13. When the prayers •re thus made out of conscience of our duty for such, whom yet God doth ⟨p. 62⟩not intend that mercy unto, then they are returned again into our own bosoms to our advantage: even as S. Paul saith, that his rejoicing that others preached, though they lost their labour, should turn to his salvation, Phil. 1. 20. So prayers for others, though to the parties themselves we prayed for they prove in vain, yet they turn to our good So Psalm. 35. 12, 13. When his enemies were sick, David he prayed and humbled himself; and my prayers (says he) returned into my bosom David did by this his prayer in secret for his enemies, testify the sincerity of his heart to God ⟨p. 63⟩and his true forgiveness of them (for it is the usual disposition of Gods children, to pray for them that are the greatest enemies to them,) and this prayer though it did not profit them, yet it turned to Davids own good, it came back, and home again to him, with blessings to himself; God delighting in, and rewarding such a disposition in his child, as much as any other; 2because therein we resemble Christ so truly, and show that God is our Father, and our selves to have his bowels in us; and God stirreth up this praying disposition in his children for their enemies, ⟨p. 64⟩not always that he means to hear them for them, but because he means to draw forth, and so have an occasion to reward those holy dispositions, which are the noblest parts of his image in them and wherewith he is so much delighted; and so their prayers return into their own bosom, and it is taken, as if they had prayed for themselves all that while. Thus in like manner, when Moses prayed so earnestly for the people of Israel, God offered to return his prayer into his own bosom, and do as much for him alone, as he had desired that God would do for ⟨p. 65⟩them.3 I will make of thee a great Nation (says God to him) for whom I will do as much for thy sake, as thou hast prayed I should do for these. As in preaching the Gospel, Christ told the Disciples, That if in any house they came to preach peace, there were not a Son of peace, Luke 10. on whom the message might take place, and their peace rest, Your peace (says he) shall return unto you again. So is it, if your prayers take not place.
13. When the prayers •re thus made out of concience of our duty for such, whom yet God doth ⟨p. 62⟩not intend that mercy unto, then they are returned againe into our owne bosomes to our advantage: even as S. Paul saith, that his rejoycing that others preached, though they lost their labour, should turne to his salvation, Phil. 1. 20. So prayers for others, though to the parties themselves we prayed for they prove in vaine, yet they turne to our good So Psalm. 35. 12, 13. When his enemies were sick, David he praied and humbled himselfe; and my prayers (saies he) returned into my bosome David did by this his prayer in secret for his enemies, testifie the sincerity of his heart to God ⟨p. 63⟩and his true forgivenesse of them (for it is the usuall disposition of Gods children, to pray for them that are the greatest enemies to them,) and this prayer though it did not profit them, yet it turned to Davids owne good, it came back, and home againe to him, with blessings to himselfe; God delighting in, and rewarding such a disposition in his childe, as much as any other; 2because therein we resemble Christ so truely, and shew that God is our Father, and our selves to have his bowels in us; and God stirreth up this praying disposition in his children for their enemies, ⟨p. 64⟩not alwaies that he means to heare them for them, but because he meanes to draw forth, and so have an occasion to reward those holy dispositions, which are the noblest parts of his image in them and wherewith hee is so much delighted; and so their prayers returne into their owne bosome, and it is taken, as if they had prayed for themselves all that while. Thus in like maner, when Moses prayed so earnestly for the people of Israel, God offered to returne his prayer into his owne bosome, and doe as much for him alone, as hee had desired that God would doe for ⟨p. 65⟩them.3 I will make of thee a great Nation (saies God to him) for whom I will doe as much for thy sake, as thou hast prayed I should doe for these. As in preaching the Gospel, Christ told the Disciples, That if in any house they came to preach peace, there were not a Sonne of peace,
- 1§. 3. Such prayers for others are often returned into our own bosom.§. 3. Such prayers for others are often returned into our own bosome.
- 2The Reason.
- 3Exod. 32. 10.
