The gestures of the particular parts of the body are many more: as,
1. Lifting up eyes. This giveth evidence of our expectation of help from above: and of our faith fixed on him ⟨p. 223⟩1who is in heaven. For the eye in prayer when it is lift up useth to stand fixed: in which respect Christ is said to lift up his eyes, and to look to heaven, (Joh. 11. 41. Mat. 14. 19.) 2and David expressing prayer by this phrase, addeth the reason thereof, thus, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help, &c. (Psal. 121. 1, 2. & 113. 1, 2.) Herein lieth an apparent difference betwixt man and other creatures. For where other creatures look downward, mans countenance is made more erect. And where other creatures have but four muscles in their eye, man hath a fifth to lift the eye upward.
2. Lifting up hands, or spreading them abroad. Hereby we manifest that we can find no succour in our selves: but are ready to receive it from him on whom we call, and to whom we stretch our hands. Thus Solomon in his solemn prayer, spread forth his hands towards heaven, and under this phrase setteth out the prayer of others. (1 King. 8. 22, 38, 54.) So doth David, (Psal. 141. 2.) and Jeremiah, (Lam. 3. 41.)
3. Casting down eyes. This testifieth an holy shame, and 3confusion of face by reason of a mans unworthiness, and unfitness to appear in Gods sight. Take instance hereof in the penitent publican, (Luk. 18. 13.) and in devout Ezra, Ezr. 9. 6.
4. Knocking the breast. Contrition of heart, and compunction 4of spirit, godly sorrow and grief is hereby manifested. In such respects the fore-named Publican is said to smite his breast, Luk. 8. 13.
5. Renting clothes, pulling hair off the head and beard: 5these are gestures which Ezra used, (Ezr. 9. 3, 5.) to which may be added the penitent woman's tears, with which she washed the feet of Christ, and her wiping them with the hair of her head, Luk. 7. 38. Deep apprehension of sin, and much aggravation of grief is by these and other like unusual gestures declared.
6. Kneeling. This is the most usual and proper gesture for prayer. For examples, read 2 Chro. 6. 13. Ezra 9 5. ⟨p. 224⟩6Dan. 6. 10. Luke 22. 41. Act. 7. 60. & 9. 40. & 20. 36. & 21. 5. 7The very act of prayer is implied under this gesture, Eph. 3. 14. Psal. 95. 6.
The gestures of the particular parts of the body are many more: as,
1. Lifting up eyes. This giveth evidence of our expectation of helpe from above: and of our faith fixed on him ⟨p. 223⟩1who is in heaven. For the eye in prayer when it is lift up useth to stand fixed: in which respect Christ is said to lift up his eyes, and to looke to heaven, (Ioh. 11. 41. Mat. 14. 19.) 2and David expressing prayer by this phrase, addeth the reason thereof, thus, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence commeth my helpe, &c. (Psal. 121. 1, 2. & 113. 1, 2.) Herein lieth an apparent difference betwixt man and other creatures. For where other creatures looke downeward, mans countenance is made more erect. And where other creatures have but foure mustles in their eye, man hath a fift to lift the eye upward.
2. Lifting up hands, or spreading them abroad. Hereby we manifest that we can find no succour in our selves: but are ready to receive it from him on whom we call, and to whom we stretch our hands. Thus Salomon in his solemne prayer, spread forth his hands towards heaven, and under this phrase setteth out the prayer of others. (1 King. 8. 22, 38, 54.) So doth David, (Psal. 141. 2.) and Ieremiah, (Lam. 3. 41.)
3. Casting downe eyes. This testifieth an holy shame, and 3confusion of face by reason of a mans unworthinesse, and unfitnesse to appeare in Gods sight. Take instance hereof in the penitent publicane, (Luk. 18. 13.) and in devout Ezra, Ezr. 9. 6.
4. Knocking the breast. Contrition of heart, and compunction 4
- 13. Lifting up eyes.
- 2Pronaque cum spectent anima lia caetera terrā, Os homini sublime dedit, coelumque videre Jussit, Sec. Ovid Metamorph. l. 1 See the Saints Sacrifice on Psal. 116. §. 25. 4. Lifting up hands.Pronaque cum spectent anima lia caetera terrā, Os homini sublime dedit, coelumque videre Iussit, Sec. Ovid Metamorph. l. 1 See the Saints Sacrifice on Psal. 116. §. 25. 4. Lifting up hands.
- 35. Casting down eyes.5. Casting downe eyes.
- 46. Smiting breast.
- 57 Renting garments, &c.
- 68. Kneeling.
- 78. Kneeling. Deum genu posito adoramus, & fixo in terram poplite magis quod ab eo petimus, impetramus. Legimus enim & Paulū in littore sic orasse: & geniculationes in oratione praeceptas. Hier. Comment. lib. 2, in Eph. 3.8. Kneeling. Deum genu posito adoramus, & fixo in terram poplite magis quod ab eo petimus, impetramus. Legimus enim & Paulū in littore sic orasse: & geniculationes in oratione praeceptas. Hier. Comment. lib. 2, in Eph. 3.
