ther with variety of promises, exhortations, and directions so closely united, and so majestically expressed, that it requires a quick apprehension and a solid judgment to unravel all the mysteries in them; and yet they that avoid curiosity and self-conceit, and bring humility, love, and holy resolutions, cannot be more effectually improved in knowledge and piety by any part of scripture. And this rule must always be observed, when we hear any part of God's word, that we do not pursue difficulties and disputes, but apply the holy scripture to profit by it. And certainly he best understands it, who learns from it to bridle his passions, bound his desires, conquer his appetites; to fear God, love his neighbour, and to be careful of his own immortal soul: and if we make this use of the words of God, we shall have good cause to join in the next duty of giving praise to him that made them; and assists us that we may profit by them.

SECTION X.

OF THE HYMNS FOR THE MORNING PRAYER, AND FIRST OF

THE TE DEUM.

§. I. THERE is not in the whole circle of Christian duties any more universal than praise: for because in every thing God shews mercy, we must in every thing give thanks. So that hymns of praise are ever seasonable, especially in the house of God, where they are to be intermixed with every part of Divine service, to make it pleasant to us, and acceptable to him we worship. We are to bless God for our bodily food; how much more then for the food of our souls? The pro

a I Thess. v. 18.

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viding of which for us is the greatest mercy next to

that of giving the eternal word to us. For if God had not written his word for us, we should not have seen either our sin or our danger, our duty nor our assistance, our Deliverer nor our reward; and shall we not praise him for this shining light? And particularly, what chapter is there, but it contains a peculiar reason of our thankfulness? whether it instruct or reprove us; invite us to duty, or affright us from sin; whether it consist of promises or threatenings, precepts or examples, it ought to be concluded with- We praise thee, O God; viz. for illuminating our minds, quickening our affections, renewing our memory, reviving our hopes, awakening our sloth, or confirming our resolutions. Some benefit we have, or may have, by every one; and therefore a hymn will both refresh us with variety, discharge a great obligation to God, and prepare us to hear the next lesson with fresher appetite. We have two for our choice, that we may suit every chapter; but we shall first consider that which is most usual, the Te Deum.

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A Practical Discourse on the Te Deum.

§. III. WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THEE TO BE THE LORD: ALL THE EARTH &c. unto versicle 9, THE NOBLE ARMY OF MARTYRS PRAISE THEE] Although this song of praise be not of Divine authority, yet it is said to have been miraculously composed, and first sung by St. Ambrose and St. Augustine after the baptism of that illustrious convert; and it is placed among the undoubted works of holy Ambrose, who in the times of general calamity first brought the use of hymns into the Latin churches, (which had been used in the east from the beginning,) and made several forms of praise himself; and among the rest this grand and powerful hymn, which, it is likely, he means, when he speaks of that confession of the Trinity in verse, which the people so much delighted in, and sung so joyfully every day. For this hath ever since been frequently used and highly esteemed in the church; not only for its author's sake, but for its own, since it is so rare a piece of choice devotion. The principal scope hereof is to give all glory to God, which therefore is interwoven with every part; but these nine first versicles are wholly eucharistical, wherein we express our own gratitude, and to heighten our devotion, we cast our eyes on all creatures in heaven and earth, that join with us in paying the same duty. We have now heard out of God's sacred word those gracious invitations and sweet comforts, those useful directions and necessary warnings which he therein gives us, for all which we give him thanks when we say, We praise thee, O God. We have also heard many instances of his power and

b Grande carmen istud est, et quo nihil potentius: quid enim potentius, quam confessio Trinitatis, quæ quotidie totius populi ore celebratur? Certatim omnes

student fidem fateri; Patrem, Filium et Spiritum Sanctum norunt versibus prædicare. Ambros. in Conc. de Basilicis, &c. tom. 5.

been instructed in his holy commands, which engages us to acknowledge his authority and pay our homage. Therefore we promise to be his servants, and seriously acknowledge him to be the Lord, which is a mocking of the Divine Majesty, Luke vi. 46, unless we resolve to do what he says, and commands us in his holy word. But why should we not be sincere in this acknowledgment, since it is our honour to serve him whom the heavens praise, and the earth worships, and to whom all the inhabitants of both are subject? The earth, that is, the men that dwell therein, in all ages did, and in every nation some now do, give him honour. For there is no time nor country, which hath not afforded many to confess and adore him that fills all places, and endureth from everlasting to everlasting. But if so many examples out of all mankind will not suffice to make us praise him devoutly and acknowledge him faithfully, let us lift up our eyes to the heavens, which are replenished with creatures more noble and glorious than we; yet all these make it their employment, and account it their delight to glorify his name. We lately prayed that God's will might be done on earth as it is in heaven: and how it is done there, this excellent hymn will shew you. It opens heaven to you; nay, with the evangelical prophet, carries you thither to behold the holy orders above, angels and powers, cherubims and seraphims, apostles, prophets, and martyrs. This shews you their employment, which is all one and the same that you are now exercised in, even to praise the Lord continually every morning, or rather every moment, with never-ceasing voicesd. Nay, here is their song,

c Gen. xxxii. 26. Dimitte me, quia ascendit columna auroræ, et appropinquat hora angelorum, ad laudandum Deum. Targ. Hierosol.

COMBER, VOL. I.

d Voce incessabili. Ambr.

e Isai. vi. 3. Sanctus Pater, Sanctus Filius, Sanctus Spiritus. Chal. Par. Jon. Ita olim legebat P. Galatinus.

Q