Chapter — Marc, Institutiones Morales
CHAPTER I: On the Praise of God and on Irreverence Against His Most Holy Name
St. Thomas, 2.2, q. 13, and 97-100; St. Alphonsus, III, 121 ff.; ed. G., I, p. 439; Suarez, de Virt. Relig., tr. III, l. I, III; Lehmkuhl, I, n. 506; Genicot, I, n. 291 ff.; Gury-Ferreres, I, n. 299 ff.; Vermeersch, Quaest. de Virt. Relig., n. 159.
Preliminary note. "Of God," says the Angelic Doctor, "we can speak in two ways. In one way, as regards his essence; and thus, since he is incomprehensible and ineffable, 'he is greater than every praise'; and under this respect reverence and the honor of latria are due to him. In another way, according to his effects which are ordered to our utility; and under this respect praise is due to him; whence it is said (Isai., 63, 7): I will remember the mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord for all the things which the Lord hath rendered to us" (2.2, q. 91, a. 1 ad 1).
- PRINCIPLES. I. For honoring God praise of the heart is not sufficient, but praise of the mouth is also required. Praise of the heart is honor furnished to God by the internal senses, or by reason and will. But this praise does not suffice, on account of the one praising himself, whose affection toward God ought to be excited from the praise itself, according to that (Ps. 49, 23): The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me; there is the way by which I will show him the salvation of God. Praise of the mouth also profits for this, that the affection of others toward God may be stirred.
Moreover, to the praise of God it pertains confidently to confess God in the sight of all, and to proclaim Christ the author of our salvation. For the Lord says (Luke, 9, 26): He that shall be ashamed of me, and of my words: of him the Son of man shall be ashamed when he shall come in his majesty. Likewise, it pertains to acknowledge and celebrate divine Providence in all events, both prosperous and adverse, saying with Job (1, 21): Blessed be the name of the Lord.
II. Praise of the mouth is imposed upon all negatively, but upon certain persons positively. It is said negatively, insofar as all must abstain from those things which inflict irreverence upon God. - The office of positively praising God is imposed upon religious and clerics, as will be seen n. 2203 ff.
Since irreverence against the MOST HOLY NAME OF GOD is committed: 1. through vain usurpation of it; 2. through blasphemy, therefore concerning these we shall now treat in a twofold article.