On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    to bestow , were usually performed in public . However , there can be no doubt that the sole object of Christ in this exhortation , was to discourage as much as possible all ostentation , and to enjoin nothing * but that the design of charitable deeds , according to his own words , should not t > e , that they might be seen of men .

    And certainly it is equally clear that he had the same object only in what he forbids respecting prayer . The same phraseology is used in both cases , and with the same intention . In this passage he is evidently speaking of his disciples' praying separately aS individuals , and not in their social capacity . This is manifest

    from the nature of the case , as well as from all that has been now observed ; but it is further confirmed by his use of the singular number on this occasion , and afterwards changing it for the plural : * But when thou prayest , be not as the hypocrites are : for they love to pray standing in the synagogues , * and in the

    corners of the streets , that they may be seen of men . But thou , when thou prayest / &c . Here , then , the pronoun in the singular number is repeated , and thus rendered emphatical , evidently pointing out his meaning to be , when ye pray separately as individuals , do this , not in public from motives of ostentation and

    parade , but retire to your closets , &c . When , however , he gives them a model for their devotions in the Lord ' s Prayer , and , as Luke observes , \ at the request of his disciples , he makes use of the plural form of expression , as speaking of them collectively : * But when ye pray , use not vain repetitions , as the Heathen

    do , ' &c . ' In this manner therefore pray ye : Our Father who art in heaven , ' &c , using the plural number throughout . This form , indeed , is evidently intended to be used in society , not less than in private . Jt is admirably adapted to the use of all men , at all times , and in all circumstances : it is moreover composed of sentences found in the Hebrew liturgies of

    " In the Temple , individuals were in the habit of going to pray separately at any time in public , after the social worship of that place was concluded ; and it is very possible , that the same practice might be observed in the synagogues ; or , if not , many might attend

    the usual services . of those places constantly for no purpose but to be seen of others , and on that account , and that only , are they censured . He does not condemn them because they prayed in the synagogue , but because they prayed there ( o be seen of mm . " t" Chan . xi . 2 . "

    Untitled Article

    that * time , ? which were all used as social prayers . " To the passage under consideration , moreover , the observation haa beep applied , * f That among the Jews nothing was more common than the use of a

    phrase directly negative , and without restriction , to express a limited and compa - rative idea- The following are instances of this kind : ' If any man come to me , and hate not his father and mother , and wife and children , and brethren ana

    sisters , and even his own life also , he cannot be my disciple . ' No one understands this as meaning any thing more than to assert the great principle , that to prefer any earthly consideration to our duty , is inconsistent with the Christian character . Again ; ' Jesus cried and said , He that believeth on me , believeth not on me , but on him that sent me , ' The mean

    ing of which is better expressed by Mr . Wakefieid ' s translation : * He that believeth on me , believeth not so much on me as on him that sent me / And in the Acts , Peter says , ' Ananias , thou hast not lied unto men , but unto God ; that is , 1 Your offence is greater against God than against men . ' If passages like these are

    to be understood literally , without regard to the nature of the particular case , the connexion in which they stand , as well as the true spirit of religion , and the principles Of common sense , what are the contradictions and absurdities , as

    observed before , that will not find vouchers enough in the Scriptures ? Similar latitude of interpretation is not only allowable , but necessary , in the exhortation of Christ , * When thou prayest , be not as the hypocrites , ' &c . But when all the circumstances which have been stated

    are taken into consideration , it seems impossible to avoid the conclusion , that nothing more is intended in this passage ( as in that on the subject of almsgiving , the phraseology of which 5 s precisely similar ) than a solemn caution against

    ostentation , or praying in order to be seen of men , without the slightest intention of giving discouragement to social prayer , originating in right motives and accompanied by humility . It is plainly directed , and directed only , against individual prayer in places of public resort . "—Pp- 91 98 .

    * With the exception of the expression , a $ we forgive them that trespass against us , ' which is the only part of it upon which Christ makes any comment , as if there were nothing else in it tJiat was new and uncommon /' t " See Simpson ' Kenly to Wakeheld "

    Untitled Article

    564 Jtebietb . —Moote on SotMl Ww * hm

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1822, page 564, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2516/page/44/