Martin Madan : Collection of Psalms & Hymns 1760 &c.; Title-page & Preface, transcribed from a 1760 copy in the British Library.
[ Title-page, 1st edn 1760 ]
And published by
LONDON
Printed in the Year M D C C L X
===============================
_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._
[ Madan's Preface to the first edition ]
IT is a true Observation I have somewhere met with, that there is no Part of divine Worship in which we more resemble the Saints in Light, than when we are singing the Praises of our GOD. As this is so delightful an Exercise to all truly serious Persons, I can't but think that every Attempt to render it as edifying as possible, will be acceptable.
The Psalmist says, Ps.xlvii.7. Sing ye Praise with Understanding. But this cannot be done where the Song aboundeth with Phrases, either abstruse in themselves, or beyond the Capacities of the Generality.
Again, it must be allowed there are Matters of private Judgment and mere Opinion, concerning which it is far better to think and let think, than to dispute; these should not appear, if by any Means they can be avoided, in a Book, chiefly designed for Social Worship: for we cannot join as we ought in Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual Songs, if they are mix't with any subject Matter for Difference and Disputation.
Neither can any Plan for this, or indeed for any Part of Worship be right, that is not laid upon the true Foundation for all the Praise that shall ascend unto our GOD, now and for ever, even CHRIST JESUS THE RIGHTEOUS. In this Respect we must say, Other Foundation can no Man lay, than that is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST, 1 Cor.iii.11. Hence it is, that the Psalms of David are so transcendentally delightful; they are full of CHRIST. David tells us, Ps.xlv.1. His Tongue was the Pen of a ready Writer, because he spake of the Things he made touching the King. And our Hymns, as well as our Prayers and Sermons, if not made touching this everlasting King, are no better than Nahab and Abihu's strange Fire, an Abomination to the LORD. Whatever ye do in Word or Deed, do all in the Name of the Lord JESUS, giving Thanks to GOD and the Father by Him, Col.iii.17.
First then, I have endeavoured to select such Hymns, as may be most Useful for Edification in respect of Plainess and Simplicity of Expression. Not but too many will think I have not succeeded in this Point, and that there are Expressions here and there as abstruse as if they were written in Arabic. But let these Readers turn to 1 Cor.ii.14. and there they will find the true Reason whu they don't understand them, namely, because they are the very Words, or have a very near Relation to the very Words of that divine Book which was given by the Inspiration of the Spirit of GOD. In order to guide such, I have put Marginal References where I have thought needful, to keep them, if haply they may be kept, from despising the Words of GOD himself, and ignorantly fall into the grievous Sin of ridiculing the Scriptures. But these may be also useful for others, and if rightly attended to, will point out many very edifying Paraphrases in various Parts of this Book, upon the sacred Text.
2ndly, I have endeavoured to avoid inserting any thing that could tend to doubtful Disputations, therefore have contrived as far as possible in collecting this little Volume, to lay aside all those Notions about Non-Essentials, concerning which the best People have and do differ, that with one Heart, as well as one Voice, all Christians may join in the Praise of our common LORD - I say all Christians, for Fundamentals there are we must insist upon, which if any Man doth not maintain and believe, we cannot allow him to be a Christian.
Therefore the Deist, must not be surprized to find, the Dignity of fallen Man, together with the moral Rectitude of His Nature, the Sufficiency of Reason, and of the Light of Nature, and every other Article and Circumstance of the Infidel Creed utterly expunged.
The Arian will be much disappointed, if he expects to find any thing herein, that in the least countenances the Nonsense as well as the Blasphemy of a created God, or one Sentiment that tends to eclipse the glorious Beams of the SELF-EXISTENT SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
The Socinian and Mahometan must renounce their *Koran, before they will be able to look upon the Great Prophet, JESUS of NAZARETH, as IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US, a Truth that lies at the Root of Christianity, consequently taught throughout this Book.
_____________________________________________[ * Madan's footnote - ]
* Koran from the Arabic Karaa to read, signifies a Book. The Koran is that Book which the Followers of Mahomet look upon as their Bible, which corresponds with the Socinian Writers in allowing JESUS to be a Prophet, and no more.
_____________________________________________
As for Papists, either professed or doctrinal, they will find nothing about the Merit of Works, either before or after Justification, but the Whole of the Salvation of Sinners, is ascribed to the Atonement and Merit of the Blood and Righteousness of JEHOVAH in our Nature, imputed and applied, thro' Faith, to the Sinner's Heart and Conscience, justifying his Person, and renewing and sanctifying his Nature, thro' the Operation of the HOLY SPIRIT, of which he is thereby made a Partaker.
Hence the Antinomian must expect but little Contentment in perusing the following Hymns, for they maintain, that without Holiness (personal Holiness, wrought in the Soul of a Believer, by the SPIRIT OF GOD, delivering him from the Dominion, and from the Love of all Sin, whether inward or outward) no Man shall see the LORD.
Nor will the mere Formalist, whatever outward Profession he makes, whether Churchman or Dissenter, have much Taste for these Songs of Sion; for they maintain,
- No outward Forms can make us clean,
- The Leprosy lies deep within.
3rdly, As due Care is taken to make the Matter of these Hymns as Scriptural as possible, so thou wilt find, gentle Reader, (and mayst thou find its Power and Sweetness in thy Soul!) that JESUS the Great High Priest and blessed Apostle of our Profession, is the grand Subject (either mediately or immediately) of every Song, as He doubtless is of the whole Revelation of GOD -- the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy, Rev.xix.10. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; none can come to the Father, but thro' Him, John xiv.6. CHRIST is all and in all, Col.iii.11. He is the ALPHA and OMEGA, the FIRST and LAST, the BEGINNING and END, Rev.i.8. xxi.6. He therefore in the Unity of the Eternal GODHEAD, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, three divine Persons in one Self-existent JEHOVAH, is the GOD of the Christians. To this glorious LORD GOD of Heaven and Earth, may we be enabled to sing Praises with Understanding! and to the Harmony of our Voices, add that of our Hearts and Lives! May these maintain a happy Concord with the Word and Will of Christ Jesus! until we meet before the Throne of GOD and the LAMB, and with an innumerable Company of blessed Angels and the Spirits of just Men made perfect, shout forth the never ending Praise of Him that was dead, and is alive again, and hath redeemed us unto GOD by his Blood. So be it, LORD JESUS! Amen, and Amen.
End of File. Return to Top . . .
<< Back to the Enchiridion Notes on M.Madan's Psalms and Hymns
<< Back to the Alphabetic Index of Source Books
(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 3/8/02)