Milton

¶1p. 413 Hactenus de cultu Dei interno: sequitur externus; quæ RELIGIO nominari solet: non quo internus cultus religio non sit; sed quod non ita nominetur, nisi appareat. Et externus quidem cultus, quamquam docendi causa distinguitur, usu tamen conjungi semper cum interno debet, nec nisi impiorum vitio separatur.

¶2Vera religio est qua Deus ritu et ratione ab ipso præscripta sincere colitur. Micæ vi. 6, &c. quanam re instructus veniam ante Jehovam—? Appellatur in scripturis λατρεύειν, Matt. iv. 10. et δουλεύειν, cap. vi. 24. Gal. iv. 8. Errant igitur pontificii, qui λάτρειαν Deo, δούλειαν sanctis angelis et hominibus tribuunt.

¶3Huic opponitur superstitio, seu ἐθελοθρήσκεια, cultus ab hominibus confictus. Sic Nadab et Abiu obtulerunt ignem alienum coram Jehova, quod morte statim luerunt, Lev. x. 1, 2. 1 Sam. xiii. 12, 13. tandem obtuli holocaustum—: stulte fecisti—. et xv. 15, 16. ad sacrificandum Jehovæ Deo tuo—: desine, ut renuntiem tibi—. 1 Reg. xii. 31, 32. paravit domum excelsorum—. 2 Reg. xvi. 10, &c. quum vidisset altare—. 1 Chron. xv. 13. cum v. 15. irrupit Jehova Deus noster in nos, cum non requireremus eum rite—: et tulerunt Levitæ arcam Dei, quemadmodum præceperat—. Isa. xxix. 13. est reverentia eorum erga me, quam præcepto hominum edocti sunt. Marc. vii. 7, 8. frustra me colunt, docentes <!-- p.414 --> doctrinas quæ sunt præcepta hominum—. et Matt. xv. 3, &c. quare vos transgredimini—? Gal. vi. 12. quicunque volunt speciosi apparere in carne, ii cogunt vos—. Quod grave peccatum veterum in ecclesia doctorum merito notatur; qui ut Paganos ad Christianam religionem eo faciliori transitu allicerent, eosdem ritus levi duntaxat vel rerum vel nominum mutatione retinuerunt, cum summo religionis detrimento, contra illud præceptum, Deut. xii. 30, 31. cave tibi ne sequendo eas illaqueeris—, et ne exquiras de diis earum, dicendo, quomodo coluerunt gentes istæ deos suos, ut sic faciam ego quoque? ne facito sic Jehovæ Deo tuo—.

¶4Et cultus hypocriticus: cum externus quidem cultus rite observatur, sed sine interno animi affectu; id quod Deo graviter offensum est. Lev. xxvi. 31. desolabo sanctuaria vestra—. 1 Sam. iv. 3. assumamus ad nos Silunte arcam fœderis Jehovæ. 2 Chron. xii. 9. ascendens Sesacus, accepit thesauros—. Sic Joas templum exstruxit, cap. xxiv. 4, 6. et Herodes ipse Christi hostis. et xxxvi. 7. etiam ex instrumentis domus Jehovæ. Ezræ i. 7. idem. Prov. xv. 8. sacrificium improborum abominationi est Jehovæ. et xxi. 27. idem. Isa. i. 11, &c. quorsum mihi multitudo sacrificiorum vestrorum—? et Jer. vii. 4. ne habetote fiduciam vestram in rebus falsis, dicendo, templi Jehovæ ista sunt. et v. 12. ite in locum meum qui erat Silunte—. et v. 14. idem. et Isa. xxix. 13. propterea quod appropinquat populus iste ore suo, et labiis suis honorant me, cor autem suum procul—. Matt. xv. 8, 9. idem. et Isa. xlviii. 1, &c. audite hoc, domus Jacobi, qui vocant se de nomine Israelis—. et lxvi. 3. qui jugulat bovem—. Jer. xviii. 18. dicunt, agite, cogitemus contra Jeremiam cogitationes; nam non est peritura lex a sacerdote. Ezech. xxxiii. 30, 31, 32. sedentes coram te quasi populus meus—, quæstum suum animus ipsorum persequitur—. Amos. v. 21. odi, sperno dies festos vestros—. et vi. 5. modulantibus ad præscriptum nablii, sicut David—. Micæ vi. 6, &c. an accepta haberet Jehova millia arietum, myriadas torrentium olei? an darem primogenitum meum pro defectione mea, fructum ventris mei pro peccato animæ meæ? indicavit tibi, o homo, quid sit bonum: ecquid Jehova requisivit abs te, nisi ut exerceas jus, et ames benignitatem, et modeste ambules cum Deo tuo? Matt. xii. 44. invenit eam vacantem, versam et ornatam. et xxi. 30, &c. p. 415 ait, ego abeo; sed non abiit—. et xxiii. 3, &c. dicunt, et non faciunt—. et v. 15. væ vobis scribæ, Pharisæi, hypocritæ—. Luc. xi. 40, 42. desipientes; nonne qui fecit quod foris est, etiam id quod intus est fecit? Philipp. i. 15, 16. nonnulli quidem per invidiam et contentionem Christum prædicant—.

¶5Susceptam temere et ob rationes politicas religionem cæde et excidio luunt Sichemitæ, Gen. xxxiv.

¶6Contra, cultus internus, id est, sincerus, etiamsi externus non rite obeatur, Deo tamen acceptus est. 1 Reg. iii. 3, &c. amabat Solomon Jehovam—; tantummodo in istis excelsis ipse sacrificabat. 2 Chron. xxx. 18, 19, 20. magna pars illius populi— non mundaverant se quum comederent pascha—: sed oravit Ezechia pro iis, dicendo, Jehova optimus expiationem faciat pro eo quisquis animum suum comparaverit ad quærendum Deum Jehovam, Deum majorum suorum, quamvis non sit prout mundities sacra postulat: et auscultans Jehova Ezechiæ, curavit populum. Joan. vii. 14. festo autem illo jam medio, ascendit Jesus in templum, ac docebat.

¶7Religionis veræ seu cultus Dei cum partes, tum circumstantiæ veniunt considerandæ.

¶8PARTES RELIGIONIS sunt INVOCATIO seu ADORATIO, et NOMINIS DIVINI IN OMNI VITA SANCTIFICATIO.

¶9INVOCATIO est vel PETITIO ET GRATIARUM ACTIO, vel JUSJURANDUM ET SORS.

¶10PETITIO est qua RES QUASVIS LICITAS AUCTORE SANCTO SPIRITU REVERENTER A DEO EX FIDE IN CHRISTO PRO NOBIS PROQUE ALIIS PETIMUS. Psal. l. 15. invoca me tempore angustiæ, eripiam te, ut honore afficias me. et lxxxvi. 4, 5. ad te, Domine, animam meam attollo: tu enim Domine bonus es et condonans, multusque benignitate omnibus invocan<!-- p.416 -->tibus te. Matt. vii. 7, 9, 10. petite, et dabitur vobis; quærite, et invenietis; pulsate, et aperietur vobis. Philipp. iv. 6. de nulla re solliciti estote; sed omni in re orationibus et deprecatione cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum.

¶11EX FIDE. Marc. xi. 24. quæcunque orantes petitis, credite vos accepturos, et erunt vobis. Rom. x. 14. quomodo invocabunt eum in quem non crediderint. 1 Tim. ii. 8. absque disceptatione. Jacob. i. 6, 7. postulet cum fide, nihil ambigens: nam qui ambigit—.

¶12IN CHRISTO. Joan. xiv. 13, 14. quicquid petieritis in nomine meo, hoc faciam, ut glorificetur Pater in Filio. et xvi. 23. quæcunque petieritis a Patre in nomine meo, dabit vobis. Apoc. v. 8. habentes singuli citharas et phialas aureas plenas suffituum, quæ sunt preces sanctorum. cum cap. viii. 3, 4. dati sunt ei suffitus multi, ut offerret cum precibus sanctorum omnium: ascendit autem fumus suffituum cum precibus sanctorum.

