fame Pcets, to lay afide all Modefty, to take all as if fpoken in Re- alky, and to acj and (peak their Parts accordingly ; and which is more to be admir'd,, the Ladies, who make a great Part of the Audience, are pieas'd when their Sex is rais'd to that Height, which Lucifer once attempted. Befides, the Atheffes on the Stage, are al- (q) Clotilda, Page 8. Lir.e 8. (r) Love's Triumph, Pige ij. Line 27. (f) Pyrrhus and Demetrius, page 10. line 1$. (t) Pjr- rhus and Demetriu , Page 12. Line uit. (u) 1'homyri?, Page 44. Zitieuh. O) Pyrrhus aid Demetrius, Page^S. Line $. (y) Thc- anyris, Page 53. Line 1 5. (z) Camilla, Page 3 5. Line 4. (a) Ca- milla, Page 3 5. Line 19. (b) Clotilda, Page 4. Line 18. (c) Arfi- noe, Pagezy. Line 5. (d) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 7. Line 8. (e) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 7. Line 20. mod Chap. 5. The Great Abufe ofMufith 1 1 1 moft as guilty as the other Sex. The Fear of God, the Shame of the World, or Senfe of Religion, lays no Re- ftraint upon them, from being guilty in their Turns, of the fame Blafphemy. They alfo (f) frequently adore the Men ; and without any Regard to Life, Nature or Decency, ( which certainly ought to be obferv'd in thefe Performances/ call their Suitors, whilft in a Tin- gle State, (g) the Delight of their Souls. They call them {h) the Sun, which gives them Light, and che- rifties them with its Heat • the (i) Jewel of their Hearts^ who alone is worth their Care, andtheLofs of whom is intolerable, when all other Loffes may be endur'd ; the (k) Idol of their Souls, and (I) the Soul of Pleafure ; and one prays another, (m)to teach her abfent Lord to adore her. Such Expreffions coming from Women, efpecially from Virgins, are too mon- ftrous, fliameful and unnatural, to appear in publick, and therefore I (hall only quote one of them at large. (n) Were Amadis refiordto rm Efieem, I would reject a Deity for bmt. In one Place, a Shepherd (0) prays his Miftrefs to blefsa Lover; and at another Time,, the Shepherdefs is as forward to fay, that (f) where this Love is away, there is no Delight, and confequently no Bleffing. If all this is not monftroufly impudent, and the high- eft Affront to the iVfodefty of the Female Sex, let the Poets tell me what is ? (f) Arfmoe, Page 20. Line 9. Hydafpes, Page 44. Line \ r. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Pjge 16. Line 20. (g) Hydafpes, Vagi 44. Line antepenulr. (b) Ariinoe, Page $3. Line 9. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 60. Line 25. (i) Arfmoe, Pagez$. Line 12. (fe) Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 60. Line 25. (I) The Temple of Love, Page 6. Line 18. (ot) Pyrrhus and Demetri- us, Page 8. Line 1;. (w) The Britifh Enchanters, Pagers. Line '3. (0) Love 's Triumph, Page 8. Line 35, (/>) The Biiufb En- chanters, Page 17. Line 20. Buc 1 1 a The Great Abufe ofMufich. Part II. But to proceed : In other Places, Suffering for a Miftrefs is ca'U'd (q) a fweet Martyrdom. When a Lo- ver courts his Miftrefs, and is refus'd* this is ftil'd ( r) the Falling a Martyr to her Pride, as if they who fuf- fer'd for the Caufe of Chriftianity were disappointed in their Endeavours and Expectations ; and the Moral^ Defign and Conclufion of one whole Flay is to equal the Joys of Love with the Joys oi Heaven, and to illuftiate the Similitude, becauie we//) obtain them both by Sufferings. Our present Joy is fleeter by paft Pain, To hove and Heaven by Suffering -we attain. When Lovers are crown'd withSuccefs, they declare their Satisfaction in the moft extravagant Expreffions, that (t) they do not envy Jove in his fupream Grandeur, but count themfelves as happy as God ; they ( u) de- clare themfelves blefs'd with a bail, happy Hour $ and call it (x) a compleat Toy, and a blefs'd Day, when the Lovers meet thQirW\di(lreffes. The Satisfaction of ^Lovers, when they obtain their Wifhes, are called, (y) Joys that never pall, and (z,) never waft • (a) end- lefs Pleafures, and golden Treafures j (b) a Pleafure beyond Expreffion, in which all is Joy, and all is Bleffing. It is poftible to produce fome (c) Strains on this Occafion, which have a Tincture of Smut ; tho'I cannot forbear to tranfcribe others, which have a Mixture both of Impudence and Blafphemy. (q) Arfinoe, Page 14, Line ult. (r) Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 31. Line iS- (f) Compare The Britifh Enchanters, Page ult, Line ult. with Afts 14. 22. Rom. 8 18. 2 Cor. 14. 16, 17. and Heb..2 4 10. (0 Arfinoe, rage 48. Line r. (u) Camilla, Page ij. Line z. (x) Love's Triumph, Page 8. Line $5. The Britifn Enchanters, Page 38. Line 15. ryj Clotilda^ Page z. Line z 1 and 23. fs) Clotilda, P-jge 23. I/we 16. (a) Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Pjgzi6. Line 15. (b) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 19. ZfwfJ. CO H/dafpes, Pag*$o. Zjh» 31. 60 Bfcyi'i Chap. 5 . The Great Abufe of Mufich 1 1 3 (d) Blefs'd above meafure, our Joys are compleat, (J) My Sighs with Vain refpiring, Are only breath' d for thee. 'lis what my Soul's de firing j Thy Loves a Feafi for me. The fweeteft Blifs, the deareft Treafure. (f) The Stars have given me Reft, And Love yields all I want. This fighing Soul, this tortur'd Breaft Hath all that Heavn can grant. And to take away all Diftin&ion in this Cafe be- tween Good and Evil, an Adulterer is call'd (g) her Soul's Delight^ by the Perfon whom he debauches ; (b) the Temptations to Whoredom arefaid to be irre- fiftible, fo that God himfelf cannot blame thofe who are guilty : And laftly 3 when (i) Gonzales was carri- ed into the Planetary Region, and told of Pimping there,, headmir'd at it, faying, I thought this had been a little too near Heaven, to ufe that Folly, as being fo notorious in our World -, but he was foon filenc'd with this Anfwer, Worlds, for that Matter, Friend, are much alike ; be/ides, what you call Folly is a Vertue here. As Whoredom is encouraged in thefe Operas, fo Drun- kennefs meets with the fame Encomiums. Wine is not only that which (k) chears the Spirits, (I) increafeth Joy, and eafeth us of Sorrow, and therefore com- mended ; but to raife the Expreffions as ufual, into Profanenefs, (m) the charming Virtue of the Grape is faid to be fufficient to make a" Man a God. (d) Almahide, Interlude 2. in the End. {e) Almahide, Page. $6. Line 12. (f) Hydafpes, Pagejz. Line 2$. (g) Rofamond, Page t$. Line 7. (b) The Wonders in the Sun, Page 39. Line jo. (0 The Wonders in the Sun, Page 15. Line 27. (k) The Temple of Love, Page 29. Line 14 and 23. (I) The Temple . of Love, Page 90. Line 6. (m) The Wonders of the Sun, Pag* 12. Ifjtf}}. I As 1 14 The Great Abufe ofMufich Part II. As for other Vices, Vride is mention'd (n) as that which defends us from all Evils : Rage as (0) a thing divine ; and in fuch a Paffion, a blafphemous Burlef- \uing of the Scriptures is added. (f) My Wrath like that of Heavn jhall rife And blafi her hi her Paradife. But I need not ftand to enumerate particular Vices, when the Defign of the Of eras is the fame with the ■Flays, namely, to root out all Senfe of Virtue and Feli- gion. Here (to ufe the Words of the Poet) they wifti, that ($) Tbffc formal Perfons be for ever curs d, Who through fantaftick Laws are Virtue s Fools, And again fi Nature will be Slaves to Rules. Thus they alfo tell us, that there is no Religion in the World, ( neither mould there be any if they could root it outj however, they will allow that there is a Pretence to, or the Name of Religion : which they af- firm to be alfo of a mifchievous Confequence *, for (r) \t gives the Command for War, and then fets Fools a fighting. Sometimes they give the Epithet Divine to things which are here below ; as to a Prince's (f) Favour, a (t) Workman s Art, and fometimes to Vices, as («) Rage, &c. At other times they beftow the Epithet Damnd as freely on trivial Matters, as on (x) Words, (y) a Coun- (n) Love's Triumph, Page 10. Line to. and p. 51. /. 18. (0) Rofamond, Page 10. line 8. (p) Rofamond, Page z. Line 22.. (?) The Rntifij Enchanters, Page zS. Line 7- (r) I he Wonders "in the Sun, Page 50. Line 23. and p. 42. /.it. (f) Camilla, Page 9. Line 17. (/) Camilla, Pa%c 14. Lint 8. (u) Rofamond, Page 30. Line 8. (x) The Temple of Love, £/?;- hguty Line s. (y) The Wonders in the Sun, Page z6. Line 14. ' try Chap. 5 . The Great Abufe efMufich r 1 5 try Town, or (z,) the Drefs of any. Perfon. Now the Defign hereof can only be to detract from the Honour which is due to the Divine Being; and leffen the Ef- fects which othcrwifethe Senfe of Hdi an\ Damn might leave upon the Conscience. tor the fame Reafon it is, that they are fo free in Burieiquing of the Holy Scriptures, and (a) apply what is faid of tne Fruitfulnefs of the Land of Canaan, to a ridiculous Fi&ion of the Poet's own making. For the fame Reafon it is, that they are fo bare- fac'd in ridiculing and expofing the Clergj, (b) as if they preach' d away Men's Senfes with Contradictions y and, then told tbtm that they were damn \i for Ignorance • they (c) ride the People, and where (d) they are fuffer'd, there muft be a jangling Government. For the fame Reafon it is, that they are fo extrava- gant in their other Characters, without any Regard to the Bounds of Religion, or the Rules ot Scripture. Thus, one Actor (t) calls a Friend, The greatefi Bi fing that the Gods can fend. Another Acfrefs in the fame Ptajj makes a God of the Perfon with whom (he was in Love, in thefe Words ; (f) Like Mars he look'dj as terrible and Jtrcng\ Like Jove, majeftic; like Apollo, young : With all their Attributes divinely grac'd ; jindfure their Thundzr in his Arm was flac'd. A third reprefents his Mifirefs as abfolutely perfect, and without Sin, thus ,• (z) Thomyris, Page ; I. Line 28. (a) The Wonders in the Sun, Page 13. Line 9. (b) The Wonders in the Sun, Page 18. Line 29. (c) The Wonders in the Sun, Page 50. Line 4. (d) The Wonders in the Sun, Page 18. Line 52. (e) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 38. Line 2. '(f) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 11. Line 24. (g) & 1 1 6 The Great Aluje ofMufich Part II. (g) The faultlefs Form no fecret Stains difgrace y A beauteous Mind, unblemijh'd as her Face, Not painted a; id adorn d to varniflj Sm, Without, allGoodnefs, all Divine w it bin, Bj Truth maintaining what by Love foe got, A Heaven without a Cloud, a Sun without a Spot. A fourth makes a God of himfelf, in this Manner : (b) Our Friefts hxve better learn d what now is ill, Can when I pleafe be good, and none fliall dare Preach or expound but what their King would hear. EWe they interpret, let them mark my Nod, My Voice their Thunder, this right Arm their God. ' But left the Friends to thefe Performances fhould fay that I only pick up fome fcatter'd Expreflions^ which are here and there to be met with ; I fhall give the Reader a more large Account of fome Vices, which they are moft notorioufly guilty of^ namely their Swearing, Curflng, Taking the Name of God in vain, and their fcandalous Breach of the firft Commandment. Firfiy they are guilty of Swearing. They (i) fwear and call Heaven to be Witnefs of the Oath ; OUby Gad or God, (/) by their Faith, or (w) good Faith, and (»; by their Troth. (g) The Bririfh Enchanters, Page 15. Line 13. (h) The Bii- tilb Enchanters, Page 6. Line 13. (i) Camill?, Page zj. Line 14. (k).yhe Wonders in the Sun, Page, 11. Line 11 and 19 p. z$. I 24. f. 29. /. 27. and p. 54. /. 27. (I) The Wondeis in the Sun, Page n, Line ;S- p. 16. 1. 11*. p. 21. /. 52. p. 34. /. 33. p. 39. /. 16 and 25. p. 42. /. 26. and p. 55. /. 13. eight limes in one Opera. (m) Aiiinoe, Page 16. Line?,. (n) Troth, The Wonders in the Sun, rage 9. Line 15. p. 12. I. 9. and p. 31. /. 21. In Troth, The Wonders in the Sun 3 Page id. lint penult. and /. 65. /. 11. They Chap. 5. The Great Abufc ofMnfich 1 1 7 They [wear (o) by the Life of Cbrift or God; (p) by his Death ; (q) by his Death, Hdl and Furies ; (rj by his Death ^nd Confuficn • f/0 by //?rror and /f // ; (?) by the Blood ofChrift, or God • («j by his #//W and F/Vi- j (x) by his Wounds • (/J by his //^rf • (aj by his Flcjli'; (a) by his Body ; and ^J they have alfo other Ex- preffions, of which I know not the Meaning, onlefs they are Oaths, by the Hooks, or Nails, with which our BleJJ'ed Saviottr.WdS faftned to the Crete. Sometimes they Jwear by the Pagan IdAs, calling them at the fame time (Y) the Gods, or (d) the immor- tal Gods ; particularly fe) by Love, or Cupid; (f) by Orofmades, and by the Sun • (g) by Pbabus, by Jove, and by Honour. Sometimes they jwear (h) by the Gods • Co J 'Oij Z//>, The Wonders in the Sun, Page i6 f £;we 19. 'Sfr/fi The Wonders in the Sun, Epilogue, Page 2. Line 6. (p) "Sdeath, The Temple of Love, Epilogue, Line 5. {o) Arfuioe, Page 42. Line 14. frj Rofamond, P<£« 2. Ifns 14 Britifh Enchanters, Pjge 35. L:'«f 52. (/) T*ie Wonders iq the Sun, Page 10. Line 4. fz/j The Wonder in the Sun, P^f 54. Line 11. faj '0:n;, The Wonders in the Sun, Pj^e 9. Z??ze 2.6. /. 17. /. 2. andp. 19. /. 18. Zoom, The Wonder 111 the Sun, Page 2,5. X;?je 14. which is alfo mention'd and 'ovrnd to be an Oa:l\ p. 2.8. /. 22.. (y) D's Heart, The Wonders in the Sen, r.ige 14. Line 10. p. 29. /. penult, and p. 46. /. 9 an i 2. ?. 'Of* Hemn The Wonders in the Sun, Page 12. /.ztu 6. (z) Flcjb ! Alma- hide, Interlude 2, Page 2. Xnit? 18. (a) 'Od'sBcdykins, The Won- ders in the Sun, Page 16. Linen, {h) Gad-zooks, The Won- ders in the Sun, Page 4. Line 16. p. 10. /. ic. p. 12. /. 22. £. 16. /. 22. p. 21. /. 35. p. 29. /. 21. p.46. /. 8.. rtn^ f. 56. /. 7. 'Jd-zooks, The Wonders in the Sun, Page'6$. Line 21. 'Od-zooks, Almahide, Pjge 22. Z.f?2? 16, and Interlude 1. p. 1. /• 17. The Wonders in the Sun, Page 10. Line\%. 'Zooks, The Wonders in the Sun, Page $ ;. Line 24. (V) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 8. Line 15 and 25. (^) The Britith Enchanteis, Page 1$. line 22. (e) Camilla, Page-]. Line penult, and p. 21. /. 19. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 10. Line 1$. The Wonders in the Sun, Page 52. Line 8. (/) Thomyris, Pjge 44. Ln;e 12. (g) The Wonders in the Sun. P Rcfamond, Pjge i. Line % (a) Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Pge 57. hine^. (b) Rrifamond, Pdgezi. Line £. (v) Rofamond, Page 21. Line §. C^ The Britilh Enchanters, Page 12. Line 1. from Chap. 5 . The Great Abufe of Muftch. 1 1 9 from the Place 3 that (e) the Earth may open her Mouth wide, and fwallow them up, and thereby bury their Difgrace • and that f) every V.tfig* Mnce may light up- on them, (g) One of thefe Inftances I fhall venture to tranfcribe. May Tigers ret ah me y And for Breakfaft end me \ May Tempefis annoy me • May Earthquakes deflrcy me ; Nay worfe, may a Bay I iff Hunt after me daily 3 May Actions undo me y And Lawyers pttrfue me 3 'Till fiarnjdin a Jayl> I Muft beg through a Grate. And as they wifh for Cwfes upon their own Heads j fo it can be the leis wonder'd at that they lb liberally bellow their Curfes on others, even on {b) any thing at which they are difturb'd. Accordingly they wifh, that fuch Perfons or Things (i) may be for ever cnrsd 3 that (k) they m3y be confounded (I) by the Gods * that (m) the Plague may light upon them 3 that (n ) the Pox may take them 3 that they may fo) be hang\J y (f) damnd, or (q) have the Murrain 3 that the Devil may (e) Rofamond, Page 21. Line 18. Tre Britifii Enchanters, Page 32. Line 1. (f) The Britilh Enchanters, Page 24. Line pe- nult, (g) Almahide, Interlude 2. Page 3. Line 30. (7;) Ca- milla, Page 36. Line 10. Clotilda^ P.ige 24. Lfne 16. The Bri- tilh Enchanters, Pap 3 e%\. Linen, (ij The Britifh Enchanters, Page 28. Line 7. (%) The Wonders in the Sun, Page z%. Line 4. and f. 18. /• 4. (I) Camilla, Page 30. Line 34. . (w) The Wonders in the Sun, Pjge 10. Z-iki? 30. ^ni p. 44. /. 7. (wj The Wonders in the Sun, Pj^e 13. Line 14. p. 35. /. 1. />. $ }. /. 9. and f. 61. 1. io. (0) The Wonders in the Sun, p7ge 34. Live 4* andf.6^. 1. 1. (/>) The Wonders in the Sun, P.ige 25. Lin? 8 4n I ao The Great Abuje ofMufich. Part II. (r) take them and (f) choak them, &C. And the (t) Fu- ries may arife, awake and rage j that (u) foul Di [(honour may brand them and all. their Race : that (x) fud den Vengeance may feize them ,- that (y) burning with Love they may never obtain their Happinefs, but Thunder may make their Limbs, and Lightning blaft their Ex- pectations ,• that (z,) they may be doom'd to eat Oau meal and Chalk, always craving better things, and always difappointed ,- and (a J always want even a cor- dial Dream ; nay, that (h) the Lightning, flajbing and flying with dreadful Thunder, defying the Fates or a 'preferring Providence, may tear afunder the guilty World. I mall only expofe (c) one of thefe Sentences to the View of the Reader, that he may the better judge of the reft. Let him die, ye Towers I ftrike him dead : Dart ally out Lightning at his devoted Head, Tear him, ye Furies! Tear him. May the Furies alarm him, M*y his Confcience difarm him. Thirdly, They are fcandaloufly guilty of Taking the Name of the Lord our God in vain. This is evident not only from their common Sivear'mg, but alfo from (d) f heir Ejaculations, fince (e) the Devil^ (f) the Plague, (r) The Wonders in the $un, Page 60. Line 13. (f) The Wonders in th*; Sun, Page 64, Line 2r. and p. 17. /. 19. It) Thqmyris, Page 29. Line 14. (u) Clotilda, Page 24. Line \6, (x) Clotilda, Page 28. Line 1 5. (y) The Britifh Enchan- ters, Page 37. Line 37. (z) The Temple of Love, Pagetf. Line 20. (7J The Temple of Love, Page I j. Line 24. (h) Camilla, Page 36. Line 24. (<:,) Camilla, P. 26. /. 23. />. 28. £ 22. f. 3?. /. 4. />. . 4. /. 3 awi 16. p. 8. /. :8. />. 9. /. 8. />. 12. /. 3 tffli 10. />. 13. /. IO and 23. p. 18. /. 17. />. 19. /. 16. p* 22. /. 16. ^.25. /. 1. p. 33. h^andzz. p. 35. /. 9. />. 40. /. 8. j«i />. 43. /. 17. Camilla, Page 2. Lfwe 21. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Pjge 56. Line a. a. 59. /. 19. flame us. And that we may know who are meant by all thefe Expreffions, they are call'd in (z>) another Place, The Infernal Powers, and (a) Tempefls and Storms are invok'd in the fame Manner- Accordingly/ (b) Prayers are made to them (c) to be kind ,• (d) to hear, and (0 to forbid that which is evil. Their Affiftance isimplor'd (f) to fave, and (g) to help, and fometimes (h) to confound others, and (0 ftrike them dead* Here (k) Thanksgiving js alfo offer'd up to them for Mercies receiv'd. They aredelired (I) to reward Ver- (l) Almahide, Page 26. Line 9. Hydafpes, Page 10. Line 14. p. 12. /. 7 and 19. p. 56. /. 7. p. 62- /. penult, p. 64. /. 22. and p. 63. /.penult. Love's Triumph, Pr.ge -$. Line 12. and p. 32. I. 27. Rofamond, Page 10. lins 1. p. 20. /. 9. />. 21. /. 2. /. 24. /. 6. and p. %i. I. 16. The BricHh Enchanters, Page 22, Li?iei6 and 28. Thomyris, Pdge 8. Line 10. p. 20. /. 21. p, 25. /. 14. p. 2'5. /. 22. />. 35. /. 10 d7!^ 21. p. 48. /. 22. rtW^ p. 49. /. l6. (wj Arfinoe, Page 3. Liwe 12. (w) Camilla, Page 38. Line 7. (0) Hydafpes, Page 4. line 16. (p) Almaride, Page ^ line 11. /. 20. /. 10. p. 32. /. 23. p. 38. /. 26. />. 40. /. 9. />. $4. / 1, 29. awi penult. Hydafpes, Page 10. line 9. />. 20. /. 17. '/>. 30. /. 15. />. 34. /. 11. f, 36. /. 17. p. 40. /. 15. p. $2. /. 13. dwi/. 70. /. 9. C^) Almahide, P.^£*i8. /iwe 12. (r) Arfinoe, Page 47. Line 16. (/J Trie Britifh Enchanters, P^gg 30. Line 33. (^ Thomyris, Page 16. LzTie 1. (m) The Temple of Love, Page 9. Line 18, (*,) Thomyris, Page 49. Xfrte 22. C^ Thomyris, Page 50. /iw* 23. (z) Almahide, Interlude 2. Puge 1. line 30. (<0 Almahide, Page 22. /me 30. (£) Arfinoe, P^e 2. /in* penult. Loves Tri- umph, Page 24. /j'we 35 and penult, (c) Camilla, Page 4. line 37. () to avert Judgments. They are acknowledged as the Gods (n) that guard the juft, and (0) give us another Heart ; as (p) the Gods who refide in che im- perial Heavens, and (q) the juft Gods of innocence ; as (r) the Gods who rejed not a poor Supplicants Knee $ and {f) their Anger isreprefented as dreadful. In one Play it is twice (aid that (t) the Gods are juft ; but then, left all thefe Expreffions fliould prove more than the Poets intended, and leave a Senle of Religion in the 4 Minds of the Audience, a due Care is taken to give them fome Allay, by calling thefe Deities («) in the fame Opera, as well as (x) in another, The cruel Gods ! In fhortj there is hardly any Honour due to the true God, but they either give it to thofe which are falfe; or to fuch things as are moft ridiculous. * But to deicend to Particulars. Here we have (y) a Temple dedicated to Love, (z.) Vtnus and U) Cupid is pray'd to,- the one as (b) the bright Jj>)ueen of Love, and the other as (c) the blind God of Love, (d) Almighty Love, (e) gentle Cupid, (f) the blind Gcd y and (g) the God offoftefi Pleajiires. (b) Con- fejjion is made to him^ (i) Ejaculations run in his Name. _ _ _— — — — — — — - — • ■ (m) The Bririfh Enchanters, P ge 8. L.tieig. ( n ) Hydafpes, Page lr. line 14. and p. 40. /. 6. (0) Almahide, Pugg 52. line \6. (p) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 29. Line io. (q) C mil- la, Page. 7. Line penult, (r) CaiMiia, i J age 25. line 28. (/) The Britilh Enchanters, Page 5. /roc 14, 31 nwi 36. jWf 6. /. 3. {r) Camilla, Page 15, Line penult, aw^ />. 38. /. 23. (nj Camilla, Page 18. /;« 16. far) Tromyris, Pagei^. Line 1. and p. 18. /. ult. (y) The Temple of Love, JS. I. .Sjeiur 1. (z; Ar- linof, P^45. //we 6. 00 Arlinoe, /-^e 4. line 4. awi />. 42. /. 2. Camilla, /^e 18. lime I}, and p. 38 /. 10. Clotilda, P^c 16. /. 16. and p. 58. /. 16. HydaCpes, Page 41, line 1. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 8. Lin* 16. and p. 20. /. 27. The Temple of Love, Page %o. Line zi. (b) Arfinoe, Page 45. Lro« 6. (c) Arfinoe, P^ 4. line 4. 0^>* Clotilda, i^Hge 58. /. i<5. (e) The . Temple of Love, Page 30. /. 21. (f) Hydafpes, Page 28. /roe '5- («?) Pyirhus and Demetrius, Page 20. line 17. (b) Arfinoe, Faxeii. ttrtotum. (i) Camilla, Page 38. ftnc 10. Thomyris, Page 18. /roe ult. He 134- The Great Abufe of Mufich Part II. He is pray'd to (k) for Help, (I) that the prefent hap- py Tranfport of a Lover might laft for ever ; that he would (m) inftrud them^ and (n) eafe them. He is (o) ador'd and implorM by one as dying ; and (/>, they fwear by his Name. He is own'd to be (q) a God;, (r) the God of Love, who defcends into this World from above^ and call'd (f) the blind God. He is call'd (t) gentle, (#) great, and (x) immortA. He is faid (y) to 1 yield us all that we want ; and a defpainng Lover hath this Expreffion, (Zr) A ViBim to the God of Love I die. He is own'd to be (a) one who hath an almighty Tower ; (b) a mighty Being, whofe Power is (c) infinite ; who is almighty, and controuls the Heart ; {d) whofe Impulfe Gannot be refifted ; (e) whom no Power can withftand 3 but who rules from the Skies to the Center ; (f) the Creator of the World ; the Parent of the Gods above, the Delight of Heaven and Earth, to whom all Nature (k) Hydafpes, Page 8. line i. (1) Arfinoe, Page 42. line 2. (m) Clotilda, Page 24. line 1. (n) The Temple of Love, Page 30. line z 1. (0) Almahide, Page 30. line 8 and 9. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 2$. line 23. (p) Camilla, Page 21. line 19. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 10. line 15. (q) Hydafpes, Page $0. line penult. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 6. line 2. Tiie BFitifh Enchanters, pageip. l.f. (r) Almahide, page 14. line izj HydaCpes, Page 18. liner, p. 42. /. 1$. and p. 54. /. 5. Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 40. Line 16. and p. 59. /. 9. (f) Alma- hide Page 14. linen, and p. 16. /. 4. Arfinoe, Page 19. /i/ae 7. (*) Hydafpes, Page j^. line S. The Temple of Love, Pjgg 30. Ifne 21. (w) Clotilda, Prge i5. line 23. jwi p. 24. /. 1. Pyr- rhus and Demetrius, Page 23. line 2.3. (x) Clotilda, Page 18. /i«f 23. (y) Hydafpes, Page 72. line 23. (*) Hydafpes, P^e 42. linsij. (a) Pyrrhus and Demetrius, Page 38. /. 28. (b) Cimilla, Page 42. line 2. (c) Camilla, Page 23. line 9. ( namely, the IVorflripping of the Devil. This is a Crime too great for the Correction of a Pen, too black to be defcrib'd with Ink, which former Ages dar'd not to venture upon, and the prefent may be aftonifh'd at. This is a Sin of the deepeft Die, and the Devils them- felves cannot invent a greater. This Crime was not committed by Julian, Celfus, or Porphyry, for then it might have been more tolerable, but by thofe who have been lifted under Chrift's Banner, and promis'd in their baptifmalVow to continue his faithful Soldier and Servant unto their Live's End; and at the fame time did as folemnly renounce the Devil and all his Works. And how they can be accounted Christians who are guilty of it, or who do not ftrenuoufly oppofe it, is beyond my Apprehenfion. That pretended Chriftians Ihould fink themfelves below the Dregs of Paganifm, is ftrange, when we confider how the Primitive Mar- tyrs refifted unto Blood, flriving againji this Sin ; and how many of our brave Reformers did burn at a Stake rather than they would worftiip the Saints departed. (a) Camilla, fage 38. line it. (h) Camilla, page 19. line 19. (c) The Briiifh Enchanters, page 2.8. line penult, (d) The Bri- tifll Enchanters, page 2.9. line 10. Compare both the Lift Quota- tions with Juvenal, Satyr 10. line penult. Nullum numen abeft, fi lit Prudentia. Sed te Nos facirous Fortuna Deam, cacloque locamus i The Chap. $• The Great Aluje of 'Mufitk. 117 The Devil is he who firft rebeird againft God, and at- tempted to dethrone his Maker, who brought Man- kind into a State of Sin and Mifery, who always op- pos'd the Defign 5 of God for our Salvation 3 and is con- tinually contriving our Ruin and Deflruction. Is this then the Being who deferves our Prayers and Praifes, with the mod folemn Acknowledgments ? What can be more outrageous , daring, provoking and blasphemous ? The Vlay-houfes have been accounted as the Synagogues of ' Snan, and they have now given us a full Proof that they were not cenfur'd without Caufe. That the Reader may have a View of this unparalleled Guilt, I fhall defcend to thofe Particulars which may be found in Our tnglifij Operas. To omit their Swearing (e) by the Furies ; (f) by Hell, and (g)hy the Rofy Gills of the Devil; and their Ejaculations, in which (h) the Infernals, and CO the De- vil is fo often mention'd, there are other things too fcandalou to be conceal'd. Sometimes they reprefent the Devil (h) as if there was no fuch thing ,- and fometimes (/) in a ridiculous Manner, as if they who treated him thus in jeft, did never dcfign to refift him in earned. At other Times they extol him above all, and give him that Honour which is due to God alone. To begin with The Britift Enchanters ': In this Ope- ra, the Scene is (iw) England, and confequently (n) our Nation (0 Arfrnoe, page 41. line 14. (f) Ibid. The Britifh Enchan- ters, page 35. line\z. (g) The Wonders in the Sun, page n. line 33. (b) The Britifh Enchanters, page 12. line 1. (i) Tre Wonders in the Sun, page 15. line 8. and />.io. /. 15. (k) The Devil of anything, thit is, Nothing. The Wonders in the Sun, page-y. line 16. (I) The Wonders in the Sun, Page 58. line pe- nult, (w) Dramatis Perfonse, in fine, (n) The Epifile Dedica- ^tory of a Play caWd, An Aft at Oxford. Plays were ever account- ed, as the genuine Kiftory of the Age. And in a Play call 1 d, The Stage Beaux tofs'd in a Blanket, pagez^, line $1. If the Scene be 12 8 The Great Ahufe ofMufick. Part II Nation is reprefented as wholly addi&ed to fuch Diabo- lical Practices. There can be no other Defign or Mo- ral in the whole Performance, except it be to recom- mend the Study of Magick, and he who can patiently fee and hear the one, hath made a great Step toward the PraAice of the other. Here we have (o) Enchant* ments with (/>) Rods, to make the (y) facred Story more ridiculous. Here we have Devils with (r) Infiruments of Horror, and flourifhing (f) of them to make Diver-, fion ; fome rifing from under the Stage, and others fly- ing down from above ; fome CO Tinging, and others (u) playing upon Mufick > fome (*) dancing, and o- thers (y) attending on their Enchanters; fome (&J rang'd in order of Battle, and others (a) fighting in the Air. Here we have (b) Hell represented as a Jeft, with Tombs and Dungeons, arid alfo with Men and Women chain'd in Rows, and Devils for their Companions : nay, carrying a Man to the Place of Torments, with a Flourish of Mufick founding Triumph ^n dired Oppofition to (c) the Joy of Angels, at a Sinner's Converfion. Here we have the dreadful Judgments of the Almighty mock'd, fuch as (dj Thunder and ( e) Lightning ; and al- fo (/) raining of Fire from Heaven, as Go d formerly over- threw Sodom and Gomorrah, And in fhort, here we have any thing which can be invented to detradt from the Honour due to God, and give it to his Enemy. be among ChriQians, I think it lhould be avoided only for the fcandalizing of the weak ; and I take the Poet to be inculpable, finee he only draws from the Pra&ice of the World, (o) Page i. line 4. p. 4. in fine, and p. 16. (p) Page 1. in fine, (q) Exod. 7. 11, 11. (r) Page 16. line 1$, &c. and p. 3$. (J) Page 24. line it. (O Pag e 2 3 • /hi* antepenult, (u) Page 33. (x) Page 24. line 8. (y) Pagezq. line zz. (z) Page 2^. line zz. and penult. (a) Page 3$ and 34. (b) Page zz. line 11. He who ferufeth this jguotation, is defir'd to compare it with Piov. 21. 16. and Mr. Mede's Difcourfe upon it, p. 3 f. (c) Luke 1$. 10. (d) Page 1. line 5. and antepenult, with p. $?. /. 19. (c) Page 16. line 19. and p. 34. /. 8. (f) Page 33. line 18. For Chap. 5 . The Great Abufe of Mufick. 