| Citation |
NHG-P.763.029
14 Oct 1763:12 (367)
To the Printer. As divine musick excelleth all other arts
in the known world, and is deemed a heavenly exercise, and
standing part 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 recomment
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?
Canst thou sing with them, and sitteth thou laughing? O
fie, fie for shame." The seraphims all stood praising God;
which posture holy David always exhorted all men to follow,
as a mark of honor and reverence to him that sitteth 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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