Upon Hearing Good Musick

Sir William Waller, Divine Meditations Upon Several Occasions: With a Daily Directory, pp. 102-105:

Meditation XV - Upon Hearing Good Musick

I cannot but think that soul out of tune, that is not affected with musick. For though I am not of the opinion of that fidling philosopher, that defined the soul to be a harmony; yet I do really believe, that there is nothing that striketh so immediately, and incorporeally upon the powers thereof, as musick doth....It stilleth the child at the nurse's breast, and layeth it asleep; it cheareth the labourer at his work, the gally slave at his oar; it rouzeth the souldier in the field, and exciteth him to action....As to the opinion thereof upon the mind, every one almost, that hath ears to hear, may be called to witness, whether some aires and tunes do not sensibly attrist, others comfort; some move, others moderate affections....Lord! whilst this harmony delights mine ear, let the consideration of thine infinite wisdome, whereby thou hast made all things in number, weight and measure, in a harmony to be seen, affect my heart; that so while I admire thee in what I see and hear; I may adore thee in what I cannot comprehend.

How ravishing is this pleasure; and how is my soul elevated with it, even to an extasy? that whether it be in the body, or out of the body, me thinks I can hardly say; certainly there is nothing of greater use for the raising, and sweetning of our affections towards God, then the singing of his high praises in psalmes, and hymnes, and spiritual songs. The primitive Christians were so taken with it, that in the times of persecution, at their conventicles before day, they could not forbear making their melody to the Lord, though many times they were discovered by it, to their extream hazard. It is written by a Father, that in the little town of Bethleem, near unto which he lived, there was nothing almost to be heard, but that heavenly musick, resounding in all places; from the shop to the plough; there was no mirth, but in singing of psalmes. O the goodness of God! who knowing our infirmity, how much more we are inclined to that which delights, than to that which profiteth, hath so contrived it; that by borrowing from melody that pleasure which toucheth our ears, he doth by the smoothness and softness thereof, as by a holy stealth, convey a treasure of good things into our hearts; so that whilst we think we sing, we learn; and in doing that wherein we delight, we are taught that, whereby we profit!