1 2 9 For, Firft, To fg) Own the Devil as a God, or make a Compad: with him for the Gratifying of our Re- venge, is a Sin fo pofitively forbidden in the firft Com- mandment, and (h) other Texts of Scripture, as will ad- mit of no Evafions. But here, left Men fliould be ig- norant how to ruin their Souls to all Eternity, this (i) blafphemous Sentence is fpoken for their Imitation. See it performed and thou Jhalt be Dire Inftrument of Hell, a God to me. Secondly, To call the Devil* more than mortal Power, and infer from thence, that it is a Frenzy to refift him and his Agents, is almoft as dreadful ,• and yet this is the blasphemous Language of the Stage, and fuch a Com- ment upon (k) St. James , as is only to be met with in our Englijh Opera. (I) Forbear rajh Mortal, give thy Frenzy ore ; For now thou tempi* ft a more than mortal Power. Thirdly, To own the Devil as our Director in Diffi- culties, our Protetlor in Dangers, and the Healer of our Infirmities, is beyond all former Examples, and to pray to him as fuch, makes the Crime the greater. (m) Rife, all ye Furies, rife and direct me • In you my Cure is, rife and protecl met Fourthly, When (n) St. John in a Vifion faw War in Heaven, the Devil prevailed not, neither, after the firft Battle, was his Place found there any more. This on the (&) Hydafpes, Page 64. Line u. (h) t Sam. 28. 7 and 11, covipat'd with 1 Chron. 10. 13, 14. (i) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 12. line 22. (k) Chap. 4.7. (/; The Britifh Enchanters, Page 16. line 1. (m) Pyiihus and Demetrius, Page 42. line 14. $n) Rev. 12. 7, 8, 9. K Stage, 1 30 The Qr eat Abufe ofMuJick Part II. Stage is an undervaluing of his Power, and therefore he muft not leave off in fuch a manner, whilft the Po- ets are capable to affift him. 00 Fly yticky ye Demons, from your black Abodes, And try another Combat with the Gods. Fifthly, David faith of God, (p) If I climb up into Hea- ven thou art there ; and Daniel gives him this Chara&er, (q) He revealeth the deep and fecret things : he knoweth what is in the Darknefs, and the Light dwdleth with him. But here we are told, (r) of climbing the Devil knows where ; who is reprefented alio as (f) a moil fubtle Being, in difcovering of knotty Points. Sixthly, The Scriptures do always exprefs the Re- bellion of the Devil againft God, in Terms of the great- eft Deteftation and Abhorrence, and take occafion from his Punifhment to adore the Divine Jufike; but here (0 he is reprefented as a poor Devil, and one who is much to be pitied, becaufe he is fo miferably perfec- ted. As Perfection is a Suffering for Righteoufnefs fake, fo, according to this Language, the Devil un- dertook nothing but what was lawful and commenda- ble *, his Caufe was like that of the Martyrs ,- his Suffe- rings were like thofe who died in the Defence of the true Religion^ and God mtift be a Tyrant for infli&ing fuch a Sentence upon him. Seventhly* Praying to an invifible Being as prefent, is an KBl of Adoration due to God • but in thefe Operas, it is frequently paid to the Devil. To omit what hath been already quoted. (u) Jffifty ye Furies, from the deep $ Revenge, Revenge prepare* (0 > The Bdnfli Enchanters, Page 32. Line 29. (p) Pfal.139.8. (q) Dan. 21. 21. (>) The Wonders in the Sun, Page 44. line ult. (f) The Wonders in the Sun, Page $9. Line 19. (t) The Won- ders in the Sun, Pjge 44. line 52. (a) Arfinoe, Page 22. line 2. (x) n Chap. 5. The Great Abufe ofMufich 1 3 I (x) Te horrid Fiends of Hell, My burfiing BofomfwelL With Vengeance black and dire This injur d Heart infpire. (y) Furies ! give over ! Spare me ! [fare my Lover 1 (z) Ye Furies feiz^e me : That is, that fuch a Man may be eas'd of his troubled Mind, as it is (a) there explain'd. (J?) Furies, Ale&o, aid my juft Defign.* \c) Arife ye Furies, awake and rage. Spare us, good Lord, [pare thy People, and let not thefe Iniquities be our Ruin. Lafily, The Praifing of the Devil, in Hymns for that Purpofe, and in fuch A£b of Adoration as are due only to God, is a flaming Piece of Impiety, not infe- riour to any of the reft. I fhall exceed the Limits of our Operas, to mention one Song which cannot be o- mitted. (d) Hail, Toivrs beneath ! whofe Influence imparts The Knowledge of Infernal Arts ; By whofe unerring Gifts we move To alter the Decrees above : Whether on Earth, or Seas, or Air, The mighty Miracle we dare. Whither on Beafts our Skill is fawn, Or human Forms , what's more than human owifi This is but the third Part of the Seng, which con- cludes with Invoking the Help, and waving the AJJiJlanct of thefe Powers beneath ; but I fuppofe, the Reader doth not defire that I mould have tranferib'd any more. (x) Hydafpes, Page 64. line 6. (y) Loves Triumph, flrge 24, line penult, (z) Pyrrhus and Demetrius, P.^57. Un* 1- ( a ) Line 8. (b) The Britifh Enchanters, Page 10. line 30. (O Tho- myris, Tagt 29. /i« 14. (J) The Meumorphofis, Pq*§ 14. K z I 1 3 1 The Great Abufe ofMufick. Part 1L I know not whether the Singing Mafiers do teach the Toung Ladies this Song for their better Improvement : I am fore that they do not want an Opportunity, fince both the Mujick and Words are printed in (e) the Month- ly Colktiions for thatPurpofe. But to conclude this Chapter with one of our late O- feras. In that which is call'd, The Wonders in the Sun y Gonzales and Diego are carried up by a Machine into the Heavens, where they meet with a Devil, who (f) is call'd, The Demon of Socrates, and, as we are told, did belong to The World in the Sun. Upon his (g) En- trance he is not willing to deceive the Audience, but plainly tells them that he was a Devil, by reaf- firming that he taught the learned Cardan many things, Trithmethcus too, Cefar, La Brojfe, and the occult Agrippa were all his Pupils, befides a new Cabal of wife young Men., call'd, The Rcficrucian Knights, who were the ve- ry Keys of the clofe Locks of Nature. He taught Gajfendus in France, and Campanella, who were under his Inftrudion. I may alfo add, that he (i) fet our Saviour en a Pinnacle of the Temple, (hewd him all the Kingdoms of the World, and the Glory of them, and there- fore was thought the fitted Perfon to carry the Aclors through thefe other Regions, and fatisfy their Curio- fity : Tho' perhaps this Story being recorded in a Book which the Tcet feldom minds, might flip out of his Me- mory. Having thus own'd himfelf to be a Devil, let us fee how he is carefs'd at his Entrance on the Stage. (Jt) Gon&rtles to Diego. Silence, you Rogue, and down en y cur Knees; fee -who comes yonder. Diego anfwers. I am foot, amazed, confounded, I never f. 33. /. 20. (f) Page 15. Line 3. and p. 18. /. uk. (7) Psge 11. Line 13. («) Pagei$. linczt. (x) Page z~. J3i t Lire 1. (y) P.igen. hue ulr. (z) Page 19. line 24. (a) Page 69. line 23. (h) ." Act '3. Line 1, (c) Page 35. line zo. (d) Page 18. / (e) P^e 55. /fne 28. (/} Pjgc 56. line penult, (g) Page 27. line 2. (7; J Page \%. line 28. fi) P.i£* fented accordingly. To reprelent Perfons of [Quality as Poets fit only for an Ak-houft Crowd, and making fuch K 4 ( Songs I 36 The Great Ahtje of Mufick Part II. Songs, which can be a Diverfion to none, but the de- bauch'd and worft fort of People, is a notorious Rude- nefs. It favours like a Combination in the Foet, Com- pofer, Printer, and Publisher of fuch Songs , to render all other Perfons like unto themfelves, and unjuftly to expofe the Veers of this Nation, as Patriots to their own Impieties. The mentioning a Perfon of .Quality as the Author of fuch Toefy, is the fame as if a Man fhould place their Coronets on a Dunghil, or drag their Robes in the Dirt 5 and it is eafy to judge what Returns are due to fuch a Compliment. This Method is exactly defcribed by a (a) Great Mafier of Mufick, in thefc Words. Let y emfing on, and for fair Silvia'* fake Seme merry Madrigal to Mufick make ', Then print the Names of thofe who fet and wrote 'em, With Lords at Top, and Blockheads at the Bottom. However, as I fuppofe that the Perfons of Quality rnsntion'd in fuch Titles, are of no higher Degree than Ballad Singers, who make Songs for themfelves to fell, and care not what Mifchief they do, if they can only get a Penny ; fo I can fee as little Reafon to refpeel: the Majhr of fuch Mufick for his Emimncy. A Cheat in a Pillory is in an eminent Station, and is properly laid to be exalted above the Speclators. Thefe Mafiers are eminent for their Skill, but not for their Honefty. 7 hey are known by their Fruits. Their Art is lhewn in the Notes which they compofe ; and their Judgment, Relir fjon and Virtue in che Subjects which they chufe. And as at fuch times they have been afham'd to own their Names ; fo there is Hopes, that in time they may be afham'd of fuch filchy Songs, and only (hew their Skill (a) Henry Hall, Organijl of Hereford, in a Tom pefx'd to fy: Biovv-i AmpJiiun Anglicus. with Chap- 6 . The Great Abitfe of Mufich 1 3 7 with fuch as are innocent, fober and modeft. The former Songs being printed fingly, and confe- quently not reduc'd to any Method or Order of Time, a Monthly Collection was begun in February 170;. where the Compofers have beenfo juft to the World, astoown their Works by prefixing their Names. This Method is tobeftill cantinud, that he, who pleafesto buy 'em, may have a Collection wholly new, both of fine Songs and charming Mufick. Thefe are Songs for Singing* Mafiers to teach the young Ladiet, as a genteel Accom- plishment, to qualify them for Converfation with the Men, that they may begin berime, and have a Bet-. ter Breeding in their youthful Days, than fuch, who are not able to bear the Charges of a liberal Edu- cation. Let us then fee what fine Language is put into thefe Ladies Mouths, to double their Charms, to ra- vifh their Hearers, and divert themfelves by fpeaking what they mould not think j as it may be met with in the (b) Monthly Mufick. The only thing, which I fhall take notice of in this Chapter, is their Immodefty in enlarging fo much upon the Argument of Love. This is very much out of Character for the Female Sex, and efpecially for thofe who know not what they mean. To giv r e a full Ac- count of this, is to tranfcribs the whole Collections, and therefore the Reader may fatisfy his Curiofity with a few Particulars. In the Tear 1703. (c) every Song treats on this Sub- (b) To prevent Miflakes in tie Quotations for the Tear amt Months the Reader is defired to take notice t that the Titles of thefe Colle&ions are many times pint ed falfe as to the Tear, the Printers being only at the Charge of one Copper Plate for each Month in feve- verai Years, and corretting it with the Pen : And tho' I fuppofe, that I have rightly quoted tU Tears when they were printed } yet if he finds not the Quotations in the Tear mention'd, the Fault may be in mifplacing the MoDthly Collections. (c) tferc I fuppofe tht Tear to begin with the Month of January. 1 3 8 The Great Abufe of MuficL Part II. je&, except thofe in February perform'd before J>)ueen Anne upon New-year' *s Day, the three laft in September y for King William's Birth~Day, and the laft in December, being a Satyr upon the Female Sex * fo that there are thirty three Songs on this Subjed:, and only the firft Month without them. And as they can chufe other Subjects for their Conforts before the Court ; fo it is pity that they are not obliged to do the fame in other Places. In the Collection for the Year 1704. there are two and thirty Songs on this Subje&, fo that every Month is ftufPd with them, and there are only three Songs of another nature, vbil the firft in March, being an Health to the King of Spain ; the firft in Augufl, being in praife of the Duke of Marlborough ; and the laft in November, being in praife of the Devil, I fhall not therefore tire the Reader with a Colle- ction of all, which may be obferv'd in the eight Tears laftpaft , but confine my felf to the Years 170;, 1704, and 170? : Neither mail I take notice of all the Ex- preffions of Love, but only of fuch, where the Note, is above Ela, and the Hyperbole ftrain'd either to Blafphe- my or Profanencfs. As firft, when the Songs of a Lover makes his Mifirefs a Goddefs, and confefs an Adoration, Thus it is in (d) thefe following Instances- (e) t Cruel Silvia, do not flight me ; Tou alone can eafe my Smart, I fuppofe that there was no Defign in the Poet to queftion God's Omnipotency j but fuch a Conclufion doth too naturally follow. {d) For the future I fuppofe with tie Printer, that the Year be- gins in the November before. to April, 1703. (f) No Chap. 6. The Great Abufe ofMufick 139 (f) No Torment like what I endure ; For you Tde live or die, I fuppofe that the Torments of the Damn'd are too great to adtnk of an Inclination to Singing ; tho' the Poet is willing to wear off, and extenuate the Horror of them. (g) When CbXoQ fings theUniverfe is charm d y And Heaven it [elf with Harmony alarm* d. This and the two folllowing make the Glories of Hea- ven contemptible, in the fame manner that the other fpeaks concerning the ?uni(hment of Hell. (h) Celeftial Harmony is in her Tongue. (i) Yet who'd not wijh for the mofi f leafing Death ; i. e. to hear a Woman fing. Which mounts the Soul to Heaven with her Breath ? The reft which follow are of the fame Nature. ( k) 'Tis fie alone my Soul adores. (I) Mezena doth my Heart hjpire, like the H. Ghoft; She warms my Soul with amorous Fire. (m) Thy Numbers all my Soul infpire. (n) Say her Charms my Soul infpire, Say my Heart is all on fire- Tell her it's a Sacrifice, Offer* d only to her Eyes. Arid thJ the Flame's fo pure and clear y It ne'er can any Mixture bear. But kindled fir ft , and always burnt for her. (f) April, 1705. (£) July, 170?. (h) Auguft, 1703. (i) Auguft, 1703. (fcJOftober, 1703. (I) November, 1704. (m) February, 1704, (n) July, 1704. (0) Love's 140 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. (0) Love's Almighty Power, (p) The Nymph a Goddefs reigns. (q) Sabina with an Angel's Face. By Love ordain d for Joy. (r) That lovely Ange?s Face. (j^ Charming Creature, evry Feature Of the Goddefs I adore. (r ) He alone is worth my Care. (u) The Nymph whom I adore. According to this Language, and much more which might be added, a Lover* » only Heaven is to be in his Mifirefs's Company, and his only Hell to be abfent from her. This is hisGoddefs. She infpireshis Heart. He adores her, and fometimes her alone. Love, or rather Luft, is adorn'd with the Attributes of God, fuch as his Almighty Power, and Decreeing that which fhall come to pafs. This is the conftant Subject of our pre- fent Mufick , and tho' it may feem trifling to carp here- at ; yet I am fure that the Confequences thereof are no trifling Matters. The frequent Repetition in learn- ing to fing, and often in the fame Tune, ferves only by Degrees to draw off the Mind from God, and weaken l the Force of Religion. It bewitcheth the Fancy, and doth the more Mifchief, becaufe it is the lefs regarded, and thought to be a Trifle. A Ship is never dafh'd in Pieces, except in the Night, or when the Rocks are under Water ,- and therefore Marks and Lights are placed for a Caution to the Mariners. Was the Bla- jpbemy more evident, all Perfons would abhor it ; but in this Cafe it paffeth unfufpe&ed, and like Poifon kills more efFe&ually, becaufe no one takes notice of it. (0) O Sober, 1704. (/>) January, 1705. (q) February, 1705. (r) February, 1705. (s) February, 1705. (t ) February, 1705. (u) September, 1705. As Chap. 6. The Great Abufe of Mufick. 14.1 As the Nymphs are thus adord ,- fo the Lovers in fuch Songs frequently equal the Enjoyment of their Mifireffes to Heaven, as if the Foet never heard of, or at leaft never believ'd that there was any other than a Turkijb Faradife. (x) The blefsd EffecJs of Love. (y) The Joy would more than Life fuffly. (&) Thefe are Joys the Gods for Toutb ordain. (a) They wanted nothing but ever to love* And 'twas all that to blefs them his Godhead could do y i. e. Cupid. If theyftill might bt kind, and they fill might be true. Neither is it a Conjugal Love alone, but oftentimes an unlawful Lu(t, or afinfulFaJfion, which is thus ca- refs'd in our Modern Songs ; and it is well if the Words are fram'd in fuch general Expreffions, as will admit of both Conftru&ions, One Song is (b) an Addrefs to a Whore, who is calTd in the Beginning a lovely Char- mer. Another (c) pleads for Whoring as ftrongly as for Marriage, and joins both together. She lives an anxious, dull, negleBed Life, 'Till Jhe becomes aMiftrefs, or a Wife. And the Mufician, to explain the Foet's Meaning, hath repeated the Word Miftrefs more than once, to lay the greater Empbajis thereon ; but the Word Wife only comes in at the Clofe, as but one Degree beyond the dull negleBed thing which the Foet fpeaks of. The two following Verfes have a Mixture of Smut y and therefore I muft omit them. (x) May, 1 70 J. (j) September, 1705. (a) November, 1704. (a) January, 1705. (b) June, 1704. (c) Oftober, I7°4- Ano- 142 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part II. Another (d) teacheth the Ladks, that when a Wo- man is married againft her Will, her Duty is no more to be minded, but (he ought to play the Whore with the Man whom (he loves, and concludes with Smut for this Purpofe. In (e) another Song, a Woman is exhorted to be a Whore, wifely, to follow Senfe and Nature, and then the Foet adds, Oh then flied be a charming Creature ! Thus it is their Endeavour to debauch all the Sex, and make Men live like Brutes, without any Diftin- cHon ,- and for this Reafon, on fome Occafions they declare their Opinion, (y)That The abfent ugly are and old, The prefent young and fair. Another Song, (g) pleads for Whoring, and enforces it with a Similitude^ butbecaufe it is fmuttily mana- ged, I muft omit it. In another Song (h) Marriage is expos'd, and Who- ring commended. My Stock can never reach a Wife, It may a fmall retailing Whore ; Let Men of Fortune buy for Life, One Night 9 s a Purchafefor the Poor, This is the Conclufion of the Song, and plainly (hews us the Moral, and it may be obferved, that it is the only Part which the Mufician hath contriv'd to be repeated with Variety of Notes, as that which pleas'd (d ) March, 1704. (e) September, 1704. (f) Oftober, 1704- (g) Hovember, 1705. (h) May, 1708. his Chap. 6. The Great Abufe of Mufiih. 14.3 his Fancy beft, and was moft ferviceable to carry on his Defign. Another Song (i) pleads for Whoring as a Happinefs, and calls it being not confind by dull Refutation, and as zealoufly encourages the Trade of a Procurer or a Bawd, giving this Reafon for both, becaufe we have no Senfe to know where we Ihall go when we die. Another OU informs us, that if Maids are not mar- ried at eighteen, they will of Courfe be Whores, advi- feth young Mifs to think betime of an Husband, and en- forceth this Advice with an unlucky Similitude. And Q) another fpeaks to the fame Purpofe. Truft not your Charms another Day, But marry, marry, whilftyou may • For Touth and Beauty foon decay. Another (m) pleads ftrongly for Inconftancy, and profeffes a Refolution to ad accordingly. But if e 're I get more Lovers, Til diffemble as they do', Forfince Lads are grown like Rovers, Fray, why may not Lajjes too ? Another (n) Song recommends to the Ladies, that they would play the Whore in private, but appear in publick for chafi and fober Perfons. It tells us, that Chafiity is an Extream and a Folly, and Vertue is no- thing elfe but the Credit of being thought fo. It ac- cordingly condemns Lavia, becaufe (he was afraid to be a Whore ; and commends Celia as the wifeft Perfon, who Pays a frivate Debt to Pleasure, Tet for chafi in publick pajjes. (i) .December, 1709. (k) July, 1707. (I) Ottober, 1705. (m) May, 1704. (n) Auguit, 1704. Now 144 The Great Abufe ofMufick. Part II. Now what young Lady can do amifs under fuch ex- cellent Inftru&ions as thefe ? It is a hopeful Begin- ning, efpecially whilft her own Parents encourage the fame, and liberally pay for fuch an Education ; And a great Improvement muft be expe&ed when they therrifelves (hall afterwards defire her to let thefe Per- formances be heard in publick.. In (o) another Song, Celinda being prais'd for her Beauty, the Poet adds an Expreffion, which the Com- fofer thus repeats,- And think, think, think the reft. There is one thing more, for which the Young La* dies are obliged to the Poets and Muficians, namely, their helping them to fuch Love-Songs, as may ferve to declare their Paffions, and give them an Opportu- nity to court in Verfe-, when their fine Voice doubles the Charm, and the Man who admires their Skill in Singing cannot but admire their Skill in Exprejjing their Minds. In this Manner, a Lady who bluflies to hear the firft Propofal from a Suitor, can readily make the firft Propofal herfelf, and without Scruple tell her Mind in this Method, that flie is fick of Love, and values him above all others; Thus, (p) Tell Ormondo what Ibear, Tell him how his Chains I wear, Tell him all my Grief and Care. Thus it is alfo in fo) another ; Te Stars that rule my Birth, The Man I love reftore. Pity my Grief, this one Relief But grant, I ask no more. (o) January, i7°4- C?) May, 1705; (j) July, 170$. Reftore Chap. 6 . The Great Abufe of Mufick. 1 4 5 Reftore the Jewel of my Heart, All other Lojfes I can bear. Tho* he flies me and denies me, He alone is worth my Care* I might mention many others, but I (hall only add (r) one more. Conquering, O, but cruel Eyes ! Why with Rigour will you kill her, Who adores you, And implores you ? Can you wi(h to triumph more ? CeafetofparklewithDifdain, Ceafe to wound a bleeding Heart : The ConqueJPs Jure, Your Slave's fecure, What Pleafure to increafe the Smart ? Who then can be fo hard-hearted, as to deny a Toung Lady, when lhe is panting, bleeding, wounded and dying, implores his Affiftance, and expreffeth herfelf in fuch moving Rapture?? I am fenfible that I tire the Reader's Patience with a Colleclion offuch Sengs, and I wifti that he could be entertain'd with thofe that are better. I could have forfeited him from our Monthly Mufick, with fuch as are wholly defign'd to provoke Luft, and fuch which are fmutty to a fcandalous Degree j and can have no other Tendency but the Debauching of Toung Gentle- women, before they know' their Meaning, or are arm'd againft them with a previous Education , or a Senfe of Religion. But if the Reader is willing to know whe- ther they are mifreprefented or not, he may view (r) November, 1706. L them 146 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part' II. them in (f) their own Garden, as they are planted by the Poets, and improved by the Mafiers of Mufick. It may alfo be.obferv'd, that where there are Words which will admit of a Double Entendre, or are liable to an obfcene Contraction, the Muficlan feldom fails to ftrain it to the worft Senfe by wanton and airy Mufick, and especially by frequent Repetitions of that which is ex- ceptionable, and a fhort Touch upon the Word, which would better explain the Poet's Meaning. Lafilj, The Comfofer now endeavours to fliew his Skill not only in affecting the Paffions, but alfo in frequent Repetitions of the fame Words, and in larger Dtvifions of Notes to the fame Syllable. Thus they flie w the great Variety of a Voice, and by this Means they take Care that the Words fhall not be known to the Au- dience. Simp fen, in his Compendium of Mufick, (t) dif- approves of this Method, and advifeth the Compofers fo to contrive the Notes that the Words may be plainly under- flood- But he is an old Fellow, and not to be minded, and was unacquainted with our later Defigns. If the Words were underftood, they would be abhor'dbyall fober People • and therefore our modern Improvements in Mufick ieems only to be contriv'd that the Poifon may be conceaPd, and the Young Gentlewomen , who are taught to fin£, may be effectually debauch'd and ruin'd in their Inclinations, before their Parents or Guardians do fufpeft the Danger. And now for a Conclusion of this Chapter, I fhall give the Reader a brief Account of ibme Songs in the (f) November, 170J. in two Song*. February, 1704. Marcty 1704. December, 1705. January, 1705. twice. March, 1705. May, 1705. June, 170$. April, 1706. May, 1706. Sep- tember, 1707. November, 1 708. January, 1708. May, 1708. in two Songs. September, 1708. February, 1709. April, 1709, in two Songs. May, 1709. July, 1709. September, 1709. December, 17 10. May, 17 10. July, 17 10. (t) Page 114. Edit. Anno 1678. late Chap. 6. The Great Abufe ofMufich. 1 47 late Year ; many of them are (u) wholly upon the Sub- ject of Love. Here (V) Women are ador'd, and call'd (y) the Heavenly Fair. In one Song (z>) composed for a Toung Gentlewoman to learn, all the Fir gins are repre- fented as addi&ed to Whoredom, when they feem to be mod fhy, and their Bluflies do only betray their Inclinations. In other Songs, the Smut and Naftinefs is (a) furprizing, and beyond aU former Examples. I can only dare to fubferibe to Inftances. In the firft, there is a moft blafphemous Defcription of carnal Copulation, as far excelling the Happinefs e- venof the Saints in Heaven, and affronting the Deity it felf in a worfe than Luciferian Style. (b) He's more than Man who is a Kifs allow' d ; But who enjoys you is all oer a God. The laft Line is order'd by the Mufidan to be repeat* cd three Times with Variety of Divifions and other curious Airs, which may hide it from the Hearer, but with fuch foft moving Notes, as can hardly fail to corrupt the Learner. In the other there is an expofing of Marriage, villi- fying the Clergy, commending of Whoredom, as or- dain'd by God, making him the Author of all fuch Vil- lanies, and giving the Lie to the Scriptures all in one Breath. (c) The World and Nature bear one Date> The Law (for Marriage) was introduced of late* Not by God, who would have us all live in common, according to the Pott's Notion. (u) December twice. March, April, twice. May, July, Sep- tember, twice. O&ober twice, (x) February and September. 00 June, (z) Auguft. (a) December, May and July. Qh) Au- guft. (c) Otfober. L 2 -And 148 The Great Abufe ofMufick Part II. And'' 'twas the cunning, cunning, cunning Pr left that made Of flighted Vows a folemn Trade. The Clergy was oblig'd to the Toet for his ufual Ci- vility ,• however the Compofer was willing to contri- bute his Share by fo often a Repetition of his beloved Epithet. There is more to the fame Purpofe, in which Cod is reprefented as the Author of Sin, but I have tran- fcrib'd too much already. Chap. VII. The Vrofanenefs of thofe Songs which are taught to Toung Gentlewomen and others^ under the Tretence of their better Edu- cation. fTHHE lad thing which I (hall mention concerning JL the Songs y which are taught to Toung Gentlewomen and others, is their Profanenefs. The Divine Adoration y which a Lover is fuppos'd to pay to his Mi/irefs, or even a Miftrefs to her Lover, with the other Particulars mention'd in the former Chapter, need not to be again repeated. The Ex- preffions to Cupid and Venus are not in the leaft inferi- our to the other. Thefe are fuch whom the Heathens worshipped as the GodandGoddefs of Love. To their Images were Sacrifices offer'd and Incenfe burnt. Of fuch as thefe it is, that God faith, (a) I am the Lordy that is my Name, and my Glory will I not give to another 3 neither ta) Ifo. 4Z.8. Chap. 7. The Great Abiife of Mufich. 149 my Praife to graven Images ; and accordingly he tells us in the firfi Commandment , that we muft have no other Gods before him. Befides, the Children of Ifrael were commanded (b) to make no mention of the Name of other Gods, neither let it be heard out of their Mouths. I am not for a fuperftitious Interpretation of thefe Texts, and vet I muft think that they forbid our treating of the falfe Gods, as we treat the true one, or elfe they forbid nothing. And as the Poet hath no Neceflicy to let his Fancy run this Way, fines he may choofe what other Subje&s he pleafes, fo is he the more inexcufa- ble. Let us then take a View of fuch Language as is composed and fet for Toung Ladies to learn, as it may be fucceffively met with in the Space of two or three Years. ( c) Love in her Bofom end my Care, Fix a willing Empire there. (d) Cupid infirucl an amorous Swain Some Way to tell the Nymph his Vain. And then it follows, The God replied, (e) Venus be thou to morrow great, Thy Myrtles (Irew, thy Odours burn, And meet the favrite Nymph in State. Kind Goddefs, to no other Powers We to morrows Joys will own. Thy darling Loves fjall guide the Hours, And all the Day be thine alone. In the next Song, O Love, try every Powerful Dart, To melt her Icy, frozen Heart. (h) Exod. 1$. 12. jnijofh. 2;. 7. (0 March, 170^. (d) May, 1703. (e) June 1703, L 3 (f)Am 1 50 The Great Abuje of Mufick. Part IL (f) An amorous $wain to Juno fraf d The Goddefs thunder* d from the Skies And granted his Bequefl. (g) Great Artilt Love thefure Foundations laid, And out of me another World hath made. In the next Song. Cupid, would you exert your Tower, And fierce the cruel Celia's Heart j — — — The AB in you would Godlike prove, Tofave a Wretch, elfe dies for Love. After a Collection oiSmut and Nafiinefs, the Song con- cludes thus ; (hi) Thefe are Joys the Gods for Youth ordain. (/) Venus reigns in my Breafi. (k) Whiff er, Cupid, to my Fair; Tell her gently in her Ear, &c. (I) The God of Love, (m) Love'* Almighty Tower, very often repeated in the Mufick. (n) Love faw them— — His Godhead — (0) Sabina with an Angel's Face, By Love ordain d for Joy. A little after; The God of Love enrag'd to fee The Nymfh defy his Flame ; Tronouncd this mercilefs Decree Againft the haughty Dame, (f) Grant, Jove, (f) Hy> 1705. (g) Oftober, 1703. (h) November, 1704. 0) July, 1704 (k) Ibid. . (I) September, 1704. (m) Ofto- frer, 1704. ()i) Jiiniary, 1705. (0) February, 1705. (?)