Inglis Collection of printed music > Printed text > Introduction to the skill of musick

Its Divine and Civil USES.
Of whofe Venues and Piety (by the infinite mercy of
^Almighty God) this Kingdom now enjoys a Living Ex-
ample in his Son and our Graciom Soveraign Charles the,
Second , whom God long preferve ; whofe Love of this
Divine Art appears by his Encouragement of it, and the
' Profejfors thereof, efpeciatly in his bountiful Angmcnta-
I t'ton of the Annual Allowance of the Gentlemen of Mix
x Chappel', which Example if it were followed by the Su-
,yeriours of our Cathedrals in this Kingdom^ it would
' much encourage Men of this Art (who are there employed
to Sing Praifes to Almighty God) to be more fiudiom in
that Duty, and would take off that Contempt which is cap
■upon many of them for their mean performances and
foverty ; but it is their and all true Chriflians forrow ,
to fee how that Divine Worfinp is contemned by blind
Zealots, who do not, nor will not under ft and the ufe and
excellency thereof.
But Mufick in this Age ( like other Arts and Sciences)
v is in low efteem with the generality of people, our late and
Solemn Mufickj, both Vocal and Infirumental , is now
juftPd out of efteembythenewCorants and Jigs of Fo-
reigners, to the grief of all fober andjudiciom Vnderftan-
ders of that formerly folid and good Mufickj Nor mufi
| we expeB Harmony in Peoples Minds, fo long at Pride s
\t Vanity, Fatlion,and Difcords,arefo predominant in their
Lives: But 1 conclude with the Words of Mr. Owen
; Feltham in his Refolves , We find faith he, that in
'Heaven there is Mufick, and Hallelujah's Sung ; I
believe k is an helper both to good and evil, and will
* therefore honour it when it moves to Vertue, and fhaH
I beware of it when it YfO\Hd flatter into Vice.
I
J. Playford.