VERS. I.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Teach us to pray us Iohn also taught his Disciples.
WHAT kind of request is this, that this Disciple, whoever he is, doth here make? was he ignorant of, or had he forgot that form of Prayer which the Lord had delivered to them in his Sermon upon the Mount? If he had not forgot it, why then doth he require any other? Doth de mean, Lord teach us to pray, for John hath taught his Disciples? or thus, teach us a Form and rule of Prayer like that which John had taught his. This latter is the most probable, but then it is some∣thing uncertain what kind of form that might be which the Disciples of John were taught. As to this enquiry we may consider these things:
I. It is said of the Disciples of John 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, They fast often, and make Prayers. Where, upon many accounts I could perswade my self that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ought to be taken here in its most proper sense, for Supplications. To let other things pass, let us weigh these two:
1. That the Jews daily and common prayers, ordinary and occasional, consisted chiefly of Benedictions and Doxologies, which the title of that Talmudick Tract which treats of their prayers, sufficiently testifies, being called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Benediction, as also that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tephillah, the general Nomenclature for Prayer, signifies no other than 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 praising, i. e. Benediction, or Doxology. To illustrate this matter we have a passage or two not unworthy our transcribing.
a 1.1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Perhaps a man begs for necessaries for himself, and afterward prayeth. This is that which is spoken by Solomon when he saith, b 1.2 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 To the prayer, and to the supplication. I omit the Versions, because the Ge∣marists interpret it themselves. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rinna is Tephillah, and Te∣phillah is Bakkashah. Their meaning is this: the first word of Solomon's 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rinnah sig∣nifies Prayer (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ••s the Gloss hath it) i. e. Prayer with Praise, or Doxo∣logy. The latter word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tephillah, signifies Petition, or Supplication, [Gloss, beg∣ing for things necessary.]
It cannot be denyed but that they had their petitionary or supplicatory prayers, but then, the benedictory or doxological prayers were more in number, and more large and copious: especially those which were poured out occasionally or upon present emergency. Read the last Chapter of the Treatise I newly quoted and judge as to this particular: Read the whole Treatise, and then judge of the whole matter.
2. It may be reasonably supposed that the Baptist taught his Disciples a Form of Prayer different from what the Jewish Forms were: It stands with reason that he that was to