¶13RES LICITAS. Et in primis optima quæque. 1 Reg. iii. 11, 12. eo quod petiisti rem istam, et non petiisti tibi dies multos, neque divitias, neque vitam inimicorum tuorum, sed petiisti tibi intelligentiam ad audiendum judicium; ecce facio secundum sermonem tuum—. Matt. vi. 33. quærite primo regnum Dei et justitiam ejus, et ista omnia adjicientur vobis.

¶14AUCTORE SANCTO SPIRITU. Zech. xii. 10. ut effundam super domum Davidis et super habitatores Hierosolymarum Spiritum gratiæ et deprecationum. Rom. viii. 26, 27. Spiritus una sublevat infirmitates nostras: quid enim oremus ut oportet, non novimus—. Eph. vi. 18. orantes omni tempore in Spiritu. Judæ v. 20. in Spiritu Sancto orantes; id est, suscitato, quantum possumus, Sancti Spiritus dono.

¶15Est et oratio Dominica documentum potius quam formula precandi ab apostolis olim aut nunc ab ecclesiis verbatim recitanda: unde perspicitur quam nihil opus sint in ecclesia Liturgiæ; cum auctores adjutoresque precum nostrarum divinos, non humanos habeamus.

¶1p. 557 Thus much of the internal service of God. We are now to speak of his external service, which is commonly denominated RELIGION; not that internal worship is not also religion, but that it is not usually called so, except as it manifests itself in outward actions. Although external worship is, for the convenience of definition, distinguished from internal, it is our duty to unite them in practice, nor are they ever separated, except by the fault of the wicked.

¶2True religion is that by which God is worshipped with sincerity after the form and manner which himself has prescribed. Mic. vi. 6. wherewith shall I come before Jehovah—? Worship is expressed in Scripture by the verb λατρεύειν, Matt. iv. 10. and δουλεύειν, vi. 24. Gal. iv. 8. The Papists therefore err in explaining λατρεία of the worship paid to God, δουλεία of that paid to holy men and angels.¹

¶3Opposed to this is, first, superstition or will worship (ἐθελοθρησκεία), the offspring of man's invention. Thus Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire before Jehovah, for which they were forthwith punished with death, Levit. x. 1, 2. 1 Sam. xiii. 12. I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt-offering....thou hast done foolishly. xv. 15, 16. they have brought them.....to sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God....stay and I will tell thee what Jehovah hath said to me. 1 Kings xii. 31, 32. he made an house of high places. 2 Kings xvi. 10. he saw an altar that was at Damascus, &c. 1 Chron. xv. 13, 15. Jehovah our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order ....so the children of the Levites <!-- p.558 --> bare the ark of God....according to the word of Jehovah. Isai. xxix. 13. their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men. Mark vii. 7, 8. in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matt. xv. 3, &c. why do ye also transgress the commandment of God—? Gal. vi. 12. as many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised. Some of the early teachers of the church are chargeable with this grievous error, in that they, to facilitate the conversion of the heathen to Christianity,² retained the pagan rites with p. 559 a slight alteration of names or things, to the infinite detriment of religion, and in direct violation of the precept, Deut. xii. 30, 31. take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them...and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise: thou shalt not do so unto Jehovah thy God.

¶4Secondly, an hypocritical worship, in which the external forms are duly observed, but without any accompanying affection of the mind; which is a high offence against God. Lev. xxvi. 31. I will make your cities waste, &c. 1 Sam. iv. 3. let us fetch the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of Shiloh unto us. 2 Chron. xii. 9. so Shishak...came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of Jehovah. Thus Joash repaired the temple, xxiv. 4—6.; as did also Herod, although the enemy of Christ. xxxvi. 7. Nebuchadnezzar carried of the vessels of the house of Jehovah, and put them in his temple at Babylon. See also Ezra i. 7. Prov. xv. 8. the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah. See also xxi. 27. Isai. i. 11. to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? Jer. vii. 4. trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of Jehovah...are these. v. 12. go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh. See also v. 14. Isai. xxix. 13. forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me. See also Matt. xv. 8, 9. Isai. xlviii. 1. hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel. lxvi. 3. he that killeth an ox, &c. Jer. xviii. 18. come and let us devise devices against <!-- p.560 --> Jeremiah, for the law shall not perish from the priest. Ezek. xxxiii. 30—32. they sit before thee as my people....but their heart goeth after covetousness. Amos v. 21. I hate, I despise your feast days. vi. 5. that chaunt to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David. Mic. vi. 7, &c. will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? he hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Matt. xii. 44. he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. xxi. 30, &c. he answered and said, I go, sir; and went not. xxiii. 3. they say and do not. v. 15. woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites—. Luke xi. 40, 42. ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make that which is within also? Philipp. i. 15, 16. some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife.

¶5The Shechemites, (Gen. xxxiv.) were punished with slaughter and destruction for having adopted a new religion inconsiderately, and from secular motives.

¶6On the contrary, internal worship, or the worship of the heart, is accepted of God, even where external forms are not in all respects duly observed.³ 1 Kings iii. 3. Solomon loved Jehovah.....only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. 2 Chron. xxx. 18—20. a multitude of the people....had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover .....but Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Jehovah pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, Jehovah God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary: and Jehovah hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. John vii. 14. now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

¶7p. 561 The parts and circumstances of true religion, or of the worship of God, are next to be considered.

¶8THE PARTS into which RELIGION is divided, are THE INVOCATION or ADORATION OF GOD, and THE SANCTIFICATION OF HIS NAME IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE.

¶9Under INVOCATION are included, first, SUPPLICATION and THANKSGIVING; secondly, OATHS and THE CASTING OF LOTS.

¶10SUPPLICATION is that act whereby UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WE REVERENTLY ASK OF GOD THINGS LAWFUL, EITHER FOR OURSELVES OR OTHERS, THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST. Psal. l. 15. call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. lxxxvi. 4, 5. unto thee, O Jehovah, do I lift up my soul; for thou, Jehovah, art good and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Matt. vii. 7—10. ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Philipp. iv. 6. be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.

¶11THROUGH FAITH. Mark xi. 24. what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Rom. x. 14. how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? 1 Tim. ii. 8. without doubting. James i. 6, 7. let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth, &c.

¶12IN CHRIST. John xiv. 13, 14. whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. xvi. 23. whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Rev. v. 8. having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. viii. 3, 4. there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints <!-- p.562 --> upon the golden altar which was before the throne; and the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God.

¶13THINGS LAWFUL; and above all, the best things. 1 Kings iii. 11, 12. because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgement; behold, I have done according to thy words. Matt. vi. 33. seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

¶14UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Zech. xii. 10. I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplications. Rom. viii. 26, 27. likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. Eph. vi. 18. praying always......in the Spirit. Jude 20. praying in the Holy Ghost; that is, quickening and calling into action, as much as possible, the gift of the Holy Ghost within us.

¶15The Lord's Prayer was intended rather as a model of supplication, than as a form to be repeated verbatim by the apostles, or by Christian churches at the present day.⁴ Hence the superfluousness of set forms of worship; seeing that, with Christ for our master, and the Holy Spirit for our assistant in prayer, we can have no need of any human aid in either respect.⁵

¶1p. 417 REVERENTER. Reverentia autem complectitur cum internum animi affectum, tum vocem et corporis gestum.

