praise_n and_o adoration_n or_o a_o sermon_n on_o trinity-sunday_n before_o the_o university_n at_o oxford_n 1681._o by_o thomas_n mannyngham_n m._n a._n late_a fellow_n of_o new-colledge_n oxford_n london_n print_v for_o william_n crook_n at_o the_o green_a dragon_n without_o temple-barr_n psalm_n 103._o v._o 1._o bless_v the_o lord_n o_o my_o soul_n and_o all_o that_o be_v within_o i_o bless_v his_o holy_a name_n there_o be_v a_o habitual_a and_o also_o a_o actual_a praise_n or_o glorify_v of_o god_n the_o first_o consist_v in_o a_o regular_a conformity_n of_o our_o life_n or_o the_o general_a course_n of_o our_o action_n to_o the_o holy_a will_n and_o command_n of_o god_n but_o actual_a adoration_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o my_o ensue_a discourse_n be_v itself_o a_o peculiar_a and_o solemn_a part_n of_o divine_a worship_n which_o do_v not_o only_o consist_v in_o a_o open_a recitation_n of_o hymn_n and_o spiritual_a song_n but_o also_o in_o a_o silent_a exultation_n of_o our_o faculty_n and_o a_o religious_a warmth_n of_o soul_n wrought_v by_o heavenly_a object_n now_o there_o be_v many_o word_n and_o phrase_n in_o holy_a scripture_n especial_o in_o this_o book_n of_o psalm_n which_o be_v often_o use_v to_o express_v the_o same_o duty_n of_o blessing_n or_o praise_v the_o lord_n and_o though_o they_o be_v promiscuous_o insert_v as_o certain_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v either_o in_o popular_a or_o poetic_a write_n yet_o be_v they_o many_o of_o they_o of_o peculiar_a limitation_n and_o significancy_n which_o be_v somewhat_o state_v and_o explain_v may_v serve_v to_o establish_v a_o full_a and_o easy_a notion_n of_o what_o in_o my_o follow_a discourse_n i_o shall_v make_v more_o copious_a and_o less_o nice_a reflection_n wherefore_o our_o most_o humble_a and_o worthy_a apprehension_n our_o sincere_a devout_a resentment_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n be_v necessary_o require_v to_o constitute_v the_o invisible_a adoration_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o soul_n and_o spirit_n which_o from_o its_o vital_a and_o inward_a heat_n be_v continual_o display_v itself_o into_o great_a variety_n of_o external_n evidence_n according_a to_o the_o diversity_n of_o those_o object_n about_o which_o it_o be_v immediate_o conversant_a so_o that_o we_o may_v be_v say_v to_o praise_v the_o lord_n when_o we_o declare_v his_o free_a and_o most_o excellent_a work_n of_o mercy_n and_o justice_n of_o creation_n and_o providence_n to_o magnify_v and_o adore_v he_o when_o we_o set_v forth_o his_o incommunicable_a and_o natural_a excellency_n such_o as_o his_o omnipotence_n immensity_n etc._n etc._n which_o joint_o consider_v with_o his_o universal_a dominion_n and_o sovereignty_n over_o all_o creature_n may_v seem_v to_o signify_v all_o that_o we_o mean_v by_o the_o glorious_a majesty_n of_o god_n we_o may_v be_v say_v to_o bless_v the_o lord_n by_o our_o wish_n and_o word_n and_o be_v the_o good_a we_o wish_v be_v extrinsic_a to_o his_o nature_n and_o not_o yet_o obtain_v as_o that_o the_o whole_a world_n may_v be_v convert_v and_o fear_v his_o name_n etc._n etc._n we_o must_v be_v sure_a to_o bless_v he_o with_o our_o endeavour_n too_o but_o chief_o this_o blessing_n be_v effect_v by_o our_o most_o solemn_a gratulation_n for_o see_v we_o can_v confer_v any_o real_a good_a on_o god_n we_o must_v continual_o express_v our_o joy_n and_o gladness_n for_o his_o actual_a possession_n of_o all_o possible_a perfection_n to_o worship_v he_o usual_o denote_v a_o most_o humble_a posture_n of_o body_n when_o we_o incline_v towards_o or_o prostrate_v ourselves_o on_o that_o dust_n out_o of_o which_o we_o be_v make_v we_o glorify_v god_n with_o our_o mouth_n and_o according_o the_o psalmist_n call_v his_o tongue_n his_o glory_n awake_v thou_o my_o glory_n thanksgiving_n be_v a_o open_a profession_n and_o a_o hearty_a acknowledgement_n that_o