Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. It hath been disputed which is a state of greater perfection, the social, or the solitary; whereas, in truth, neither of these estates is complete without the other: as the example of our blessed Lord (the unerring test and measure of perfection) informs us. I. UNDER WHAT LIMITATIONS MAY THE DUTY OF RELIGIOUS RETREAT AND RECOLLECTION BE RECOMMENDED? NO man is, or ought to be, so deeply immersed in the affairs of this world as not to be able to retire from them now and then into his closet. II. THE ADVANTAGES ATTENDING THE PRACTICE OF RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT. There are such as these — that k unites and fixes our scattered thoughts; places us out of the reach of the most dangerous temptations; frees us from the insinuating contagion of ill examples, and hushes and lays asleep those troublesome passions which are the great disturbers of our repose and happiness. (F. Atterbury.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. |
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