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De Oratione

XV.

[1] Sed quoniam unum aliquod attigimus uacuae obseruationis, non pigebit cetera quoque denotare quibus merito uanitas exprobranda est, siquidem sine ullius aut dominici, aut apostolici praecepti auctoritate fiunt. Huiusmodi enim non religioni, sed superstitioni deputantur, affectata et coacta, et curiosi potius quam rationalis officii, certe uel eo coercenda, quod gentilibus adaequent, ut est quorumdam expositis paenulis orationem facere; sic enim adeunt ad idola nationes. [2] Quod utique, si fieri oporteret, apostoli qui de habitu orandi docent comprehendissent, nisi si qui putant Paulum paenulam suam in oratione penes Carpum reliquisse. Deus scilicet non audiat paenulatos, qui tres sanctos in fornace Babylonii regis orantes cum sarabaris et tiaris suis exaudiuit.

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On Prayer

Chapter XV.--Of Putting Off Cloaks.

But since we have touched on one special point of empty observance, ¹ it will not be irksome to set our brand likewise on the other points against which the reproach of vanity may deservedly be laid; if, that is, they are observed without the authority of any precept either of the Lord, or else of the apostles. For matters of this kind belong not to religion, but to superstition, being studied, and forced, and of curious rather than rational ceremony; ² deserving of restraint, at all events, even on this ground, that they put us on a level with Gentiles. ³ As, e.g., it is the custom of some to make prayer with cloaks doffed, for so do the nations approach their idols; which practice, of course, were its observance becoming, the apostles, who teach concerning the garb of prayer, ⁴ would have comprehended in their instructions, unless any think that is was in prayer that Paul had left his cloak with Carpus! ⁵ God, forsooth, would not hear cloaked suppliants, who plainly heard the three saints in the Babylonian king's furnace praying in their trousers and turbans. ⁶