A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

5. We must distinguish of the diverse Significations of that Phrase which is used here, [Greek or Hebrew], [That we may be seen.] There is a twofold Sense of [Greek or Hebrew], or That: It may be taken two ways, as they speak, either causally, or eventually. Causally, and then it implies and imports the End and Scope why we do such a thing, namely, for this very purpose, that we may obtain it. And thus the Pharisees here did pray, [Greek or Hebrew], that they might be seen of Men, (that is) this was their main End and Scope. Thus That is taken causally. Secondly, That, sometimes is taken eventually, and then it doth not import the End and Scope, but only the Event that will fall out, and follow upon such a thing. Thus That is often taken in Scripture. John 9. 39. Christ saith there, For Judgment I am come into the World, that they which see not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blind. 'Twas not Christ's Scope to do so, but Christ foresaw that this would be the Event of his coming into the World, and therefore he saith, That, &c. So Luke 14. 10. Christ tells them there, But when thou art bidden to a Feast, go and sit down in the lowest Room, that when he that •ade thee comes, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: Then shalt thou have ⟨p. 6⟩worship in the presence of them that sit at Meat with thee. That is taken eventually, not causally: for Christ doth not bid them there, to set themselves at the lower End of the Table, for this very end, or to make this their scope: that is the thing he forbids, Affectation of Precedency: But that, hoc est, then it will follow, (that is) this is likely to be the Event; then the Master of the House will come to you, if you do this. Not that it should be your Scope to feign Humility, that you may obtain the highest Place at the Table. And so may Christ's Words be taken, Let your Light so shine, &c. This will fall out upon it then, Men will be conscious to your Christian Carriage, and gracious Behaviour, and by that means God will be much honoured and glorified: There it is taken eventually. But here it is taken causally, The Pharisees did it that they might be seen of Men; that is, this was their Scope, and principal Intention. And thus may you reconcile these two Places of Scripture.