BUt, O Asclepius, I observe that thou dost earnestly desire to heare, how a man may come to enjoy that musicall harmony and divine Worship, which belongs to heaven. Wherefore hear, O Asclepius, there is one frequent assemblie amongst men for this service of God; and this no other Creature can perform but man alone. For God is only pleased and delighted that man should extoll his admired work, sing praises of thanksgiving unto him, and perform such worship and service as belongs to his holy name. Neither do those heavenly graces unworthily descend into the congregations p. 31 of men, lest that this earthly World should seeme unbeautified in respect of the want of this heavenly and sweet Musick; but rather that his name who is the Father of all things, might be celebrated with the well tuned voices, and comely praises of men. So that neither in heaven nor earth this sweet Harmony of thanksgiving might cease; for there are some men (though few in number) that are indued with so divine and holy a spirit, that their care is only to please, reverence, and serve the Lord: but whoso ever through the confusion of both natures, the flesh prevailing, have darkned their spirituall understanding, they are so much given over to their own lusts, and are only intent upon these outward and lower things. Therefore a man is not to be p. 32 esteemed the weaker in respect that he is in part mortall, but peradventure thereby he may seem the more fitly and effectualley composed to encrease in full knowledge and understanding, to wit, because unlesse he had been made of both natures he could not have susteined both, therefore was he framed of both that he might have both an earthly and divine choice. I desire thee O Asclepius, not only to harken unto the reason of this tractate; but also to entertain it with much Zeal & fervency of Spirit. For the reason to many is incredible, but to devouter mindes it seemes true and good; wherefore from hence I will begin.
The Commentary.
This fifth Chapter sets forth that sweet Musick granted to men, to set forth the praises of God, which we know the prophet did well conceive, who being full of the spirit of God, commanded to sing psalmes unto the Lord with a loud voice, and in the assemblies to praise the Lord, upon the Cymbals, upon the Lute, Harp and Organs, for this is the chief end both of singing and Musicks. The Letter is in it self conspicuous.