$*- £ruary, 1705. (1) Tm Chap.7- The Great Abufc of Mufich I 5 1 (q) Vm Cupid'/ Warriour, i. e. listed under bis Banner, (r) Te Stars that rule my Birth, The Man I love refiore. The next Song. Cruel Stars, who all confpire To blafi my Love with hcpelefs Fire, Set my Ormondo free, (f) Te Gods I only wiflj to die, Oh, in Pity eafe me. (t) Queen of Darknefs, fable Night, Eafe a wandring Lover s Vain. (jt) Say, Phafures Goddefs. Here we have Cupid ador'd as a Gcd ; as one who hears and anfwers our Prayers ; as one who is moft powerful -, as the Great Creator of the World j as a Saviour of thofe who muft otherwife die for Lcvc ,- and as one who guides us by Inspiration, and reveals to us what we ought to know by fecret IVbijftrs • and confequently as Father, Sen, and Holy Gboft ; and in- deed I think, as all in all. Here we have him repre- fented as Almighty, and the Singer exprefleth his Re- fpe&s in Terms more like to a Baptismal Vow, than x Song compos'd only for Diverpon. Here we have V-tHut ador'd as the alone G I Ju?jo as one who thunders from the Skies, the Moon as the Queen of Darknefs, the Stars and all the Hoft of Heaven, as fuch who rule our Birth, and confequent- ly fuch to whom we owe our Being ,• and the Gods in general, that is, all the Pagan Idols, as fuch who ought to be worfripped, jfraTsv and adord. And the (refs (x) made to Cupid, confifts of fuch Mufuk as is (J April, 1708. (f) Auguft,' 1707. (t) December, 1708. The Chap. 7. The Great Abuje of Mufich 1 5 5 The merry God ne'er tells us Lies, There's po Deceit in IVine, Accordingly in thefe Songs ^ (u) the Liquor is rec- kon'd to be divine. Drunfannefs is often (x) com- mended, or at lead the Rcvellings of a jovial Com- pany, and to equal *it with the Joys of Heaven, the Drunkard is faid (y) to find all that be can wijh for in a Glafs. And the Character given of Wine is, That OO This alone true P lea fures can give. Since y tis the jolly Toper that knows how to live. Nay, to go farther yet, this very Vice, which was formerly reckon'd the greateft Scandal and Shame to the female Sex, is now {a) reprefented as a Qualifi- cation and an Accomplifhment ; and to promote it among them, here are Variety of (b) Healths, the Words fit for the Ale-houfe, but the Notes ufually fit- ted for the Ladies. According to this Scheme of E- ducation, the utmoft Aim is to qualifie Mifs for the Tavern, if not for a worfe Place : and if fhe hath learn'd to take off her Glafs, with a fine Air, and knows how to divert the Company with Songs fit for the Occafion, (he cannot fail to become the Toaft of the Town, and to be admir'd by all for her rare Performance. (u) November, 1709. (x) January, 1704. December, 1707.- Januaiy, 1707. June, 1708. November, 1709. February,* 17C9. September, 1709. Februaiy, 171c. March, 1710. A- pril, 17 1 o. trice. May, 17 10. June, 1710. July, 17 10. (y) Apnl, 171c. (*) July, 1710. (a) July, 1710. (b) Janu- ary, 1704. MaTch, 1703. Auguft, 1704. July, 1706. Sep- tember, 1706. December, 1707. February, 1707. April, 1707. twice. June, 1707. April, 1708. June, 1708. July, 1708. twice. October, 1708. December, 1709. February, 1709. May, 1709. June, 1709. July, 1709. Ortober, 1709. Fe- bruary, 1 7 10. May, 17 10. June, 17 10. Auguit, 1710. twice. I 154- The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. I am not for leffening the Merit of any brave Mm of this Age, and readily own that there is i Re- fped which ought injuftice to be paid to. fuch, y ho faithfully ferve the Government • tho 5 I think. c there is a much better Way for a Toung L«d> :< n- prefs it. What hath fhe to do to drink H learn fuch Songs as are defign'd for this Purpofe i Or what is any Perfon the better for fuch i Prad.ce? To drink a Health to the Church of England is no Sign that we are true Sons of that Church, fince fhe ddth not require fuch an Acknowledgment, but prefles Sobriety upon us. To drink an Health to the ^ueen y whilft we fpend the Money that fhould pay the Taxes and fupport her Government, is no true Sign of a good Subjetf. To drink a Health to any other doth too often increafe the Sin of Dnmkennefs, and it adds nothing to the Health of another, whilft we thus deftroy our own. And tho' thefe things may be in- offenfive in themfelves, yet we fhould not be either the worfe Chrifiians or Subjects, if we laid them whol- ly afide ; neither would the Poets and Muficians be lefs efteem'd, if they employ'd their Fancy another Way. To proceed $ Here the Lienor (c) muft be accounted d.ivine, and Drinking commended as bringing with it (d) Joys above Meafure. And tho* St. Paul blames that Expreffion, (e) Let us eat and drink, for to mor- row we die, and plainly tells us, left we fhould be deceived, that fuch evil Communications will corrupt good Manners • yet they (f) droll upon Sobriety, and enlarge (g) on that Inference which the Afojile cautions us to avoid, as if they refolv'd in defpite of all Admonitions that no Method to encreafe Debauchery fhould efcape them : and they (h) infift on it in fuch a Manner, (c) November, 1709. September, 1707. (d) Ibid. (e) 1 Cor. 15. 32, 53. (f) November, 1708. (g) September, 1706. July, 1707. (h) July, 1710. that Chap- 7. The Great Abufe ofMufick 155 that the Ladies as well as the Clowns may be infe&ed, and their Manners corrupted by fuch Communications. I have fhewfi the Reader how ibis young Ladies may be taught to exprefs their Veneration toward the falft Gods of the Heathen. If they have a Mind to fing an Hymn in Praife of the Dtvil, and Defiance of God, there is ( i) an Hail Powers beneath compofed for their Ufe, inferted in thefe Collections, and fet to Mufick with Notes like a fupplicatory Anthem. All this is very different from the Refpe&s, which are fliewn to the True God. When they fpeak of him,, they alter their Style. ' There is no fuch Attribute given to the C£r*- ftian as to the Pagan Deity • and no Perfon in the ever Bleffed Trinity hath fuch Epithets beftow'd on him, as are freely beftow'd on Cupid. The Veneration which they have for the true God may be feen in a few Inftances. Firfi, In underv^ing of his Majefly. (k) If the valiant Eugenius his Praife you refufe, What Hero on Earth, or what God will you chufe ? Here we may fee how the Poet forces his Wit into Profanenefs, when he might fo eafily have avoided it, and the dull Jade is fpurr'd into the Lake againft her Inclinations. Secondly, In undervaluing of his Providence, and re- flecting upon it. Man was made after the Image of God, and therefore was the Glory and Wonder of the Creation. How gratefully this is acknowledged, may be feen in Q) a Song upon a Lap-dog. How willingly would I refign, And quit my nobler Form for thine £ Forego my Reafon, all to be A little pretty Cur like thee I - (i) November, 1704. (k) September, 1706. (/) March, 1708- Thus 156 The Great Abuft of Mufich Part JL Thus when a Lover dotes upon his Mifirefs, and thinks that he cannot obtain her, then God is alfb blam'd, and his all-wife and wonderfiil Met hods in the Creation is call'd in queftion. (m) Why was Celfe made fo fair ? Why, ye Powers I did ye befiow So much Bounty here below ? Why fo many Charms in one, And yet to be fojfefs'd by none ? And tho* the Scriptures exprefs the Juftice o(God in fuch Terms, which may raife in us the greateft Efteem and Adoration ; yet here the direft contrary is as po- fitively afferted, that (n) Heaven is partial. ^ m Thirdly, In expofing of Marriage, the Ordinance which God hath appointed to prevent Fornication, and taking occafion from thence to (0) burlefque the Scrip- tures, ridicule the Expreffions in our Liturgy, and fcandalize the Clergy. And fourthly, In undervaluing the Joys of Heaven, in comparing other things of fmall Value therewith. I need not tranfcribe what I have already mention'd, and fhall add but one Inftance. (p) Our Ordinance Board fuch Joys doth a ford, That no Mortal more can defire. This is a Specimen of the good Divinity which the young Ladies may learn from thefe excellent Songs ; I (hall now add their curious Morality. This muft be fine, April, 1704. (n) September, 17 10. \o) April, n<&< October, 17 10. (p) AuguH, 1708. lince Chap. 7. The Great Abufe ofMuJick. 157 fince it comes originally from the Play-boufe, that in- comparable Nurfery of Religion and Virtue, which is fet up for Reformation of Manners, Accordingly here we have Fornication and Adultery exalted to the Skies, and a Chriftians Hafpinefs made to confift in gratifying his Lufts u ithout Diftin&ion. But if Cupid and Venus are not diffident, let (q) Bacchus be implor'd to fill the fprightly Bowl, and then the Votary fhall be eas'd of all his Troubles. But to proceed, when People knew not the right Method of Education, Swearing and Curfing before young Ladies was reckon'd a Breach of good Behaviour, and therefore a civil Atheift would forbear it. Mr. Collier tells ns, (r) that this Cufiom in his Time feemd to go upon this Prefumption, that the ImpreJJions of Religion are ftrongefi in Women, and more generally fpread. And that it muft he very difagreeahle to them to hear the Majefty of God treated with fo little Refpecl. Befides, Oaths and Curfes were reckon'd a boifierous and tempefiuous fort of Con- ner/at ion> generally the Effetls of Vajfion, andfpoken with Noife and Heat. Swearing and Curfing formerly looked like the Beginning of a Jguarrel, to which Women bad an Averfion ; as being neither armd by Nature, nor difciplind by Cuftomfor fucb rough Difputes. And therefore a welU bred Man would no more [wear or curfe, than be would fight in the Company of Ladies. But left fuch a Nicety or Squeamifhnefs lhould fpoil good Company, the La- dies themfelves are taught to [wear and curfe like fo many Grenadiers ; and that not only when they are in 2. Heat and a Paffion, but when they are fedate, and it paffes for Diverfion. Accordingly in thefe Songs y the Name of 0) the Lord, and (t) our God is fometimes taken in vain. Sometimes they fwear (*J by God, fometimes (x) by the Wounds of Chrift, fometimes (y) (q) June, 170$. ( r ) Short \ r iew of the Stage, f>. 59. is) Auguft, 1708. (t) Augult, 1708. (k) November, 1710. (x) Augufl, 1738. and November, 1708. twist* (v) December, 171a. by ^8 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part II. by the Hooks or Nails that faftned him to the Crofi fometimes by (z,) their Souls, fometimes by (a) their Faith, or good Faith, fometimes (b) by their Troth, and fometimes by (c) all that's good, and fometimes by (d) a Kifs, (e) by Jove, and (J) by Bacchus. Sometimes they are taught to curfe that (g) the Plague, and (£) the Pox may light upon, or take other Perfons or Things, that (i) they maybe damn'd, and (h) the Curfe may light upon their Friends. Some- times they wifh of others, that (I) the Devil may take them, and on fuch an Occafion the Compofer to carry on the Defign hath taken care that (wjthe Word Devil fhall be repeated four times by thtyoung Lady, as that wherein the charming Mufick confifts, thereby to wear off the Horrour, which fuch an Expreffion fhould leave on another Occafion. And at another time they wifh that they themfelves might (m) beftruck dumb, which indeed would be a Mercy, unlefi they imploy'd themfelves better than in learning fuch Songs. In (0) one Song there is this Expreffion, Curfe on the Un- believer, thereby burlefquing the Scripture t and making the Nature of Faith to confift only in believing the brave Exploits of the Duke of Marlborough. Now tho* this Curfe may reach but a few ; yet there is (/>) ano- ther, which takes in a greater Number, and cannot but be very diverting, when it comes from a Lady's Mouth, it being an Expreffion, wherein her own Sex is fo nearly concerned. (z) November, - 17 to. (a) Auguft, 1708. January, 1706. Anno 1704. A Mock Jddrefs to the French King, (b) September, ■* m^n f r \ Y\or*orr\ Ko r r i/~\? (" J \ ~h\ i\T t 1 /-\Q. f o \ A nril T-tr\A Chap. 7. The Great Abufe of Mujitk. 159 I wijh Unbappinefs on all ( Men) Who whiningly perplex 'Tbemjelves hereafter on that Score (of Love) And may that Man be damrid, that's more, That ever trttfts the Sex. I fhall not curfe with the Poet $ but it is to be wifh'd, that every one, who fings fuch Songs, was obliged to pay for them according to the Statute againft fuch Profanenefs ; and that theCompofer and Poet were oblig'd to give Satisfaction to the Ladies for fo horrid an Af- front put upon their Sex. It is ftrange how any Per- fon can fing fuch Words, which muft one Day be re- pented of, or take pleafure in that, for which he muft afterward be forry. This Confideration fliould fpoil the Mufick, and render it harfii and difpleafing. Another Vice which I (hall mention is Pride. This in Scripture is reprefented as (9) a grievous Crime, which God refifl s, which goeth before DefirucJion, which caufeth Contention and Shame^ which is hateful both to God and Man, and which formerly caft the fallen An- gels out of Heaven. In thefe Songs the young Mifs is exhorted (r) to call Pride to her Aid, as if it would not come faft enough of courfe ; which in (j) another Song is reprefented as a Guard to prevent the Corrup- tions of frail Nature. One of (f) their Expreffions I fhall make bold to tranferibe at large. — Pride, A noble Guilt, fince Angels fell, To be like them our Heaven denfd. Cj) J Pet. 5.5. Prov. 16. 18. audi). 10. andn.i. and 8.1$. Pfal. 101.5. to* 14. ii, 13, 14- (r) June, 1703. (s) Sep- tember, 1707. (t) Auguti, 1704. Here 1 60 The Great Abufe ofMufick. -Part II. Here is at once a triple Difcharge of Artillery againft Heaven, to ftorm it by Force, and dethrone the God, who dwells there. Firft, in vindicating the fallen Angels, or ( to fpeak in other Words,) in excufmg and pleading for the Devil. Such, who make Hymns in his Praife, may perhaps think themfelves oblig'd to vindicate him* at another time. The Scriptures tell us, that as for the Angels, which kept not their firfi Efiate,. hut left their own Habita- tion, God referved them in everla fting Chains* under Dark- nefs, unto the Judgment of the Great Day. Now, What was all this for ? If we will believe the Poet, it was a noble A&ion which they did, arid cdnfequently no Crime at all. In fhort, they were condemn'd for their Pride (as the Poet owns) for their Rebellion a- gainft God, and affe&ing to be like him. This is the Feet's noble A&ion. The Horror of the Words will not admit a long Refle&iori, and therefore I only beg the Reader to join with me in this Petition, From fuch profane and blafphemous Exprejfions % Good Lord deliver us. Secondly, As the Poet excufeth the fallen Angels ; fo confequently he refledh on God's Juftice in infli&ing fuch a Punifhment on them. They did a noble Adi- on, and it was imputed to them as a Guilt, and they were caft out of Heaven for it. According to the Foet's Language, it was fo noble as to deferve our Imi- tation, and it will be our Honour to be like them, tho' we are punifh'd for it. Horrid Impiety ! Are thefe Songs fit to delight us ? Could the Devils fing according to our Scale of Mufick, they muft be oblig'd to the Poet and Compofer for furniftring them with fuch a Song, fince I think, that they could hardly have in- vented the like. It is finely worded, to comfort thenr in their Chains, and vindicate their paft Behaviour. The third Stroke in thefe Lines is the extenuating the Torments of the Damn'd and the Joys of Heaven, by eomparing them to the Lois or obtaining of a Mi- ftrefs Chap. 7. The Great Abufe of Mufiek. 1 6 f ftrefs. What is Hell according to this Defcription ? It is to be like them our Heaven dtn/d. To be debarr'd from all fenfual Pleafures and Enjoyments. Accord- ing to this Account the BleJJed Angels are in a fad Con- dition, for they neither marry , nor are given in Marriage^ and are in the fame State with the Devils, If we be- lieve the Poets, then notwithstanding the different No* tions in Scripture to the contrary, they are both de- ny'd Heaven alike. And what is Heaven, according to the Poet ? It doth not come up to the TurkijJ) Pa- radife, to be enjoy 'd after Death. The Poets teach the young Ladies that they mould not wait fo long. They tell them of* a quicker Paffage to it. Enjoy your Pleafures ; gratify your Lulls and Paflions, and you are in Heav'n. Live like Brutes, and you are the Glory of your Sex. This is admirably well fuited to deftroy the Scripture Notion of Good and J}vil, together with the Notion of Virtue and Vice ; and the Poets may quickly deprive God of his Deity and Authority, and even of all Refpe6t, if they can but prove him a Liar. That the Defign of thefe Songs is wholly to extir- pate all Senfe of Religion and Honefiy, to banilh all fe- rious Thinking and Refle&ion, and wholly to lull the Confcience afleep, is evident from what hath been al- ready mention'd, and therefore I (hall only add two more Expreffions to the fame Purpofe. (u) Womens Souls , that live by Rules, are Fools. (x) How happy are we That from Thinking are free, That curbing Difeafe of the Mind ! In (hort, if we look only into the laft Year's CoU UBions, and omit all thofe things which are already mention'd, we may farther obferve, That the Ladies (uj Auguft, 170& ( x ) December, 1709. M may 162 The Great Abufe of 'Mufich Part II. may$he better -be taught how to ridicule the Scripture Expreffions of Damnation and Atoning ion our Tranf~ grejfions, they are ridiculoufly ufed in (y) the Revelr lings of an Ale-boufe ; That they may flight and defpife the Vengeance of God., the Word (z,) damnd is put into their Mouths on trifling Occafions • That they may have no Valuer for the Joys of Heaven, a Sonata is (a) flyi'd, a thing divinely rare ,• and that they may have as little Fear of the Devil, or his Suggeftions, (J>) his Name is us'd for Mirth and Diverfion. I have (hewn how ufeful our prefent Mufick is like- ly to prove for the Advancement of Religion among the -young Ladies. I {hall now prefem the Reader with the Good Manners, which may be learn'dfrom it. Fine Language is a great Improvement, and very much talk'd pfi The Muficims teach it to the Laelies, and therefore will, no doubt, oblige them with fuch Words as are extraordinary. I fhall omit their rude and fcurrilous (dj treating of the Univzrfities, and the Education there. If the Ladies pleafe to complement their own Sex in the (lime Language* they need not want (d)zSong calculated for that Purpofe. How vain and falfe. a Woman is, Is every Day perceivd • Yet fuch tb' Inchantments of the Fair, And Men fuch filly Ideots are, They daily are , helievd. Frequent Exa?nples fure might ferve To keep us in cur Senfe ; But Hell and they fuch Trains have laid, That -we can ne'er be wifer made, , But at our own. Escpence. , - ; .. : . ' I J ... (y) Apri l, f 7 io (z) February, 17 to. April, 17 10. fji) De- C^fefJ 1710; (F) "November, 1710. (c) November 1709. (4) December, 1704. The Chap. 7. The Great Alufe of Mitfich 1 6 3 The reft of the Song hath 'been (e) alread)f4ran- fcrib'd, and needs no Repetition. One Sight of the Monfter is enough. But if the London Ladies (who in this&efped have an extraordinary Advantage, are willing to oblige their Mothers with a Song, they can foon have a Compliment ready., which mult be thought well worth the Money beftow'd in their Daughters Learning. (f) How happy' s he that weds a Wife Well prattis'd in the London Life ? for Loridon Wives coqjtet by Rule, Difcreetlj pleafc the Man they fool. Thus we fee that neither Religion nor Mariners can fet any Bounds to our Poet s, and no Song is fo bad, but a Miificzan can be found, who will without fcruple fet a Ttme to it. And therefore until thefe Irregula- rities are reform'd, all that Mr. Collier and others have written againft the Vlay-houfe may be equally apply 'd to our prefent Mufick. The whole Collection of Songs, if they .were printed together without Repetitions, might be leifurely read over in lefs than two Hours time ;. fo that the Reader may guefs how much our Mnfuk wants to be reform'd, when in fo little a Quan- tity there are found fo many Irregularities. TJiere is not one Song in Ten free from Exceptions. I have been large in the Quotations, that I might not be tax'd for faying what I could not prove, or cenfur'd for quoting them imperfectly and by halves. But tho' I might have added more,- yet I fear, that I have trefpafled upon the Reader's Patience, and therefore crave his Pardon, which if he is pleas'd to grant, I fhall have no Occafion to offend again in the fame nature. I fhall now for a Conclufion of this Chapter go back 1 into the laft Century, and give the Reader a Tait of an ———————— — i ," — (e) At tin LiH Reference, (p)- (f) March, j7c$. M z Oit 1 64. The Great Abuje ofMufick Part II. O^^pon the Death of Mr. Henry Pur eel, printed in the Year 1696, fet to moft incomparable Mufick for the Occafion by Dr. Blow, wherein he hath (hewn the judgment and Ingenuity of a moft compleat Arjift, and to his greater Credit left out one blafphemous Epithet, and inferted another lefs offenfive, by calling Mr. Pur- ee! the matchlefs Man, whereas inftead thereof the Toet had twice call'd him the Godlike Man. This is a Piece of Modefty peculiar to himfelfj for which he deferves the Character of, Kara avis in t err is, nigrcque fimillima cygno. But to return from the Mufician to the Pott. If ever he will be ferious, certainly it milft be on fuch an Oc- cafion ,• and if the Thoughts of Death, and that which follows after cannot prevent fuch profane Extrava- gancies, there is nothing that can. In the Beginning of this Ode the Toet goes on ac- according to the ufual Fancy, in comparing of every thing with God, and the Joys of Heaven, that the Hearer may entertain mean Thoughts of both. Here the Nightingale is defcrib'd with her heavenly Notes, and Mr. Purcel is twice called th&Godlikt Man. The End of the Ode is more remarkable, -and therefore I lhalltfenture to tranferibe it at large. We beg not Hell our Orpheus to refiqre : Had he been there, Their Sovereign s Fear Had Jent him hick before. The Paver of Harmony too well the) knew . He long e\r this had tun d the jarring Sphere, And left no Hell below. According to this Defcription the Torments of the Damn'd are very inconiiderable, fince they may be aiiay'd, or wholly remov'd by fuch Mufick as we have in Chap. 7. The Great Abufe of Mufick 165 J n this World. And indeed ask is now managU, ic may properly be reckon'd the Joy of Devils, and the Grief of Angels. The heavnly Quire, who heard his Notes from High, Let down the Scale of Adufick from the Sky : They handed him along, And all the way he taught, and all the way they fung. According to this Defcription our Mufick on Earth excels that of the Angels in Heaven. They are fitter to be taught their Gamut, than to vie with our Ma* fttri: And there is this Reafon for it ; their Mufick confifts of fingle Hallelujahs ; but we have a full Com* fofition of Smut and Profanenefs. Te Brethren of the Lyre, and tuneful Voice, Lament his Lot. And why ? Becaufe it is a fad, dull and melan- choly Place, to which he is gone. This is the Poet's Defcription of Heaven. - But at your own rejoice. Now live fecure, and linger out your Days, The Gods are pleased alone with Purcel'i Lays, Nor know to mend their Choice The Poets, Compofers, and Mnficians need not now be apprehenfive of going to Heaven. I doubt that there is too much Truth in this Expreffion •, tho* there is little Caufe to be fecure when they think on it, or to rejoice at it. M 3 ■HAP. 1 6 6 The Great Abufe of Mujick Part IL Chap. VIII. The ill Conferences of fuch profane and tmmodeft Songs. AS the htQ Songs of all forts among us are vicious and profane in the higheft Degree ; ; fo the na- tural Confequences of them are as dreadful. . Firft, There is Reafon to believe, that it occafions the Ruin of many Thoufands of Souls, and plunges them into everlafting Mifery. Whilft fo many Mil- lions play carelefly at the Brink of the Pit, andfufpetffc no Danger, it is impoffible that many mould not fall in. The Songs are full of deadly Paifiin, and the Mu- fick gilds them over, that they may pafs unfufpe&ed, and more effe&ually deftroy fuch as axe ^deluded by it. It conveighs through themoft fafcinatrng Pleafurebf Senfe, the moft dangerous Impreffidns to the Mindj efpecially of young Perfons, which are feldom worn off by the Addition of more Years, the Finenefs of the Air ftill atoning for the Foulnefs of the Words. There is nothing therefore, which can prevent this dreadful Confequence, uniefs the Grace of God pow- erfully interpoles, which it is a Prefumption to^ex- peclj whilft we thus do defpight unto it. This the Poets own, and therefore to fill up the Number of their Impieties, are fo dreadfully profane, as to turh it into Ridicule, left the Apprehenfion of the Danger fhould make others avoid it. I fhall tranfcribe one of their Songs to fhew what Pains they take in fearing the Cmfcience on this Occafion. (a) Men's Chap. 8 . The Great Abufe of Mufich 1 6 7 (a) There's no Penal Laws that can curb me, Whatetr I devife, Seems good in my Eyes, And Religion mer dares to di[turb me. No faw'cy Remorfe Intrudes in my Courfe, Nor impertinent Notions of Evil : So there's Claret inftore, In Peace I've my Whore, And in Peace I jog on to the Devil. Thefe Allurements may therefore too juftly be rec- kon'd among the (h) foolifl) and hurtful Lufis, which (as the Apoflle faith) do drown Men in Dtftrttciicnand Perdi- tion. And therefore, as we" value the eternal Welfare of our Souls, we fhould take the Advice which St. Peter fo pathetically gives us : (c) Dearly beloved, I befeech you, as Strangers and Pilgrims, abjtain from thefe fleflily Lufts, fince they war againfi the Soul. The fecond Confequence of thefe Songs may be the pulling down of God's Judgments on this Nation for fuch abominable Impieties. Never was any thing of this Kind fo daring and provoRing. If we go on to worfhip the Devil, and afcribe to him the Honour which is due to G^l alone,' how can we exped: but God fhould vindicate his Honour in our Confufion. If thefe things are not punifif d by Man., it is to be fear'd thacG^will arife and avenge his own Caufe^ fince we are fallen into the Times which (d) the PJaU mift defcribeSj wherein the foolijb Man is daily blafphe- ming of God, and the Preemption of them that hate bim y increaftth more and ?ncre. God hath many Ways to af- (c) The Provok'd Wife, Tag* $6. (0 1 Tim. 6. 9. (cj 1 Pet. 1. 11. (d) Pfalm 74. 23, z^. M 4 Aid 1 68 TheGreat Abuje of Mufich Part II. fli& us, whiift we treat him in this Manner. As he hath vifited other Nations with the Sword;, the Famine, and the Fefi Hence ; fo thefe thing; mould be Warnings to us to turn from our Sims, left God fliould turn his Alercles into Judgments. If we are (e ) fuch Fools who make a Mock at the greateft Impieties, we may juftly fear that (f) God will laugh at our Calamity \ and mock when our Fear cometh ; that at fuch a Time we may call upon him, when he will not anfwer • and we may feek him early, but we jhall not find him, becaufe we hated Knowledge, and did not chufe the Fear of the Lord. God hath formerly threatened (g) that he would turn the Feafis among the Ifraelites into Mourning, and all their Songs into Lamentation, and there is as much Caufe for him to deal with us in the fame Manner. The fierceft of his Judgments may (h) begin at his Houfe, and a- mongthofe who profefshis true Religion; and the Fire of his Jealoufy may burn at his Altar. We are al- moft the only Perfons, (i) whom he hath known a- mong all the Families of the Earth ; and therefore may more juftly punifh us for our Iniquities. How can we exped that God fhould be a: Peace with us, whiift we provoke him to War ? If we fuffer fuch Infections to run among the Souls in thjs Nation, how juftly may we fear that God may fend an Infection among our Bodies, and punifh that Part of which we take the only Care. I pray God to divert thofe Calamities, which thefe our Sins have deferved ,- and beg of others, that they who defire to prevent fuch dreadful Effe&s, would endeavour as much as lies in them to remove the Caufe. Thirdly, Another Confequenpe of thefe Songs is the Debauching and Ruining of many Families. This (c) Pro-/. 14. r>, (f) Proy. 1. 26, &c. (g) Amos 3. 10. ib) 1 jfcu 4. 17. (/) A 111053. 