HE is a slender Observer of humane action, who finds not Pride generally accompanied with Ignorance and Malice, what habit soever it wares. In my case Zeal was its Vizor, and In [...]vation the Crime. The fact, Changing the Cu [...]ome o [...] the Church, by varying that which was ever Sung in one Tune; and occasioning Confusion in the Service by its ill Performance. As to the latter part of the charge, I must confess I have been noon of the fortunatest that way; but whethe [...] upon Design or Ignorance of some of the Performers it so happen'd, I shall neither Examine nor Judge (they are of Age to understand the value of their own reputation, and whom they serve:) Nor is it my business to find Eyes, Ears, or Honesty to any, or answer for other mens faults: but, that such defects should take thei [...] rise from the difficulty or novelty of the Composition, I utterly deny; the whole, being a kind of Counterpoint, and no one change, from the beginning to the end, but what naturally flows from, and returns to its proper Center, the Kay. And for the former, the contrary is so notoriously manifest, that all relating to the Church know, that, that part of the Liturgy assigned for Musick, was never but variously Compos'd by all that undertook it; Witness the Excellent Compositions of Mr. Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons (and others, their and our Co-temporaries) on the Te Deum, Commandements, Preces, Psalms, Magnificat, &c. in use to this day, both in His Majesties Chappel, and the Cathedralls in this Nation. And to speak rationally, should it be otherwise, Art would be no more Art, Composers useless, and Science Pinion'd for destruction. If therefore, in imitation of them, I have according to Art, and the nature of the words, contrived and varied this little Composition; and, as to the true manner of speaking, conducted it in the mid way between the two Extremes of Gravity and Levity; I hope I may without ostentation affirm my self guiltless, and return the Crime from whence it came; Æsop's Maunger. And here might I fairly take notice of a thing lately crawl'd into the world, under the notion [...] Composition, which is the height of its performance is both out of Time, out of Tune, and yet all to the same Tune, had I the itch of retalliation; but since the Accuser has been pleas'd to passe a publick censure on the tender of my duty, I shall only at present take the fre [...]dom (though 'twas ne'r intended for a publick view) in this manner to expose it; that all capable of judging, may see, there's neither Heresie, nor Schism, nor any thing of difficulty as to performance, either in the matter or form of it. In fi [...]e, this Vindication offers at no more, than denying those to be Judges in Science, who are ignorant of its Principles.