Chap. Xvii.—Of Elevated Hands.
CHAP. XVII.—OF ELEVATED HANDS.
But we more commend our prayers to God when we pray with modesty
and humility, with not even our hands too loftily elevated, but
elevated temperately and becomingly; and not even our countenance
over-boldly uplifted. For that publican who prayed with humility and
dejection not merely in his supplication, but in his countenance too,
went his way "more justified" than the shameless Pharisee.[9] The
sounds of our voice, likewise, should be subdued; else, if we are to be
heard for our noise, how large windpipes should we need! But God is the
hearer not of the voice, but of the heart, just as He is its inspector.
The demon of the Pythian oracle says: "And I do understand the mute,
and plainly hear the speechless one."[10]
Do the ears of God wait for sound? How, then, could Jonah's
prayer find way out unto heaven from the depth of the whale's belly,
through the entrails of so huge a beast; from the very abysses, through
so huge a mass of sea? What superior advantage will they who pray too
loudly gain, except that they annoy their neighbours? Nay, by making
their petitions audible, what less error do they commit than if they
were to pray in public?[11]