Seasonable Precautions, Part 4
The Myſtical ſenſe of what is literal expreſſ'd by the Metaphorical and Allegorical contexture of the proceeding Hymn, in the Original Text, according to the Authors under ſtanding thereof, is as followes.
BY the Sanctuary is meant the Congregations of the Saints. By the Firmament of Gods power, the unchangeableneſs of his Almightineſs. By his mighty acts, his unreſiſtible Juſtice. By his excellent greatneſs. his Mercy, which is ſaid to be over all his works, and his moſt excellent Attribute. By the Trumpet or Flute, we are exhorted to praiſe him in our martial expeditions. By the Pſaltry and Harpe, in our ſpirimal rejoicings. By the Viol and Lute in our corporeal and civil recreations. By the Timbrel in thoſe actions which are of a ſpiritual and natural mixture. By the Dance in all thoſe things wherein we move together, and counteract apart, by deeds, words, and diſſenting opinions; for in a Dance, are various motions, ſidings, turnings, returnings, and moving all one way. By Ten ſteinged I…ſtruments and the Organ▪ the faculties of our ſouls and the members of our bodies. By Cymbals, and loud Cymbals, the internal breathings, and external ejaculations of the heart and voice in prayer and praiſing God. The laſt two lines of both the foregoing Stanza's, conſiſting of ten a piece are but a Supplement to my Paraphraſe of the 150 Pſalm, and not found in the Original. This is in brief my private judgment, not totally excluding the Senſe and Interpretation of other pious men.
FINIS.
End of the text · George Wither, Seasonable Precautions (1664)