Gods three arrovves plague, famine, svvord, in three treatises. I. A plaister for the plague. II. Dearths death. III. The Churches conquest over the sword. By William Gouge Doctor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods Word in Black-Friers, London.

§. 22. Of the gestures of prayer.

EXOD. XVII. IX.

To morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

* 1.1 THe Internall meanes, as promised on Moses part to be used by him, are here set downe. Wherein 1. the action undertaken by him is thus expressed, I will stand. This gesture of the body is put for an action of the minde * 1.2 signified thereby, which is prayer. For standing was of old an usuall gesture of prayer. It never was the onely gesture. For the Scripture expresseth many other: whereof some were gestures of the whole body; others of particular members thereof.

There are three especiall gestures of the whole body. 1. Standing. 2. Bowing. 3. Prostrating, or lying all * 1.3 along.

• 1. Of Standing, more anon.
• 2. * 1.4Bowing was used as an action of much reverence: and that for the most part, when they testified their thankfull ac∣ceptance of some speciall favour. Read for this Exo. 4. 31. & 12. 27. 2 Chro. 29. 29, 30. Neh. 8. 6.
• 3. Prostrating, or lying all along testified much humilia∣tion, and dejection of the soule. Read for this, Ios. 7. 6. * 1.5 2 Sam. 12. 16. Ezra. 10. 1. Mat. 26. 39.

The gestures of the particular parts of the body are many more: as,

• 1. Lifting up eyes. This giveth evidence of our expecta∣tion of helpe from above: and of our faith fixed on him * 1.6

• who 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.) * 1.7 and David expressing prayer by this phrase, addeth the rea∣son 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 * 1.8 confusion of face by reason of a mans unworthinesse, and un∣fitnesse 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 com∣punction * 1.9 of spirit, godly sorrow and griefe is hereby mani∣fested. In such respects the fore-named Publican is said to smite his breast, Luk. 8. 13.
• 5. Renting clothes, pulling haire off the head and beard: * 1.10 these are gestures which Ezra used, (Ezr. 9. 3, 5.) to which may be added the penitent womans teares, with which she washed the feet of Christ, and her wiping them with the haire of her head, Luk. 7. 38. Deep apprehension of sin, and much aggravation of griefe is by these and other like unu¦suall gestures declared.
• 6. Kneeling. This is the most usuall and proper gesture for prayer. For examples, read 2 Chro. 6. 13. Ezra 9 5. * 1.11

• ... Dan. 6. 10. Luke 22. 41. Act. 7. 60. & 9. 40. & 20. 36. & 21. 5. * 1.12 The very act of prayer is implied under this gesture, Eph. 3. 14. Psal. 95. 6. That homage which we owe to God, that reverend respect which we beare to him, that ho∣nour which we desire to yeeld to him is hereby testified.

All these gestures (as occasions serve) well beseeme those that call upon God. But because here mention is made only of standing it shalbe sufficient to have named the other.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vide §. 1. & 9.
• * 1.2

  Metonymia adjuncti. Signum prore significatâ.
• * 1.3

  Gestures of prayer.
• * 1.4

  §. 23. 1. Bowing.
• * 1.5

  2. Prostrating.
• * 1.6

  3. Lifting up eyes.
• * 1.7

  Prona{que} cum spectent anima lia caetera terrā, Os homini subli∣me dedit, coe∣lum{que} videre Iussit, Sec. Ovid Metamorph. l. 1 See the Saints Sacrifice on Psal. 116. §. 25. 4. Lifting up hands.
• * 1.8

  5. Casting downe eyes.
• * 1.9

  6. Smiting breast.
• * 1.10

  7 Renting garments, &c.
• * 1.11

  8. Kneeling.
• * 1.12

  8. Kneeling. Deum genu posi∣to adoramus, & fixo in terram poplite magis quod ab eo peti∣mus, impetra∣mus. Legimus enim & Paulū in littore sic orasse: & geniculatio∣nes in oratione praeceptas. Hier. Comment. lib. 2, in Eph. 3.