we_o have_v receive_v a_o benefit_n most_o free_o and_o without_o any_o merit_n of_o our_o own_o adoration_n and_o thanksgiving_n seem_v to_o differ_v in_o these_o respect_n we_o adore_v god_n for_o thing_n that_o be_v act_v long_o ago_o which_o concern_v not_o we_o any_o more_o than_o that_o they_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o his_o omnipotence_n as_o for_o all_o the_o wonder_v do_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n thanksgiving_n relate_v to_o those_o benefit_n which_o either_o we_o immediate_o receive_v or_o who_o effect_n be_v communicate_v to_o we_o also_o we_o adore_v god_n for_o his_o judgement_n and_o his_o vengeance_n however_o display_v either_o on_o our_o enemy_n or_o on_o ourselves_o for_o which_o we_o be_v not_o proper_o say_v to_o return_v thanksgiving_n because_o adoration_n respect_v the_o justice_n of_o the_o action_n thanksgiving_n the_o goodness_n of_o it_o these_o word_n and_o phrase_n be_v thus_o somewhat_o explain_v i_o shall_v make_v no_o scruple_n to_o use_v they_o again_o in_o their_o popular_a sense_n and_o freedom_n according_a as_o i_o shall_v find_v occasion_n for_o they_o in_o my_o far_a amplification_n on_o the_o text_n which_o i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o handle_v in_o these_o three_o respect_n i._o you_o may_v be_v please_v to_o consider_v the_o necessity_n and_o excellence_n of_o praise_n and_o adoration_n bless_v the_o lord_n o_o my_o soul_n ii_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v what_o be_v those_o faculty_n and_o capacity_n of_o the_o soul_n whereby_o this_o adoration_n be_v perform_v all_o that_o be_v within_o i_o iii_o i_o will_v point_v out_o some_o of_o those_o benefit_n which_o will_v arise_v from_o a_o worthy_a performance_n of_o the_o duty_n bless_v the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n i._o you_o may_v be_v please_v to_o consider_v the_o necessity_n and_o excellence_n of_o praise_n and_o adoration_n bless_v the_o lord_n o_o my_o soul_n prayer_n and_o praise_n which_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o all_o that_o we_o can_v proper_o call_v divine_a worship_n be_v as_o well_o the_o eternal_a dictate_v of_o nature_n as_o the_o most_o sacred_a command_n of_o revelation_n and_o if_o there_o may_v be_v allow_v any_o remarkable_a precedency_n in_o these_o high_a duty_n of_o natural_a and_o reveal_v religion_n praise_n or_o adoration_n seem_v just_o to_o challenge_v that_o prerogative_n for_o shall_v not_o we_o first_o acknowledge_v our_o be_v before_o we_o view_v and_o lament_v its_o imperfection_n shall_v not_o we_o return_v our_o sacrifice_n of_o gratitude_n for_o what_o we_o have_v already_o receive_v before_o we_o implore_v the_o divine_a benignity_n for_o further_a accession_n fresh_a supply_n and_o new_a assistance_n common_a justice_n oblige_v we_o at_o all_o time_n first_o to_o look_v back_o and_o magnify_v the_o lord_n for_o our_o actual_a preservation_n before_o we_o presume_v to_o put_v up_o our_o petition_n for_o pardon_n and_o future_a security_n and_o it_o require_v a_o psalm_n of_o thanksgiving_n that_o we_o be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o know_v our_o want_n to_o survey_v our_o infirmity_n the_o meanness_n of_o our_o nature_n have_v indeed_o place_v we_o below_o the_o possibility_n of_o make_v any_o recompense_n and_o yet_o the_o indigency_n of_o our_o condition_n still_o call_v upon_o we_o to_o make_v fresh_a acknowledgement_n and_o however_o imperfect_a these_o oblation_n be_v yet_o be_v they_o the_o only_a show_n of_o real_a service_n we_o can_v render_v the_o only_a image_n of_o requital_n which_o our_o creator_n have_v indulge_v we_o and_o as_o this_o adoration_n be_v our_o indispensable_a duty_n so_o it_o be_v our_o advantage_n and_o our_o glory_n too_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o business_n of_o our_o creation_n but_o the_o excellency_n of_o it_o and_o we_o