¶2Internus affectus est, 1m. ut unumquodque bene sive bono fini petamus. Jacob. iv. 3. petitis et non accipitis, eo quod male petatis, ut in voluptates vestras insumatis. 2do. ut animo puro et resipiscente: hinc illi, 2 Sam. xxii. 42. circumspectant, sed non est qui servet, ad Jehovam, sed non exaudit eos. Psal. lxvi. 18. ad iniquitatem si spectassem animo meo, non audivisset Dominus. Isa. i. 16, 17, 18. lavate vos, purificate vos—; venite jam—. Ezech. viii. 18. quamvis clamant in auribus meis voce magna, non exaudiam eos. et xx. 30, 31. an in via patrum vestrorum—, et ego consular a vobis—? Joan. ix. 31. Deus peccatores non audit. 3tio. animo erga fratres miti et placabili. Matt. v. 24. omitte illic munus tuum coram altare, et abi: primum reconciliator fratri tuo—. et vi. 12. remitte nobis debita nostra, sicut—. et xviii. 23. in parabola duorum debitorum. 1 Tim. ii. 8. puras manus attollentes absque ira et disceptatione. 4to. ut mature. Prov. i. 24, &c. quandoquidem invito, et renuitis—, invocabunt me, sed non exaudiam—. Psal. xxxii. 6. propterea orabit ad te omnis beneficus tempore inveniendi. Isa. lv. 6. requirite Jehovam cum invenietur—. 5to. ut humillime. Luc. xviii. 9, &c. stetit procul, dicens, Deus placator mihi peccatori. 6to. ut instanter. Luc. xi. 5. in parabola amici panem mutuum petentis. et xviii. 2, &c. in parabola judicis iniqui. 7mo. ut perseveranter. Col. iv. 2. in precibus perdurate.

¶3Vox non prolata semper, sed vel nulla, vel submissa, vel etiam gemitus in privatis precibus valent. Exod. xiv. 15. dixit Jehova Mosi (quamvis tum quidem tacenti et intus modo clamanti) quid clamas ad me? 1 Sam. i. 13. Hanna loquebatur cum animo suo; tantum labia ejus movebantur, vox autem ejus non audiebatur. Eoque secretiores erunt preces; quod præcipitur Matt. vi. 6.

¶4Sed precamur nunc soli, nunc cum aliis. Et solus quidem Christus et seorsim fere legitur orasse, sive præsentibus discipulis, sive absentibus. Orandi etiam præcepta quæ dedit, Matt. vi. privatim duntaxat p. 418 orantibus dedisse perspicuum est. Cum autem discipulos orare docuit, id solis faciendumne esset an cum aliis, nihil præcepit. Discipuli quidem conjunctim solebant sæpe Deum precari; idque vel singulis, eodem licet in loco, quacunque de re inter ipsos convenerat, preces apud se suas concipientibus, Matt. xviii. 19. vel uno aliquo pro cæteris verba faciente: utrovis autem modo, nunc hoc nunc illo, oratum fuisse olim videtur. Act. ii. 42. in fractione panis et orationibus. et iv. 24. concorditer sustulerunt vocem ad Deum, dixeruntque. et xii. 12. ubi erant non pauci congregati et orantes. et xvi. 13. ad flumen ubi solebat esse oratio. et xx. 36. positis genibus, oravit cum illis omnibus. et xxi. 5. in littore oravimus. 1 Cor. xiv. 15, 16. orabo etiam intelligentia—: quomodo dicturus est Amen ad tuam gratiarum actionem?

¶5In precibus itaque publicis lingua ignota non est utendum. 1 Cor. xiv. 15, 16. ut supra. Consensus enim ibi sit oportet. Matt. xviii. 19. si duo ex vobis consenserint in terra, de omni re quam petierint—.

¶6Tautologia etiam et futilitas tam in privatis quam in publicis precibus est vitanda. Matt. vi. 7. Eccles. v. 2. ne acceleres ore tuo, et animus tuus ne festinet proferre quidquam coram ipso Deo: nam Deus ipse in cœlis est, tu autem super terram; idcirco sunto verba tua pauca. Verborum tamen repetitio ex vehementi commotione animi profecta pro futili habenda non est. Marc. xiv. 39. et cum rursus abiisset, oravit, eundem sermonem locutus.

¶7Gestus corporis inter precandum etiam sub lege liberior fuit. 2 Sam. vii. 18. ingressus rex David, sedit coram Jehova, ac dixit. et xii. 16. pernoctavit, et cubavit humi. Psal. xcv. 6. venite, incurvemus nos et procumbamus, flectamus genua coram Jehova. et cxlix. 5. cantent in cubilibus suis. 1 Reg. viii. 22. stetit Solomon. et v. 54. surgens ab inflexione sua in genua. cum 2 Chron. vi. 12, 13. et xx. 5. stans Jehosaphat. et v. 13. stabant Judæi. Dan. vi. 11. ipse procumbens in genua sua, orabat—. Luc. xviii. 13. publicanus procul stans.

¶8p. 419 Ad gestum corporis habitus quoque est referendus: de quo Paulus 1 Cor. xi. 4. omnis vir orans aut prophetans operto capite, dedecorat caput suum: omnis vero mulier orans aut prophetans non operto capite, dedecorat caput suum—. Quid ita? quia capitis opertio subjectionis signum erat eo tempore cum fœminis tum viris: viri igitur aperto capite tum orabant tum prophetabant: nunc vero, cum viris quidem aperire caput, subjectionis, tegere, auctoritatis sit, mos est ecclesiis, præsertim Europæis plerisque, rationem præcepti, id quod semper fieri oportet, non litteram spectantibus, venerari quidem Deum aperto capite reverentiæ causa, quoniam ita fert hodierna consuetudo, prophetare operto, quo auctoritas significetur, operto etiam prophetantes audire, quia sic filios adultos et ingenuos nunc decet. Eadem ratione iis in locis ubi aut frigus vehemens, in Livonia puta vel Russia, aut mos ita invaluit, quemadmodum in Asia atque Africa, ut caput non nisi incommode et indecenter admodum aperiatur, etiam operto capite recte orari facile ex hoc loco sequitur: quod præter cæteros in hunc locum Ludovicus Cappellus erudite ostendit.

¶9Ad locum orandi quod attinet, omnis est idoneus. 1 Tim. ii. 8. volo viros precari in omni loco. In privatis etiam precibus ubi occultius esse possumus. Matt. vi. 6. introito in conclave tuum. et xiv. 23. ascendit in montem seorsim ad orandum. In publico enim privatim orare, hypocriticum est. Matt. vi. 5. amant in synagogis et in angulis platearum stantes orare, ut appareant hominibus. In sacrario tamen et templo Hierosolymis privatas concipere preces olim licebat: exemplo Hannæ, Davidis, aliorumque, ut supra. Tempus orandi nullum etiam non est idoneum. Psal. cxix. 55. recordari me noctu nominis tui, Jehova. et v. 62. media nocte surgo ad celebrandum te. et v. 164. septies quotidie laudo te de judiciis justis tuis. Luc. xviii. 1. semper orare, neque segnes esse—. Eph. vi. 18. orantes omni tempore per Spiritum, et illi ipsi rei invigilantes—. Col. iv. 12. semper certans orationibus pro vobis—. 1 Thess. v. 17. sine intermissione orate. Potissimum autem vesperi, mane, et meridie. Psal. lv. 18. vespere et mane atque meridie meditabor, et perstrepam, donec audiverit vocem meam. et v. 4. mane auditurus es <!-- p.420 --> vocem meam: mane disserturus sum coram te. et lxxxviii. 14. unoquoque mane oratio mea prævenit ad te. et xcii. 2, 3. bonum est celebrare Jehovam—, annuntiare unoquoque mane benignitatem tuam, et fidem tuam quibusque noctibus. et cxix. 147. veniens ante te in ipso crepusculo, ut vociferer. et v. 148. præveniunt oculi mei excubias ad meditandum de sermone tuo. Dan. vi. 11. temporibus tribus de die. Marc. i. 35. et mane, valde multa nocte quum surrexisset, exiit, et abiit in desertum locum, et illic precabatur. Act. x. 9. circa horam sextam.

¶1p. 563 REVERENTLY. Reverence comprehends, first, the internal affection of the mind, and secondly, the voice and outward deportment of the body.

