cxviii. l. 8, p. 292.) He observes, that it
cannot be doubted, but among all the acts of prayer, that of the
divine praise is in general the most noble and most excellent: and
that it is for his infinite goodness and mercy, in the first place,
that we are bound to praise him, (in Ps. cxxxiv p. 469.) Next to
this, he places the duty of thanksgiving. (Ib.) To be silent in the
divine praises, he calls the greatest of all punishments; and takes
notice, that every one makes what he loves the chiefest object of
his joy: as we see in the drunkard, the covetous, or the ambitious
man: thus the prophet makes the heavenly Jerusalem the beginning of
his joy; always bearing in mind, that this is his eternal country,
in which he will be associated with the troops of angels, be
received into the kingdom of God, and put in possession of its
glory; he therefore finds all other things insipid, and knows no
other comfort or joy but in this hope, bearing always in mind, that
the glorious inhabitants of that kingdom never cease singing the
divine praises, saying, Holy, holy, holy, &c. (in Ps. cxxxvi. n. 11,
p. 494.) In another place he tells us, that the prophet bears not
the delays of his body, (moras corporis sui non patitur,) sighing
with the apostle to be dissolved and clothed with immortality: but
earnestly praying, that he may find mercy, and be delivered from
falling into the lake of torments, (in Ps. cxlii. n. 8, 9, p. 549.)
During this exile to meditate on eternity, and on the divine law and
judgments, ought to be our assiduous occupation, (in Ps. cxlii. n.
6, p. 548,) especially in time of tribulations and temptations, (in
Ps. cxviii. l. 12, n. 10, p. 313.) The world is to be shunned, at
least in spirit; first, because it is filled on every side with
snares and dangers, secondly, that our souls may more freely soar
above it, always thinking on God; hence, he says, our souls must be,
as it were, spiritual birds of heaven, always raised high on the
wing; and he cries out, "Thou art instructed in heavenly science:
what hast thou to do with anxious worldly cares? Thou hast renounced
the world; what hast thou to do with its superfluous concerns? Why
dost thou complain if thou art taken in a snare, by wandering in a
strange land, who oughtest to restrain thy affections from straying
from home? Say ra