[8914] Gen. xxiv. 64, 65.
Chapter XXIII.--Of Kneeling.
In the matter of kneeling also prayer is subject to diversity of observance, through the act of some few who abstain from kneeling on the Sabbath; and since this dissension is particularly on its trial before the churches, the Lord will give His grace that the dissentients may either yield, or else indulge their opinion without offence to others. We, however (just as we have received), only on the day of the Lord's Resurrection ought to guard not only against kneeling, but every posture and office of solicitude; deferring even our businesses lest we give any place to the devil. [8915] Similarly, too, in the period of Pentecost; which period we distinguish by the same solemnity of exultation. [8916] But who would hesitate every day to prostrate himself before God, at least in the first prayer with which we enter on the daylight? At fasts, moreover, and Stations, no prayer should be made without kneeling, and the remaining customary marks of humility; for (then) [8917] we are not only praying, but deprecating, and making satisfaction to God our Lord. [8918] Touching times of prayer nothing at all has been prescribed, except clearly "to pray at every time and every place." [8919]
[8915] Eph. iv. 27.
[8916] i.e. abstaining from kneeling: kneeling being more "a posture of solicitude" and of humility; standing, of "exultation."
[8917] i.e. at fasts and Stations. [Sabbath = Saturday, supra.]
[8918] For the meaning of "satisfaction" as used by the Fathers, see Hooker, Eccl. Pol. vi. 5.
[8919] Eph. vi. 18; 1 Thess. v. 17; 1 Tim. ii. 8.
Chapter XXIV.--Of Place for Prayer.
But how "in every place," since we are prohibited [8920] (from praying) in public? In every place, he means, which opportunity or even necessity, may have rendered suitable: for that which was done by the apostles [8921] (who, in gaol, in the audience of the prisoners, "began praying and singing to God") is not considered to have been done contrary to the precept; nor yet that which was done by Paul, [8922] who in the ship, in presence of all, "made thanksgiving to God." [8923]
[8920] Matt. vi. 5, 6, which forbids praying in public.
[8921] Paul and Silas (Acts xvi. 25).
[8922] I have followed Muratori's reading here.
[8923] Mr. Dodgson renders "celebrated the Eucharist;" but that rendering appears very doubtful. See Acts xxvii. 35.
Chapter XXV.--Of Time for Prayer.
Touching the time, however, the extrinsic [8924] observance of certain hours will not be unprofitable--those common hours, I mean, which mark the intervals of the day--the third, the sixth, the ninth--which we may find in the Scriptures to have been more solemn than the rest. The first infusion of the Holy Spirit into the congregated disciples took place at "the third hour." [8925] Peter, on the day on which he experienced the vision of Universal Community, [8926] (exhibited) in that small vessel, [8927] had ascended into the more lofty parts of the house, for prayer's sake "at the sixth hour." [8928] The same (apostle) was going into the temple, with John, "at the ninth hour," [8929] when he restored the paralytic to his health. Albeit these practices stand simply without any precept for their observance, still it may be granted a good thing to establish some definite presumption, which may both add stringency to the admonition to pray, and may, as it were by a law, tear us out from our businesses unto such a duty; so that--what we read to have been observed by Daniel also, [8930] in accordance (of course) with Israel's discipline--we pray at least not less than thrice in the day, debtors as we are to Three--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: of course, in addition to our regular prayers which are due, without any admonition, on the entrance of light and of night. But, withal, it becomes believers not to take food, and not to go to the bath, before interposing a prayer; for the refreshments and nourishments of the spirit are to be held prior to those of the flesh, and things heavenly prior to things earthly.
[8924] Mr. Dodgson supposes this word to mean "outward, as contrasted with the inward, praying always.'" Oehler interprets, "ex vita communi." But perhaps what Tertullian says lower down in the chapter, "albeit they stand simply without any precept enjoining their observance," may give us the true clue to his meaning; so that "extrinsecus" would ="extrinsic to any direct injunction of our Lord or His apostles."
[8925] Acts ii. 1-4, 14, 15.
[8926] Communitatis omnis (Oehler). Mr. Dodgson renders, "of every sort of common thing." Perhaps, as Routh suggests, we should read "omnium."
[8927] Vasculo. But in Acts it is, skeuos ti hos othonen megalen [Small is here comparatively used, with reference to Universality of which it was the symbol.]
[8928] Acts x. 9.
[8929] Acts iii. 1: but the man is not said to have been "paralytic," but "lame from his mother's womb."
[8930] Dan. vi. 10; comp. Ps. lv. 17 (in the LXX. it is liv. 18).