never_o appear_v in_o a_o more_o exalt_a state_n than_o when_o we_o glorify_v in_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o duty_n we_o more_o eminent_o make_v good_a our_o communion_n with_o saint_n and_o angel_n whilst_o with_o those_o bless_a spirit_n we_o constitute_v the_o same_o choir_n and_o make_v one_o universal_a haleluia_o nothing_o sure_o can_v be_v more_o just_a and_o natural_a than_o to_o employ_v our_o breath_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o he_o who_o give_v it_o we_o nothing_o more_o profitable_a than_o to_o magnify_v the_o lord_n into_o great_a mercy_n to_o ourselves_o nothing_o more_o delightful_a than_o to_o be_v always_o full_a of_o glorious_a conception_n always_o pour_v forth_o the_o language_n of_o blessing_n and_o affection_n prayer_n be_v but_o the_o mournful_a draught_n and_o table_n of_o our_o misery_n the_o representation_n of_o our_o shipwreckt_a nature_n repentance_n have_v a_o gloomy_a side_n but_o praise_n be_v faith_n and_o reason_n triumph_n a_o bright_a unmixed_a immaculate_a joy_n and_o only_o want_v some_o few_o degree_n of_o be_v all_o we_o can_v conceive_v of_o heaven_n therefore_o ii_o you_o may_v be_v please_v to_o consider_v what_o be_v those_o faculty_n and_o capacity_n of_o the_o soul_n whereby_o this_o duty_n be_v perform_v now_o the_o power_n of_o the_o
soul_n which_o be_v more_o eminent_o concern_v in_o the_o act_n of_o adoration_n seem_v to_o be_v these_o three_o 1._o our_o reason_n 2._o our_o imagination_n 3._o our_o affection_n for_o we_o may_v be_v say_v to_o praise_n the_o lord_n with_o our_o reason_n in_o these_o two_o respect_n 1._o when_o it_o perfect_o and_o free_o submit_v to_o the_o high_a mystery_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o pure_a revelation_n 2._o when_o it_o humble_o and_o devout_o busy_v itself_o about_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n manifest_v in_o the_o work_v of_o creation_n and_o providence_n and_o though_o they_o be_v object_n of_o revelation_n too_o yet_o have_v they_o a_o sure_a foundation_n in_o right_a reason_n and_o natural_a religion_n and_o therefore_o may_v safe_o admit_v of_o a_o modest_a and_o affectionate_a enquiry_n we_o may_v be_v say_v to_o praise_v the_o lord_n with_o our_o imagination_n when_o we_o study_v to_o adorn_v our_o divine_a conception_n with_o the_o most_o excellent_a idea_n with_o the_o most_o lively_a representation_n we_o can_v invent_v last_o we_o may_v be_v say_v to_o praise_n the_o lord_n with_o our_o affection_n when_o the_o whole_a duty_n be_v perform_v with_o strong_a vehemency_n of_o soul_n and_o intenseness_n of_o spirit_n with_o the_o union_n of_o love_n and_o wonder_n and_o such_o like_a bright_a affection_n as_o perfect_a and_o exalt_v our_o most_o spiritual_a performance_n of_o these_o in_o their_o order_n 1._o we_o may_v be_v say_v to_o praise_n the_o lord_n with_o our_o reason_n when_o it_o perfect_o and_o free_o submit_v itself_o to_o the_o high_a mystery_n of_o faith_n or_o the_o doctrine_n of_o pure_a revelation_n and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o especial_a excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o as_o all_o its_o precept_n for_o life_n and_o manner_n be_v so_o perspicuous_o deliver_v and_o so_o perfect_o agreeable_a to_o the_o best_a conception_n of_o mankind_n that_o the_o humble_a person_n can_v mistake_v his_o way_n to_o heaven_n so_o also_o there_o be_v such_o height_n and_o depth_n in_o the_o recess_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o perhaps_o the_o seraphim_n can_v comprehend_v and_o although_o these_o proposition_n of_o our_o belief_n also_o be_v as_o clear_v and_o evident_a as_o history_n and_o language_n can_v make_v they_o as_o infallible_o true_a and_o certain_a as_o that_o god_n who_o have_v reveal_v they_o yet_o even_o in_o our_o modest_a contemplation_n on_o they_o the_o excessive_a glory_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v