4. _But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth._ This is a proverbial expression, the meaning of which is, do it in as secret a manner as is possible: as secret as is consistent with the doing it at all; (for it must not be left undone: omit no opportunity of doing good, whether secretly or openly) and with the doing it in the most effectual manner. For here is also an exception to be made. When you are fully persuaded in your own mind, that by your not concealing the good which is done, either you will yourself be enabled, or others excited to do the more good, then you may not conceal it: then let your light appear, and _shine to all that are in the house_. But unless where the glory of God and the good of mankind oblige you to the contrary, act in as private and unobserved a manner, as the nature of the thing will admit: _that thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret, he shall reward thee openly_. Perhaps in the present world; many instances of this stands recorded in all ages: but infallibly in the world to come, before the general assembly of men and angels. II. 1. From works of charity or mercy, our Lord proceeds to those which are termed works of piety. _And when thou prayest_, saith he, _thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are._ Hypocrisy then, or insincerity, is the first thing we are to guard against in prayer. Beware not to speak what thou dost not mean. Prayer is, the lifting up of the heart to God: all words of prayer without this are mere hypocrisy. Whenever therefore thou attemptest to pray, see that it be thy one design, to commune with God, to lift up thy heart to him, to pour out thy soul before him. Not _as the hypocrites_, who _love_, or are wont, _to pray standing in the synagogues_, the exchange or market-places, _and in the corners of the streets_, wherever the most people are, _that they may be seen of men_: this was the sole design, the motive and end, of the prayers which they there repeated. _Verily I say unto you, they have their reward._ They are to expect none from your Father which is in heaven.