¶2Under the former is included, first, that we ask every thing aright, that is to say, to a right end. James iv. 3. ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Secondly, that our supplications proceed from a pure and penitent heart. Hence 2 Sam. xxii. 42. they looked, but there was none to save; even unto Jehovah, but he answered them not. Psal. lxvi. 18. if I regard iniquity in my heart, Jehovah will not hear me. Isai. i. 16—18. wash you, make you clean....come now, and let us reason together—. Ezek. viii. 18. though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. xx. 30, 31. are ye polluted, after the manner of your fathers?......and shall I be inquired of by you? John ix. 31. God heareth not sinners. Thirdly, that we pray in a spirit of kindness and forgiveness towards our brethren. Matt. v. 24. leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother—. vi. 12. forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. See also xviii. 23. the parable of the two debtors. 1 Tim. ii. 8. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. Fourthly, that we seek the Lord early. Prov. i. 24—28. because I have called, and ye refused...... they shall call upon me, but I will not answer. Psal. xxxii. 6. for this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou <!-- p.564 --> mayest be found. Isai. lv. 6. seek ye Jehovah, while he may be found. Fifthly, that we pray with all humility. Luke xviii. 9, &c. standing afar off...... saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Sixthly, that we pray earnestly; see the parable of the man who came to borrow bread of his friend, Luke xi. 5. and of the unjust judge, xviii. 2, &c. Lastly, that we persevere in prayer. Coloss. iv. 2. continue in prayer.

¶3It is not necessary that our prayers should be always audible; the silent supplication of the mind, whispers, even groans and inarticulate exclamations in private prayer, are available.⁶ Exod. xiv. 15. Jehovah said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? though he was saying nothing with his lips, and only praying inwardly. 1 Sam. i. 13. now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Thus, too, our devotions will be less conspicuous; according to the command, Matt. vi. 6.

¶4Prayer may be offered either alone, or in company. Christ appears seldom to have prayed in conjunction with his disciples, or even in their presence, but either wholly alone, or at some distance from them. It is moreover evident that the precepts, Matt. vi. have reference to private prayer alone. When however he inculcated on his disciples the duty of prayer in general, he gave no specific direction whether p. 565 they should pray alone, or with others. It is certain that they were in the frequent practice of praying in assemblies; and that either individually, each framing within himself his own particular petition relative to some subject on which they had agreed in common, Matt. xviii. 19. or by the mouth of one chosen from their number, who spoke in the name of the rest; both which modes of prayer appear to have been used indiscriminately by the primitive Christians. Acts ii. 42. in breaking of bread and in prayers. iv. 24. they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said—. xii. 12. where many were gathered together praying. xvi. 13. by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made. xx. 36. he kneeled down and prayed with them all. xxi. 5. we kneeled down on the shore and prayed. 1 Cor. xiv. 15, 16. I will pray with the understanding......how shall he ...... say Amen at thy giving of thanks?

¶5Hence the impropriety of offering up public prayer in an unknown tongue, 1 Cor. xiv. 15, 16, as above; inasmuch as in public prayer consent is necessary.⁷ Matt. xviii. 19. if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them.

¶6Both in private and in public prayer, vain repetitions and empty words are to be avoided. Matt. vi. 7. Eccles. v. 2. be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God, for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few. Such repetitions, however, as proceed from vehement emotion of mind, are not to be accounted vain.⁸ Mark xiv. 39. again he went away and prayed, and spake the same words.

¶7p. 566 No particular posture of the body in prayer was enjoined, even under the law.⁹ 2 Sam. vii. 18. then went king David in, and sat before Jehovah, and he said—. xii. 16. he lay all night upon the earth. Psal. xcv. 6. O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before Jehovah our maker. cxlix. 5. let them sing aloud upon their beds. 1 Kings viii. 22. Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah. v. 54. he arose from kneeling on his knees. See also 2 Chron. vi. 12, 13. xx. 5. Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah—. v. 13. all Judah stood before Jehovah. Dan. vi. 10. he kneeled upon his knees and prayed. Luke xviii. 13. the publican standing afar off.

¶8Connected with the posture of the body, is the deportment to be observed in prayer. On this subject Paul says, 1 Cor. xi. 4. every man praying or prophesying having his head covered, dishonoureth his head; but every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head. Why was this? Because at that time covering the head was, with both sexes alike,¹ a token of subjection; on p. 567 which account it was usual for men to pray or prophesy with their heads uncovered. Now, on the contrary, since the covering the head has become a token of authority, and the uncovering it of submission, it is the custom with most churches, especially those of Europe, in compliance not so much with the letter as with the spirit of the law (which is always to be preferred) to worship God uncovered, as being the mark of reverence prescribed by modern custom; but to prophesy covered, in token of the authority with which the speaker is invested; and likewise to listen to his instructions covered, as the deportment most emblematic, according to modern ideas, of our freedom and maturity as sons of God.² On the other hand, it will be easily inferred from hence, that in countries where the cold is intense, as Livonia or Russia, or where custom will not allow the head to be uncovered without great impropriety, as in Asia or Africa, it is allowable to pray covered; as has been shown by Cappellus in a learned note on this passage,³ and by other commentators.

¶9With regard to the place of prayer, all are equally suitable.⁴ 1 Tim. ii. 8. I will therefore that men pray every where. For private prayer, a retired place is most proper. Matt. vi. 6. enter into thy closet. xiv. 23. he went up into a mountain apart to pray. To offer private prayer in public is hypocritical. Matt. vi. 5. they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. It was p. 568 lawful however to offer private prayer in the sanctuary, and afterwards in the temple at Jerusalem, as in the instances of Hannah, David, and others, quoted above. Neither is there any time at which prayer may not be properly offered. Psal. cxix. 55. I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night. v. 62. at midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee. v. 164. seven times a day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous judgements. Luke xviii. 1. men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Eph. vi. 18. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto—. Col. iv. 12. always labouring fervently for you in prayers. 1 Thess. v. 17. pray without ceasing. The seasons most appropriate for prayer, however, are evening, morning, and noon-day. Psal. lv. 17. evening and morning and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice. v. 3. my voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Jehovah; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee. lxxxviii. 13. in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. xcii. 1, 2. it is a good thing to give thanks unto Jehovah ....to show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. cxix. 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried. v. 148. mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Dan. vi. 10. he kneeled upon his knees three times a day. Mark i. 35. in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Acts x. 9. Peter went up on the house-top to pray about the sixth hour.

¶1p. 420 PRO NOBIS PROQUE ALIIS: neque enim pro nobis solum orare jubemur, sed pro omnibus. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2, 3. adhortor primum omnium, ut fiant deprecationes, orationes, interpellationes, gratiarum actiones pro omnibus hominibus. Præsertim pro ecclesia tota ejusque ministris. Psal. iii. 9. super populum tuum sit benedictio tua maxime. et xxviii. 9. idem. et xxv. 22. redime Deus Israelem ab omnibus oppressoribus ejus. et li. 20. benefac pro bona voluntate tua Sioni—. et lxxiv. 2, &c. recordare cœtus tui—. et cii. 14. tu surgens misereberis Sionis; quia tempus est faciendi gratiam ei. et cxxii. 6. expetite pacem Hierosolymæ. Matt. ix. 38. deprecamini Dominum messis, ut emittat operarios in messem suam. Eph. vi. 18, 19. cum omni perseverantia et supplicatione pro omnibus sanctis, et pro me, ut—. Col. iv. 3. orantes simul etiam pro nobis, ut Deus aperiat nobis ostium sermonis, ut loquamur mysterium Christi. Pro magistratibus quibusvis, pacis præsertim ecclesiæ causa. Psal. lxxii. 1, &c. judicia tua regi da—. Jer. xxix. 7. denique quærite prosperitatem istius civitatis quo deportavi vos, et orate pro ea Jehovam; nam in prosperitate ejus futura est vobis prosperitas. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. pro regibus et quibusvis in eminentia constitutis, ut tranquillam et quietam vitam degamus cum omni pietate ac veneratione. Immo pro inimicis. Matt. v. 44. orate pro iis qui vobis sunt infensi, et persequuntur vos. Luc. xxiii. 34. Pater, remitte hoc ipsis; nesciunt enim quid faciunt. Act. vii. 60. Domine, ne statuas iis hoc peccatum—. Multo magis pro fratribus. Rom. i. 8, 9, 10. me sine intermissione mentionem facere vestri semper in orationibus meis—. Nisi siquos insanabiles esse pernoscamus: pro iis enim orandum non est. Jer. vii. 16. ne orato pro populo isto—. et xiv. 11, 12, idem. Joan. p. 421 xvii. 9. non pro mundo rogo. 1 Joan. v. 16. est peccatum ad mortem; non pro illo dico ut roget.

