A COLLECTION O F HYMNS FOR SOCIAL WORSHIP, More particularly defigned for the Ufe of the By GEORGE WHITEFIELD, AND Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon. Sing ye Praifes with Understanding. Pf. xlvii. 7. THE TWENTY-NINTH EDITION. LONDON: Printed by HENRY COCK; Sold at the CHAPEL, Tottenham-Court-Road, and I COURTEOUS READER, Fthou art acquainted with the Divine Life, I need not nform thee, that altho' all the Als and Exercifes of Devotion are fweet and delightful, yet we never resemble the Bleed Worshippers above more than when we are joining together in public Devotions, and with Hearts and Lips unfeigned, finging Praises to him who fitteth upon the Throne for ever. Confequently, Hymns compofed for fuch a Purpose ought to abound much in Thanksgiving, and to be of Juch a Nature, that all who attend may join in them without being obliged to fing Lies, or not fing at all.Upon this Plan the following Collection of Hymns is founded. They are intended purely for focial Worship, and so altered in fome Particulars, that I think all may safely concur in ufing them-They are short, because I think three or four Stanzas, with a Doxology, are jufficient to be jung at one Time. I am no great Friend to long Sermons, long Prayers, or long Hymns. They generally weary inftead of edifying, and therefore I think should be avoided by those who prefide in any public Worshipping Affembly. Befides, as the Generality of thofe who receive the Gospel are commonly the Poor of the Flock, I bave studied Cheapnefs, as well as Concifenejs. Much in a little is what God gives us in bis WordAnd the more we imitate fuch a Method in our public Performances and Devotions, the nearer we come up to the Pattern given us in the Mount. Ithink myjelf justifiable in publishing fome Hymns by way of Dialogue for the Use of the Society, because fomething like it is practifed in our Cathedral Churches; but much more fo becaufe the Celestial Choir is reprefented in the Book of the Revelations, an fwering one another in their heavenly Anthems. all may be inspired and warmed with a like divine Fire whilft finging below, and be tranflated after Death to join with them in finging the Song of Mofes and the Lamb above, is the earnest Prayer of, Courteous Reader, Thy ready Servant, for Chrift's Sake, That we G. W. |