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Ethical
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.
You will not dismiss a brother who has entered your house without prayer.—“Have you seen,” says Scripture, “a brother? you have seen your Lord;”[8931]—especially “a stranger,” lest perhaps he be “an angel.” But again, when received yourself by brethren, you will not make[8932] earthly refreshments prior to heavenly, for your faith will forthwith be judged. Or else how will you—according to the precept[8933]—say, “Peace to this house,” unless you exchange mutual peace with them who are in the house?
The more diligent in prayer are wont to subjoin in their prayers the “Hallelujah,”[8934] and such kind of psalms, in the closes of which the company respond. And, of course, every institution is excellent which, for the extolling and honouring of God, aims unitedly to bring Him enriched prayer as a choice victim.[8935]
For this is the spiritual victim[8936] which has abolished the pristine sacrifices. “To what purpose,” saith He, “(bring ye) me the multitude of your sacrifices? I am full of holocausts of rams, and I desire not the fat of rams, and the blood of bulls and of goats. For who hath required these from your hands?”[8937] What, then, God has required the Gospel teaches. “An hour will come,” saith He, “when the true adorers shall adore the Father in spirit and truth. For God is a Spirit, and accordingly requires His adorers to be such.”[8938] We are the true adorers and the true priests,[8939] who, praying in spirit,[8940] sacrifice, in spirit, prayer,—a victim proper and acceptable to God, which assuredly He has required, which He has looked forward to[8941] for Himself! This victim, devoted from the whole heart, fed on faith, tended by truth, entire in innocence, pure in chastity, garlanded with love,[8942] we ought to escort with the pomp[8943] of good works, amid psalms and hymns, unto God’s altar,[8944] to obtain for us all things from God.
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