apt_a to_o strike_v back_o and_o scatter_v our_o natural_a light_n into_o the_o confusion_n of_o break_a knowledge_n and_o admiration_n into_o humility_n love_n praise_v and_o resignation_n thus_o perfect_v our_o nature_n whilst_o it_o confound_v our_o inquiry_n so_o that_o the_o most_o speculative_a mystery_n of_o christianity_n how_o incomprehensible_a soever_o in_o their_o intrinsic_n nature_n be_v yet_o as_o serviceable_a and_o conducive_a to_o the_o end_n of_o religion_n viz._n the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o promote_a true_a holiness_n as_o the_o most_o practical_a and_o familiar_a doctrine_n and_o encouragement_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v indeed_o our_o mystery_n like_o those_o of_o the_o ancient_a heathen_a who_o adyta_fw-la and_o penetralia_fw-la be_v but_o so_o many_o cloister_n of_o separate_a impurity_n so_o many_o concealment_n of_o spiritual_a craft_n or_o of_o mystical_a and_o appropriate_v lust_n then_o the_o nice_a examine_v world_n may_v very_o well_o complain_v of_o the_o imposture_n of_o priest_n of_o the_o absurdity_n of_o a_o superstitious_a faith_n but_o when_o the_o mystery_n we_o pretend_v to_o be_v not_o such_o as_o be_v make_v so_o by_o shrine_n templecharacter_n and_o a_o traditionary_a caution_n but_o such_o as_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o promiscuous_a yet_o humble_a view_n of_o all_o man_n in_o confession_n creed_n and_o catechism_n and_o be_v thus_o expose_v they_o be_v no_o incongruity_n to_o our_o moral_a conception_n as_o most_o of_o the_o heathen_n be_v nor_o yet_o contradiction_n to_o our_o natural_a reason_v as_o some_o will_v have_v they_o for_o they_o be_v not_o such_o object_n as_o lie_v within_o its_o sphere_n or_o within_o the_o reach_n of_o its_o common_a axiom_n but_o be_v rather_o so_o many_o humiliation_n of_o our_o understanding_n so_o many_o gracious_a affrightment_n and_o incomprehensible_a endearment_n of_o our_o soul_n unto_o love_n and_o obedience_n so_o that_o if_o the_o thought_n of_o a_o trinity_n in_o unity_n and_o a_o unity_n in_o trinity_n amaze_v thy_o mind_n thou_o may_v present_o relieve_v thyself_o with_o this_o contemplation_n that_o all_o this_o unconceivable_a distinction_n of_o subsistence_n extend_v itself_o to_o thy_o benefit_n and_o comfort_n to_o reach_v thou_o out_o of_o perdition_n and_o thy_o primitive_a curse_n that_o all_o this_o ineffable_a oeconomy_n of_o the_o divinity_n be_v thy_o redemption_n thy_o sanctification_n in_o a_o word_n thy_o multiplied_a salvation_n and_o consider_v likewise_o that_o on_o one_o side_n we_o have_v the_o express_a declaration_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o definition_n of_o general_a council_n the_o write_n and_o devotion_n of_o primitive_a father_n the_o blood_n and_o conscience_n of_o holy_a martyr_n to_o testify_v and_o seal_v their_o early_a antiquity_n their_o venerable_a certainty_n and_o most_o faithful_a conveyance_n and_o then_o on_o the_o other_o side_n that_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o scholastic_a subtlety_n and_o presumption_n enthusiasm_n to_o weaken_v or_o corrupt_v they_o bold_a philosophy_n malicious_a cavil_v and_o impious_a blasphemy_n to_o oppose_v they_o i_o say_v consider_v all_o these_o thing_n what_o possible_o can_v deter_v any_o good_a and_o humble_a man_n even_o in_o this_o perverse_a dispute_v age_n from_o triumphant_o embrace_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n with_o a_o strong_a and_o heroical_a assent_n with_o a_o noble_a captivity_n of_o mind_n and_o the_o most_o vigorous_a act_n of_o adoration_n happy_a have_v it_o be_v for_o the_o christian_a world_n if_o these_o eminency_n in_o religion_n have_v be_v always_o guard_v with_o a_o flame_v cherubin_n and_o be_v only_o make_v the_o illustrious_a theme_n of_o praise_n and_o adoration_n but_o now_o alas_o the_o controversy_n of_o the_o church_n about_o these_o