A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

II. Let us open the Direction our Lord gives about solitary Prayer. The Direction is suited so as to avoid the double Error of the Pharisees, their Offence as to Place, and as to the Aim and End.

1. Their Offence as to the Place: Enter into thy Closet, and shut thy Door. These Words are not to be taken metaphorically, nor yet pressed too literally. Not metaphorically, (as some would carry them) Descend into thy Heart, be serious and devout with God in the Closet of thy Soul, which is the most inward Recess and retiring Place of Man. This were to be wanton with Scripture. The literal Sense is not to be left without necessity, nor yet pressed too literally, as if Prayer should be confined to a Chamber and Closet: Christ prayed in the Mountain, Mat. 14. 23. and, Gen. 24. 63. Isaac went into the Field to meditate. The meaning is, Private Prayer must be performed in a private Place, retired from Company, and the Sight of Men, as much as may be.

1. Their Offence as to the Place: Enter into thy Closet, and shut thy Door. These Words are not to be taken metaphorically, nor yet pressed too literally. Not metaphorically, (as some would carry them) Descend into thy Heart, be serious and devout with God in the Closet of thy Soul, which is the most inward Recess and retiring Place of Man. This were to be wanton with Scripture. The literal Sence is not to be left without necessity, nor yet pressed too literally, as if Prayer should be confined to a Chamber and Closet: Christ prayed in the Mountain, Mat. 14. 23. and, Gen. 24. 63. Isaac went into the Field to meditate. The meaning is, Private Prayer must be performed in a private Place, retired from Company, and the Sight of Men, as much as may be.