An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

I shall briefly instance in some general great advantages that may be made, by our understanding of the afflictions and troubles, that are very heavy upon others. And

First, Hereby we shall be the more provoked to pray for them, to wrestle with God in their behalf. It is good to consider, how earnestly Paul, though ¹so eminent and choice a man in holiness, doth desire the prayers of others; and therefore when he had spoken of that confidence he had in God, who as he had, so also would for the future deliver him, he addeth, vers. 11. You also helping together by prayer for us; as if none of those great mercies Paul looked for could be brought forth, but by the help of their prayers. This then is that, which maketh the godly desirous, that others who fear God, may know how it is with them, what temptations they lie under, what afflictions they grapple with, that so they may have the effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man, which availeth much. Though the profane deride and scoff, yet the prayer of any true godly man is greatly to be valued, and much to be desired.

First, Hereby we shall be the more provoked to pray for them, to wrestle with God in their behalf. It is good to consider, how earnestly Paul, though ¹so eminent and choice a man in holinesse, doth desire the prayers of others; and therefore when he had spoken of that confidence he had in God, who as he had, so also would for the future deliver him, he addeth, vers. 11. You also helping together by prayer for us; as if none of those great mercies Paul looked for could be brought forth, but by the help of their prayers. This then is that, which maketh the godly desirous, that others who fear God, may know how it is with them, what temptations they lie under, what afflictions they grapple with, that so they may have the effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man, which availeth much. Though the prophane deride and scoffe, yet the prayer of any true godly man is greatly to be valued, and much to be desired.