2,. • " ; Argument Chap. 8. The Great Abuje of Mufich I 69 Argument may teach Parents to beware of them, as they value the happy Setting of their Children in tlm World, and would prevent the Shame which too 06-* ten attends fuch Temptations. For the Proof of this, let us confider the Force of fllufick in general, to enflame the Paflions. In this Refpe& the Songs are- like Gun-powder, and the Notes like fo many Sparks of Fire defign'd to kindle it. The Manner how the Sounds are conveighed to the Ear is unintelligible ,• but the Force of Mufich is more won- derful than the Conveyance, efpecially of a Confort. It (^Jftrangely awakens the Mind. It infufes an un- expected Vigour. It makes the Impreffion agreeable and fprightly, and feems to furnifli a new Capacity, as well as a new Opportunity of Satisfaction. It rai- fes and falls and counterchanges the Paflions at an un- accountable Rate. It changes and tranfports, ruffles and becalms, and almofl governs with an Arbitrary Authority, and there is hardly any Conftitution fo heavy, or any Reafon fo well fortified as to be abfolute Proof againft it. There are fome fwift Notts and Leaps in a Sonata, efpecially in the upper Part, which mail almoft command a Laughter. There are alfo flow Movements, with Variety of Difcords, which (hall bring down the Mind again into a pleafing Melancho- ly y and all this (hall happen frequently in the Playing over of the fame Tune, Now if the bare Mufich can fo transport us, what can we expect when fine Voices are added to the hftruments? when the Words ^re wanton, when the whole Mufick is light and airy ? when the Paflions are let loofe before-hand, to receive its Influ- ence, when the Ear comes to fuch an Entertainment like a hungry Palate to a Feaft, with a Defign to be gratified \ and when the Hearer refolves to lay aflde all manner of Care, Bufinefs, or Thought of Religion, . ay an until 1 70 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. until the Mufick is ended. Simpfon gives us this Dire- ction, (I) When you pompofe Mufick to Words, your chief En- deavour mufi be that your Notts do aptly exprefs the Senfe and Humour of them— If they be light, pleafant, or lively, your Mufick Ukewife mufi be fuitable to them. If then Ulyffes durft not truft himfelf with the Sirens Voices, why fhouldnot we apprehend Danger in our modern A- wufmmts ? He knew that if he had not wax'd up the Ears of his Companions, his Philofophy had been quite fpoil'd, and they had been all deftroyed • and certain- ly our modern Compofitions are as dangerous as any a- mongthe Antients. Our prefent Mafters bend their whole Skill to improve only that Part of it which is light and airy, and therefore, in this Refpect., molt offenfiveand hurtful. I know, it is ufualfy affirmed, that the Greeks were the greateft Mafters this Way of any'in the World : But I really believe that they never arriv'd to the Perfection of this Age, efpecially in do- ing Mifchief with a Science, which was intended for our Good. The beft Way to be fatisfied in this Particu- lar, is not fo much to regard the Stories father'd upon their Mu ft clans, as to view the (m) Authors who treat of their own Mufick. In the'm we may obferve, that they had not an'exad Notion of the Diftance in their Tones and Hemitones, and if they madefbme greater and fome lefs than others, fas is commonly believ'd) their Mu- fick muft either in many Places be out of Tune, or they muft always clofe in the fame Key. The Chromatick and Evharmonick Scales (as contriv'd by themj were ut- terly immufical. They had alfo feven Moods- or Ways otCompofurc^ two of which are indeed harmonious, namely, the Dorion, which anfwers to our Flat Key • and die Hypophrygian, which anfwers to our Sharp Key, (I) Convpendiuirt of Mufick, Page 114. (m) Arifoueniis* Euchd, Nichomachus, Alypius, Gaudentius, Bacchius, Ari- itidks Quintilianus, Martianus Capella, and Ptolomy. the Chap. 8. The Great Abufe ofMufich 1 7 1 the other five are inharmonical, and three of them moft wretched. Befides, they had not a Bafs, which wonderfully adds a Grace and Lufire to the upper Parts, infomuch that a Angle Part is now reckoned as nothing. The Concords which they had, were without any Paj- fages, like our Engliflj Bagpipes. This was the utmoft Perfection of the Grecian Mufick. As therefore that which is truly compos'd doth wonderfully attract the Fancy, and infinuate it felf into the Soul ; fo that which is falfe mull be as difpleafing, and confequent- ly fail of its End. So that fince the Greeks had fo ma- ny things imperfect in their very beft Compofition, I cannot think that they could fo far prevail on the Fan- cy, as many imagine ,• and if (n) the Heathen Philofo- phers afferted, That the Force of Mufick was very af- fecting, and that it commanded the Audience, and chang'd the Pajfions into a Refemblance of the Matter before them ; we have far greater to aflert the fame, and take as effectual a Care as they did, that nothing fhould be heard but what was grave and ferious. We know too well how to accommodate our Notes to the Defign of the Words, and fuit our Bafs to humour the Vocal Mufick. We know every Difallowance, and every Relation Inharmonical. We know where to add a bold Stroke, and whereto be more cautious. We can ufe only thofe Keys which are. known to btmufical, and which is moft proper to work upon each Palfion. We know too well how to add a fprightly Air, and what Ufe to make of J^ick Notes, or a Divifim of many to a Syllable ; and I wifli that we were as well acquainted with the folid as we are with the frothy Part of Mu- JicL As therefore a fine Sonata, fet only for Instru- ments, (hall alter the Pajfions in a Minute, to be either merry or grave, as the Compofer pleafes ; fo I am fure, that Notes lofenone of their Efficacy, when added to (n) A^ftotele5de f Rspublica, lib.. 8. cap. 5. Words. 172 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part II. Words. And therefore as Mufick fo ftrangely affe&s the Vaffwnsy and (o) the Divine Serafhick Lyre fas it is blafphemoufly cali'd,) hath fo great an Influence on the Mind ; fo when it is added to profane Words, there is a united Force,, which entering together at the Ear, doth more irrefiftibly captivate the Paffions, and too often oblige them to furrender without Difcretion. This is own'd in our Monthly Collections, and therefore needs no farther Proof. (() By fuch fiveet Harmony we're foon betrayed Tojhew the Weaknefs of fome yielding Maid.' Mufick fuch melting, moving Joys imparts, It gains theffeediefi Fajjage to our Hearts. To apply this only to the Love Songs, which are taught the young Ladies by their Singing Mafters. This is what they all learn, and the Subje£ is generally treated home, in the mod tender and paflionate man- ner imaginable. The Notes are fo adapted to the Humour of the Words, as to give them a fpeedy Paf- fage from the Ear to the Heart, and a fix d Abode there. He is no Mufidan, who doth not make this the chief Care of his Compofure, and he who can thus ftrike effe&ually upon the Paffions, and in this Cafe do the Devil moft Service, is reckon'd the greateft Mailer. Now Love hath generally a Party within, and when the Wax is thus prepaid, the Impreffion is eafily made. I am Aire that a Chriftian ftands not in need of thefe Allurements. He hath Bufinefs enough to curb his Paffions, and ought carefully to watch a- gainft every thing that tends to enflame them. This jets Fire to a youthful Fancy, improves it in the Skill oflntreaguing; and when the Defire becomes abfo- lute, it many Times forces the Oppofitions of Deceh- (o) February, 1708. (p) February, 170^ cy Chap. 8. The Great Abufe ofMufich 173 cy and Shame. Or if the Misfortune doth not go thus far, the Confequences are very unhappy both as to Parent s y Daughters, and Families. Such Sorts of air J Songs make thzyoung Ladies think betimes of Husbands, and are oftentimes the Caufe of their marrying with their Parents Coachmen or Servants, even before a bet- ter Match prefents. Hence arife fo many ftolen Wed- dings ^ in defpiteof Parents, Guardians, and the fevereft Laivs to the contrary. A poor Man thinks it a fine think to deal an Heirefs, and the young Lady thinks it a fine thing to Ileal a Husband, and thus they are too of- ten ruin'd together, unlefs the Parents are reconcil'd and prevent it, by putting the Husband into a Way to live, and advancing a Fortune without any Settlement. That Parent therefore, who confiders what Difap- pointment of Relations, what Confufion in Families, and what Beggery of Eftates hath rifen from hence, and how effe&ually this Poifon hath wrought, becaule fo little fufpeded, cannot be too cautious to prevent the firft Occafion. Whilft Mifs is learning her wanton Songs, hsv Mode- fly is too great to let her Voice be heard, much lefs regulated, in the Prefence of any but her Mafier. For this Reafon they muft be both together in the With- drawing-Room, and then he needs not to be inform'd, how he may improve this Opportunity for himfelf, if fingle, or for his Friend if married, in Hopes of a Re- ward. When Mifs hath learn'd to fing, and her Mc- fter hath left her, (he muft then divert the Company, and the Sparks of the Town, with her fine Voico, The Cry is, That fhe hath learn'd, and then it is dis- obliging to refufe a Taft of her Skill, and her Denial doth but make them the more importunate to hear her. When (he fings, it muft generally be a Lovc-fong $ and thus fhe tells thofe things in Vtrfe which would be fcandalous in Profe. This charms the Hearers, and expofes her felf to Temptations, which many times prove fatal to the Honour of her Family. But fup- pofing 174 The Great Alufc of Mufich Part II. pofing the Lady to be Virtuous yet we are not certain that all who hear her fing are fo. And tho' fhe may command her own Paffions, yet me is not fure to com- mand thePaffions which are rais'd in another. Or if the Singers and Hearers are all virtuous; yet the Temp- tations are unhappy, the Paffions are hereby up in Arms., and there is too often a mighty Conteft be- tween Duty and Inclination. The Mind is for fome time over-run with Amufements, and commonly good for nothing, after it hath been diverted withfuch fro- thy Recreations. And there are two unhappy Cir- cumftances, which attend Mufick in general, and caufes it, when corrupted., to be capable of doing the more Mifchief. The firft is, The Time when they leara, which is the Time of their Youth. This is the Time when they are moft Mufical, when they have no other Cares to divert their Thoughts, and encumber their Minds, and the only Seafon in' which a Perfection in this Sci- ence can be obtained. They generally learn thefe things before the Mind can be feafon'd with any Senfe or Knowledge of Religion ; fo that the Devil hath the Advantage of the firft Breaking up of the Ground, to fovv his Tares. They have at this Time no Under - finding to difcern between Good and Evil, and there- fore take in all without Diftin&ion- They are de- lighted with Singing, Play and Merriment, and therefore greedily catch at all thefe things, when no- thing that is grave, folid or ferious, can be admitted without Reluftancy. Befides, as for Love, they know not yet what it means, 2nd therefore learn the moft fcandalous, fmutty, Love Songs, and many times fmg them in Company, without the leaft Concern, think- ing them to be the moft inoffenfive. What then can be expe&ed but Ruin, from fuch a Colle&ion laid up in ftore, againft the Time of Youth, in which the Paffions are moft flaming, Reafon is leaft prevailing., and Temptations moft frequent and prevalent. To Chap.8. The Great Abufe of Mufick. 175 To this may be added the Manner of learning a Song. There are fome things, which we hear but once, and then the Impreffion wears off, but a Per- fon who fings, muft be better acquainted with the Words. They muft be learn'd by Heart, they muft be frequently fung, fometimes in Prefence of a Ma- fier, and fometimes alone, and it is not one Scholar An a Hundred, who is capable of Singing at firft fight. Thefe often Repetitions are like the frequent Difchar- ges of Cannon againft a Fort, and will in time oblige the ftrongeft to furrender. It confumes much preci- ous Time, which might be better imploy'd. It rills the Memory, that there is not room for better things. If better things are admitted, one contrary will expel the other, and then either the things thus learned muft be again forgot, or there will be no Place for a Reli- gious Thought. . Thefe things being thus admitted with Delight, will maintain their. Ground, and what is thus learn'd, will be fo much the longer retain d. When we hear a Sermon, we hear it but once, and then the Subject is foon forgot, and I doubt, there are but few., who recoiled: it again : but when we learn a Song, we repeat it an hundred times. Thus the good Seed is negle&ed, whilft the Tares take deeper root, and who then can wonder, if fuch things fhould choak the Word, and render it unfruitful ? And now let us fuppofe that the young Lady is fo great an Artift, as to be capable of learning a Song without the Help of a Mafter, her own Fancy, and the Humour of the Age, will naturally lead her to be acquainted with the new Pieces of Mufick, as they come out. Old Sengs are like old Almanacks^ good for nothing ; there are new Improvements every Day. This puts her upon buying or borrowing the Monthly Masks of Vocal Mufick, and reading all the Songs, that (he may pick and chufe what (he likes belt: In thefe Collections {he is furnifhed every Month with new Matter for Debauchery. There is not one Song 1 76 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part IL in Ten tdlerably modeft. They feem to outvie each other in Smut and Naftinefs, and I am fure that there are fome Songs in the laft Year, which in this refped exceed any in the former Collections : So that if what fhe hath already learn'd is not enough to ruin her, flie may be fupplied with new Matter to do it more ef- fectually. Fourthly, This Mufick doth ftrangely promote the Intereft of the Play-houfe> One is an Introduction to the other. They who have a Taft of thefe Airs at home, are willing to go thither, where they are fuppos'd to hear them in Perfection. Thus there are many People, who go thither, as much to hear the Mufick as to hear the Plays -, however partly for the one, and partly for the other. If there was no Mu- fick, there would be but few Hearers, and the Actors might look out for other Imployments, or elfe have but a fhort Maintenance. As therefore Mufick at firft was defigned for the Glory of God, and the Building up of his Church ; fo now it is us'd for his Dilhonour, and the grand Support of the Synagogues of Satan. It is like Cannon taken in a Battel, and turn'd upon the General, to whom it did belong. The profane Plays de- bauch the Nation, and the fine Mufick invites People thither. Thefe are Copartners together, and Confede- rates in the Mifchief, and confequently equally guiU ty ; and what is fpoken againft the Stage, may be as truly apply'd againft the Mufick. I cannot but add (a) the Words of Mr. Collier on this Occafion. This I muft fay, the Performances of this kind are much too fine for the Place. y Twere to he wifo'd, that either the Plays were better, or the Mufick worfe. I am forry to fee Art fo meanly profiituted. Atheifm ought to have nothing charm- ing in its Retinue. It is great Pity Debauchery jhould have the Affiftance of a fine Hand to whet the Appetite, and play it down. (q) Short View of the Stage, p. 278. Fifthly, Chap. 8. The Great Abufe of Mufick. 1 77 Fifthly, This Mufick doth by degrees wear off a Senfe of Religion, make Men light and airy, and mind nothing of a future State. I am not acquainted with tlje modern Compofers of the Age, and therefore can- not give the Character of their Morals \ but if the Lion may be known by his Paw, or their Conner fat Ion by their Notes, the moft of them are full of Noife, Rattle, Hurry, and Rhodomontado, and there is very little Solidity to be found in any ; neither fhould I wonder, if fome grow melancholy, and others di- ftrafted. I know of no Remedy, but a Senfe of Re- ligion ; and whilft the Mind is thus clog'd with other things, there is no room for a good Thought to inter- vene. That which is moft natural, will take root deepeft, and thrive longeft. Our Memories are not infinite, and therefore the fuller they are of Vanity, the lefs they can contain of true Piety. Our BleJJ'ed Saviour tells us, (r) that no Aian can ferve two Ma(hrs f for either be will hate the one, and love the other ; or elfe be will bold to the one and defpife the other. Te cannot ferve God and Mammon. This is evident from common Ex- perience. How many do only xA&Mupck to filence the Noife of their Cares, and make themfelves lefs fenfible of the Troubles which attend this Life. How many ufe Mufick to allay their Sorrow for Sin, to drown the Noife of Conference, or divert a Religious Thought ? Mufick is now us'd as an Antidote againft Melancholy, and in fome Cafes may be proper \ but if we are not very cautious, or if we admit fuch Songs as are profane, they will lay all ferious Refle&ions afleep, and ftrangely bewitch the Soul, fo as to mind nothing elfe. There is a ftrange Pleafure, not only in hearing the Performance, but even in the Study of the Mathematical Part thereof, in view- ing of Scores, and compojing of Tunes, and thefe things are like Fire of Water, good Servants, but had Mafiers. They are fine Diverfions, but oftentimes unhappy Aliure- ' (r) Mat. 6. 24. - N ments. 178 The Great Abufe of Mufick PartIL ments, and if we beftow more Time upon them than is abfolutely neceffary to refrefh the Soul, when tir'd with other things, we (hall find our felves ftreightned for want of Time, to difcharge fuch Duties as are more material. But the Confequence of our Songs in reference to Religion, will be more evident, if we take a view of the meaner fort of People in all Parts of the Nation, among whom there are fuch an innumerable Parcel of profane and immodefi Songs and Ballads difpers'd, fet to fuch Mufick which is fuitable to their Capacity. It is lamentable to fee that dreadful Ignorance, which is among them. There is little Senfe of Natural Religion in many, and lefs of that which is reveal'd in moft. There is fuch a Corruption in their Converfation, that nothing feems di 'verting, but what is obfcene. I (hall not determine, whether their Tempers are made fo, or whether their natural Tempers are increas'd to a higher Degree by fuch Songs as fwarm among them. Take it either way, the Confequence is bad enough. We fee, how fond they are of thefe Amufements ,• and that which is moft filthy is moft pleafing among them. -Befides, it makes all Endeavours for their Amend- ment ineffedual. Their Hearts are full of Vanity, fo that there is no room for a ferious Thought to enter, and they are fo imploy'd in that which is evil, that there is no Leifure to think of that which is good. The Society for promoting of Chrifiian Knowledge endea- vour'd to prevent this by a due Care to diftribute pious Books gratis among the poorer fort of the Nation ; but the Ground was lull of Tares grown up beforehand. They learn'd from that Experiment that Piety mud be begun among the younger fort, before thofe other Things are learn'd } and that until thefe Weeds are rooted out and fully deftroy'd, they will infallibly choak the good Seed, and render it unfruitful. There is another.Effed; of this profane Mufick too' evident to be omitted, ws. the taking off our Thoughts Chap. 8. The Great Abufe ofMufich 1 79 Thoughts from that Mufick which is really divine. Since Songs have been fo much in fafhion, Pfalms^ Hymns and Anthems are kick'd out of doors. And fince our late Songs have been fo horridly profane and blafphemous, nothing elfe can be approv'd of ; which I take to be the great Reafon, that Dr. Blows moft excellent Compofures of this kind met with fo cold a Reception, as wholly to difcourage him from printing the Divine Mufick, fet Services, and Anthems % which he intended. The Subjects he chofe v/ere the moft modeft and inofFenfive, which our lewd Age afforded, and therefore difliked, tho' twas truly faid of the Mufick, -(s) we fee Whole Reams imprinted, not one Note like thee,. While the Jews of old had their Mufick in the Tem^ fie, I really think^ that they defir'd no other T>ivtrfion of this kind. It was thought fufficient to charm the Ear with the Praifes of its Maker, and the only Melo- dy was their Hallelujahs. They knew nothing of the Fancies and Inventions of Greece. There was no Theater among them, nor any of thofe dangerous Amu fo- ments to be met with. For this Reafon our Saviour and his Apoftles throughout the New Tefiament fay no- thing of their Mufick, but what feems rather to com- mend it. They all join'd together to fing (r) an Hymn at the time of the laft Paffover. When (u) PaulzncX Silas were in the Stocks, they diverted themfelves with Singing ; but it was with Singing Praifes to God. Such a Subjed feems defign'd both for their private and publick Recreations. Accordingly St. James gives a Direction to be always obferv'd, (x) Is any Man merry ? Let himfing Pfalms. St. Paul (y) fliews us our Duty ill (s) Mr. Brown, Organift of Chrift Church, in his Poem prefix d to Dr. Blow'j Amphion Anglicus. (t) Mam 2.6. 5 o. (u) Afts 16, 25. (x) James 5. 1 3. (y ) Coloff. 3. 16. N % pub* 1 80 The Great Abuje of Mufick. Part IT. publick. Let the Word of Chrift dwell In you richly in all Wijdom, teaching and admonijhing. one another in Pfalms and Hymns, and ffiritu.il Songs, finging with Grace in your Hearts unto the Lord. And he alfo gives us a Dire&ion for our private Mufick, that (z) we fhould be fill'd with the Spirit. Speaking to our felves in V films and Hymns, and fpritual Sengs, fi n g}ng with Grace in our Hearts unto the Lord. This they pra&is'd fo well in private, that they were willing afterward to fhew their Skill in the publick Affemblies, tho' not in a re- gular Method j and this the Apofile blam'd, that (#) when they came togetlnr, every one of them had a Pfalm. However we may obferve, that when the Jews had nothing of light and wanton Mufick, that which was grave and ferious continu'd in Efteem. But when the carnal Ifrael began to indulge themfelves in thofe Pleafures, which thefpiritual knew nothing of, then their Zeal for finging to the Praife and Glory of God, did daily decline. But the Hi/lory of Mufick in our own Nation will furnifh us with a fnoft remarkable Account of this Nature. The raoft antient Mufick, which pretends to any thing of Art among us,, is our Cathedral Serf vice. This was at leaft cotemporary to the Cathedrals themfelves, if not with the firft Planting of Chrifiia- nity among us. After this we receiv'd the Pfalm Tunes from foreign Countries in a fingle Part, which was cali'd the Tenor, and I fuppofe that at that time our Cathedrals themfelves had no Confort. As foon as the Excellency of a Confort was known, our Forefathers tcok a more particular Care to apply it to Divine Mu- fck, and our Cathedrals were quickly improv'd there- by. The next Care was for the Singing of Pfalms in Confort throughout the Nation ; and accordingly fuch Perfons who had Skill in Compofition, added three (z) Ephef. 5. i8, 19. (a) 1 Cor. 14. 26. other Chap. 8. The Great Abuje of Mufick. 181 Other Farts to the Tenor, or fingle Tunes of the P films \ fome of which were firft printed with the Authors Names by Par Jons, and after that a far greater ColUtlkn was made by Raven/croft. Thefe things being thus fet- tled, the next Care was 3 that the Nation might be fur- nifhed with Divine Hymns, that they might praifi God, either together in a Ccnfort, or at hdme by themfelves, feveral of which were fet to Mufick by Sir tVilllam Leigh- en and Dr. Campion. The Deiign of this Care is fully exprefs : d in the Title to the V films in Englijh Me- ter, namely, to be fung by the People in Churches, and al- fo in their private Houfes, for their godly Solace and Com- fort, laying afide all ungodly So7igs and Ballads, which tend only to the wurijhing of Vice, and corrupting of Tout b. Mufick being thus devoted to the Service of God, he was pleafed to manifeft his Approbation thereof by a wonderful Improvement of this Science, and giving us a better Skill in Compofure than we formerly had. This is evident from Mor ley's Introduction to Mufick, and efpe- cially from Mr. Elway Bevins Collection of Canons, as well as from the Mufick of thofe Days compar'd with the former. God having thus improv'd their Skilly they thought it their Duty to return a fuitable Ac- knowledgment in ufing the fame to promote his Wor- fliip ; and the prefent Age (\i we were not ungrate- ful) might own it felf oblig'd to Dr. Gibbons , Dr. Ro- gers, Dr. Child, and others, for their full Services, and their excellent, folid, and grave, as well as harmonious jinthtms, confuting of feveral Canons, intermix'dwith other Variety, which are fung at this time in ntoft of our Cathedrals. While the good Seed was thus fowingj the Enemy was not wanting to caft in the Tares among it. He knew, that if he could corrupt this Science, he might enlarge his Kingdom of Darknejs, or at leaft in a great, meafure prevent a Conqueft. Accordingly we quickly hear of Songs, Thefe at firft were fiber and modefi $ but they were foon fucceeded by others, which were lewd and profane. However our antient N 5 -Mu- 1 8 2 The Great Abuje of Mufick. Part II. Muficians endeavour'd to counterplot even this Device pf Satan, by compofing eafy Tunes to fuch pious Words, which might be difperfed throughout the Country, and were known by the Name of Chriftmas Carols^ The Subjects, which they treated on, were fome or the principal Feafis of our Church, fome Parts of the Hiftor\[ of our BleJJed Saviour, or elfe fome pious Pre* cepts ana Ejaculations. But thefe things were too foon laid afide, and the Intereft of Satan daily increas'd. This might plainly fhew us the fatal and almoft irre- coverable Confequence of tolerating the leaftAbufem Mufick. However, there were ftill fome Attempts to regain the Ground, which had been loft. Dr. Child printed a Book containing twenty jhort Anthems, which he had composed to Words taken out of the Pfalms in frofe. The two Brethren Wtlliam and Henry Lawes printed feveral excellent Tunes, which they had fet to a new Translation of the Pfalms in Verfe. They being dead, Richard Dering printed a Book of twenty five very fine Anthems, but all in Latin, fome in two, and others in three Parts, all of them except one being of his own Compofing. After this Mr. John Play ford prin- ted a Volume of Anthems in the Year 1674, fome in La- tin and fome in Englijh. When thefe Endeavours were lifed to employ this Skill to the Service of God, God was plea/dto blefs the fame with a wonderful Improvement, by the indefatigable Pains of Dr. John Blow, and Mr. Henry Fur eel, and accordingly zhQ Firfi Fruits hereof were rendered to him as an Acknowledgment in thofe excellent Hymns call d Harmonia Sacra, which were fo juftly admir'd, that in a little time they were follow'd by another Part not inferior to the firft. And now, when we might have expe&ed Divine Mufick to thrive, it languages on a fudden. The Humour of the Age is turn'd from every thing that is folid to that which is vain, and our grave Mufick vanilhes into Air. In the Pri- mitive Church ( as St. Paul faith) every one had a Pfalm or an Hymn, but now the Expreffion is only, Sing us a Chap.o. 1 be Kir eat Abuje oj Mufick. 1 03 a Song. When the Children of Jfrael were carried into Captivity, the very Heathen defir'd them to fing one of the Songs of Zicn • but ihould a Man before profefs'd Christians attempt to fing fuch Words as are divine, he would be ridicul'd for his Pains, and thought not fie for any Company. For this Reafon, when there was an Attempt made for a Supplement to the fecond Pare of the Harmonia Sacra, there were but two Hymns printed in the (lime ; neither do I knov of any wnich lately met with Encouragement, except The Divine Companion, which was printed anno 1701, confirming of eafy Hymns and Anthems for the Ule of the Country, which now bears a third Edition, in which many Tunes are added, which gives us ibme fmall Elopes, that Divine Mufick may be again reviv d. However, when it was funk fo low, Mr. Cavendijb WeeUon of Lincolns Inn endeavcur'd to raife it, and for that End form'd a Society to ling Hymns and AntUms y and fpeak other V.ems and Orations upon feme of the Attributes of God, hoping that by this means fome o- ther Way might be found out to fix it upon a better Foundation. But this Project foon fail d. The fl y- houfe had got the Afcendant, and crufh'd all that flood in Oppoftion. Soon after this began the Monthly Col- lection of Vocal Mufick mention d in the two former Chapters ; and from that time to this (excepting the laft Edition of the Divine Companion) we have neither Hymn nor Anthem printed. We have frequent Sengs in praife of the Devils, and in vindication of their Fall ; but nothing in praife of God, or to magnify our^W Redeemer, except what is defign'd for young Beginners. Nay, there ieems a farther Dcfi^n than all this in our prefent Compojme, namely, by Notes newly invented to deftroy the Knowledge of the old, that fuch who learn our prefent Songs may be as far to feek in cur antient Divine Mufick, as if they knew nothing at all. The common Notes in our Church Mufick are Minims and Semibreves ; inftead of thefe we have Crotchets, J&a- N 4 vers 1 84 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. vers and Semiquavers : And as the quicker Notes in- creafe, fo the Defign of the Comfofers is, that the o- ther may be fung fo much the flower, and confe- quently make the Antient Mufick fcem dull and heavy, which of itfelf is of a far different Nature, For this Reafon they tell us, Mufick is improvd ; away with the eld, it's good for nothing. Thus nothing is adrmYd but what is new, and nothing hath the Air of a new Com- pofi'ion, but what is profane or lewd. I doubt not but the fei Services of Gibbons, Rogers and Child, may ftand the Teft, for Truth of Compofiuon, (and perhaps for Air) with our modern Compojures. The Superftrutiure which they build upon the Bafs, is firm if not fine. They have ftiewn us the Way to improve our Mufick, and had we taken their Scliduy with our Air, our Songs might have been better, and our Compofure not worle. However, fince the Finenefs of our Mufick is fo much cried up by its prefent Admirers, I think it the more neceffary to give the Reader fome Account of it in the next Chapter, and conclude this in Anfwering the common Objections which are made againft what I have mention'd. I am not infenfible, that what I have faid will be liable to Mifconftrucl:ions. The Wits of our Age mull cenfure and ridicule every thing which fecms to crofs their Humour. But notwithstanding the utmoft Ef- forts of fuch who are Lovers of Pleafure more than Lovers of God, I cannot but hope, that there will be fome Method found out to retain and improve the Pleafure of Mufick, abftra&ed from the profane Part thereof. In the mean time, for Men to fay that they compofe for a Livelihood, that Money is their Bufinefs, and they muft live by their Endeavours, is as good a Plea for Tick-pockets and Highway-men as for them, fince ;hey many times fteal and rob only to fupply their Ne- cessities. I really think that their Intereft would he greater, if their Songs were more modeft. Can we ima- gine that a Garden thrives the hetter becaufe it is full of Weeds? Chap. 8. The Great Abufe of Mufick. 