¶2Immo Dei et ecclesiæ hostibus, falsisve fratribus, et quibusvis gravia quædam peccata vel in Deum vel in nos etiam peccantibus male precari et publice jubemur, et exemplo sanctissimorum virorum privatim licet. Gen. ix. 25. maledictus Chenaan. Deut. xxvii. a v. 13. ad finem capitis: hi vero stanto ad maledictionem in monte Hebalis—. Judic. v. 23. maledicite Merozo, inquit angelus Jehovæ—. Psal. v. 11. reos fac istos, o Deus—. et cix. 6, &c. præfice illi improbum, qui adversans insistat ad dextram illius—. et cxl. 11. demittantur super eos prunæ—. et psalmis aliis permultis. 2 Reg. ii. 24. maledixit eis in nomine Jehovæ. Jer. xviii. 19, &c. idcirco expone filios eorum fami—; quia foderunt fossam ad capiendum me—. Nehem. iv. 4, &c. expone eos prædæ in terra captivitatis—. et vi. 14. recordare, Deus mi, Tobiæ—, secundum opera ejus ista—. et xiii. 25. contendi cum iis, maledicens iis. Act. viii. 20. pecunia tua tecum pereat—. Gal. v. 12. utinam abscindantur, qui vos inquietant. 2 Tim. iv. 14. reddat ei Dominus secundum facta ipsius.

¶3Exauditio precum clare promittitur orantibus ex fide et obedientia. Psal. cxlv. 18. propinquus est Jehova omnibus invocantibus ipsum, omnibus qui invocant ipsum fide. Isa. lix. 12. neque gravis auris ejus quam ut audiat &c. sed iniquitates vestræ &c. faciunt ne exaudiat. lxv. 24. eritque nondum clamantibus ut ego respondeam, adhuc ipsis loquentibus ut ego exaudiam. Dan. ix. 20, &c. me autem adhuc loquente et orante— vir ille Gabriel—. et x. 12. inde a primo die— exaudita sunt verba tua. Joan. ix. 31. si quis Dei cultor est, et facit quod ille vult, hunc audit.

¶4Hinc voluntas aut providentia Dei declarata non segniores nos reddere debet vel ad mala deprecanda vel ad bona petenda, sed promptiores. Exod. xxxii. 10. nunc igitur sine me, ut accensa ira consumam eos, efficiam vero te in gentem magnam: quamobrem deprecatus est Moses faciem iratam Jehovæ Dei sui—. 1 Chron. xvii. 25, 26. tu, Deus mi, revelasti in aurem servi tui te ædificaturum ipsi domum; idcirco judicavit <!-- p.422 --> servus tuus orandum esse coram te. Joan. xvii. 1. Pater, venit hora illa, glorifica Filium tuum—. et v. 5. glorifica me tu, Pater—.

¶5In omnibus tamen non exaudiuntur sæpe fideles neque pro se neque pro aliis; cum ea petunt, quæ vel optima non sunt, vel Dei gloriæ non conducunt. Deut. iii. 25, 26. transeam quæso, ut videam—: sed dixit Jehova mihi, satis esto tibi, ne ultra deinceps alloquitor me de hac re. 1 Sam. xv. 11. quod displicuit Samueli, adeo ut clamaret ad Jehovam tota illa nocte. 2 Sam. xii. 16, 17, 18. requisivit David Deum propter puerum—. 1 Reg. xix. 4. expetebat apud se mori—. Ezech. xiv. 13, &c. etiamsi essent hi tres viri in ea, Noach, Daniel, et Job, ipsi—. Matt. xx. 22. nescitis quid petatis. 2 Cor. xii. 8, 9. super hoc ter Dominum rogavi, ut abscederet a me: sed dixit mihi, sufficit tibi—.

¶6Infideles etiam nonnunquam Deum exorant, corporisque aut fortunæ bona precibus ab eo impetrant: beneficus est enim Deus erga omnes, ejusque sol exoritur super improbos ac bonos, Matt. v. 45. Itaque et dæmones nonnunquam exaudit. Job. i. 11, 12. mitte quæso—: itaque dixit Jehova Satanæ, ecce quæcunque sunt ei, in manu tua sunto. et ii. 5, 6. idem. Matt. viii. 31, 32. dæmones precabantur eum, dicentes, si ejicis nos, permitte—: et ait iis, abite. Marc. v. 10, 12, 13. idem.

¶7Exaudit etiam nonnunquam iratus; ut carnem petentes, Num. xi. 18, &c. ut comedatis carnem, quia flevistis audiente Jehova &c. comedetis usque dum exeat e naso vestro—, cum Psal. lxxviii. 30. et regem, Hos. xiii. 11.

¶8In petitione seu precibus peccat imprecatio temeraria, qua Deus aut diabolus in cujusquam perniciem invocatur. Rom. xii. 14. benedicite, et ne imprecamini. Hic tamen nonnunquam lapsi sunt pii. Job. iii. 2, 3. utinam periisset dies quo nasciturus eram—. Jer. xx. 14. maledictus dies qua genitus fui—.

¶9Immerita tamen imprecatio non exauditur; adeoque metuenda non est. Gen. xii. 3. qui maledixerit tibi, eum execrabor. Num. xxiii. 12. quid <!-- p.423 --> execrarer? non execratur Deus illum. Prov. xxvi. 2. ut avicula errando, ut hirundo volitando, ita maledictio immerita non adventura est. Psal. cix. 28. maledicant illi; et tu benedicis.

¶10Precum adminicula sunt jejunia et vota. Matt. ix. 15. aderunt dies quum tolletur ab iis sponsus, et tunc jejunabunt.

¶11Jejunium religiosum est quo quis, ut precibus intentior sit, quibus aut bonum aliquod a Deo contendit aut malum deprecatur, non tam a cibo et potu quam a peccatis abstinet. Isa. lviii. 56. an hujusmodi esset jejunium quod eligo, dies quo affligit homo animam suam? an incurvare ut juncum caput suum? an ut quis cilicium ac cinerem sibi sternat? an hujusmodi vocabis jejunium ac diem acceptam Jehovæ? nonne hoc est jejunium quod eligo, ut solvatis nexus improbitatis, dissolvatis fasces loris vinctos, ac dimittatis conquassatos ut sint liberi, et omne lorum disrumpatis? Joel. ii. 12, 13. revertimini ad me ex toto animo vestro, et jejunio et fletu et planctu: lacerate igitur corda vestra, ac non vestes vestras—. Jonæ iii. 7, 8, 9. quum pervenisset hoc verbum ad regem, surgens e solio suo deposuit paludamentum suum a se—, dicendo, homines et jumenta, armenta et greges ne gustanto quidquam—, sed inclamanto Deum fortiter, ac revertunto quisque a via sua pessima, et ab ipsa violentia quæ inest manibus ipsorum. Zech. vii. 5. quum jejunatis et plangitis quinto et septimo mense, an ullo pacto mihi, mihi inquam, jejunatis?

¶12Jejunium religiosum privatum est aut publicum.

