A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

(1.) There may be danger of Ostentation; therefore Christ gives direction here, that it should be managed with the greatest Secrecy, both as for Place, Time, and Voice. Let none but God be conscious to our drawing aside, that we may be alone. Withdraw your selves out of the sight and hearing of others, lest Pride and Ostentation creep upon you. The Devil will seek to blast this serious Acknowledgement to God, one way or other.

(1.) There may be danger of Ostentation; therefore Christ gives direction here, that it should be managed with the greatest Secrecy, both as for Place, Time, and Voice. Let none but God be conscious to our drawing aside, that we may be alone. Withdraw your selves out of the sight and hearing of others, lest Pride and Ostentation creep upon you. The Devil will seek to blast this serious Acknowledgment to God, one way or other.

(2.) There may be Customariness, for fashion sake. It is said of Christ, That he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath-Day, as his Custom was. We may use accustomed Duties; but we must not do them customarily, and for fashion sake, no more than Christ himself did; for tho this was his Custom, yet he was not customary in these his Synagogue-Attendances. We are very apt to do so, because we have used it for these many Years. Men go on in a Tract of Duty, and regard not the Ends of Worship. Zech. 7. 3. they come ⟨p. 38⟩with a fond Scruple, and Case of Conscience, to the Prophet: They had an old Custom among them, to •ast for the Destruction of the Temple; now when the Temple was built again, Should I weep in the •ith Month, separating my self, as I have done these so many Years?