Part 36 (1/2)

It is that particular Wise and good G.o.d, who is the author and owner of our System, that I propose for the object of my praise and adoration.

For I conceive that he has in himself some of those Pa.s.sions he has planted in us, and that, since he has given us Reason whereby we are capable of observing his Wisdom in the Creation, he is not above caring for us, being pleas'd with our Praise, and offended when we slight Him, or neglect his Glory.

I conceive for many Reasons, that he is a _good Being_; and as I should be happy to have so wise, good, and powerful a Being my Friend, let me consider in what manner I shall make myself most acceptable to him.

Next to the Praise resulting from and due to his Wisdom, I believe he is pleas'd and delights in the Happiness of those he has created; and since without Virtue Man can have no Happiness in this World, I firmly believe he delights to see me Virtuous, because he is pleased when he sees Me Happy.

And since he has created many Things, which seem purely design'd for the Delight of Man, I believe he is not offended, when he sees his Children solace themselves in any manner of pleasant exercises and Innocent Delights; and I think no Pleasure innocent, that is to Man hurtful.

I _love_ him therefore for his Goodness, and I _adore_ him for his Wisdom.

Let me then not fail to praise my G.o.d continually, for it is his Due, and it is all I can return for his many Favours and great Goodness to me; and let me resolve to be virtuous, that I may be happy, that I may please Him, who is delighted to see me happy. Amen!

ADORATION

PREL. Being mindful that before I address the Deity, my soul ought to be calm and serene, free from Pa.s.sion and Perturbation, or otherwise elevated with Rational Joy and Pleasure, I ought to use a Countenance that expresses a filial Respect, mixed w^th a kind of Smiling, that Signifies inward Joy, and Satisfaction, and Admiration.

O wise G.o.d, my good Father!

Thou beholdest the sincerity of my Heart and of my Devotion; Grant me a Continuance of thy Favour!

1. O Creator, O Father! I believe that thou art Good, and that thou art _pleas'd with the pleasure_ of thy children.--Praised be thy name for Ever!

2. By thy Power hast thou made the glorious Sun, with his attending Worlds; from the energy of thy mighty Will, they first received [their prodigious] motion, and by thy Wisdom hast thou prescribed the wondrous Laws, by which they move.--Praised be thy name for Ever!

3. By thy Wisdom hast thou formed all Things. Thou hast created Man, bestowing Life and Reason, and placed him in Dignity superior to thy other earthly Creatures.--Praised be thy name for Ever!

4. Thy Wisdom, thy Power, and thy Goodness are everywhere clearly seen; in the air and in the water, in the Heaven and on the Earth; Thou providest for the various winged Fowl, and the innumerable Inhabitants of the Water; thou givest Cold and Heat, Rain and Suns.h.i.+ne, in their Season, & to the Fruits of the Earth Increase.--Praised be thy name for Ever!

5. Thou abhorrest in thy Creatures Treachery and Deceit, Malice, Revenge, [_Intemperance_,] and every other hurtful Vice; but Thou art a Lover of Justice and Sincerity, of Friends.h.i.+p and Benevolence, and every Virtue. Thou art my Friend, my Father, and my Benefactor.--Praised be thy name, O G.o.d, for Ever! Amen!

[After this, it will not be improper to read part of some such Book as Ray's _Wisdom of G.o.d in the Creation_, or _Blackmore on the Creation_, or the Archbishop of Cambray's _Demonstration of the Being of a G.o.d_, &c., or else spend some Minutes in a serious Silence, contemplating on those Subjects.]

Then sing

MILTON'S HYMN TO THE CREATOR

”These are thy Glorious Works, Parent of Good!

Almighty, Thine this Universal Frame, Thus wondrous fair! Thyself how wondrous then!

Speak ye who best can tell, Ye Sons of Light, Angels, for ye behold him, and with Songs And Choral Symphonies, Day without Night, Circle his Throne rejoicing you in Heav'n, On Earth join all ye creatures to extol Him first, him last, him midst, and without End.

”Fairest of Stars, last in the Train of Night, If rather Thou belongst not to the Dawn, Sure Pledge of Day! thou crown'st the smiling Morn With thy bright Circlet, Praise him in thy Sphere While Day arises, that sweet Hour of Prime.

Thou Sun, of this great World, both Eye and Soul, Acknowledge him thy greater; Sound his Praise In thy eternal Course; both when thou climb'st, And when high Noon hast gain'd, and when thou fall'st.

Moon! that now meet'st the orient sun, now fly'st, With the fixed Stars, fixed in their orb that flies, And ye five other wandering Fires, that move In mystic Dance not without Song; resound His Praise, that out of Darkness called up Light.

Air! and ye Elements! the eldest Birth Of Nature's womb, that in Quaternion run Perpetual Circle, multiform, and mix And nourish all things, let your ceaseless Change Vary to our great Maker still new Praise.

Ye mists and Exhalations, that now rise From Hill or steaming lake, dusky or grey, Till the Sun paint your fleecy skirts with Gold, In honour to the World's Great Author rise; Whether to deck with Clouds the uncolor'd sky, Or wet the thirsty Earth w^th falling show'rs, Rising or falling still advance his Praise.

His Praise, ye Winds! that from 4 quarters blow, Breathe soft or Loud; and wave your Tops, ye Pines!