COMPRISING

A VERSION

OF

ALL THE PSALMS,

AND

A SELECTION OF HYMNS,

ADAPTED TO THE

SERVICES AND FESTIVALS

OF

The Church of England.

BY SEVERAL CLERGYMEN.

SIXTH EDITION.

LIVERPOOL:

ARTHUR NEWLING, 31, RANELAGH STREET

PREFACE.

THE introduction of Hymns into the Church of England has been, and is still considered, by a large portion of its ministers and members as an unnecessary and unwarrantable departure from its principles. But, upon inquiry, the fact appears to be otherwise. Let us glance at the custom of the Christian Church, beginning with the example of its illustrious Founder, "God manifest in the flesh," on whom, as on a sure foundation, the Church is built.-After instituting the Holy Supper, and partaking of it with his disciples, he taught them to sing a hymn; for we have no ground to suppose that any thing was done on that occasion except by his immediate direction: "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives."-Matt. xxvi 30. St. Paul who wished all the Churches to follow him, as he followed Christ, in his Epistle to the Colossians, said, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."—Col. iii. 16.