high_a point_n will_v hardly_o suffer_v we_o to_o speak_v devotional_o of_o our_o mystery_n grammatical_a nicety_n and_o socinian_n figure_n have_v weaken_a the_o native_a reverence_n of_o many_o text_n every_o dutch_a systeme_n be_v arrogant_o big_a with_o the_o bold_a explication_n of_o the_o mysterious_a trinity_n and_o of_o those_o height_n and_o depth_n before_o which_o the_o very_a angel_n tremble_v and_o vail_n what_o if_o some_o holy_a person_n of_o old_a perhaps_o of_o more_o piety_n and_o devout_a affection_n than_o learning_n and_o philosophy_n be_v admit_v like_a moses_n into_o the_o cloud_n humble_o to_o converse_v with_o god_n about_o this_o dreadful_a mystery_n to_o be_v a_o bank_n and_o a_o mound_n against_o a_o eager_a and_o impetuous_a heresy_n then_o rage_v in_o the_o church_n and_o to_o be_v a_o stand_a authority_n against_o all_o future_a swell_n of_o proud_a contention_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n but_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o restraint_n also_o about_o this_o mountain_n too_o to_o fence_v off_o the_o multitude_n and_o common_a beast_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o vile_a herd_n at_o awful_a distance_n lest_o they_o break_v through_o unto_o the_o lord_n to_o gaze_v and_o perish_v exod._n 19_o v._o 21._o 2._o we_o may_v be_v say_v to_o praise_n the_o lord_n with_o our_o reason_n when_o it_o humble_o and_o devout_o busy_v itself_o about_o the_o nature_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n manifest_v in_o the_o work_v of_o creation_n and_o providence_n and_o although_o they_o be_v object_n of_o divine_a revelation_n too_o yet_o have_v they_o a_o sure_a foundation_n in_o right_a reason_n and_o natural_a religion_n and_o therefore_o may_v safe_o admit_v of_o a_o modest_a and_o affectionate_a enquiry_n bless_v his_o holy_a name_n where_o by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v mean_v all_o that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o conceive_v of_o his_o perfection_n his_o nature_n and_o attribute_n and_o those_o not_o as_o they_o be_v metaphysical_o handle_v and_o jejune_o mingle_v with_o the_o definition_n of_o the_o school_n but_o as_o they_o be_v most_o pathetical_o set_v forth_o in_o holy_a scripture_n by_o his_o miraculous_a work_n and_o gracious_a dispensation_n to_o mankind_n alas_o it_o be_v not_o the_o dry_a skeleton_n of_o dead_a and_o shapeless_a reason_n or_o the_o scholastic_a joint_v of_o prodigious_a term_n which_o represent_v a_o image_n rather_o ghastly_a than_o admirable_a that_o can_v excite_v and_o animate_v our_o gratulation_n and_o our_o praise_n but_o there_o must_v be_v the_o life_n and_o feature_n and_o all_o the_o move_a elegance_n of_o the_o frame_n to_o give_v we_o bright_a conception_n of_o its_o dignity_n and_o therefore_o we_o find_v that_o
holy_a scripture_n scarce_o ever_o meddle_v with_o a_o attribute_n in_o its_o absolute_a nature_n but_o only_o in_o a_o relative_n and_o endear_n way_n and_o that_o creation_n and_o providence_n which_o be_v rich_o pregnant_a with_o all_o those_o divine_a perfection_n which_o most_o near_o concern_v we_o be_v the_o two_o choose_a and_o most_o sublime_a topi_n on_o which_o the_o eucharistical_a psalm_n be_v chief_o spend_v and_o who_o among_o we_o can_v forbear_v from_o break_v forth_o into_o act_n of_o praise_n and_o adoration_n when_o he_o consider_v how_o the_o almighty_a be_v please_v out_o of_o his_o infinite_a and_o boundless_a goodness_n according_a to_o the_o freedom_n of_o his_o eternal_a decree_n i_o must_v not_o say_v to_o empty_a but_o to_o irradiate_a himself_o into_o this_o amaze_a variety_n of_o being_n this_o stupendous_a fabric_n of_o the_o world_n indefinite_a to_o our_o most_o travel_a conception_n and_o only_o less_o infinite_a than_o he_o who_o make_v it_o here_o 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he_o in_o remote_a and_o distant_a scene_n for_o no_o