1 8 5 Weeds ? How many fober, religious Perfons are there in the Worlds whofe Inclinations lead them to Sing according to Art, and are net willing to learn, becaufethey cannot meet with any Songs, but fuch z€ make them blujh inftead of y% ? What Expence is the Mafier at in his Collettkns of Mufick, to buy fuch ' Songs which he may be afham'd to teach, and others are afliam'd to learn ? There is hardly one Song in ten fit for his Purpofe. Honefiy is certainly xhebefl Po- licy ; and inoffenfive Words are the only Expedient to -* retrieve the Credit of our prefent Composures. I would by no means detrad from the Dignity of Mufick itfelf, but rather add to it ; I am not for fuppreffing but re- gulating this Science • and if this could be done, I doubt not but it will increafe. If no Mufick was printed but what is divine, here is a large Field for Improvement, which of late hath been negle&ed, the Harveft might be proportionable, and both Printers and Mafter s reap the Advantage. Let them truft Providence in this Me- thod, and w hilft they fincerely fit ek the Kingdom of God and his Righttoufntfis in the firfi Place, they have (b) a fure Promife, that all ot her Things fiall be added to them. There would be more Books fold, and more Scholars taught, efpecially of the better Sort. I doubt not but every Collegiate and Cathedral Church in thefe Kingdoms, and alfo many private Perfons, would furnifh them- felves with all the Mufick printed on fuch Subjects. Singing would then bean Exercife fit for the Lords-day, when People have moft Leifure, and can belt meet together, and this would wonderfully increafe and promote the Science, beyond all other Methods what- soever. I am not in the leaft for leffening the Intereft pf the Muficians, but only preventing their being Par- takers with other Men in their Sins, fhewing them where- in their real Intereft confifts, both temporal and eter- (ftj-lbrih.6.13. % nal, i86 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. nal, and putting them in a Method, whereby they may glorify God, and do Good to the Nation whilft they live here, and alfo be eternally happy when they fhall be here no more. Others fay, that nothing elfe will fell : But this ftilt makes the Matter worfe. Where did the Fault lie at firft ? Men have naturally vicious Inclinations, and our Poland Muficiansio far comply with them, that they are now become degenerated and ftupid, and have no Relifh for that which is fober, chaft and virtuous. The Difeafe is bad, and they have made it worfe. Certainly it is high time for them to endeavour an A- mends for the wrong which they have already done, and (like Orpheus with his Harp^) reduce thefe favage JBeafis into better Manners. If they have debauch'd the Age, it is high time for them to ftrive to reform it. I doubt not but the Collections would fell the better, if all that is profane and ioimodeft was laid afide. The Book CdWdyTle Divine Companion doth already bear the Third Edition. Mufick will always have a Charm to attract Mankind, and they who ouy the worfi Songs, would as certainly buy the befi. They who furnifli themfelves with the whole Collections, would not leave off when the Words are better ; and many others, who are now afham'd to buy, would be glad to lay out their Money, when it could be done .without an Affront to Religion, Virtue, and good Manners. Some fay that People do not mind the Words but the Mufick : But this is falfe. People generally mind both, efpecially that which they fhould not mind. The Defign of the Compojer is to ufe fuch Notes which may more ftrongly imprint the Words upon the Fancy, and at the fame time raife their Paffions ,• and to fay that our Compofers cannot do that which they defign, is too grofs a Reflexion on their Skill, and an undervaluing of the Great Improvements which they pretend to. 1 he Mufick fixes the Words, and tho* the Delight at prefent takes off the Horror, andSenfe of Chap. 8. Tloe Great Ahufe of Mufick. 187 of the ill Confluences ; yet the Poifon works more ftrongly than if it was perceiv'd. As Matters now ftand, (c) the Songs are rampantly lewd, and irreligi- ous to a flaming Excefs : Here we have the Spirit and Ejfence otVice drawn off ' ftrong-fcented, and thrown into a little Compafs, and fuch horrid Profanenefs which will hardly bear the Rehearfal. Now that thefe jlrong Po- tions may the better go down, (d) the very Mufick is contriv'd to excite a fportive Humour, to fpread a a Gayety upon the Spirits, to banifti all Gravity and Scruple, and to lay Thinking and Reflexion afleep. It is contriv'd to warm the Paffions, and unlock the Fancy, and makes it open to Pleafure, like a Flower to the Sun. It helps a lufcious Sentence to Aide. It drowns the Difcords oiAtheifm, and keeps off the A- verfions of Confcience. It throws a Man off from his Guard. It makes Way for an ill Impreffion, and is moft commodioufly planted to do Mifchief. If we will believe the Apoftle, thefe flefhty Lulls do war a- gainft the Soul. The Mufick carries on a falfe Attack on the one fide, and the Words enter by Surprize on the other. And therefore to fay, that the Words cart do no Hurt, becaufe at prefent they are not minded, is the fame as if we fliould fay, A Houfe cann't be robbed, becaufe the Thief fteals privately in, and is not fut pected. Some will be apt to fay, That there were always fuch Abuses in our Songs , and therefore it fignifies no- thing to find Fault with them. This is fo far from be- ing an Excufe, that it makes the Cafe fo much the worfe. PnfcripiGn in Evil is no good Argument. It is Time to lupprefs it when it pretends to fuch a Plea to fupport its Caufe. The (e) old World had gone on a great while in its Wickednefs, but becaufe they did (c) Collier's Short View of the Stage, Page 280. (d) Ijjid. Page 278. CO Gen. 6. 5, S, 6, 7. not 1 88 The Great Mufe of Mufick Part II. not turn from it, at laft they were all deftroy'd with the Flood. The (f) Amorites provok'd God to Wrath from one Generation to another,- but when their Ini- quities were full, they perifh'd by the Sword. The (g) Jew* were the Children of thofe who kill'd the Pro- phets ; but when they had filPd up the Meafure of their Fathers Iniquities, the Romans came upon them, plunder'd their City, burn'd their Temple, and took a- way both their Place and Nation ,• and our Saviour told them, that for this Reafon they could not efcape the Damnation of Hell. Thefe Sins became more hei- nous becaufe they have been often repeated ; and the Length of Time adds very much to their Aggrava- tions. In fuch a Cafe we have Caufe to fear, that as our Provocations are greater, fo when God enters in- to Judgment, it will be the more fevere. If he hath fpar'dois fo long, why mould we provoke him to An- ger^ The Apoftle argues this Matter very fully, Ch) Defpifefi thou the Riches of his Goodnefs a?id Forbearance, and Long-fuffering, not knowing that the Goodmfs of God leadeth thee to Repentance ? But after thy Hardnefs and impenitent Heart, treajureft up unto thy felf Wrath againft the Day of Wrath, and Revelation of the righteous Judg- ments of God ; who will render to every Man according to his Deeds. To them who will obey Unrighteoufnefs, he will render Indignation and Wrath, Tribulation and Anguijh, upon every Scul of Man that doeth evil, ofthe]$wfirfi, and alfo of the Gentile, becaufe there is no Refpdl of Perfons with him. Befides, thefe Abufes grow worfe and worfe. Every Age furpaffeth the other, and we have exceeded them all. The Adoring of the Devil, the Traifing him for his Rebellion, the Reflecting on the At- tributes of God, are fuch flaming Impieties, that former Ages dar'd not to venture upon, and future will be (f) Gen, i$. 1 6. (g) Matth. z$. io. to the End. (*) Rom. X 4 ' 5 ' 6 ' 8 ' 9 ' "' aftonilh'd Chap. 8. The Great Abufe ofMufich 1 89 aftonifh'd at. And fince Length of Time hath pro- duced fuch monfjrous Provocations,, it is high Time to fupprefs them., left God fhould vifit the Sins of our Fathers upon us, and alfo punifh us for our own Im- pieties, as we do juftly deferve. I doubt not but there are many Friends to Profane- nefs y who will fay, that I infift too much upon little Niceties. But I fuppofe, that no one will think eve- ry thing which I have blam'd to be Nicety. I am fure that there are many things profane, fcandalous and blafphemous, to the higheft Degree. I grant that there are fome things which are not of fo horrid a Nature, and which many Perfons make but a Jeft of. However, I am apt to think, that thefe things ought to be expos 'd, as well as others. A fmall Wound may kill a Man. A fmall Ijeak may fink a Ship. A fmall Spark may burn a Houfe ; and thefe little Niceties may deftroy both Soul and Body in Hell. Sure it is a bad Sign, to plead for Sins, and fay they are but little ones, and endeavour to turn every thing into Ridicule which tends to fupprefs 'em. The leaft Sin contracts an infinite Guilt, and juftly deferves everlafting Tor- ments. The leaft Sin is again ft the Authority of God, his infinite Goodnefs and Holme fs-, and it certainly ag- gravates the Crime, when for his Sake, we will not abftain from fuch little Niceties. Where things are doubtful, it is fafeft to avoid them, but much more where there is a ftrong Prefumption, and nothing but Cuftom to plead for them. We contemn the Authority of our Law-giver in one Sin,zs certainly as in many,and therefore St. James faith, (i) He that jhall keep the whole Liu', and yet offend but in one Pointy he is guilty of all. The reaft Sin fears the Confcience, takes off from the Horror of Death, Judgment and Hell, and thus in Time ufhers in the reft. The leaft Sin makes a Breach in (i) Janjes z. 10. the 1 90 The Great Aluje ofMu/ich Part II. the Wall, and gives an Opportunity to the greateft to enter in. The Thieves who are executed, begin not at firft with great but fmali Thefts^ and our Songs grew not on a fudden to their prefent Height of Pro- fanenefs : So that I think a Cbriftion -caanqjt be too cau- tious even againft that, which is cail'd^ A link Nicety* In reckoning up a large Catalogue of Oaths, I have referral tofome Places where the Word Fatth isus'd a- lone; r and toothers, where the Reader may find fome other Expreffions which are too much us d in common Difcourfe. Now the Word Faith, us'd in this Manner, I take to be rank Swearing. I know that the common Ufe of fome Oaths takes off the Apprehenfions of them j fo that many People are guilty before they are aware* and others think them to be no Sins, but are very apt to excufe and plead for them. However, none of thefe external Circumftances can alter the Nature of Good and Evil. Vice is not at all the better, tho' it hath many Followers, and as many to fide with it. What the Scripture condemns, we can never excufe. Now, Chri ft faith (k) that for every idle Word that Men jhall [peak, they jball give an Account at the Day of Judgment. For by our Words we [hall be jufiified, and by our Words we {hall be condemned. And certainly this Text is more comprehenfive in its Meaning than many do imagine. The Word Faith, ufed in this Manner, is the fame as By my Faith ; and the fame may be faid of all the o- s ther Oaths, where other Words or Syllables are either chang'd or left out. They can have no other Meaning ,- and the Alteration is no more an Excufe, than it would be for a Roman Catholick to affirm that he eats no Meat in Lent, becaufe it was minc'd before he fwallow'd it. In all Languages there is a Figure caird Ellipfis, which is fpoken of in mod Grammars, but in all Books of Rhe- torick. This is a Leaving out of fome Words in a Sen- (k) Matth. 12. 36, 57. tence, Chap. 8. The Great Abufe of Mufuk. 191 tence^ which muft be added to make the Senfe com- pleat, and is always imply 'd, where the Senfe is im- perfed. Now the Word Faith Handing thus alone is Nonfenfe, and therefore the other Words are imply 'd to make Senfe of it. When it is thus explain'd, there is no Way to excufe it from being an Oath. We find in Latin, (I) feveral Words of this Nature, which in our Grammars are reckon' d among the Adverbs of Swearing. If it be objeded, that the Word Faith is no Oath, but the Words, By my Faith, is an Oath, I may affirm, for the fame Reafon, that the Words of our Saviour, (m) Holy Father, keep thofe whom thou haft given me, is no Prayer ; but if we had tranflated it, O holy Father, then it had been a Prayer. According to the Scrip- ture Expreffions, fome particular Words may be Oaths, tho' the Formula Jurandi, thefe little Particles are left out, and muft be fupply'd by the Figure Ellipfis. Thefe Particles among the Greeks are either m* or n«- Now when God faid to Abraham, (n) Surely Blejfing I will blefs thee, thefe Particles were omitted y and yet it is there faid, that God [ware by himfelf, becaufe he could [wear by no greater. The Word in Greek is *AuJjjj, Amen, and is reckon'd as an Oath, becaufe it is one of the Names of Chrift, who (0) is call'd the Amen, the faithful and true Witnefs, the Beginning of the Creation of ■God. If it is faid, that in the Word Faith is not meant God or Chrift, I mult fay the contrary. It plainly re- fers to theObjed of our Faith, and confequently to e- very Perfon mention'd in our Creed. Our Blejfed Sa- viour hath decided this Cafe, faying, (p) IVhofoever (hall fwear by the Altar fwear eth by it, and all things there- en. And whofoever fhall fwear by the* Temple, fwear eth by (I) Pol, that is, Per Pollucem. ^Edepol, that is, Peraedem Pollucis. Hercle, that is, Herculem j and Mehercule, that is, Ita me Hercules adjuvet. (m) John 17. n. («) Heb. 6. 13. (s) Rev. 4. T3. (p) Matth. 23. zo, 21, xz. 192 The Great Abufe ofMuJick. Part II. it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that {hall [wear by Heaven # fweareth.by the Throne of God, and by him that fitteth thereon. And thus Qhnftians, when they fvvear by their Faith, are guilty of Swearing by that God in whom they believe ; and when they fwear by their Troth, they fwear by him in whom they truft. I fliall only add what an antient (q) Divine of our Na- tion faith on this Occafion. How dareft thou, whome- ver thou art, to fwear By the Mafs, By thy Faith, By thy Troth, By our Lady, By St. George, or the like ? Are thefe thy Gods whom thou haft made to ferve them ? or dareft thou to give the Worjhip due to God unto any but unto him ? Did the Lord threaten Ruin upon Ifraei, becaufe they fwore by their Idols in Dan and Beerfheba, faying, (V) They that fvvear by the Sin of Samaria, and fay, Thy God, O Dan, liveth, and the Manner of Beer- jheba liveth, even they fliall fall, and never rife up a- gain : And dareft thou fwear By the Mafs, which was the Sin of England, and is the Sin of Rome ? Did the Lord tell Judah, that (f) her Children had forfaken him, becaufe they fwore by them that were no Gods ? And dareft thou fwear By our Lady, By St. George, By St. John, By St. Thomas, or the like, which are no Gods ? Do ft thou not fee, that thus [wearing, thou forfakeft God, and bringefl Ruin upon thy felf? In one word, thou that commonly fweareft by any thing that is not God, tell me, what thinkeft thou ? Do ft thou therein fwear b^ God or no? If fo, then thou takeft his Name in vain, and he will not hold thee guiltlefs. If net, then thou forfakeft God, in that thou fweareft by that which is not God. * per- haps fuch Oaths are not punifh'd by the Laws of the Land, tho' all profane Oaths are punifliable ; however the Defed of our Laws, or the Negled of the Exe- cution, makes not the Sin the more excufable in the (2) Airay'j LeXures on the Philippians, Chap. 1. Ver.%. Vagt 100. (r) Amos 8. 14. (f) Jerem. 5. 7. Sight Chap. 8. The Great Abufe of Mufick. 1 9 3 Sight of God : But when they are not punifhed by Men in this Worlds then God feerns to relerve the im- mediate Execution of Vengeance for himfelf in the other. The Iaft Excufe which I can think of, is, that fuch Expreffions in our Songs are only borrow'd from the* Heathen Authors, and the Poet defigns no more than an Imitation of them, which he thinks to be the more excufable, becaufe he follows the Examples of all the Grammar Schools. This may be admitted in Schools for two Reafon?, which will not hold good in the other Cafe. In Schools they learn Latin and Greek, and there- fore it is requifite to ufe thofe Authors, and be ac- quainted with their Style, who wrote in thefe Lan- guages, when commonly fpoken in their own Coun- try. By this means the Scholars have a Standard of fuch Books which may be depended upon for then* Imitation. That they may underftand thefe Authors, there muft be a competent Skill in the Hiftory of thofe Times, the Account of their Gods, and the Manner of their Religious Worfhip, to wfiich they fo often allude. Befide, this Knowledge is neceffary for the better un- derftanding of the Primitive Fathers, efpecially their Apologies for the Chriftian Religion, and their Confuta- tions 6f the Pagan Idolatry. By this means we know that *the Heathens are not falfly charg'd, and we read the antient Monuments of Christianity with more Pro- fit and Pleafure. And the Primitive Bathers being very convenient to be read by fuch who apply themfelves to the Work of the Minijtry, no one can blame this neceffary Introdu&ion thereto in the Grammar Schools. But as the Poets do not teach Latin or Greek either ttf the Country Clowns, or to the young Ladies, or train them up for thefe other Studies ; fo this Excufe is no- thing to their Purpofe. However, every thing which we find in the Heathen Authors, is not fit for our Imi- tation in other Cafes. Let us believe that our Poets defign no Harm, but only follow the Cuftom of the O Age 194 The Great Abufe of Mufak Part II. Age in Imitation of the Greeks and Latins, and let us go as far in their Vindication as we can ; yet at laft it muft be own'd, that in all Cafes Cuftom is no good Plea. If all the World did worfhip Baal, it would not.excufe Elijah: If the Cuftom is bad, we ought to break it, and we are fufriciently forewarn'd by God tiimfelf, that we mud ml ■follow a Multitude to do xvil. The Scriptures ought to be our Guide and Direction. As we have fo perfect a Rule ; fo we ought to abide thereby, and imitate nothing which is contrary there- to. And it is much more commendable to take the Tfalms of David for oue Pattern than the bed Lyrich Poets. When we read a Heathen Author, we look upon hint as a Heathen ; but when we read a Chrifiian Au- thor 1 , we look upon him as a Chrifiian. The Heathens invented It range Stories of their Gods, and reprefented them as lewd and debauch'd ; but what horrid Lan- guage would this be to a Chrifiian s Ears, efpecially from a Chrifiian s Yen or Mouth ? In the Time of a publick Calamity, Ylautus wrote his Comedy call'd Amphitrion, to appeafe the Wrath of Jupiter, and con- cludes with this Expreffion, Jovis jummi. caufa dare plaudite. Now in this Comedy he brings in Jupiter de- filing Al 'cum ena in the Shape of her Husband, and Mcr- cury as a Procurer or a Pimp in the Shape of Sofia the Servant; but will this excufeourP^f/, when ii* Imi- tation thereof they reprefent ourG. 196 The Great Mufe of Mufick. Part II. Chap. IX. The Corruption of our Mufick by mean Composures. HAving feen how fcandalous our Songs are in rela- tion to Religion and Modefty, it will hot be amifs to inquire, whether there is any Improvement in the Mufick it felf, which may make it fo taking. It muft be confefs'd, that whilft Mufick was chiefly imploy'd in this Nation for the Glory of God^ God was pleas'd to fhew his Approbation thereof, by wonder- fully improving the Skill of the Compofers, infomuch that I believe, no Art was advanced from fo mean a Beginning to fo vaft a Height, in fo (hort a Time as this Science in the laft Century. Our Mufick began to equal that of the Italians 3 and exceed all other. Our Pur eel was the Delight of the Nation, and the Wonder of the World, and the Character of Dr. Blow was but little inferior to him. But when we made not that ufe thereof which we ought, it pleas'd God to fhew his Refentment, and put a Stop to our Progrefs, by taking away our Parcel in the Prime of his Age, and Dr. Blow loon after. We all lamented our Misfor- tunes, but never confider'd them as Judgments for the JLhufe of this Science » fo that inftead of growing bet- ter we grew worfe arid worfe. Now therefore Mufick declines as foft. as it did improve before. h was an old Observation of (a) Alftedius, That Mufick receives its great eft Perfection from the End or De~ fign thereof, and infers, that hence it is apparent, that (a) TempiumMuficum, cha$.%. mJe 3. tbofe Chap. 9 . lbe Kireat Abuje of Mujick. 1 9 7 thofe fimple Men, who abufe Vocal and Inftrumental Muftck to nourijh the Tleafures of this World, whilft they fmg and fet Sengs wholly obfeene, are nothing lefs than Muficians. For tbo' the Form of a Song occur there ; yet the End which perfects the Science is not difcern 9 d. And the Translator (bj writes like a Prophet- Mufick hath already flown to a great Height in this Nation : For I am pirfwaded, that there is as much Excellency in the Mttfick which hath been and is now compofed in England, as in any Part of the World, for Air, Variety , and Snbftance. Hut I htartily wiflj, That after this great Spring and Flood, tlxre be not (in our fuccctdmg Generations) as low an Ebb, For if the ferious and fubfiantial Fart of Harmony be neglected, and the Mercurial only ufed, it will prove volatile, evap irate, and come to nothing. This we find to be too true by woeful Experience ; infomuch that Mr. Hefty Hall, late Otganijl of Hertford fwhom I take to have been as great a Judge as any Man in England, excepting the two before mentioned) complains of it in thefe Words (c) : Duly each Day our young Comprfers bait us With moft infipid Songs, and fad S O NA TA S. Well were it if our Wits would lay Embargo's On fuch Allegros and fuch Poco Largos ; And would enact it, there pre fume no: any To teiz,e Corelli, or burlejque Baffianij And with Divifions and ungainly Graces, Eclipfe good Stnfe, as weighty Wigs do Faces ; Then hone ft Crofs might Copper cut in vain, And half our Sonnet Singers jlarve again. (7) Preface, Anno 1664. (c) Yerfes printed in the Front of Afr. Purcel'j Orpheus Bii- ttnnicus. O $ And 1 9 3 i b e (jreat Abuje oj Mujick. rait IL And (d) in another Place : Long have we been with Balladry opprefs'd ; Good Senfe lampoon d, and Harmony burlefquj, Mufick of many Parts has now no Force : iVhcie Fleams of Single Songs become our Curfe, IVith BafTes wondrous lewd, and Trebles worfe. But frill the lufcious Lore goes glibly down, And fi ill the Doubr Entendre takes the Town. J hey print the Names of tboji who fct and wrote 'em^ With Lords at Top, and Blockheads at the Bottom. Wbilffi at the Shops we daily dangling 'view Falje Concords by Tom Crofs engraven true. To this I fhall only add what Mr. Brown, the Or- ganijr of Chrift-Church Hofpital in London, writes on the fame Occafion. (e) The might left of them cry, Let's pleafe the Town : (If that be done they value not the Gown.) And then, to let you fee 'tis good and taking, 'Tis foon in Ballad howVd, ere Mob are waking. (O happy Men, who thus their Fames can raife, And t loft not e\n one Inch o/Kent-ftreet Praife ! ) But yet the greateft Scandal's (till behind $ A baftr Dunce among the Crew we find: A Wretch bewitched to fee his Name in "Print, Will own a Song, and not one Line his in t • In\ean of the Foundation. Sad's the Cafe ! (f) He Treble writes, no matter who the Baft ! (4) Verfes prefixed to Dr. Blow'j Amphion Anglicus. (e) I- Ind. (f) Jim: it is in July, 1708. Songy, Auguft, 1708. Song I andz. February, 1709. Song r. July, 1709. Song 1. No- vember, 17 fo. Song 3. December, 17 10. Song 5. Jnd Febru- ary, 17 10. Song 3. 7<# Chap.9- The Great Abitfe of Mufich 1 99 Juftlike fome over-crtfty Architect \ Firfi frrms the G-.rret, then the tiouft Sue!) Trajh, we know, has fefterd long r But then appear, and they as foon are g To take a View of thefe Con aft be confider'd, that there are feveral things, which all ill allow to be neceffary for a wc A natural Genius, a fuitable Air, a good Score or Pa:tcrn y a tonftan\ m 3 zfclid Judgment, and an Th I (?/ Mind; and if either of thefe is wanting, the Compofition cannot be excellent. " A natural Genius in a Compojtr is the Time as a n ;//jina Poet. It is not acquired, but given. Ma- ny can write true Vtrfe, tho' few make fine V6tms\ Such a K;>;r) is not obtain d by but' is a Ti which we receive from God, and therefore it is no Wonder, if God withdraws fiich a Favour, whilft we do fo publickly abufe it. Our Muficians would do well to confider and apply to themfelves, what God faid of Judith, (g) She did net know that I gevt Wine and Oil, and multiplied her Silver and her G which theyprepard for Baal. Therefore will Irttn-n, and take aw. 2 y my Corn in the Time thereof, and my Hlneintbt Seafcnthty.cf, and will recover m , gi- to cover her Nakednefs. And now will I d: Lewdness in the Sight of her Levers. As for tl fuitable Air, it is abfolutely neceflary in a- ny one who would raife the Paflions, and accommo- date Notes to Words. Our prefent Compofures have too much of Brisknefs, and little Serioufnefs left, except in adoring a Miilrefs, or invoking the Devil. In other Cafes, it feems to be wholly evaporated, and the fine siir is turn'd into Smoak and Tempeft. (g) Hofea i. 8, 9, 10. O 4 As ?oq The Great Abuje of Mufick. Part II; As for good Scores or Patterns, we have certainly the bed that ever we had, namely, Mr. Purcel's and Dr. Blow's Works, added to the vaft Quantity of Ita- lian Mufick, daily brought over into this Nation. As to conflant Application^ it is bed known to the Comfofers themfelves. As for good Judgment, the Reader may guefs at it by the Songs which they choofe for their Subjects. Here they daily (hew, that they have not Senfe enough to dijeern between Good and Evil ; and if they have hardly any Notion of Religion or Morality, we muft not ex- pe& a folid Judgment in other things. The Defign of the Phy-houfe is to caft a Mill over the Underftanding. The Compofers are wholly devoted to them. And as he who toucheth Pitch muft be defiled therewith ; fo it is a Wonder ifthefe Men are free from the Infe&ion, and pever taken in the Snare which they prepare for Others. Jlowever, to give them their Due, I heartily wifh, that either their Skill in Choofing of fit Subjects was greater, or elfe that their Skill in Compofing was lefs. Laftly, As for Intention of Mind. Mufick is a Ma^ thernapcal Study , and he who would place the Notes a- right, ought to be as thoughtful as if he was finding out and demonftrating a new Problem in Geometry. A Compiler muft confide r at once the Nature of his Key, the Harmony pf the Parts, the PaJJages of the Concords, and thp Air of the Tune . He ought to bring in his jpifcords handfomly, and carry them off as finely. He ought to prepare for every Clofe or Cadence, and both introduce and carry on fomething of a Fancy, which is new, and hath a peculiar Excellency in it. But Jierie J think moft of our prefent Engli(h Ma filers are |till tp feek. Scribimus indolli dotlique. The Play- houfe', and the Mufick composed for it are defign'd to Jay a}l Thinking and Reflection afleep. And as our Ma- kers are wholly become their Servants*, fo they are de- bafed into the Bargain, and feldom ufe that Freedom pf Thought which is neceffary for-the ProfieJJ'or of a Li- \ff4 $ciencs. ' «. Ji© \ Chap. 9. The Great Abufe of Mufick ao 1 He that would have the Opinion of any honeft and impartial Judge, or would from his own Experience be fenfible, how Mufick is of late declined, needs only to have fome of our Monthly Collections perform'd at the fame time with fome of Mr. Parcel's or Dr. Blow's Compofition, and he may foon perceive the Diffe- rence. In thefe eight Years laft, there are about fifty Compofers o{ Mufick ; none of thefe are equal wich the other two. About ten of them may be reckond of a fecond Rank ; the reft are generally flat and mean, * their Movements forc'd, their Fancy ftrain d, and their natural Genius feems fometimes fitter for the Church, but compell'd to ferve the Play-houfe. I do not pretend to vindicate the Songs in Mr. Pur- eel's Collection, as that the Excellency of the Tunes can make Amends for the Wantonness or Profanenefs of the Words, which favour too much of the Humour of the Age. But I think it is the more inexcufable, that we (hould be doubly teaz'd with lewder Songs and meaner Mufick. New Compofithns juftle out the old ; and therefore unlefs we can do fom-jthing equal to the other, it is better to do nothing at ail. indeed, next to thefe Authors, fome of our (rejint Compofuns are the beftof any, which were ever made in England, (Di- vine Mufick excepted,) but that cannot excufe our glut- ting the World with fq many new Collections of mean zn&falfe Mufick. When we have tafted dainty Fare, we muft be content with worfe, becaufe there is a Neceffity to preferve Life. But the Ear and Fancy, which have been diverted with better, cannot be brought down to relifh that which is worfe^ becaufe, if we do not like it, we may as well let it alone. What therefore Horace obferv'd of Poetry, is as true of Mufick, (h) Some things may do well enough, if they are but {%) Horat. de Arte Poetic a. ■' < Certis Medium & tolerabile rebus Rede concedi. Mediocribus effe Poetis, Non homines, nou dii, non coocelT.ie columns. indifferent, ao2 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. indifferent, but it muft not be fo in this Cafe. Every. Song fhould be an Original, and have fomething pecu- liar to (hew the Judgment of the Compofer. Mufick' {i) was invented to refrefh and delight our Minds * and therefore if it is not as good as the beft, it fhould be laid afide like the word. And certainly our Cm- fofers fhould either alter their Subjects, or take his Ad- vice, which is (k) to refolve not to do any thing againjt the Grain, but firft to fhew their Comfofitions to feveral Mafters, before they are exposM to publick View, and let them lie by for nine Years Space, I am fure, that we do not want any more. We have too much already, except the Words were better ; and I am apt to think, that our Mafters will never fhew more Skill in the Choice of their Notes, until they fhew more Judgment in the Choice of their Words. Icould give the Reader feveral Inftances of falfe Com- fofition in the Monthly Collections, and even in two Parts, when it is fo much the worfe, and might have been moreeafily avoided. There are fome Inftances, where the Key is miftaken in the very Beginning, as if a Man mould fet out for a Journey in a wrong Road, or knew not whither he was going till he came to his Journey's End. There are others, where accidental Flats and Sharps are introduced without any Relation to their Key or Cadence, which follows after ; and without any Defign which might juftifie the fame. (i) Horar. De Ante Poetica. Sic animiii naturo, inventumque Poema juvandis, Si pauliim a fummo difceflit, vergit ad imuin. (k) Ibid. Tu nihil jnvi^ dices, faciefve M'meiva. Id tibi I judifivrr eil & mens : Si quid tamen olim Scripferis, in Metii defcendat , judicis aures. Et patris, & noltras, nonurnque