¶13Privatum est quod quisquam sibi aut familiæ suæ propter causas privatas indicit. 2 Sam. xii. 16. requisivit David Deum propter puerum: et utens David jejunio, quum rediisset, pernoctavit et cubavit humi. Psal. xxxv. 13. quamvis ego, ægrotantibus illis, utens pro veste mea cilicio, affligerem jejunio animam meam—. Nehem. i. 4. fuit quum audirem verba ista, ut sedens flerem ac lugerem aliquot dies, quibus jejunavi, et oravi coram Deo cœli. Dan. ix. 3. adhibui faciem meam ad Dominum Deum, quærendo oratione et deprecationibus, cum jejunio cilicioque et cinere. et p. 424 x. 2, 3. fueram in luctu trium septimanarum diebus: cibum rerum desiderabilium non comederam, nec caro aut vinum intraverat os meum, nec unguento unxeram me—. Luc. ii. 37. jejuniis ac deprecationibus colens Deum noctem ac diem. 1 Cor. vii. 5. nisi si quid ex consensu ad tempus, ut vacetis jejunio et precibus. Locum hic habet præceptum illud Matt. vi. 16, 17, 18. quum jejunatis, ne estote ut hypocritæ tetrico vultu; deformant enim facies suas, ut appareant hominibus jejunare: Amen dico vobis, retulerunt mercedem suam: tu vero quum jejunas, unge caput tuum, et faciem tuam lava, ut ne appareas hominibus jejunare—.

¶14Publicum est quod a magistratu seu ecclesia publicis de causis præcipitur. Lev. xvi. 29. hoc erit vobis in statutum perpetuum: mense septimo, die decimo illius mensis, affligitote animas vestras, et nullum opus facitote—. 1 Sam. vii. 5, 6. jejunantes illo die, dixerunt illic, peccavimus Jehovæ. et xxxi. 13. accipientes ossa eorum, sepeliverunt sub nemore ad Jabesum, et jejunaverunt septem diebus. Ezræ viii. 21. tunc proclamavi ibi jejunium ad flumen Ahavæ, quo affligeremus nos coram Deo nostro, quærentes—. Esth. iv. 3, 15, 16. luctus magnus erat Jehudæis, jejuniumque et fletus ac planctus; cilicium cum cinere stratum erat multis: tum dixit Esther, refer ad Mordecaium, I, congrega omnes Judæos—, et jejunate pro me, et ne comedatis neque bibatis tribus diebus noctu et interdiu: similiter ego quoque cum puellis meis jejunabo. et ix. 31, 32. ut instituant dies Purim istos condictis temporibus eorum—, documenta jejuniorum et clamoris sui—. de quo Zech. vii. 5. et viii. 19. Joel. ii. 15, 16. clangite buccina Sione, indicite jejunium. Act. xiii. 2, 3. illis suum ministerium obeuntibus Domino, et jejunantibus—. et xiv. 23. quum precati essent cum jejuniis, commendarunt eos Domino.

¶15Jejunii adjuncta varia olim erant quibus corpus affligeretur, pro more et ingenio earum gentium. Ezræ ix. 3. Jonæ iii. 7, &c. et aliis locis supra citatis.

¶16Jejunium etiam externum iram Dei ad tempus nonnunquam avertit. 1 Reg. xxi. 27, 28, 29. eo quod abjecit se ante faciem meam, non inducam malum istud diebus ejus—.

¶17p. 425 Est et jejunium quoddam miraculorum potens. Matt. xvii. 21. hoc genus dæmoniorum non egreditur, nisi per precationem et jejunium.

¶18Votum est pollicitatio de re licita Deo sancte, nonnunquam etiam cum juramento, facta, quo testificamur animi nostri ad Deum colendum promptitudinem firmumque propositum, vel etiam gratitudinem si id quod petimus impetramus. Gen. xxviii. 20, &c. vovit Jacob, dicendo—. 1 Sam. i. 11. vovitque votum, dicendo—. Psal. cxix. 106. juravi, et præstabo illud, me servaturum jura justitiæ tuæ. Nehem. x. 30. ineuntes execrationem et juramentum, nos ambulaturos in lege Dei.

¶19Estque generale aut speciale.

¶20Generale de rebus præceptis est; estque publicum vel privatum.

¶21Publicum est quod tota ecclesia vovet; quod fœdus in scripturis fere dicitur. Jos. xxiv. 22, 23. testes estis ipsi de vobis, vos elegisse vobis Jehovam ad colendum eum: qui dixerunt, testes sumus. 2 Chron. xv. 12, 13, 14. iniverunt fœdus de requirendo Jehova Deo majorum suorum—: et juraverunt Jehovæ. Ezræ x. 5. adjuravit principes sacerdotum, Levitas, et totum Israelem, ut facerent secundum rem hanc: et jurarunt.

¶22Privatum est quod ab uno vovetur: quale votum est baptismi.

¶23Speciale est de rebus quidem licitis, tametsi non præceptis; et speciali de causa suscipitur. Act. xviii. 18. quum totondisset caput Cenchreis (habebat enim votum)—. et xxi. 23. sunt quatuor apud nos qui voto sese obstrinxerunt—.

¶24Cavendum tamen est, nequis vovendo interdicat vel sibi vel aliis earum rerum usu, quarum usu Deus interdici nos noluit, nisi sicui scandalo sumus, cibi nimirum aut potus. Matt. xv. 17, 18. nondum intelligitis, quicquid ingreditur in os, in ventrem cedere, et in latrinam ejici—? Marc. vii. 15, 16. nihil est extra hominem ingrediens in illum quod possit eum polluere &c. et ratio redditur v. 19. quia non ingreditur in cor ejus, sed <!-- p.426 --> ventriculum, &c. Rom. xiv. 14, 17. persuasus sum, &c. non est regnum Dei esca et potus—. 1 Cor. vi. 13. escæ ventri destinatæ sunt, et venter escis: Deus autem et hunc et eas abolebit. et viii. 8. cæterum esca nos non commendat Deo: neque enim si edamus, amplius habemus, neque si non edamus, minus habemus. Col. ii. 20, &c. si mortui cum Christo liberi estis ab elementis mundi, quid ut viventes in mundo ritibus oneramini? ne ederis, aiunt isti, neque gustaris, neque attigeris: quæ omnia ipso usu corrumpuntur—. 1 Tim. iv. 3, 4. jubentium abstinere a cibis quos Deus condidit ad participandum cum gratiarum actione fidelibus, et iis qui norunt veritatem: omnis enim creatura &c. Heb. xiii. 9. non cibis, unde nullam perceperunt utilitatem qui in ipsis ambularunt. Act. x. 13. surge, Petre, macta et comede. et v. 15. quæ Deus purificavit, tu ne polluito. Aut matrimonii. Matt. xix. 11. non omnes sunt capaces hujus sermonis, sed quibus datum est. 1 Cor. vii. 7, &c. quod si se non continent—. et v. 26. existimo igitur hoc bonum esse propter instantem necessitatem. et xxxvi. 37. cæterum siquis sese existimat indecorum in virginem suam committere—. 1 Tim. iv. 3. prohibentium contrahere matrimonium—. Et rerum similium. 1 Tim. iv. 8. corporalis exercitatio ad pauca utilis est; at pietas—.

¶25Nec minus superstitiosum est votum paupertatis. Prov. xxx. 8. paupertatem aut divitias ne des mihi—. Paupertas enim in summis malis numeratur, Deut. xxviii. 48. in fame, in siti, in nuditate, in inopia rerum omnium. Act. xx. 35. beatius est dare quam accipere. Eph. iv. 28. potius laboret, operando manibus quod bonum sit, ut habeat quod impertiat cui opus fuerit.

¶26Votum speciale facere non potest, nisi qui sui juris, non in aliena potestate est: ut filius vel filia patris, uxor mariti, servus vel ancilla domini. Num. vi. et xxx. 13. omne votum et omnem obligationem juramento confirmatam de seipsa affligenda, vir ejus stabilito illam, aut vir ejus irritam facito illam.

¶27Is vero nec generale nec speciale votum nuncupare potest, qui ratione et judicio nondum est per ætatem præditus. Quæ cum theop. 427logorum recepta regula sit, mirum quam non memores ipsi suæ doctrinæ deprehenduntur, cum speciale votum baptismi ab infantibus poscunt.

