| Citation |
BNL.763.033
1 Sep 1763:31 (3115)
To the printers, As you have lately inserted a piece
recommending a proper posture in offering up our praises in
public worship, you are requested to add thereto the
following lines, from a book much in use at this time.
Your's, E.E.
" As divine musick excelleth all other arts in the known
world, and is deemed a heavenly exercise, and standing parts
of devotion; how much the more ought we to endeavour the
true knowledge of it, to perform it, decently, and in good
order ! and to follow the examples of all good and holy men;
who have taken such great pains to recommend it. Not to do
it lazily, lolling, or sitting, as is too frequent in many
places; but to do it standing: For it is an act of praise,
therefore we should all stand up, whensoever we lift up our
hearts and souls to sing the praises of a loving God, who
has done so great things for us. "Knowest thou not, that
thou standest with angels: Cast thou sing with them, and
sittest thou laughing: O fie, fie for shame," The
seraphims all STOOD praising God; which posture hold David
always exhorted all men to follow, as a mark of honor and
reverence to him that sittest on the throne, for ever and
ever: And shall we make ourselves equal with God, that are
but worms; to sit down when his glorious spirits are present
? No, God forbid, let us blush for shame, and leave off
that daring and vile practice; lest our voices be in God's
ears, as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal; praising
him with our mouths, but with our hearts we irreverently
deny him.
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