prematur in annum. Membranis intra poiitis delere licebit Qucu non edideris : nefcit vox miffa reverti. Trrtre Chap. 9. The Great Abuje of Mufich 003 There are others, where the fceavy Motion of the Bafs hath clogg'd the Performance. There are others where Clofes have been made without any Prepara? tion, or with that which is next to- nothing, or where the Ear is forfeited with more perfect Concords than (he can digeft. I might add fome other Inftances, where the Fuges or Flights of Mufick are miferably murder'd, and poor Fegajus having expanded his Wings, flicks in the Key, as in the Mire, and cannot get out. I could give an Inftance where the Bafs aiming at a Clofe % which was at that time impracticable, and being dif- appointed, makes no Motion at all ; in the fame Man- lier which the Author of Hudibrafs describes, Like Mules, which if they han't their Will* To keep their own Pace ft and ftock fiill. I might add other Inftances of Paffages in Mufick, di- rectly contrary to the Rules and Reafons of Compoft- tion, and other Places full of nothing but Noife^ Rattle and Hurry. I could add Inftances., where the Key is clogg'd by the Bafs dwelling continually upon it, fo that the Variety of Mufick is loft, and the Reflection of Horace may juftly take Place. (I) - Citharadus Ridetur, Chorda qui femper oberrat eddem. But I muft forbear ,• becaufe thefe things aFe not ob- vious to the Capacity of every Reader • and lhall end all with one Example. He who hath read any Syftem of Mufick, cannot but obferve this Rule. That the laft Note of a Strain or Tune, being the fulled Concord, and that on which the Mufick fo much depends, mould be fet off with the (0 Be Arte Poetic*. • greateft io\ The Great Abufe of Mufick Part II greateft Luftre. For this Reafon, the Ear fliould noi be cloy'd with perfed Concords, but led into the Clofi with other Notes. Here Difcords were not only al low'd, butofexcellentUfe; and (m) two Sevenths to- gether were always admir'd. Inftead of this, an in- genious Mafier hath oblig'd us with ( n) two Eighths This he repeats in the fame Tune in Notes at length \ and alfo two Months after in another Tune fet in the fame Key, to (hew the Excellency of it ; and indeed he feems to have two Defigns at once., which is to make a Country-man gape, and an Artift blufh. The Strain is fo remarkable that I have fubfcrib'd it, and crave Leave to addref$ the Reader in the Words of ( d) Horace : Speklatum admijji rifum teneatls amici i Thefe areg^ Stroah with a Witnefs^ as gay as a Knot of Ribbons on a Footman s Shoulder : And fince they are the Effe&s of an Attendance on the Play-boufe, they may ftand as a Badge of the Honour. But the greateft Jeft of all is, that in the midft of all thefe Blunders and falfe Concords, the Mafier s conti- nually boaft of the great Improvements of Mufick ; and fpeak with as much Aflurance and as much Truth, as others do, when they tell us, that the Playhoufe is the School for Reformation of Manners, This Pride and Ar- rogancy hath made Dr. Blow's and Mr. PurceVs Songs to be almoft laid afide ,- tho' we have not one Song in Six (w) Simpfon's Compendium, Page n. (n) March and May, 1704 mmm % 8 8; _8_ (0) De Arte Poetic*. now Chap. 9. The Great Abufe of Mufich 205 now printed, which a Mafttr can with any Confi- dence teach his Scholar y and all the reft which he buys are wholly ufelefi. It was therefore truly obferv'd of Mr. furctly and continues to be true ftill, (p) That The leafi Motett -which from his Hands we (how ^ Exceeds our 'very beft "Performance now. And of Dr. Alow, (q) This Book alone will eternize thy Fame. Such Compcfitions ft ill are flrining there , By whatfomedoy we thought forgotten were. Thus we fee, that as the Muficians carry on the De- fign of the ?lay-houfe> to introduce only a fportive Hu- mour in the World, and lay afide all ferious Thinking and Reflection $ fo their Compofures ftiew that they themfelves are taken in the Snare which they lay for others: And as it vifibly affe&s thzix Mufick, fo I wifli it may not as fenfibiy affed their Morals. However, it is a hard Cafe, that Mufich fhould be murder d by thofe who pretend to improve it ; that Amphion fhould be wounded by his Friends and Admi- rers, who pretend to have fo much Command over their brutilh Paffions, through the Help of the Science which he pra&is'd : And that rjiefe Gentlemen, who have no Occafion of the Swords which they wear, (except it be to pick the Duft from the Keys of a Spi- net , or point to the Notes inftead of a Straw, when- they teach the Toung Ladies to fingj fhould grow fo boifterous on a fudden, as to break poor Orpheus's Head with a Club, for want of a Fiddleftick. (p) Preface to Mr. Purcel'x Orpheus Britannicus, hf Mr. Hen- ry Hall, Orgamjl of Hereford, (q) Preface to Dr. Blow'x Am- phion Anglicus, by Mr. Richard Browr, Organijl of Ch rift- Church hofpital in London. Chap. 206 The Great Ahufe of 'Mufick. Paftll. Chap. X. The Corruption of our Mufick by the Organifis of Cathedral and Tarochial Churches. AS Mufick is thus debased and abusd, (bit might be expected that it was done by fome Enemies to this Science, But chat is impoffible. He who knows it loves ir, and he who knows it not, is not in a Capaci- ty tocorruptit. Befides, as Mufick is thus apply'd to the promoting of Vice and Profamnefs ; fo it mightf be thought, that this was occafion'd by fome profeis'dE- nemies to Religion, who never frequent the Worfhip of God, or have any thing to do with the Singing of his 'Praifes in the publrck Congregation. But this is not the Cafe- The Members of our Church have Reafori to complain with holy David, or rather with her Lord and Maficr, when betray'd by Judas, (a) It was not an open Enemy that reproach' d me, then I could have born it • neither was it he that hated me, that did magnify himfelfa- gainfi me, for then peradaJenture I could have hid my felf from' him, or the better beware of fuch a one ,• but it is a'Manwho feems to be cur Companion, our Guide, and our own familiar Friend • in Company with whom we conftantly walk into the Houfe of God. They who eat of the Churches Bread, do employ their Time and Pains to her Difhonour. The Organifis of Cathedral and Parochial Churches, do us the mod Mifchief. They who guide the Congregation in Singing Traifes to God, do afterwards compofe Tunes for the Syna- gogues of Satan, revel at a Tavern or an Ale-houfe, in (fl^Pfal. 55. 1 1. Serving Chap. 10. The Great Abufe ofMufuh coy mg the Devil, and teach fuch Songs as are Incen- tives to Profanenefs, sitbeifw, and Debauchery. Befides, how many Singing- Men at Church meet there hardly for any thing except to make Affignations for another "Place ; whiift the carelefs and flovenJy Manner of jiien (hews us thac their Hearts are there al- ready, and that the; -hingmore than the -Li- berty to be gone. How many bare there been' ( and I ' fn may not he ftill) who ferve ftrfl at the Church, and : j rirft Singing Hallelujahs to G*/, and Evening in the Worihip Qfche^vT.' : yech Me^n as theft fpend Part of the Lord's Day in his Service, becaufe.they are confind to it ; but fpend tJhe greateft Part of the Week, When they have their Liberty, to promote a contrary Inte- rest. They fing h\f-,nnah to Chrifi, for :he lake of the Lowes, and after that betray him to be crucified. This is a Grange Following the Lord and Bart y a Serving ot God and Mammon, a Reconciling of Cbrift with Be.: and L/gfo with Darknefs. BlefTed be God^ there are ibme Organi fis now alive, who have notprofan'd their Skill by cowfbfing for and -ferv ing another Master, nor polluted themfelves with thefe horrid Impieties ; and o- thers formerly guilty, who (as I hope and. believe ) are turn'd from it ,• and I defire of God to open the Eyes, and awaken the Conferences of the reft, that they may fee their Shi, and be guilty no more. Can we think that God will be always thus mock'd and af- fronted ? I would not hinder any Man from fhew- ; nis Skill in . , or improving thereof. Bur I think it Pity, nay a great Shame and Scandal, that they mould a ay thing except that which is Divine. If th>\ are willing to ierve the Church of God, they fhoiild lerve I chink the other to be b^ t .lem quit their Places in the , and attend up Men may pretend to be for the C they have Part ot their W. : their Pretences are oo8 The Qreat Abufe ofMufick Part II. are no more than Lies, their Actions contradict their Words, and fhew that they are of the Synagogue of Sa- tan. What a Satisfaction would it be to them, if they did at laft retrieve the Honour of their profeffion, bring Divine Muftck into Efteem again, an\J thus re- cover the Cannon from the Hands of the Enemy ? Whatever is loft by this Method in the prefent World, may be abundantly made up in the other. If the Ta- lents, which God lent them, were imploy'd for the Doner's Ufe, they may at laft be prais'd with a Well done, good and faithful Servant, and be remov'd from a Choir on Earth to ling perpetual Hallelujahs with the Saints in Heaven ; or otherwife their Mufick may be turn'd into Mourning, and their Mirth into eternal La^ mentation. And now, if thefe Corruptions had kept without the doors of the C^c/^theCafe had not been fo deplorable: but the greateft Misfortune fs,that it is too often carefs'd within. The fame Organ, which in Time of Divine Service plays Pfdlms compofed for the Worfhip of God 3 fiiall for a private Diverfion play fuch Tunes, Which were compos'd for the Support of the Play-houfe, and perhaps the lewd and profane Songs to which fuch Mufick is fet, may at the fame time be fung in the Church. Thus an Inftrument defign'd to raife our De- votion on the Lord's Day, is often a Caufe of profaning the Place on the other Days of the Week. The young Ladies learn to play their jigs; their Songs, and every thing which is light and airy, upon the Harpfichord. When they have a Notion thereof, they muft go to Church, to hear it perform'd upon a better Inftrument, where the Concords may be more fully heard, and the ' Sound will hold as long a# the Anift pleafes, without the repeating of the Stroke. Befides, the fame Rea- fon, which caufeth this Abufe in private, caufes it alfo in the publick Worfhip of God. The Organift even then ftrives only to divert his Scholars, mind his Intereftj and play in fuch a manner, as mall pleafe ♦ « them Chap. 10. The Great Abufe ofMufick. 209 them beft. Should he play a whole Jig, it might be discovered, and therefore there muft be the Scraps of feveral jumbled together without Method or Or- der, whilft his Fancy runs from Tune to Tune as a Bird flies from Tree to Tree, for fear of being caught. Thus we ferve the God of Order with the utmoft Con- fufion. It is lamentable to confider, that when a Man Comes to Church for the Good of his Soul, in hopes that every thing there (hall increafe his Devotion, the Mufick ferves only to increafe his Diftradion ,- and he can fcarcely ever hear any thing from the Finger of the Organifi, which tends to Gravity and Sobriety, but a wanton light Alr 7 as if defign'd to fpoii the Endea- vours of the Minifier in all the Offices of our excellent Church, and banifh" from the Houfe of God every fe- rious Thought. Our antient Church Mufick is loft, and that folid grave Harmony, fit for a Martyr to de- light in, and an Angel to hear, is now chang'd into a Diverfionfor Atheijts and Libertines, and that which Good Men cannot but lament. Every thing which is ferious, is calfd in Dcrifion, The old Cow Path, ?nd re- prefented as dull and heavy. Our Organ is us'd only asa7W to promote the Intereft of the Harpfichrd and Sfinet . On thefe are taught only the Play- houfe Tunes, and the Mufick at the Church is only an Introduction to the other Place. If any one complains of this Abufe to the Parijhioners, their Anfwer is, that they do not underftand it : ( And who does, as it is now manag'd ?J I know not any fober Perfon, who can underftand any thing in it, except a Jargon of Confufion, without Head ovTail, including all the Keys of the Gamut in a promifcuous manner, without any Cadence or Conne^- xiori, intermix'd fometimes with a wanton airy Fan- cy, and at others with a heavy fordid Performance, and all rhis occafion'd by extempore Maggots in all the Voluntaries and Interludes, whilft the Man is conceited of his own Parts, becaufe no one elfe underftand* what he would be at, and fcorns to pra&ife ftich P ' things a io The Great Ahuje of Mufick Part IL things as are tried and approved of by the beft Ma- tters. They have their Salaries for performing at Church whatever they pleafe; this they think they are fure of, and therefore they rauft fpend all their Time in learning of Songs and other Tunes to teach their Scholars. Bring them fuch Mufick, they fhall pre- fently learn it, and take it as a Favour. But bring them a grave Voluntary or an Interlude, it is cried out againft as an intolerable Burden , that the Service of God may (b) conhfl: of that, which cofi them nothing. Now there is not one Organift in Ten, excepting thole in Cathedrals , who knows how to fet a Bafs to a Treble^ or a Treble to Bafs, or indeed where to place an accidental Flat or Sharp according to the Rules of Mufick, or the Nature of his Key. Thefe Men (ball fometimes fliew Tunes of their own Compcfures, and juftify them with an Aflurance peculiar to themfelves. Thefe fhall dis- claim againft allUfe of Difcords in other Mens Works, and introduce fuch in their own Performances at Church, which are the worft of all, and can ferve for nothing, but to expofe their Art. He who cannotby Study compofe two Parts, fhall entertain the Audience with an extempore Perfonnance of his own in four ^ and then they may expect as much to the Purpofe, as if cne who could not talk Senfe in private, mould give them an extempore Oration from the Pulpit. Befides, thefe Men teach others all the Week to fing and to 'play upon Inftruments. They teach nothing but our modern Songs and fuch like Fancies. Of thefe their Heads are lull. From thefe they have all their Flcu- rifies, which they life at Church. Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Fancy is acled, and the Fingers play ; and the Mufick in the Houfe of God, is exa&iy like the Qc) Dithyrambick Vcrfes, compofed by the Heathens in (/'j^SiiTi. 24. 24. (c) Alfodge Patch of feveral forts of t'erfes ennfufedly mingled together : Of which the Reader may line an Account in Ariflotele ds Arte Poetica, or fee fever al Injtances in Seneca V Tragedies. Honour Chap. I o. The Great Abufe cfMufick 1 1 1 Honour of Bacchus, and fang at their drunken Revels. How long then muft thefe beft things be thus corrupted? How long muft it be before we fhall be able to (peak in the Words of a fo r mer (d) Canonupon the forbidding the like Abufes. Heretofore Stige Plays and Mummeries were brought into the Church by a mofi lewd Example, fo that there-netded a Canonical Provijion, by which this mofi vile Abufi might be sbolijhed ; and therefore we rejoice, that now, (as we hope) H is cafi out of this Place. But ftill orhers fay, that they don't understand it. No. If they did, chey would never endure it. When Di- vine Service in the Church of Rome was lock'd up in an unknown Tongue, it was high time for a Reformation ; and when the Organifis affe& to be fo myfierious, and run upon their own Fancier, it is time to regulate the Abufe. There are but two things, in which People are pleas'd with what they do not underftand, the one is the Art of Legerdemain, and the other is the Church Mufick. Now if one is prevented, left by fuch Tricks we fhould lofe our Money ; the other mould be pre- rented, left by Playing we lofe our Devotion. Perhaps they will fay, that they have not Time to imploy themfelves in thofe things, which are grave, folid, fe- rious, and fit for the Church, becaufe their Intereft confifts in Learning and Teaching things of another na- ture all the Week : And I muft confefs, that I defpair of giving a fatisfa&ory Atifwer to this weighty Ob- jection. However, That others may be more competent Judges of Church Mufick, I fhall lay down two Ruler, which I fuppofe no Body will deny, by which every thing of this nature may be tried. Firft, All Church Mufick ought to be for the Glorf cfGod. (d) Concilium Colonienfr, Anno 1536. Part 3. Chap. 6. P 2 - Sfpndr. 1 1 a The Great Abufe ofMufick. Part IT. y Secondly, kWChurch Mufick ought to be for the Edifi- cation of the Hearer. Fir/i, It ought to be for the Glory of God. For this Reafon it was long fince determined in (e) a General Corned, that it ftould be grave and ferious. Now lee every Man who hears the Voluntary before the fir ft Lejjon, or after Sermon, and the Interludes between the Lines in Singing of Pfalms, confider, whether they an- fwer this End or no ? or whether they are full of Noife, Rattle; Hurry, and Confufion, and efpecially after Sermon, only defign'd to turn the Houfe of God into a Tlay-hcufe. Secondly, it ought to be for the Edification of the Hearer. When therefore the Clark names the Vfalm, the Organiji ought fo to play the Tune, that it may be plainly underitood ; and the Interludes, that the Congregation may know when to begin, and when to leave off But now the Notes are play'd with fuch a Rattle and Hurry inftead of Method, with fuch Diffe- rence in the Length of equal Notes, to fpoil the Time, and difpleafe a Mufician, and fo many Whimfeys inftead of Graces, to confound , the Ignorant, that the Defign is loft, and the Congregation takes their Tune, not from the Organ, fince they do not underftand it, but from the Farijh Clark, or from one another; which they could better have done, if there was no Organ at all. This makes many fay, that, the Organs, as they are now managed, do fpoil Parochial Singing. And it is very obfervable, that in moft Places, inftead of reap- ing any Advantage from the Organ, there are ufually the feweft Tunes, and the worft performed by the whole Congregation, if therefore (f) the. Light that is in us -be Darkntfs, how great is that Darknefs ? And if that which mould dire&us, increafeth the Confufion, ic is high time to think of a Remedy. (s) See Condi. Conftant. 6. Can. 75. (f) Matth. 6. n. . Nei:her Chap, i o. The Great Abufc ofMufich. 3 I 5 'Neither is this a Tingle Opinion, that Church Muftck is thus abus'd \ but it hath been anriently condemnd in General Councils. To omit thofe which I have men- tion ? d already. One of them (g) hath thefe Words: We command, that the Mufical Singing in the Churches be difiincl and different, moving the Heart to Devote- CompunBion ,• and therefore thofe things were net to be heard in Churches, under pretence of Mufc.rl Singing, which were wanton and lafcivious. Ana* we therefore flay they J are unwilling that an immodtfi or wanton Alelody ji\ "heard from the Organs in the Churchy but a Sound altogether fwect, which may reprefent nothing but Divine Hymns and fpiritual So?Jgs. Nay, the Council of Trent it felf (Jj) decreed, that all impure, la fcivicus,' amorous- and fecu- lar Mufick, favouring of Levity and Folly, Jhould be exclx± ded the Chttrch, and the Melody of Organs' in the Temf.es Jhould be fo ufed, as not to fir up Wantonnefs rather than Devotion. Our Church at the Reformation feems fully t"6 approve of this Canon, and endeavour'd that it mould be obferved among us, tho' it was neglefted among them. They continu'd .the fame Corruption in de- fpight of their Laws, which was our Care to prevent. This made a Complaint among fome, mentioned in one of our (J) Homilies, that tfyey could not hear- the like piping, finging, chanting, and play ing" upon the Orgus, that they had before. Alufick they had, but Ho like. Theirs was frothy, ours was iblid ; theirs itih wanton, ours was grave. However bur Church un- fwers in thefe Words : But we ought greatly to rejoicr, and' give God thanks, that our Churches' are detivertd thefe things, which grieved God fofortfy, and J. his holy Houfe, and his Place of 'Prayer $ for which' ' juftly defiroyed many Nations, axcordbig to the Sfyfifo of (g) Concilium Senonenfe, Can. 17. (L) Concil. Trident. Sejf. 22. Dccret. deobfervandis & evitanJis mcekbiation*: MiiTc. (i) Homily of the Time and Place of Prayer, Part i, P % ' \\ a 1 4. The Great Abufe of Mufich Part II t St. Paul, (k) If any Man defile the Temple of Qod, him will God deftroy. And this we ought greatly to praife God for y that fuchfuperftitious and idolatrous Man- ners, as were utterly naught, and defaced God J s Glory, are Utterly abolified, as they mGft jufily deferred ', and yet thofe things, that either God was honour d with, or his People edified, are decently retained, and, in our Churches comely praftis^d. If then we ought to rejoice, and p;aiie God for the Removal of thefe Corruptions, what sorrow and Concern fhould we expr^fs for their Return ? That which our Homilies commended, is now ridicul'd j and that which they complained of, is now introduc'd. Tho' we had not the like Piping and Playing upon the Organs then ; yet we have the like Piping and Playing upon the Organs now. Our Arti/ls boaft themfelves that they imitate the Italian Fajhion, and which is worfe, take their Patterns, not from the Churches, but from the Play-houfes, and fuch like Diverfions. And therefore in moil Churches where we have Organs, the conftant -Practice in Divine Service is contrary to our pwa Homi lies. And now who cannot but lament the Great Abufe of Incremental Mufich in the Worftlip of God, fo contrary to the Nature of Rdigwn in general, and the Dodrine of our Church in particular, to which every Clergy* man fubfcribes at his Ordination? If in all our (I) in- different Actions we fhouid aim at the Glory of God, how fad is it to confider, that they who are thus co% cern'd in his Church, which is the Place of his imme- diate Preferice, have even there another Defign in view. When Jacob in his Dream (m) beheld the Lad- der frorn Heaven, he was afraid, and faid, How dread- ful is this place ? This is none other than the Houfe of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven. And when we confider that the Church is the Church of God, and all which is (*0 1 Cor. 3; 17. (/; 1 Cor. 10. 3 1. (m) Gen. z8. ii, i$ 9 * j* laid Chap. I o. The Great Abufc ofMufeck. o. 1 5 faid or done therein, ought to direct us in our Way to Heaven, it may juftly make us the more uneafy, if any thing is admitted there, which mould be unser- viceable, or rather an Hindrance to fo great an End. We are forbidden (n) to bring the Hire of a Whore ^ or the Price of a Dcg into the Honje of the Lord our God, for any Vow, for even both thefe are an Abomination unto the Lord our God. TheReafon why the Hire of a Whore is Forbidden, is becaufe the Calling is utterly unlawful. The Reafon why the Price of a D(g is forbidden, is becaufe the Magicians in Egffi worfhip'd a Dog for a Deity y and therefore it was profan'd. Thus as to Mu- /tck: We muft have nothing here perform'd, the Words whereof are profane or obfcene, becaufe they are unlawful ; neither mould we have any thing which is light and frothy, becaufe fuch Airs have been profan'd for the promoting of Vice and Debauchery r and tho' they are more excufable in other Places ,• yet here they may be reckon'd an Abomination to the Lord our God. In the Church we are to praife God with all fuch Infiru- ments and Organs, and therefore the Defign muft not be to fet off our own Skill or Performances, to cre- ate wanton or light Affe&ions, or to mew how finely we could touch an Inftrument if we were in a Play- houfe ; but it ought to be performed with all the De- cency, Gravity, and Devotion imaginable, as- if we were fenfible in whofe Prefence we are, and in whofe Service we are engag'd. When our BUffed Saviour was on Earth, he was never but once (0) mov'd into a Paffion, which was, when he faw the Temple of God profan'd. Then he overthrew the Tables of the M&i changers , and the Seats of tlytm that fold Doves, andivien he had made a Scourge of f mall Cords , be drove them all out of the Temple, and [aid. Take thefc things hence, make not my Father's Houje an Hcufe of Mcrch.indift. Info- fnj Deut, 23. 18. (0) John 2. i$, toi'. P 4 muc'i 1 1 6 The Great Abuje of Mufick. Part II. much that his pifciples rem em bred that it was written of him, The Zeal of thine Houfe hath even eaten me up. On all other Occafions he was week and lowly in Heart, but on this his Paffions were rais'd to a greater Height, and the Lamb of God became the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. If then he was fo angry at this Profanation, tho' only in the outer Court, we have reafon to be- lieve, that he will refent the applying of fuch things to vain Ufes, which were devoted by himfelf to his more immediate Service. The Pharifees had many things to plead for this their Cuftom. The Doves were there fold, that the. People might have Sacrifices ready on all Occafions. The Moneychangers were •there, that there might be no Hindrance in Buying of Sacrifices, for want of letter Coins. But none of thefe jExcufes were admitted then, for converting any Part of the Ttmfle to any other but a facred JJf e ,• and no Excufe can be admitted now for profaning an Infiru- ?>2tnt defign'd for God's Worfhip, and -more efpecially in the Time of Divine Service. Such things do too often bring Church Mufick into Contempt and Dif- efteem, until Men (f) abhor the Offerings of the Lord, and vilify the thing it felf for,the lake of the Perfor- mers. ' lis true indeed that the Abufe of a thing doth not take away the lawful Ufe of it ,• but the Genera- lity are not apt to diftinguifli between the one and the other : anc] when Organs are abus'd, the Nation is fen- • fible by woeful Experience, that there are not want- jug thofe, who would pull them down. There are many Men, who cry out againlt Church Mufick, be- cauie it is light, frothy, and wanton ,• and therefore if fuch is ftih the conftanf PradHce, in defiance of ajl Complaints, it gives a greater Strength to the Obje- <5lion ; we fharpen our Adverfaries Swords to wound our c;wn Sides, we furnifh them with a daily Supply — < TrprrZr (p) i Sam. ?.. 11/ of Chap. I l . The Great Abufe ofMufich 1 1 7 of Arrows to moot againft us. Our Organifts will deftroy our Mufick, and they whofe Maintenance is in fome meafure by it, do prove the greateftlnfirum, pf bringing it into Contempt. Why then mould we pccafionmore Complaints againft this Wantonnefs? Why mould we not confider, that the Houfe oiGod is not the Place for it, and the Time of Divine Service is not the Time for it ? (q) What Fellowfinp bath Rigb- teoufnefs with Unrigbieoufnefs ? and -what Communion hath Light with Darknefs ? And what Concord h at hCbrift with Belial ? or what part hath he that believeib with an Infidel ? And what' Agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols ? Or what Refemblance fiiould Church Mufick have with the Mufick of the Play-houfe ? If we offer to God that which is devoted to his Enemy, how can we imagine that he will accept of it ? Where did he ever require fuch things at our Hands ? And therefore tho' Infirm mental Mufick, and efpecially Organs ^ are lawful in the Worfhip of God ; yet the modern Ahufes are intole- rable. 1 ■■ (<0 i Cor 6. 