their reward." very poor one. Is it a great reward? No; a Of nothing more than the empty praise of men. 3. How should we give alms? "When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." What is meant by not letting the left hand know what the right hand doeth? That we must do good as privately as possible. Is it not lawful to give to the poor, or to any good cause, unless we can conceal it? It is lawful, provided we aim to do a good work, and not to gain to ourselves a good name. 4. If our alms-deeds are thus modestly performed, will no eye observe them? Yes; the eye of "our Father who seeth in secret" will observe them. And how will he graciously notice them? "Himself shall reward thee openly." What is meant by "openly?" In the presence of an assembled world. 5. In what other duty of religion are we in danger of vain-glory? In prayer. What is prayer? The making known our requests to God. Is it reasonable to be vain of our prayers? No more than it is for a beggar to be vain of holding out his empty hand for relief. Whose example in this respect are we to avoid? The example of hypocrites. How did the persons, to whom our Saviour referred, perform their devotions? "They love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets." Were not the synagogues places designed for worship? Yes. Why, then, did our Lord condemn these persons for praying in them? He did not condemn public worship; but the choosing of a public place for private devotion. Why did they choose such public places for prayer? "That they may be seen of men." Why did they wish to be seen of men? That they admired as persons of singular piety. reward have such ostentatious professors? Just the reward which they seek. Is that a great reward? See ver. 2. might be What 6. What special directions are here given concerning secret prayer?" But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret." In what sense may we understand the word closet? The word closet may mean any separate apartment, or retired place. Where did Isaac meditate and pray? In a field.* Where did Nathanael pray? Under a fig tree.† Where did Peter retire for secret devotion? To the housetop.‡ And where did our Lord hold communion with his heavenly Father? On a mountain.§ Is secret prayer a duty of great importance? It is as important to the soul as the beating of the pulse is to the body. If the pulse cease to beat, of what is that a sign? Of death. And if secret prayer be neglected, what have we reason to fear? That there is no life in the soul. Does the Lord notice our secret approaches to him in prayer? Yes; the prayer of the upright * Gen. xxiv. 63. Acts x. 9. + John i. 48. Mark vi. 46. is his delight.* praying soul? What promise is made to the "Thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." See ver. 4. What is openly? 7. What characters are referred to in this verse? "The heathen." Who are the heathen? Those who are without the knowledge of the true God. What are their objects of worship? Idols. What do they use in their prayers? "Vain repetitions." Are all repetitions in prayer vain? No; our Lord prayed three times, saying the same words.† What are vain repetitions? Words uttered over and over again, without the heart being affected. Give me an example of vain repetitions? The priests of Baal called upon their idol from morning even until noon, O Baal hear us! O Baal hear us!‡ Why do the heathen use such vain repetition? Because "they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." 8. Should we follow their example? No; our Lord says, "Be not ye, therefore, like unto them." What reason is given why we should not multiply words in prayer? "For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Why then do we need to pray at all? Because prayer is the appointed means for our obtaining every blessing.§ Do our prayers inform the Almighty, and induce him to be gracious? No; they are intended to work Prov. xv. 8. 1 Kings xviii. 26. + Matthew xxvi. 44. Matthew vii. 7. upon our own hearts, that they may be fit to receive the blessings we implore.* 9. What did our Lord teach his disciples in reference to prayer? Both how to pray, and for what to pray. What did he first "After this manner, ? say there fore, pray ye." What is the prayer following commonly called? The Lord's prayer. it called the Lord's prayer? taught it to his disciples. Why is Because our Lord Of what does the prayer consist? Of an address to God, six petitions, and a doxology. glory to God. What is a doxology? A giving To what do the six petitions relate? Three of them relate to the honour of God, and three are for blessings for ourselves. prayer for private or social use? address shows that it is designed Is the Lord's The form of the for social worship. What is the form of the address?" Our Father, who Why are we taught to call God art in heaven?" 66 our Father?" That we may with the confidence of children. to add, "who art in heaven?" reverence his greatness, and What petition then follows? name." draw near to him And why are we That we may fear to offend him. "Hallowed be thy What is "hallowed"? Adored, or made an object of veneration. What are we to under stand by the "name" of God? The character or perfections of God. What, then, do you mean, "Hallowed be thy name"? Let when you pray, thy revealed character be adored. Acts iv. 31. viii. 22. 10. What is the next petition ? "Thy kingdom come." What kingdom is here meant ? The spiritual kingdom, which Christ was about to establish on earth. When was that kingdom established on earth? When the Holy Spirit was poured out, and three thousand souls were converted under one sermon.* Since Christ has established his kingdom, should we still continue to pray, "Thy kingdom come?" Yes; we should pray that it may come more powerfully to ourselves, and more extensively to others. Where is the seat of this king dom? In the heart of true believers. How may Thy we know whether the kingdom of Christ be set up in our heart? By examining whether we are governed by its laws.t What is the next petition? will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." How is the will of God done in heaven? Perfectly and joyfully. By whom is it done? By angels, and the spirits of the just made perfect. By whom ought it to be done on earth? By us, and by all How may we do the will of God? Either by active obedience, or by patient suffering. If the will of God were done in earth as it is in heaven, what would be the effect? Earth would become like heaven. men. 11. What is the next petition? "Give us this day our daily bread." What is here prayed for? Bread. What is included under the term bread? All things * Acts ii. + John xiv. 21. Psalm ciii. 20, 21. |