¶28Votum speciale cuivis homini, modo is vovendi jus habeat, liberum est: nuncupatum autem revocare non est integrum, sed omnino est solvendum. Deut. xxiii. 21. si voveris votum Jehovæ Deo tuo, ne differto solvere illud; nam omnino reposceret illud Jehova Deus tuus abs te, et esset in te peccatum. et Num. xxx. 2. vir quum voverit votum Jehovæ—, ne profanato verbum suum: secundum omne verbum quod prodiderit ex ore suo, facito. Eccles. v. 4, 5. quum nuncupaveris votum Deo, ne differto persolvere illud; nam non oblectatur stolidis: id quod voveris persolve: melius ut non voveas, quam ut voveas ac non persolvas.

¶29Votum tamen impium non magis est solvendum quam jusjurandum injustum. Matt. xv. 5. vos dicitis, Quicunque dixerit patri aut matri, donum est, quocunque a me juvari posses, insons erit, et nequaquam honoraverit patrem suum aut matrem suam. Id enim Deo voverat, quod alendis parentibus impendere debuerat: aut ergo votum non erat solvendum, aut parentes non alendi: alendos esse parentes instat Christus, votum impium non solvendum.

¶30Opponitur voto sacrilegium; cum quis aut vota ab se facta non persolvit, aut res Deo devotas ac dedicatas compilat. Jos. vii. 11. acceperunt de anathemate, et furati sunt, et mentiti sunt. Prov. xx. 25. tendicula est homini deglutire sacrum, et post vota requirere. Mal. iii. 8, &c. an spoliet homo Deum, quod vos spoliastis me? et dicitis, qua in re spoliamus te? decimis et oblatione: maledictione estis maledicti, eo quod vos me spoliastis, gens ipsa tota—. et i. 8. quum affertis animal cæcum ad sacrificandum—.

¶31De petitione ejusque adminiculis hactenus.

¶32Gratiarum actio est qua pro divinis beneficiis læto animo gratias agimus. Job. i. 21. Jehova dedit, et Jehova recipit; sit nomen Jehovæ <!-- p.428 --> benedictum. Eph. v. 20. gratias agentes semper de omnibus, in nomine Domini nostri Jesu Christi, Deo et Patri.

¶33Invocatio, et præsertim gratiarum actio, aliquando est cum cantu et carminibus, quibus divinum nomen celebratur. Marc. xiv. 26. quum hymnum cecinissent. Eph. v. 19, 20. loquentes inter vos mutuo psalmis et hymnis et cantionibus spiritualibus, canentes ac psallentes in corde vestro Domino, gratias agentes—. Col. iii. 16. docendo et commonefaciendo vos mutuo psalmis et hymnis—. Jacob. v. 13. alacri animo est quis? psallito.

¶1p. 568 FOR OURSELVES OR OTHERS; inasmuch as we are commanded not to pray for ourselves only, but for all mankind. 1 Tim. ii. 1—3. I exhort therefore that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. Particularly for the universal church and its ministers. Psal. xxviii. 9. save thy people, and bless thine inheritance. See also iii. 8.⁵ li. 18. do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion. lxxiv. 2, &c. remember thy congregation. cii. 13. thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; for the time to favour her, yea, the set time is <!-- p.569 --> come. cxxii. 6. pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Matt. ix. 38. pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Eph. vi. 18, 19. with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit ...for all saints, and for me, that, &c.—. Col. iv. 3. withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ. For all magistrates; especially with a view to the peace of the church. Psal. lxxii. 1. give the king thy judgements—. Jer. xxix. 7. seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto Jehovah for it; for in the peace thereof ye shall have peace. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Even for our enemies. Matt. v. 44. pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you. Luke xxiii. 34. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Acts vii. 60. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Much more for the brethren. Rom. i. 8—10. without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers—. If however there be any whom we know certainly to be past remedy, we are not to pray for them. Jer. vii. 16. pray not thou for this people—. See also xiv. 11, 12. John xvii. 9. I pray not for the world. 1 John v. 16. there is a sin unto death; I do not say that he shall pray for it.

¶2We are even commanded to call down curses publicly on the enemies of God and the church; as also on false brethren, and on such as are guilty of any grievous offence against God, or even against ourselves. The same may be lawfully done in private prayer, after the example of some of the holiest of men. Gen. ix. 25. cursed be Canaan. Deut. xxvii. 13—26. these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse—. Judges v. 23. curse ye Meroz, said the angel of Jehovah. Psal. v. 10. destroy thou them, O God. cix. 6, &c. set thou a wicked man over him, and let Satan stand at his right hand. cxl. 10. let burning coals fall upon them. Similar imprecations occur in many other Psalms. 2 Kings ii. 24. he cursed them in the name of Jehovah. Jer. xviii. 19, &c.....deliver up their children to the famine ....for they have digged a pit to take me—. Neh. iv. 4, &c. p. 570 give them for a prey in the land of captivity. vi. 14. think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works. xiii. 25. I contended with them, and cursed them. Acts viii. 20. thy money perish with thee. Gal. v. 12. I would they were even cut off that trouble you. 2 Tim. iv. 14. the Lord reward him according to his works.

¶3It is expressly promised that supplications offered in a spirit of faith and obedience shall be heard. Psal. cxlv. 18. Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. Isai. lix. 1, 2. neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; but .....your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. lxv. 24. it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Dan. ix. 20, &c. whiles I was speaking and praying....even the man Gabriel....touched me, &c.—. x. 12. from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand...thy words were heard. John ix. 31. if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

¶4Hence our knowledge of God's will, or of his providence in the government of the world, ought not to render us less earnest in deprecating evil and desiring good, but the contrary. Exod. xxxii. 10. now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them, and I will make of thee a great nation: and Moses besought Jehovah his God, and said—. 1 Chron. xvii. 25, 26. thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house; therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee. John xvii. 1. Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son. v. 5. O Father, glorify thou me.

¶5It frequently happens, however, that believers are not heard in all that they ask for themselves or others; namely, when they seek what is contrary to their own good, or to the glory of God. Deut. iii. 25, 26. I pray thee, let me go over and see....but Jehovah said unto me, Let it suffice thee, speak no more unto me of this matter. 1 Sam. xv. 11. it grieved Samuel, <!-- p.571 --> and he cried unto Jehovah all night. 2 Sam. xii. 16—18. David besought God for the child—. 1 Kings xix. 4. he requested for himself that he might die. Ezek. xiv. 14. though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, &c.—. Matt. xx. 22. ye know not what ye ask. 2 Cor. xii. 8, 9. for this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me; and he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.

¶6The prayers even of unbelievers sometimes prevail with God, to the obtaining of bodily comforts or worldly advantages; for he is kind to all, and maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, Matt. v. 45. Hence he occasionally grants the requests even of devils. Job i. 11, 12. put forth thy hand now ......and Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power. See also ii. 5, 6. Matt. viii. 31, 32. the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine; and he said unto them, Go. See also Mark v. 10—13.

¶7Sometimes he complies with our prayers in anger; as when the Israelites asked flesh, Num. xi. 18, &c. ye shall eat flesh, for ye have wept in the ears of Jehovah, saying, &c. ..... ye shall eat ....until it come out at your nostrils. See also Psal. lxxviii. 30. So likewise when they asked a king, Hos. xiii. 11.⁶

¶8–9Among errors under the head of prayer may be classed rash imprecations, whereby we invoke God or the devil to destroy any particular person or thing: Rom. xii. 14. bless and curse not; an intemperance to which even the pious are occasionally liable; Job iii. 2, 3. let the day perish wherein I was born—. Jer. xx. 14. cursed be the day wherein I was born. Undeserved curses, however, are of no force, and therefore not to be dreaded. Gen. xii. 3. I will curse him that curseth thee. Numb. xxiii. 8. how shall I curse whom God hath not cursed? p. 572 Prov. xxvi. 2. as the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. Psal. cix. 28. let them curse, but bless thou.

