The Hymns and Songs of the Church, Title page – Dedication
THE HYMNES AND SONGS OF THE CHVRCH; Diuided into two parts.
The first part comprehends the Canonicall Hymnes, and such parcels of Holy Scripture, as may properly be sung, with some other ancient Songs and Creeds.
The second part consists of Spirituall Songs, appropriated to the seuerall Times and Occasions obserueable in the Church of England.
Translated and Composed, BY G. W.
LONDON Printed by the Assignes of GEORGE WITHER. Cum Priuilegio Regis Regali.
TO THE HIGH AND Mighty Prince, IAMES, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britaine, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c: Grace, Mercy and Peace, through Iesus Christ our Lord.
THese Hymnes (Dread Soueraign) hauing diuers waies receiued life from your MAIESTIE, (as well as that approbation which the Church alloweth) are now imprinted according to your Royall Priuiledge, to come abroad vnderunder your Gracious Protection. And what I deliuered vntounto your Princely view at seuerall times, I here present again, incorporated into one Volume. The first Part wherof, comprehends those Canonicall Hymnes, which were written, and left for our instruction, by the Holy Ghost. And those are not onelyonly plainely and briefly expressed in Lyrick verse: but by their short Prefaces, properly applied also to the Churches particular occasions in these times. Insomuch, that (howeuer some neglect them as impertinent) it is thereby apparant, that they appertaine no lesse to vsus, then vntounto those, in whose times they were first composed. And (if the coniecture of many good and learned men deceiue them not) the later Part, containing Spirituall Songs, appropriated to the seuerall times and occasions obseruable in the Church of England (together with briefe Arguments, declaring the purpose of those Obseruations) shall become a meanes both of encreasing Knowledge, and Christian Conformitie within your Dominions: Which, no doubt, your MAIESTIE wisely foresawe, when you pleased to graunt and command, that these Hymnes should be annexed to all Psalme-bookes in English Meeter. And I hope, you shall thereby encrease both the honour of God, and of your MAIESTIE. For, these Hymnes, and the knowledge which they offer, could no other way, with such certainety, and so little inconuenience, be conueied to the common people, as by that meanes which your MAIESTIE hath graciously prouided.
And now (maugre their malice, who labour to disparage & suppresse these Helps to Deuotion) they shall, I trust, hauehave free scope to worke that effect which is desired; and to which end, I was encouraged to translate and compose them. For, how meanly soeuer some men may thinke of this Endeauour; I trust the successe shall make it appeare, that the Spirit of God was the first moouer of the worke. Wherin, as I hauehave endeuored to make my Expressions such as may not bee contemptible to men of best vnderstandings: So I hauehave also labored to sute them to the nature of the Subiect, and the common Peoples capacities, without regard of catching the vaine blasts of Opinion. The same also hath beene the ayme of Master Orlando Gibbons (your MAIESTIES seruant, and one of the Gentlemen of your Honourable Chappell) in fitting them with tunes. For, he hath chosen to make his musicke agreeable to the matter, and what the common apprehension can best admit; rather then to the curious Fancies of the Time: Which path both of vsus could more easily hauehave troden. Not caring therfore, what any of those shall censure, who are more apt to controule, then to consider; I commit this to Gods blessing and Your fauourable Protection: Humbly beseeching your MAIESTIE, to accept of these our Endeuours; and praying God to sanctifie both vsus and this Worke to his glory: Wishing also (most vnfainedly) euerlasting consolations to your MAIESTIE, for those temporall Comforts you hauehave vouchsafed me, and that felicity here, which may aduance your happinesse in the life to come. Amen.
Your MAIESTIES most Loyall Subiect, GEORGE WITHER.