14, 15,16. Chap. XL 'Divine Mufick is the left of all in its very Comf>ofition. } ayid capable of a much greater Improvement. AN D now let us confider, whether Divine %iu- fck is fo mean and fordid in it felf as it is re- prefented to be. I know, it is objected, that Divine frlu/ick i§ not fo airy and pleafant as our other, and efpe- 218 The Great Abufe of Mufick. Part II. efpecially our later Compofitions. To this it ay be «n- fwer'd, that what is wanting in the Notes is .ibundant- \y made up in the Words. However, I fliall only ipeak of the Notes themfelves. And here I muf. grant that the Air is different in Divine Mufick t but nothing inferiour to the other. The Air of Divine A 'yfict>\s contriv'd to charm the Soul into Sobriety and Gi yfty, and to fix her with Delight in Meditation upon che moft noble Obje&s. The other is defign'd to banifti all Thought and Scruple, and tranfpoit us with the Delights of this World. The one would transform us into Angels, the other into Brutes. The one is de- fign'd to improve our Faculties, the other to deftroy them. The one is defign'd to make us fericus, the po- ther to make us merry, or rather to make us mad. The one will exalt Ui up to Heaven, and the other may fink us down to Hell. So that if we prefer not Divine Mufick, the Fault is not in the Mufick it felf ; but in our vicious Inclinations, which corrupt the Tafi of the Soul, fo that like a Tick Palate it can relifh no- thing that is wholefontj or indeed favoury ; but longs for luch things which would deftroy its very Confti- tution 3 and certainly fuch a Temper ought to be cor- rected, and not to be indulg'd. The Excellency of Divine Mufick is fully confirmed to us, by the (a) judicious Dr. Blow, who not only tells US, that his Church Services and Divine Compofiti- ons, are upon Arguments incomparably better, but that the Employment of this Divine Science hath been al- ways chiefly defigndto enflame the pious and devout. To theft Compofitions (faith he) in Truth I have ever wore ef- pecially consecrated the Thoughts of my whole Life. All the refi I confider but as the Bloffoms, or rather the Leaves ; thofe I only efteem as the Fruits of all my Labours in this kind. With them I began my firfi youthful Raptures in this Art : (a) Amphion Anglicus, printed anno 1700. in tlje Dedication. With Chap. 1 1 . The Great Abufe ofMufick a 1 9 With them I hope calmly and comfortably to finiflj my J}ays< I may farther add, that the Pains which Dr. Blow and Mr. Parcel tpok in Church and J)iv'me Muftck, was that which improv'd their Skill to fo high a Degree, and niade them fo eminent in their Profeijion ^ v^high may be prov'd from the many Church Services, Hymns and Anthems compos'd by them. And as in all other Parts oiMufick they excelfd all others ; fo in this they have (hewn the greateft Skill of their Art, and even excell'd themfelves. I might add many Inftances to prove, that the belt Compofers are fuch who are moft us'd to Divine Muftck. If we look farther back A we may be convinc d by Dr. GMons, Dr. Child, and Dr. Rogers. If we keep our felves within the Compafs of our own Memory, the late Mr. Henry Purccl, tho' dead, is a famous and a living Inftance. Dr. Blow, and Mr. Hnry Hall, have not left their Equals behind them ,• and Mr. Jeremiah Clark's beft Comfofition is extant in the Harmoni* Sacra y but especially in the Supplement to the Second Part, and his greateft Blunders may be feen in the Monthly CoU lettions. The very meaneft of our 'Compofition in Church M&> fick is our Pfalm Tunes, which, however, needs not to berejeded, if we confider them as an Introduclionzo z Confort, and adapted to the Capacity of the meaneft Learner, and if they are fung in (b) true Time, ( which irideed is almoft loft, becaufe, at firft imperfe&ly un- derftood, and fince wholly negle&edj is not without a fuitable Variety. I grant chat the Country Farmers are not here taught (cj to fing Divifions and Semiqua- vers, as they are in out Monthly ColU'clions ; neither are (b) Some Pfabns were compos'd in Common Time for Common Oc» capons, others affefl a Triple Time for TJjankfgivings j and others a Jlower Meafure with Semibreves y interviix'd for Mournful Occafions, // 3 and by them only in their Church Mufick. And a^ the former of thefe fpeak largely of it, at the End of Play ford's Introdultion ; fo he refers the Reader to view the Score in Mr. Elway Benin s Collection of Ca- nons for the Improvement of his Judgment therein, in which there are the moll admirable Inftances of all Sorts. I do not fay, that it is always the beft Air ; but I am fure that it fhews the moft folid Judgment and fe- rious Thought. Dr. Blow and Mr. Purcel give us ma- ny Examples of it in their judicious fet Services for the Cathedrals ; and I believe that they never fet any with- out feme Inftances of this Nature. This is the Com- won Mufick to our Gloria Patri in all pur Compofitions % However, this is now wholly laid afide, nay, ridicul'd and expos'd. The Reafon is plain. Our Artifis do not love to take fo much Pains ,• and there is a Gravi- ty At the End of Playford 5 Introduction, (h) Mr. Henry Hall, in the Verfes printed, before the Amphion Anglicus. Chap. 1 2 . The Great Abufe of Mufich. iiy ty in it which they cannot endure. A common Catch (which is the meaneft of this kind) is the greateft Per- fection to be met with in our Monthly Collections, tho* in the Divine Companion, lately printed, there are (i) fourteen Canons judicioufly handled. But if we de- fire a more excellent Performance, we muft have Re- courfe to the antient, grave Services of our Church, where both Canons and Fuges of all Sorts, in three and four Parts^ are commonly intermix'd with Variety of o- ther Mufick. And therefore notwithstanding the Im- provements which this Age boafts of in their Songs, ic is very obfervable, that the greateft Skill in Compofition is only to be feen in that Mufick, which is divine. And I cannot but think, that our Canon it felf may be farther improv'd. (i) From Page 147, to Page 155, and in Page 161. Chap. XII. The meanefi of 'Divine Mufich exceeds nil other in its good Effefis^ and if rightly managd and im^rovd^ may he of excel- lent life to reform the Nation. HAD the Compofition of Divine Mufick been inferior to the other, yet it might have been thought, that no Chrifiian would have attempted for that Reafon to lay it afide, or introduce any other in its ftead, and that fuch a Defed would have been fupplied by the Confequences thereof : But fince the Performance is not fo mean as prejudiced Perfons are apt to imagine, it is the greater Wonder, that it is fo nefileded. Q z The aa8 The Great Abuje of Mufick Part II. The Reverend Dr. Sherlock having (a) proved the Force which Sounds, and efpecially Mufick, hath to work upon the Paffions, makes this Inference. Now, if there is a natural Sympathy between Sounds and PaJfions y there is no doubt, but true devotional Mufick will excite or heighten our devotional Paffions, as we daily fee and complain, that wanton and amorous Airs are apt to kindle •wanton Fires. For Nature will all like it felf, whether we apply it to good or bad Purposes. If there is no Force in Mufick to give a good or bad Tincture to the Mind, why do Men complain of wanton Songs ? If the Mufick doth no Hurt, they may blame the Poet, but neither the Compo- fer nor Singer. But if fuch Mufick doth hurt, we ought certainly to turn the Stream, and apply the Science to that which is Divine, which will have as great an Influence upon a devout Mind, to make it better, as the other hath upon a bad one, to make it worfe. The chief Defign of Divine Mufck being to praife that God, who by his Wifdom form'd the Tongue and Ear, and by his Goodnefs gives us frequent Occafions for this Duty • the EfTed thereof is commonly the rai- ling in the Soul fuch Affe&ions of Love, Joy, Reve- rence, and Admiration, which are the proper Pajflons of* Devotion. Its Delight doth naturally tranfport us into religious Raptures, when with our Souls we mag- nify ' tU Lord, and with our Spirits we rejoice in God our Saviour. The Harmony here below puts us in mind of that perpetual Confort, which is above, and makes us long to be Members of that Heavenly Choir. It enables us to pra&ife the Duty, which the Apoftle recommends, o£ fettwg our Affections on things above, and taking them off from the things which are here on the Earth. It ftrangely charms all our fenfual Paffions into a Calm, it quiets all their Storms and Tumults, it generally leaves no jarring Difcords, no folicitous Cares, no Dif- (a) Sen/ton on St. Cecilia *s Day. contents, Chap. 12. The Great Abufc of Mufick. iiy contents, no Jealoufies, no Envyings to difcompofe the Harmony of our Souls, which muft be all Love, all Peace, and all Joy to fing with a true Divine Melody the Prai/^ of Gfli. And as Religion may be term'd the tuneful Pofiure of the Soul, and its moft ferfetl Concord with God ; fo fuch Tunes and Concords will increafe and actuate our Devotion, tho' they cannot create it. If on the contrary we are willing to afFed our Souls with Sorrow and Anguijh, and bring them to Rcpin- tance at the Senfe of Sin, and the Thoughts of our own Unworthinefs, there are other Methods to exprefs the fame accordingly. As in Mufick there are two Keys, either flat or (harp ; fo we may compofe fuitable Hymns either for Prayer or Vraije, and a skilful^rf//? can make ufe of either Key for what Deilgn he pleafeth. He can raife the Pajfions, or make them calm, nay, raife con- trary Pajpons at different Times, and frequently in the fame Lejjon : So that no one but an Anifi can guefs of what wonderful Ufe Divine Mufick may be (if rightly ordered) in our Journy to Heaven. Befides, the good Ejfetls of Divine Mufick are evi- dent from many Places in the Country., where the In- habitants learn to fing Pfalms in Confort, tho' from a mean Artifi : And if it is thus with Pfalms, the meaneft Part of Divine Mufick, what might we expeft from finer Compofures^ taught by fuch, who are better skill'd in fo noble a Science ? Common Experience tells us, that fuch a Singing of Pfalms in many Country Places hath wonderfully in- creafed the Congregations. Many come thither on thefe Occafions, who never came before, but liv'd like Heathens, without God in the World, and were in- deed afham'd to come. Thefe Men have afterward had a true Senfe of Religion, and been ufeful to per- ^fwade others into the fame Methods, according to [the Saying of that excellent Poet, (£) ft) Herbert in his Divine Poems. Q? A a 30 The Great Abuje of Mufich Part II. A Verfe may catch him who a Sermon flies 3 And turn Delight into a Sacrifice. The Minifter by this means converfing with them, hath alfo taught them how to behave themfelves de- cently and in order, whilft they are in the-Houfe of God 9 and keep up that Uniformity, which uurC/wr^.requires, and is fo commendable in it felf. Thus they are taught the Refionfes, they become better acquainted with the Difcipline of our Church, and more firmly fix'd in her Communion. The Reading afterwards each other Verfe in the Pfalms improves their own Skill, and makes them more willing and defirous to give their Children and Families a better Education. This hath oftentimes produc'd a Harmony of Affe&ion as well as Voices be- tween the Minifter and Parijhioners ; and infomePla,- ces hath occafion'd a greater Reformation of Manners^ than could other wife have been expe&ed. From fuch pous Ejaculations as are in the Pfalms being often re- peated and fung, do proceed fuitable AffeBions. Hence it is common for fuch Societies to make Ordinances of their own againft Swearing, Curfing, Drunkennefs 9 Quarrelling, and the like Vices. To thefe they pay more Regard than to the Statutes of the Land, and more certainly inflid the Penalties of their own ma- king, than thofe of the Law. By this means a pro* fane Offender is convinced of all, and is judg'd of all, and quickly either afham'd of his Company, or a- fham'd of his Vices. £y this means they are more eafily form'd into Religious Societies for the Edification of each other. By this means they who never perform'd any Duty on the Lord's Day except the publick, have brought into their Families the private Exercifes of Devotion, and they who formerly worfliip'd God at home, have added this Duty of Singing his Praifes 3 which before was omitted. And by this means fuch ^rho before {pent the Lord's Day idly, or in Taverns and Ah- Chap. 1 1 . The Great Abufe ofMufick. 1 3 I Ale-houfes, have pioufly join'd together in the Church after Evening Service, and fpent a confiderable Part of the Day in fo heavenly an Exercife. Befides, when they fing Glory to God on high, it (c) ufually produces on Earth Peace and Good-ivill among Men. The Concord and Harmony of Voices infiifeth a ftrange Concord and Harmony into Mens Minds, and makes them forget all former Jars and Enmities. They who join together with one Voice, are ufually of om Heart and of one Soul. By an Union in this Duty they have endeavour'd to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace and Righteoufnefs of Life. And fince it is thus, who can tell what bleffed Effecb the promoting of fuch an Exercife might have at this rime among us ? For the particular Proof of this, I fhall cice at large the Words of an ingenious Author^ in an (d) excellent Traft lately printed on this Subject. cc Ifyou ask, hofe K pteans a general reviving of Piety, and a folemn Obfer~ f f vance of the publick Ordinances of God, hath been pro- s' ducd among us. So that a great number of poor Children ** are now kept at School by their Charity, who are carefully f5 catechi^d} and many pious Books given to Children and " '5 other'** Chap. 1 2. The Great Alufe ofMufich 233 44 others. And t0 f ^ e J°) of all pious Souls, our Shepherds, 44 Plowmen, and other Labourers at their Work, perfume 44 the Air with the melodious Singing of P [alms. i " 'Twas by the fame pious Artifice that the Divine 44 Herbert rais'd his honeft Farmers to thofe elevated M Degrees of Piety, forjwhich the Memory both of' " himfelf and his Parifhioners will be for ever fweet. 44 It is commonly known* that at the Ringing of a * 4 Bell they would leave their Ploughs, and come to 44 Church. Perhaps this other Truth is not fo well 44 known, That thofe who could not come without 14 extraordinary Inconveniency, would take the fame u Signal of the Bell, to fing in the Field a Pfalm or !* Hymn to their Creator and Redeemer. 4C The fame Proofs Qf its Efficacy are ftill found, 44 where 'tis decently and frequently pra&is'd, ac- u cording to the juft Remark of the forecited Do&or, 44 That every one may obferve, that in Churches where 4C Pfalms are befi and oftenefi fung, thofe Churches are aU 44 ways befi filPd. To thefe ample Teftimonies I fhall crave leave to add part of a Letter, which I formerly received from an Ingenious and a Religious Clergy-man on this Subject. " Befides, the Goodnefs of Divine Mufick in its 14 own Nature, as being a Duty, and the Delightful- 44 nefs of it to all good Men, I have many other " Reafons to induce me to promote and encourage it 44 as much as poffible : The chief of which take as' 44 follow. 4fc Firft, It is a Means to bring all young People 46 to the Church, who are either engag'd in it 14 themfelves, or delight to hear it, whereby they 44 have an Opportunity of hearing Sermons, which 44 many times have a good EfFed upon their Lives. This I have found by my own Experience, having t4 feldom a Congregation lefs thaniixty, when my 44 Predeceffor feldom had more than fix. fC Second- 334 The Great Abufe of Mufich Part II. " Secondly, It gives me an Opportunity of taking cc better Notice of the Lives and Manners of the cc younger People, by being more* frequently con- €C verfant with them (which in Country Piaces is a cc difficult Matter, they being for the moft part fofar he who did but touch any of the holy or confecrated things, ought to be holy ; and much more mould they be fo, who are every Week converfant therein. This, in general, is the Way to give no Offence, either to the Jew^ or to the Gentile, or to the Church of God. But befide, a Senfe of Religion in general, there are fome Particu- lars, which fuqh a Man mould be more efpecially af- feded with. He ought to confider the Nature 01 that God whom we ferve, that he is infinitely great and glorious ; that he is jealous of his Honour, a Rewar- der of thofe who ferve him aright, and a Puniflier of fuch who bring his Ordinances into Contempt ; and therefore what we do in his Service, mould be per- form'd with Reverence, and with godly Fear. An Artift (hould not approach this Inftrument only to divert his Hearers ; but like a Creature, who is over-aw'd with the Majefty of his Creator, and who thinks that God as well -as Man, takes Notice of that which is there per~ form'd. Chap. 1 3. The Great Abufe of Mufick 23 7 form'd. This Notion will check the Fancy, and keep it in due Bounds, that it rove not after the Vanities of this World, but be more intent upon the heavenly HaU lelujabs^ in the World to come. Such a Man mould alfo confider, that the Church, where he is, is the Houfe of God, the Place of his more immediate Prefence. It is not a Place for Diver fion but Devotion, where every thing muft be fuited accordingly. Such a Man fliould alfo confider, that the Mufick in the Church is a Part of Divine Service. Our Voices and Infiruments muft all be devoted to the Honour, the Praife and Glory oiGod, and that which is otherwife is not fit to be there. In a private Mufick Meeting, the Defign is to make the People merry with the Performance ; but in the Time of Divine Service, the Defign muft be to make them fe- rious and devout : And it argues a great Want of Judg- ment, as well as a great Want of Beligion, when he who fets up for an Art i ft- cannot diftinguifh between the one and the other, and fuit his Mufick accordingly. Secondly, It will be neceffary in Church Mufick, to have nothing in Voluntaries but what is grave and feri- ous. The Afoftle gives us this (a) general Dire&ion for the Church, Let all things be done decently, and in Or- der. I would not be thought to exclude any of that graceful Variety, which may conduce to fuch an End, but only to take Care that this is the main Defign. There is no Variety in an Organ but what may be very graceful. There is nothing in the Rules of Compofition, but what may be here admitted. The Ufe oiDifiords, the Elegancies of Figurate Defiant, the feveral Kinds of Fuges, or the Lengthening them even to Canon, may as well Readmitted here, as in any other Mufick, Nay, the fwifteft Notes that can be thought of may be admitted with Judgment and Difcretion, as well as in an Anthem. But dill Refpecfc muft be had to the Time and Place, and the Mufick frarn d from fuch Materials, ought to {a) 1 Cor. 14. 40. be 238 The Great Alufe of Mufick Part II. be fuch as is fit for the Houfe of God. There is as great a Difference in Mufick^ between that which is ferious and that which is dull, and alfo between that which is fober and that which is heavy, as there is in any thing elfe. An Artift needs not to fhew himfelf melancho- ly, and he hath as little Reafon to fhew himfelf mad. That Apparel may be decent, which is neither gaudy nor fordid. A Building may be well adorn'd, tho' it is not daub'd with Ale-houfe Colours ,• and a Workman may fhew the Finenefs of his Art, tho' it is not laid o- Ver with Gold and Silver. Our Church Performances ihould keep between the two Extremes. It is very ftrange, in fome Places after Sermon, to hear the Or- gans play when the Congregation is difmifs'd, as if they play'd them out of a Tavern , or out of an Ale- houfe , or rather out of a Play-houfe. This can be look'd upon only as the Tare j, which choak the good Seed, and render it unfruitful. Now our Saviour tells US, that the Enemy, which jhved them, is the Devil • and certainly it is no Honour for any Man to be employ'd inhisBu- finefs. Ifan Organlfi begins grave, he fhould continue fo ; but when he alters his Air, in a Minute's Time, it is a Sign that the firft was forc'd, and the other was his natural Inclination. Our Sonatas are reckond the greateft Perfedion of Inftrumental Mufick, wherein the Compofer ufeth all the Skill which Art and Fancy can in- vent, toaffe&the Paffions ; firft to make the Hearers fe- rious, and then to alter them into another Temper. Now if we would imitate the ferious Part, there are Patterns enough composed by the heft Mafters, as fine as the other. But when there is fuch a Variety of Choice, it is very ftrange, that in the Church we fhould afFed that Part of Mufick which is moft unfit to be ad- mitted there. Befides, there is a greater Neceflity to obferve this in a Parijh Church. The only Focal Mufick generally admitted there is Pfalms y which is the plain- eft and floweft Part of any. Now where there is a great Variety of Set Services and Anthems, fome fwift Notes Chap. 1 3 . The Great Abufe ofMufitk. 239 Notes may be admitted, that the Mufick may be all of a Piece ,• but where there are only Pfalms fung, the Vo- luntaries ought to be more f lain, grave and flow, and in aliRefpe&s agreeable to the firft Rudiments of Comfo- fition, that fo there may be an Uniformity. Thirdly, It will be neceffary in Parochial Church Mu- ficky to play the firft Pfalm Tune for a Dire&ion to the Congregation, as plain as poffible, that the meaneft Ca- pacity may know what the Tune is. The Notes of a Tune, at the firft naming of a Pfalm, are often plaid with that Variety and Divifion, that none in a commoa Congregation can tell what is meant ; but he who plays fiiall be a Barbarian to others, and they that fing fhall be Barbarians to him. In this Cafe, one in the Congrega- tion guefles it to be one Tune, and another guefles it to be another. Thus there are many Tunes fung at once, as the People know , and the Organ, which was defign d to be an Help, is only an Infirume nt to put all into Confufion ; and at iaft tofpoilthe Singing. Such Congregations do not confift of Anifis, and therefore it will be more Credit for him who toucheth the Instru- ment, to condefcend to their Capacities, by the plain- eft Notes imaginable, than to fhew his Skill beyond their Apprehenfion, and fo create a Diftraclion in the Service oiGod. The Defign in the Church is not to a- mufe but to inform. A Minifier might preach a Latin Sermon from the Pulpit, but what would that fignify ? Or he might preach in Englijh, in fuch a lofty Style, that few could underftand him ; but certainly it is his greateft Excellency to condefcend to the Capacity of all $ and he who doth this may be fuppos'd able to do o- therwife, if it was convenient. He who is to direct all ought certainly to be underftood by all, or elfe he doth not anfwer that Defign. St. Paul gives his Opi- nion, (b) How is it then, Brethren, when ye come together, every one of you hath a Pfalm, hath a Dotlrine, hath a (b) 1 Cor. 14. 16* Tongue, 40 The Great Ahufe ofMufick Part II. Tongue, hath a Revelation^ hath an Interpretation ? Let all things be done to edifying. Here all things muft be done to edifying, and particularly Pfalms; and if fo, then certainly the Direction which fhews what Tune to take, muft ferve for the fame End. Befides, he is (c) more large on this Subjed, and his Words, with very little Alteration, may be apply ed on this Occafion. What is it then ? I will fray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the Understanding alfo *, I will fing with the Spirit 3 and I will fing with the Understanding alfo. Elfe when thou [halt llefs with the Spirit, or play upon a Mufical Inftrument, bow jhall he that occupieth the Room of the unlearned fay > Amen, or join with thee, feeing he underfiandeth not what thou doft ? For thou verily givefi Thanks well, or toucheft the Organ well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, ("Faith the Apoftle) I fpeak with Tongues more than you all-, yet in the Church I had rather fpeak five Words to be underftood, that with my Voice I might teach others al[o, than ten thoufand Words in an unknown Tongue. If therefore the whole Church come together into one Place, and all fpeak with different Tongues, if moft of the Congrega- tion have different Tunes, being confounded by the Or* gan, and there come in one that is unlearn* d, or a Diflen- ter, will he not fay that ye are mad ? But if all keep with the Organ, and know thereby exa&ly what Tune to fing, and what Pitch to take, and there come in a Dif- fenter, or one unlearn d, he is convinced of all, he is judg- ed of all. He looks on our Harmony as a Refemblance of 'Heaven; his Prejudice againft an Organ is removed by Experience, and thus are the Secrets of his Heart made manifeft ; then he will worfllip God in fuch a Manner, and declare that Gvd u of a truth in fuch a Congregation: And as the Prelude to the Singing ought to be for Edi- fication,- fo likewife ought the Mufick to be when join'd with the Voices ; for which Reafon I cannot but re- commend thefe two Particulars. (c) Verfe 1$. Firfi, Chap. 13. The Great Abufe ofMufich. i\\ Firft, That in the Interludes between the Lines, Care fhould be taken., that the Congregatim fhould be fenfi- ble when to begin, and when to leave off. For this Reafon, it is neceffary, that an interlude not only be- gins with fwifter Notes after the End of a Line, but that there is a Preparation made for the firft Note of the next Line as for a Clofe, and prick'd Interludes for this Pur- pofe. This will prepare them fo as to begin and end together; otherwife, they being ignorant of measuring the Time by Beating, and the extempore Organift being not always equal in the Length of his Interludes, there muft be an Uncertainty when to begin. Then one begins before the other, and fo one confounds the other. Secondly, That the Notes, which are play'd when the Co?igregation fings, are the fame with their Singing, as far as the Nature of the Tune will permit, without any Graces or Flourifljes, except what Nature teacheth them all to ufe. When the Notes are play'd with the utmoft Plainnefs, every Movement of the Finger, efpe- cially in the Bafs, dire&s the Congregation to move on to the next Syllable, and fo they keep Time with each other. But when the Organift takes his own Fancy, this Defign is loft, and the Qufick Notes only fhew that he hath fome Notion of the four firft Pages in Mr. God- frey Kellers Method for a thorough Bafs, whilft the Inter- ludes and Voluntaries are a plain Difcovery that the reft of the Book is beyond his Underftanding. Let us fup- pofe a Company of Pfalm- fingers were met together to fing according to Art, and there came amongft 'em a Man whofe Voice was a loud deep Bafs, as loud and as deep as the Organ, and he fhould fing as the Organift plays, his Voice would certainly put the reft into the utmoft Diforder. And can we then imagine, that thofe Notes, which in this Cafe would breed Confu- fion, can in the other be of any Advantage ? When an Artift runs D'wifions on fuch an Occafion, with ei- ther Hand, or rifes a Note in order to a better Grace, R the a 4.2 The Great Abufe of Mufich. Part II. the Congregation keep their own Way, and can never be led into thefe things. Then, tho'the Organifi plays fine, yet he plays Difcords to the Voices, and one con- founds the other. The Singers miftruft that they are out of Tune, and not the Organ ; this difcourages them in the Worfhip of God, and they who fung before the Organ was erected, then lay it afide. If they hearken to the Organ, the Organ puts them out of their own Way, and fo fpoils them ; and if they do not heark- en, it is as good that there was no Organ at all. If the Artifi plays for fuch to fing, who have arriv'd to the greateft Perfection of Art, then it is abfolutely necefla- ry to (hew his Art, and perform his Part in Unifon with the reft : But if he performs before fuch who fing in a plain and common Manner, his Performance muft be of the fame Nature, that fo there may be an Uniformity in the Mufick, and an exacl: Harmony between the Voices and the Infirmnent. Such a Method as this, tho' lefs fine in it felf, will be more for the Credit of the Artifi. He who hears the Organ will readily take his Part : And tho' there is this Addition to the Voices ; yet it will prevent all Confufion, when we come to ferve the God of Order, Fourthly, It would be very convenient in Parochial Churches, that the Organifi did not play fo loud whiift the Congregation is finging. • The full Organ is general- ly too loud for a Congregation, and drowns the Voices that they are not heard. This Method feems to be pro- moted by the Makers, who think that the Stops which roar moft will be lik'd beft ; and that by this Means the Organs will be larger, and the Price muft be greater than it they confifted offofter 'Mufick. But with Sub- mijfion to the Maker's Interefi, which muft be upper- moft, it is the Opinion of all Judges of Mufick, that the foftefi is the beft; and I am fure, in the Cafe I mention, it will be the greateft Help to the Singing. Art was only intended to help Nature, and riot to o- verbear it. And Instruments were delign'd to direct our Voices, Chap. 1 3 . The Great Abiife ofMujick. 1 4 3 Voices, not to drown them. The People learn by hear- ing others, and taking their Pitch from others, whilft the not hearing the Voices, is a Detriment to the Sing- ing. The Inftrument as now manag'd is neither a Guide it felf, but an Hinderance tor the Voices, which would guide the reft. And therefore I doubt not but iftheFafliion could once be alter'd, the fofter Mu- fick wbuld be more profitable in it felf, and more plea- fing to all. Fifthly, It would be very convenient for the Orga- nifts of Cathedrals , but efpecially of Parochial Churches, to ufe fuch P'oluntaries and Interludes as have been for- merly compos'd, either by themfelves, or by fome emi- nent Matters, and avoid all extempore Fancies, or ra- ther Maggots of their own. Then they might produce the Score of what was perform'd for their Vindication, which fhewn to an Artifi, would Hop the Mouth of a- ny Gainfayer. David refus'd to offer a Sacrifice to God of that which did coft him nothing. Our Church gives not the leaft Encouragement to her own Clergy, to preach or pray extempore, but hath taken all due Care to pre- vent it, and I know not how our Organifts fhould af- fume to themfelves a greater Liberty. In fuch Cafes it is impoffible that the Mufick can be true or fine ; and tho' the Addition of the middle Concords may, in fome Meafure, drown the Difallowances in the other Parts ; yet there is nothing which can excufe the Mufi- cian, except the Ignorance of the Hearers, which*hepre- fumes upon, and therefore takes the greater Liberty at Church, that he may have more Time to be idle in other Places. To compofe a Tune finely, requires great Premeditation and ferious Thought. There are fo many things to be minded at once, that it is impoffible it fhould be done extempore ; and I be- lieve there is hardly any Matter who does not find Occafion to corred his firft Scores, before he ventures them abroad into the World. He who is an Artifl may compofe fuch Things for his own Ufe, according as R 2 his 044, The Great Ahufe ofMu/ich. Part IT. his Fancy or Judgment fhall direct him, and may very much improve his Knowledge thereby ; and he who cannot compofe may well be contented with fuch as are done to his Hand. I wonder how any one can perform that in the Church which would greatly ex- pofe his Judgment and Skill if it was feen in Score. It is much more ilrange to me, that in many Parochial Churches, fuch Organifts as know not one Tittle of Com- pofition, and never made a Tune in their Lives, fhall play extempore Voluntaries. I think a Man may as well expeift. to hear another read who can't fpell, or to hear him fpell who does not know his Letters. Indeed ma- ny Times there is not a wanton Air, becaufe there is no Air at all. But yet the very Air is not always excu- fable. There are very often fuch Scraps of Jigs and Country Dances, according to what the Organijt hath been acquainted with the Week before, as is a Trofa- naitcn of the Churchy and may in Time bring the Ser- vice into Contempt. There ought to be no military Tat- toos, no light and galliar dicing Notes, and nothing to raife a diforder'd Thought, or a wanton Fancy. Mu- fick is of excellent Ufe in Holy Offices, but it ought to be well regulated, orotherwife it maybe prejudicial, and the beft Way to regulate it, is to play nothingbut what hath been known and approv'd by able Judg- ments. Sixthly, It is Pity, that fuch Organifis do. not at all Times confine themfelves to Divine, or at leaft, to grave and folid Mufuk. When they teach to fing pro- fane Songs on the Vfeek Days, play upon other Infiru- ments at a Dancing- School, or practice fuch Leffons at home for their Diverfion, the Brain is full of thofe Fan- cies when they ccme to Church, and then it is no won- der if the Congregation partakes of them. The Air of Divine and other Mujick is very different, nay contra- ry 3 infomuch that the one doth naturally expel the o- ther. He therefore who would be eminent in the for- mer ought to avoid the latter; So that the Organifi ought Chap. 1 3. The Great Alufe of Mufick. 