¶10Prayer is assisted by fasting and vows. Matt. ix. 15. the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

¶11A religious fast is that whereby a man abstains, not so much from eating and drinking, as from sin, that he may be enabled to devote himself more closely to prayer, for the obtaining some good, or deprecating some evil. Isai. lviii. 5, 6. is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day unto Jehovah? is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burthens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Joel ii. 12, 13. turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart, and not your garments—. Jonah iii. 6—9. word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him ......saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock taste anything ......but let them cry mightily unto God; yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Zech. vii. 5. when ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, did ye at all fast unto me, even unto me?

¶12Religious fasts are either private or public.

¶13A private fast is one imposed by an individual on himself or his family, for private reasons. 2 Sam. xii. 16. David besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. Psal. xxxv. 13. as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting. Neh. i. 4. it came to pass when I heard these words that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven. Dan. ix. 3. I set my face unto the Lord God to seek by prayer and supplica<!-- p.573 -->tions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. x. 2, 3. in those days I Daniel was mourning full three weeks; I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all. Luke ii. 37. she served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 1 Cor. vii. 5. except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer. To this head belongs the precept, Matt. vi. 16—18. when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast: verily I say unto you, They have their reward: but thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast.

¶14A public fast is that which is proclaimed by the church or civil power for public reasons. Lev. xvi. 29. this shall be a statute for ever unto you, that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all—. 1 Sam. vii. 6. they fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against Jehovah. xxxi. 13. they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. Ezra viii. 21. then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him—. Esther iv. 3, 15, 16. there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes ......then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer; Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night nor day; I also and my maidens will fast likewise. ix. 31, 32. to confirm those days of Purim in their time appointed ...... the matters of the fastings and their cry; to which allusion is made Zech. vii. 5. viii. 19. Joel ii. 15, 16. blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast. Acts xiii. 2, 3. as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted—. xiv. 23. when they had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord.

¶15To fasting were anciently added various inflictions for the mortification of the body, conformably to the customs of those nations. Compare Ezra ix. 3. Jonah iii. 6. and the passages quoted above.

¶16p. 574 Even outward fasting sometimes averts the anger of God for a season. 1 Kings xxvii. 29. because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days.

¶17There is also a fasting which works miracles. Matt. xvii. 21. this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

¶18A vow is a promise respecting some lawful matter, solemnly made to God, sometimes with the sanction of an oath, and by which we testify our readiness and hearty resolution to serve God, or the gratitude with which we shall receive the fulfilment of our prayers. Gen. xxviii. 20. Jacob vowed a vow, saying—. 1 Sam. i. 11. she vowed a vow, and said—. Psal. cxix. 106. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements. Neh. x. 29. they entered into a curse and into an oath to walk in God's law.

¶19Vows are general or special.

¶20General vows relate to things which God has commanded; and are either public or private.

¶21A public vow is one which is vowed by the whole church; and is usually called in Scripture a covenant. Josh. xxiv. 22, 23. ye are witnesses against yourselves, that you have chosen you Jehovah to serve him; and they said, We are witnesses. 2 Chron. xv. 12—14. they entered into a covenant to seek Jehovah God of their fathers ......and they sware unto Jehovah. Ezra x. 5. he made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel to swear that they should do according to this word.

¶22A private vow is one which is vowed by an individual; as for instance the baptismal vow.

¶23Special vows relate to things lawful, but not expressly commanded; and are undertaken for special reasons. Acts xviii. 18. having shorn <!-- p.575 -->his head in Cenchrea; for he had a vow. xxi. 23. we have four men which have a vow on them.

¶24We must be careful, however, not to interdict ourselves or others from those things which God intended for our use, as meat or drink; except in cases where the exercise of our liberty may be a stumbling-block to any of the brethren. Matt. xv. 17, 18. do not ye yet understand that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? Mark vii. 15, 16. there is nothing from without a man that entering into him can defile him, &c. The reason is given v. 19. because it entereth not into his heart, but into his belly, &c. Rom. xiv. 14. I am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself. v. 17. for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink—. 1 Cor. vi. 13. meats for the belly, and the belly for meats; but God shall destroy both it and them. viii. 8. meat commendeth us not to God; for neither if we eat, are we the better, neither if we eat not, are we the worse. Coloss. ii. 20, &c. if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances? touch not, taste not, handle not; which all are to perish with the using—. 1 Tim. iv. 3, 4. forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth; for every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused. Heb. xiii. 9. not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Acts x. 13. rise, Peter, kill and eat. v. 15. what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. The same rule applies to marriage: Matt. xix. 11. all men cannot receive this saying, save them to whom it is given. 1 Cor. vii. 9. but if they cannot contain, let them marry. v. 26. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress. v. 36, 37. if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely towards his virgin, &c. 1 Tim. iv. 3. forbidding to marry; and to other subjects of a similar nature. 1 Tim. iv. 8. bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things.

¶25p. 576 Vows of voluntary poverty are also to be accounted superstitious: Prov. xxx. 8. give me neither poverty nor riches; inasmuch as poverty is enumerated among the greatest evils: Deut. xxviii. 48. in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things. Acts xx. 35. it is more blessed to give than to receive. Eph. iv. 28. rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

¶26–27No one can make a special vow who is not his own master, and exempt from subjection to any other authority; as a son or a daughter to a parent, a wife to her husband, a male or female servant to their lord. See Num. vi. and xxx. 13. every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. Neither can a general or special vow be made by one who has not yet arrived at the full use of his judgement. Considering how generally this rule is received among divines, it is strange that they should so far forget their own doctrine, as to require the special vow of baptism from infants.

¶28Any one, who is in these respects qualified, may bind himself by a special vow; when once made, however, he is not at liberty to recal it, but must fulfil it at all hazards. Deut. xxiii. 20. when thou shalt vow a vow unto Jehovah thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; for Jehovah thy God will surely require it of thee, and it would be sin in thee. Num. xxx. 2. if a man vow a vow unto Jehovah ......he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. Eccles. v. 4, 5. when thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed: better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

¶29An impious vow, however, is not binding, any more than an unjust oath. Matt. xv. 5. ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by <!-- p.577 -->me; and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Here that which ought to have been applied to the support of the parents, had been vowed as a gift to God; so that either the vow could not be fulfilled, or the support of the parents must be withdrawn. Christ therefore decides that the parents are to be supported, and that the impious vow is of no force.

¶30The opposite of a vow is sacrilege; which consists in the non-performance of a vow, or in the appropriation to private uses of things dedicated to God.⁷ Josh. vii. 11. they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also. Prov. xx. 25. it is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. Mal. iii. 8, &c. will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me: but ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? in tithes and offerings: ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. i. 8. if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil?

¶31Thus far of prayer and its auxiliaries.

¶32Thanksgiving consists in returning thanks with gladness for the divine benefits. Job i. 21. Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah. Eph. v. 20. giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¶33Addresses to God, and particularly thanksgivings, are frequently accompanied by singing, and hymns in honour of the divine name.⁸ p. 578 Mark xiv. 26. when they had sung an hymn—. Eph. v. 19, 20. speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always. Col. iii. 16. teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. James v. 13. is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Checked against Junius–Tremellius (Hanau 1603), the Bible Milton cited, off the page images. The rows below were printed above as La errors silently corrected by Sumner. They are not errors: J–T divides these chapters at different points from the KJV, so Milton's numbers are correct in his own Bible and Sumner was converting, not repairing. Method, evidence and the full division table: M4-RUNBOOK §11 and §12.

⚠ The tables above are left as printed rather than rewritten — seven chunks' tables re-keyed by hand is how a transcription error enters. This block governs; where the two disagree, this one is right.

| La (printed) | En (printed) | chapter | J–T | |---|---|---|---| | Num. xxiii. 12 | Numb. xxiii. 8 | Num 23 | J–T's `CAPUT XXIII` opens at KJV 22:38 — +4 |