24.5 ought to choofe which of thefe t>vo he will flick to, and ad accordingly ,• and if every one did thus, our Church Mufick would be much improv'd, and liable to fewer Objections. As to the Printers and Publifijers of }• To tJje Songs, it is convenient, or rather necef- £"/"•«,!,■ °^ fary, that the Prefs fhould be regulated, song" and it would be more honourable ifthey did it themfelves. There is at prefent a trepJe Combi- nation in Iniquity between Poet, Mufician and Printer ; and if either of thefe Societies were regulated, the Mif- chief "might be in a great Meafure prevented. I hear- tily wi(h the Collection of profane Mufick was laid afide, and a Monthly Collection of Divine Hymnswas introduc d inftead thereof. I believe there would be no Diffi- culty in procuring fuch Mufick, or in felling it. The Skill in this Science is not wholly confined to a de- bauch'd Party, and there are many eminent Matters, vvhofe Names are not in our Monthly Colleclions, and yet would gladly exert their Skill on fuch an Occa- sion. No doubt but God hath ftill referved to himfelf fome Artifts, like the fieven thou find in Ifrael, vvhofe Knees had not bowed to Baal, and wbofe Mouths had not kijjed him ; and fuch would gladly contribute their Skill to recover the Credit of their own Profeffion. In the mean time, it would be more creditable for fuch to employ fuch faithful C01 rectors of our Mufick, as would not kt any thing profane or obfeene appear in the World. There are enough in London, \\ ho would willingly undertake this Oriice for the publick Good. And therefore if thefe Pub lifters of Son^s care not to promote zhQ Glory of God, let them at le aft ftand neuter, and not efpoufe the Intersil of the As to the Compofers of Church Mufick, It will be very commendable in them S mpbf who • • t n n. t. 11 fax. Pfalms. or ir is requifite, firlt, that they take a J w f tb 0rgan ' s in due Care of their own Performances, Confort. that they do it aright. That fome do not begin or end before the reft, or ufe fuch Notes, which may diftrad: others, but take the beft Method wbichthey caa, efpecially at firft, until they are more acquainted with the Nature of a Confort, that fo all things may be done with that Decency and Order, with fuch Concord and Harmony as ought to be. But as this Direction fervesonly to regulate the Voice, I fhall leave it a 5 2 The Great Alufe of Mufeck PartIL it to others, and proceed to fuch, which will be more proper to regulate the Heart, and make us behave our felves, not only as Artifis, but more efpecially as Chri- fiians : And therefore, Secondly , We fhould be all ferious in the Worfhip of God, and affect that Mufich, which is grave and fo- lemn. We ought all to confider, that we have to do with a God, that knows the fecret Thoughts and In- tents of the Heart, and will call us to an account for the fame. Let us remember that we are at fuch a time in the immediate Prefence of our Maker, arid imploy'd in that Work, which is the Delight of the Saints and Angels in the Kingdom of Heaven. If we came to Church , as into the Prefence of the King of Kings and Lord if Lords, it would banifh from our Minds all thofe Pleafures, which are light and frothy, and foreign to our prefent Purpofe, and caufe us only to delight in thofe, which will be Helps to us in our Journey to Heaven. Thirdly, When we are engag'd with the Congrega- tion infinging of a Pfalm, wt ought to mind the Words, and the Defign of the Pfalmifi more than the Harmony of the Sounds, (f) Wemuft fing to the Praife and Glo- ry oiGod, and ought to be as devout herein, as in Pray- er, or any other Duty. Our Souls mould be kindled with an holy Flame, and the Sound of our Mouths fhould manifeft how intent our Hearts are in admiring and adoring that God, who is fo gracioufly pleas'd to intermix our Delights in the midft of our Duties, and who will accept of the Divine Breathings from a joyful and a comforted, as well as the Confejjions from a poor and contrite Spirit. St. Paul propofeth his Refbiutions for our Example, (g) I will fing with the Spirit, and I will fing with the Understanding alfo. He would endea- vour that his Heart fhould be duly affe&ed with what he was about, and ftir up fuitable Affections according (f) The Pra&ice of Piety, Page 215. (g) 1 Cor. 14. 14, 15. to Chap. 1 3. The Great Abufe ofMufich 253 to the different Duties of Prayer and Praife ; and he would alfo endeavour to underftand the Meaning of the Words, that they might be ferviceablefor this End and Purpofe. This is the Way to be accepted in the fight of Qod; fince, as the Poet obferves, (h) 'Tis not the Voice but Vow, Sound Hearty not founding String j True Zeal, not outward Shew , That in God's Ear doth ring, I ftiall therefore only add (i) the Words of an excel- lent and ingenious Author on this Subjed. Let us all endeavour to mind the Senfe of every Song more than tht Sound of the Words, and not lofe our fpiritual Joys in the Allurements of audible Pleafure, which is abus'd, when it doth not ferve to lift up the Soul more affectionately to God. Fourthly, We mould ufe Inftrumental Mufick as a Help only for Devotion, which it naturally is. The Notes themfelves are things indifferent. But as when inftru- mental Mufick join'd with ill Words, will raife illPaf- fions in the Soul ; fo when it is join'd with Words which are grave and ferious, and properly fuited to them, it will ftir up agreeable Affe&ions. If we thus ufe an Inftrument, we fhall quickly find by Experience, that the Harmony of natural and artificial Sounds do not neceffarily withdraw the Mind from attending upon God, but rather more clofely unite us to him. (k) Let us confider that in Divine Service there is no Harmony , unlefs the Heart do accompany every Part of the Per- formance ; and if that Infirument be net us'd, or out of Tune, Men fing to themfelves, and not to God. This was the Care of the Pfalmifi in every Place where he (b) Non vox, fed votum, non Mufica chordula, fed cor j Non damans, fed amans, pLallit in aure Dei. (i) In^eloYitentivoUo and Urania, Book 4. Page 149. (k) Ibid. fpeaks 254 The Great Ahufc of Mufich. Part II. fpeaks of Inftrumental Mufich When it is join'd with pious Words, and ftirs up fuitable Affeftions in the Heart, then it is very much commended by him. (I) It is (faith he) a good thing to give Thanks unto the Lord, and to fmg Praifes unto thy Name, O moft highefl. To tell of thy loving Kindnefs early in the Morning, and thy Faithfulnefs in the Night Seafon. Upon an Infirument of ten Strings, and upon the Lute y upon a loud Infirument, and upcn the Harp. For thou, Lord, haft made me glad through thy Works, and I will rejoice in giving Praife for the Operation of thy Hands. Accordingly he (m) gives us with Admiration the Examples of others. He (n) exhorts others to do the like. He (o) commands us to do it. He (p) profeffeth his own Refolution, and (q) ftirs up himfelf to the Pra&ice hereof. My Heart (faith he) is ftxd, O God, my Heart js fixd, I will fmg and give praife. Awake up, my Glory, awake, Lute and Harp, I my felf will awake right early, I will give Thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the Heathen, and I ovillfing unto thee among the Nations. Had our Voices and Inftruments been always us'd in this manner, they had been the unexceptionable Delight of the World. This would be a holy and a heavenly Mirth both in publick and in private, fingly or in Confort, with Inftruments or without them. I could freely enlarge upon this Subjed, butfhall content my felf with tranferibing the Words of (r) an Hymn made upon the fame. (1) Pfal. 92. 1, 2, 3. (m) Pfal. 68. 24, 25. (n) Pfa!. 68. 26. Pfal. 33. 1, 2,3. Pfal. 81. 1, 2, ;, 4. (0) PiaJ. 98. 4, 5, 6. Pfal. 147. 7- Pfal- 149. *> K 3- Pfal. U©. 3, 4, 5, '6. (p) Pfal. 43.4. Pfal. 71. 22,23. Pfal. 144. o. (q) Pfalm57. 7,8, 9,10, 11. and Pfalm 108. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. (r) The Words by Dr. Ingelo, 272 his Bentivolio and Urania, Book 4. Pjge 150. They are alfo printed in PlayfordV Book of Pfalms/o) four Parts in Folio. The Words are alfofet to eafy and pleafant Muiick in three Parts , by Mr. John Jenkins. Chap. 1 3 . The Great Abufe of Mufick 355 I. We fing to him whofe Wijdomforrnd the Ear ; Our Songs do thou, who gavfi us Voices , hear ; We joy in God, who is the Spring of Mirth, Wboje Love's the Harmony of Heav'n and Earth. Our humble Sonnets jhall that Praife rehearfe, Which is the Mufick of the Univerfe* Chorus. And wbilfi we fing, we confecrate our Art, And offer up with ervry Tongue an Heart. II. Thus wbilfi our Thoughts grow audible in Words. And Body with the ravijh'd Soul accords. We hollow Pleafure, and redeem the Voice From Vulgar Ufes, to ferve nobler Joys. Wbilfi hollow Wood and wdl tun d Strings do give Praifes, the dead and dumb bothfpeak and live. Chorus. And wbilfi we fing, we confecrate our Art, And offer up with ev*ry Tongue a Heart. III. Through cheerful Air with quicker Wings we fly, And make our Labour fweet with Melody. Thus do we imitate the heavnly Quires, And with high Notes lift up more rail fd Defires. And that above we may be Jure to know Our Parts, we often pratlice here below. Chorus. And wbilfi we fing, we confecrate our Art, And offer up withevry Tongue an Heart. Fifthly, We fliould avoid all Mufick which is profane, that we may be the more affe&ed with that which is divine. The filthy and blafphemous Songs, with which the Nation fo much fwarms, do ftrangely leffen the Zeal 1 56 The Great Alufe ofMufick Part II. Zeal for devout Mufick. What our Blejfed Saviour ob- ferves is hardly more true in any other Cafe than it is in this, (s) No Man can ferve two MaferSy for either he will hate the one and love the other y- or elfe he will hold to the one and defpife the other. Ye cannot ferve God and Mammon. But as I have already infilled upon this among the ill Conferences which attend the learningoi our Songs y I fhall proceed to the laft Advice, viz,. That th& Mufick which is on Earth ftiould put us in mind of the Choir of Saints and Angels in the Kingdom of Heaven. When St. John (t) faw the Vifion of that happy Place, the Multitude had the Harps of God in their Hands : And they fang the Song of Mofes the Servant of Gody and of the Lamby fayingy Great and marvellous are thy Works y Lord God Almighty • jufi and true are thy Ways 3 O King of Saints. This is certainly the moft delightful Part of all the Service of God t and will therefore more fitly raife our Thoughts to meditate on that Place, where they are continually imploy'd therein, where they reft not Day nor Night from finging y Glory to God on high ; and where they have Fulnefs of Joy y and Plea- furesfor ever more. A Mufical Performance of Voices in Confort doth ftrangely unite the Hearts of the Singers in the Bonds of Love and AffeBion. Whilft this lafts in fiich a Society on Earth, it may be feen, that (u) God %s among them of a truthy and they are the neareft Re- prefentation of the Confort in Heaven, of which it is truly faid, All that we know they do above , Isy that they fingy and that they love. Nay, I may venture to add, that perhaps there is not a greater Refemblance of God, as he is a fpiritual (s) Mittli. 6. 24, (0 Rev. 15. 3. (u) P;al. 135. 1 Cor. Sub- Ch*p. 1 3. The Great Abufe ofMufich 257 Sub fiance, and enters into the very Heart and Soul, fil- ling it with Delight and Satisfa&ion, than Mufok is ; nor any thing that will give us a clearer Idea of a Tri- nity in l/kity, than the three Concords join'd together in one Sound, as it moft ufually happens in a Confort of four Farts, which is always reckon'd as the mod corn- pleat and perfeA of all. It is worth our Obfervation, that when any Words are repeated, or fome particular Muftcal Notes, they are ufually mention'd three times, and Cnch Repetitions, nay, the very Fuges in three Parts feem moQ" natural and harmonious, as if all did direct us of courfe whither to raife our Thoughts, and where to place our Affections. The three Concords united are fo pleafant, that did not God by his Providence order our Senfes to be delighted with Variety, that the fame Sound cannot always divert us, wc might have been apt to imbibe the Error of fome Heathens, and think, that the Godhead was nothing but Harmony it felf. But then, if a Confort on Earth is fo delightful, what Joys muft there be in Heaven, where there is the moft per- fect Satisfaction that we can enjoy, and our Natures fhall be fo alter'd, as not to defire Variety. And if the Difcords in Mufok fet off the following Concords^ how mufl the Troubles and Calamities of this prefenc World, and even Sicknefs and Death it felf, caufe us the bettento relifh thofe Ctleftial [Hallelujah ! (x) Theft light j4ff,iBions, like thofe jarring Sounds, which are but for a moment^ do work for us a far more exceeding and Incomprebenfible Weight of Glory. As for fuch who join themfelves in Societies for the learning to fog Pfalms, . ^? T ° '£ £"™- Hymns, and Anthems • it is very necef- janes/ fary for them to be extreamly careful of their own Refutations-. That they give no occafion to the Adverfary to fpeak reproachfully. I: is neceu ix) 2 Cor. 4. 17. S fary 258 The Great Abufe ofMufich Part II. fary that they fhould depart in due time to their own Houfes, and endeavour to fet others a good Example ; and that in Singing they make the Glory of Go d, and promoting of Religion , the chief of their Defigns. It is neceflary that they make Orders among themfelves to prevent Swearing, Cur fang, Drunkennefs, Quarreling y and all fuch Irregularities ; and when, fuch Orders are made, to take care that they are ftri&ly executed. It would alfo add much to their Credit among all good Men, if they agreed together (y) to promote a gene- ral Reformation of Manners, and endeavour'd to fup- prefs the Growth of Vice and Profanenefs ; and alfo if they form'd themfelves into Religious Societies, accor- ding to the Direction of an excellent (z,) Treatife on that Subject. By this means they might intermix many other pious Exercifes together with their Pfalm Singing, they might improve and edify each other in the Knowledge of the Chriftian Religion ; they might lay themfelves under the more folemn Obligations to the Practice, thereof ; they might be ufeful in their Generations for the publick Good, Ornaments to the Church of God on Earth, and this very Exercife might be a Means of promoting their Happinefs in the King- dom of Heaven. In order to thefeEnds, it is necef- fary, that they mould abftain from all Vocal Mufick, when the Words are not divine. There can be no Want or Occafion for it. We have Vfalms, Hymns, and Anthws^ which are very eafy and very common; and when other things are admitted, the Confequence generally is, a leffening the Refped:, which they bear tp better Mufick, and a DifTolution of fuch Societies. Thefe are Baits laid to enfnare fuch Perfons. Our Mailers are very officious to compofe to fuch S Herbert'j Po«ms for Sunday, Page 66. § $• S 3 th#nv 2 6 2 - The Great Abuje of Mufick. Part II. them of the Guilty fo that they (hall not be Partakers of other Mens Sins, but keep themfelves pure. I fancy, that this Method would foon dafh this Vice out of countenance in a young Lady, and caufe her to do fo no more. A feafonable Caution to the Parents would be the greateft Ad of Ktndnefs that we could (hew them, and they who have any Senfe of Religion, or Defire for their Cbildrens Welfare, could not but take it fo. If then the Devil and his Agents are fo bufy to promote Vice, Profanenefs, and Debauchery in the World, why fhould not we take all feafonable Opportunities to prevent it ? Why mould we not counterplot their Defigns. If the Poifon is conceal'd, why fhould not we difcover it. And fince Satan hath fo many Devices to ruin Souls., why fhould not we beware, left by fuch Infinuations as thefe, and by our own Silence he fhould gain an Advantage over them ? As for fuch who hear any Divine or 1 2. To the Hezr- Church Mufick, it is neceffary for them, 17 ?f . church that they endeavour to poffefs their Mufick. Hearts with all poffible Devotion, and make ufe of fuch a Harmony chiefly to increafe the fame. We ought all ferioufly to confider, that our Bufinefs at Church on fuch Occafions is not meerly to be entertain'd with Mufick, but to excite our Zeal, and to praife God with more fervent Paffions, which is the true End of all our Church Composure. To come tQ Church without any Intention to worfliip God in his own Houfe, in every Part of the Service, or pre- t:nd to worfhip him without Devotion, are great Af- fronts to the Divine Majefiy. It is a Contempt of Reli- gion, and of the Houfe of God, to come only topleafe our Ears, to hear better Voices, more curious Compofi- tion^ and more artful Singi?ig, than can be met with (efpecially gratis} in any other Place. We ought all to beware^ that the Mufick doth not imploy our Fan- cy more than cur AfTe&ions. To this End our Minds ought to be in the firft Place fix'd and intent upon the Praifes Chap. 1 3. The Great Abufe ofMuJick. 263 Traifes of God, which are exprefs'd in the Hymn or An- them. If our principal Attention is to the Words, they when conveigh'd to us in Mufical Sounds will give Life and Quicknefs to our Devotions. But if our principal Attention is to the Mufick, the Sounds alone will prove empty, and moft probably leave the Devotion of the Anthem between them. There is one great Fault, which cannot be over- looks among thole, w ho go to hear Divine Mufick, efpe- cially in Cathedral Churches. They (lay till the Anthem is ended, but then they turn their Backs and are gone. They are very fiient, when the Mufick founds, but are very troublefome upon all other Occafions, and gene- rally walk about the Church, to the Scandal of them- felves, and Difturbance of the whole Congregation. They are not only refolv'd to be never the better for the Prayers of the Churchy and the Preaching of the Word, but they alfo hinder thofe, who come to pro- fit by the fame. This is really a fad Confiderarion. What Noife and Hurry is there at the Cathedrals in Time of the Sermon, efpecially upon a publick Day of . Thanksgiving ? Is it not more like a Market than a Church f and do not fuch rather affront God, thaa praife him for the Receipt of paft Mercies ? Thus whilft the Prayers are reading in the Choir, perhaps three parts of the People are walking and talking to* gether in the Body of the Church. Indeed, the leaft of their Bufinefs feems to be to hear a Sermon, or to pray or Grace, Pardon, or any other Bleffing. A Dog comes to Church as well as fuch a Chriftian, and Ihews the fame Signs of Devotion, namely, none at all. Solomon advifeth us (f) to keep our Feet, when we go into the Houfe of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the Sacrifice of Fools, for they confider not, that they do evil. Thele are the Men who caufe our Mother Church to be if) Ecclef. 5. 1. dif- a 64 The Great Abufe of Muftch Part IT. difrefpe&ed, and fcmctimes reproach'd for their fake by thole who are of a different Perflation. Some go thither tor the fake of the Walk, and I am fure, our Church gives them no Thanks for their Pains. She dire&s us indeed when to kneel, or when to ftand up, but gives us no Directions when to walk. One of her (g) Homilies is very excellent to this Purpofe. Set whether thty take heed to their Feet, as they are warnd of God, who never ceafefrom uncomely walking and jetting up and down, and overt hwart the Churchy Jhewing an evident Signification of notable Contempt both of God and all good Men there frefent. And what Hud they take to their Tongues and Speech, who do not only j peak fwiftly and rafh- ly before the Lord y but alfo oftentimes fpeak filthily, cove- toujly and ungodlily, talking of Mattters fcarce fit for a Ta~ vern or an Ale-houfe, in the Houfe of the Lord, little confi- dering that they fpeak before God, who dwelleth in Heaven { and lefs regarding, that (h) they mufi give an account at the Great Day. for every idle Word, where foever it be fpoken, much more of filth), unclean or wicked Wordt Jpoken in the Lord's Houfe, to the great Dishonour of his Majefly, and Offence of all that hear them. When we are at Church we ought to ftay there, and behave our felves with all Humility and Jguietnefs until we have received the Benediction, and the Con- gregation is difmifs'd. The Queen, the. Royal Fa?mly, the Clergy, and others, are little oblig'd to fuch, as go out of the Church, when the Anthem is ended, as if they car'd not to join in Prayers to God for a Bleffing upon them. They exprefs their Zeal in a Tavern for the Church, but fliew none in the Church. They who go away without the Bleffing, feem to defpife it, and therefore, like Efau, they may be rejected. One would think, that they defire not, that the Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrifi, and the Love of God, and the Fellowfhip (g) Of the right Ufe of the Church, fyrt i, Page 170. {//) Matth. 12. 36. Chap. I 3. The Great Abufe ofMufick. 265 eftbe Holy Ghojtfliould be with them for ever. In fhort, phis Pra&ice is a publick Scandal to the Church, a Contemning the .Worfhip of God, a Violating the 'Lavs of Man, and a manifeft Sign of an Athe'ift • and therefore I hope that thofe who are guilty, will be a- fliamed of it, and do fo no more. l Lafily, As to- all others. It is to be tarifli'd, that there were many more Socle- 1$. To ties, who did promote the Singing of Pfalms others. together in Ccnfort. The Effe&s of fudi an Exercife are very many, and very good ; and it is Pity, that an Affair of luch Confequence in Religi- on (hould be either neglec5ted or difcouraged. The Knowledge thereof is very eafily taught, and quickly learn'd, where there is a good Mafter and an apt Scho- lar. Here are no difficult Turnings and Windings of the Voice. Here are no Varieties in Time, but every thing fo plain, that many Perfons have learn'd to fing ia Confort purely by Ear, without any Affiftance. It is an Exercife not only delightful to Nature, but alfo very ufefui to preferve the Health of Man. It chears the Spirits, it opens the Pipes, and it ftreng- thens all the Parts of the Bread. As Gad gave us Voices, fo the better the Voice is, the fitter it is to honour and ferve him therewith. There is not any Mufick of In- firuments whatfoever, comparable to that which is made of the Voices of Mew, where they are good and well order'dand forted ; and therefore they mould be chiefly employ'd for the Praife of that GU who gave them to us. It is alfo an Exercife pious in its own Nature. To praife God is our unqueftionable Dury, and what (i) e- very thing that hath Breath is exhorted to do : We are alfo commanded (k) to make the Voice of his Praife to be heard, (I) to fing aloud unto God our Strength, and to make a cheerful Noife unto the G d of Jacob. And now, what (i; Pfal. 150. 6. {I) Pfal. C6. 7. (/; Pfa!. 81. 1. can a66 The Great Abufe of Mufick Part II. can we have fitter for this Purpofe than Pfalms? They are compos'd by fuch Men who were divinely infpir'd, and almoft every Exercife of Devotion is coritain'd in them. There is Matter both of Prayer and Praife, of Humiliation and Thankf giving. Our Pfalms in Meter keep very near to the Original, and yet are as plain to the meaneft Capacity as the Nature of them will bear. They are lately purg'd from their Drofs, their old and obfolete Words, and are rendered very agreeable to our modern Language. The Tunes may be fuited to any Occafion according to their Meafure. The Com* won Tunes for Common Occafions • Tunes of Triple Time for Pfalms of Joy and Praife, and Tunes of Common Time with Semibreves in the middle for Pfalms of Humiliati- on. Befides, I really believe, that fuch Tunes are the beft for a Perfon to begin with, who intends to be a Matter in Composition. Plain Counterpoint is the Ground of Harmony. This is ("as it were) the Letters, ando- ther Additions are but as the Flourishes, which indeed make it appear finer, but not truer. The many Dif- allowances in Compofition in our modern Mufick, plainly (hew usthatthe Mafters were not thoroughly vers'd in the Fajfages of the Concords, and ought to be fent back to learn the firfi Rudiments. It is a great Fault in learn- ing all the Sciences, that Perfons are willing to go on, before they have digefted the firft Rules ; and are de- firous to be Artifts before they are well enter'd. Thus, by running too faft at firft, they are the fooner tir'd ; by Building without a Foundation, the Houfe falls, and they think it impoffible to be Mafters becaufe they did not take the right Method. To be well acquainted with the Score of Pfalm-Tuncs, and correcting the an- tient Faults, may be likened to fpelling well, before a Child begins to read, and is not fo defpifable as many imagine. Beiides, the Singing of Pfalms in Con fort is really delightful to all good M-in. The good Effeds ofic add to the Pieafure, and fweeten the Harmony. And tho* Chap. I 3. The Great Abufe ofMu/ick 267 tho'fae Mufick is expected at a fine Confort ; yet in Country Places it is very grateful to hear the meaneft Voices fetting forth the Glory of God in fuch Pfalms and Hymns as are truly, tho' not finely perform'd $ and the Harmony of many Voices drowns that Harfh- nefs, which is very perceivable in one. We are not commanded to fing according to the Rules of Art, and therefore it is not abfolutely neceflary ; but yet St. Paul, (who was brought up at the Feet of Gamaliel, and taught in all things according to the exa&eft Me- thod of his Forefathers,) gives us his Example as very convenient, (m) 1 will pray -with the Spirit, and I will pray with the Underfianding alfo ; I will fing with the Spi- rit , and I will fing with the Underfianding alfo. He would both pray and fing with the Spirit, his Heart fliould be furnifli'd with the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Ghofl y fuch as true Zeal and Devotion ; but this is not all ; he would both pray and fing with the Under Hand- ing alfo. And therefore as Prayer with the Underfianding fuppofeth, that we fhould underftand what we pray for, and how to pray j fo Singing with the Underftand^ ing fuppofeth, that we fliould underftand both what we fing and how to perform it. In fhort, a (n) late ingenious Author truly obferves, that as in the Infancy of the Chriftian Church, Paul and Silas fung at Mid-night in the Prifon,, by which means the Foundations fhook, the Prifon-Doors were opened, the Prifoners Bands were loofed, and the Jaylor was converted ; fo in later and corrupted Times of Chrifiianity , the Church was in a great Meafure Pf aim fung into Reformation • nor hath any thing more conduced to fix the Reform d Religion. And as by /this Method, we were purg'd from our ErrorSy who knows but by promoting the fame we may be purg'd from our Vices? And (m) 1 Cor. 14. 15. (a) An Eftay for the Promoting of Pfal- iuody 3 Page 6. therefore 1 68 The Great Aiufe of Mujick Part II, therefore (o) (as the fame Author obferves,) tojle this fairefi Daughter of Demotion, and Darling of Protefiants be- yond Sea 9 jo /lighted amongft us, is not much for our Credit • Our great Decay in Piety and Growth in Prof anentfs, having been imputed by eminent Divines y in no fmall Men fur e 9 to cur Neglect of and bad Performance in PSALMODY. To conclude, It greatly concerns all, who have a Zeal for the Glory of God y or wifh well ro this noble Science of Muftck. to difcountenance the horrid Cor- rupt ion thereof, to cleanfeit from the Dirt, with which its own Profeflbrs have befmear'd it, and to reftore ic again to its antient Ufe, and the Service of Reli- gion. (o) An Effay for the Promoting of Pfalmodjr, Preface^ FINIS. THE Evil and Danger of Stage-Plays, (hewing their natural Tendency to deftroy Religion and introduce a general Cor- ruption of Manners ; in almoft two thoufand Inftances,taken from the Plays of the two laft Years, againit all the Methods lately us'd for their Reformation. By Jrthuv Bedford, M, A. Chap- lain to his Grace Wriothefly Duke of Bedford , and Vicar of Temple hi the City of Brijlol. Sold by John Jf r yat i at the Jlofe in St. Paul's Church-yard. CANON O F Four Parts in One, According to Mr. Fur cell's Rule of Fuging, vi^ That where the Treble and Tenor leaps a Fourth, there the Counter and Bafs leaps a Fifth ^ and fo orderU, that the Parts do all follow each other in the fame diftance of Time. %yo A Cannon of Four Parts in One i fciiL 5 Hill I 141 I IHSb \ t-ia i tk f I J n i i. c KhLLL T) - !! A Cannon 1TTO II life of Four Parts in One. iji urn I I 1 I • O I I© • ! -TITI! i» T™ ft! I III) I M | ess II. j § ? i I i ' > r 1 1 f rrro I UP 1 1 1 1 i II D! I I 1 lis mi' T I ! TTCD 1 *, i! TTO I H li ia II i it TTC ! I * ittoj f i I ! n ! ! i i T i x ! m i ! ! w f I ! , >itto ! I icdI I JJ] N "I 1 -}8J CLLLI g I i I i i rt : | ij& | ■ zmx\ ftftbll T 2 > CLLLI mi! 1 1 ii& i mm A Caunon of Four Farts in One. idiLU iiil ICLLL ~J I! •cl (CEOJL in TIT 31 l l&LL :: ii ICLLL "S CLLLI PFi I CD -I CULL TTO < f . i7 FT! TTD III IJDI 1*1 1 1 Cannon of Four Parts in One. V ! j 1 ! VJJ.JI VA\\ - f t» • « i » » <#l CLLL I jTii Mil • •ifi *j 1 1 1 1 CLLLI i i i i i I I i4 t A Cannon of Four Parts in One A Cannon cf Four Tarts in One. 1 1 » \\\ *TTO1 l 3 : in i Trb ._ i 1 1 ; i n 4rc inn. 1C&LJLI •§ . 1 1 0+ '€ Books on Music BEDFORD (Arthur), The Great Abuse of Musick. Containing an Account of the Use and Design of Musick among the Antient Jews, Greeks, Romans, etc. ; and also an Account of the Immorality and Profaneness which is occasioned by the Corruption of that most Noble Science in the Present Age. London, 1711. 8vo, with the 4 11. of music at end, calf, 15s. f.l\ v*< B*l ■H O in o o£a O^Bi Avs-e, H 5 ^£ ■V- ) •• > P o ° ft « ?! .5 S • i^i> *3 Jiu ^/^ &7£ hTa-J, tf. *- V A fi S UslcS j/£- Sa./- /PLl 1 £* ^ vO j-tk 4^ /s.uL~>c <£ lu -y^ u~*f Asu,£% i/~ *A«£ JuSt ^v% < rU- <^^6r~I+^c —