No eye in this spiritual body is so perfect, that it may say to the foot, I have no need of thee. When the Apostle doth thus desire the Prayers of the Corinthians, he doth it not in a complement, neither doth he speak it for modesty and humility sake, but cordially and really, as finding the want of them. Christ indeed being God and Man, though as Man he prayed to God, yet he needed no mans prayer for him; neither did he ever require his Disciples to pray for him, no, not when he was in the greatest agonies. He blamed them indeed for their dullness, and that they could not watch with him one hour; but he did not require their prayers for him. But there is no godly man, though a Paul, though never so eminent, but as he is to pray for others; so also he needeth that others should pray for him. Hence you have this eminent Saint often desiring the prayers of others, his interest in God alone will not do it. Though he be a favourite in the Court of Heaven, yet others also must intercede for him. Job, Daniel, and others, though they be instanced in, as such who can greatly prevail with God in prayers for others, as if the ear of God were open to them, more than to others; yet they themselves did want the prayers of others ⟨p. 360⟩for them. And thus we have Paul again and again desiring the prayers of others for him, 1 Thes. 1. 17. when he had delivered many short and excellent Aphorisms, more necessary to the souls health, then those of Hippocrates for the body; and having also prayed for them, he requireth the same duty for himself, Brethren pray for us. That as the Clouds drop upon the earth to refresh that, and that sends up vapours again, which are congealed into Clouds; thus it should be with Pastors and People, a mutual and a reciprocal praying for each other, will greatly advantage and promote their spiritual good. Thus the same Apostle, to the same people, 2 Thes. 3. 1. saith in a concluding way, Finally, Brethren pray for us. In the like manner, also Heb. 13. 18. he desireth they would pray for him, giving his reason, because of the good conscience he had in his work; So that where there is godliness and holiness, we ought to be so far from neglecting prayer for them, thinking they do not need it, that we are the rather to be encouraged in that service for them.
No eye in this spirituall body is so perfect, that it may say to the foot, I have no need of thee. When the Apostle doth thus desire the Prayers of the Corinthians, he doth it not in a complement, neither doth he speak it for modesty and humility sake, but cordially and really, as finding the want of them. Christ indeed being God and Man, though as Man he prayed to God, yet he needed no mans prayer for him; neither did he ever require his Disciples to pray for him, no, not when he was in the greatest agonies. He blamed them indeed for their dullness, and that they could not watch with him one hour; but he did not require their prayers for him. But there is no godly man, though a Paul, though never so eminent, but as he is to pray for others; so also he needeth that others should pray for him. Hence you have this eminent Saint often desiring the prayers of others, his interest in God alone will not do it. Though he be a favourite in the Court of Heaven, yet others also must intercede for him. Job, Daniel, and others, though they be instanced in, as such who can greatly prevaile with God in prayers for others, as if the eare of God were open to them, more than to others; yet they themselves did want the prayers of others ⟨p. 360⟩for them. And thus we have Paul again and again desiring the prayers of others for him, 1 Thes. 1. 17. when he had delivered many short and excellent Aphorismes, more necessary to the soules health, then those of Hippocrates for the body; and having also prayed for them, he requireth the same duty for himself, Brethren pray for us. That as the Clouds drop upon the earth to refresh that, and that sends up vapours again, which are congealed into Clouds; thus it should be with Pastors and People, a mutuall and a reciprocall praying for each other, will greatly advantage and promote their spirituall good. Thus the same Apostle, to the same people, 2 Thes. 3. 1. saith in a concluding way, Finally, Brethren pray for us. In the like manner, also Heb. 13. 18. he desireth they would pray for him, giving his reason, because of the good conscience he had in his work; So that where there is godliness and holiness, we ought to be so farre from neglecting prayer for them, thinking they do not need it, that we are the rather to be incouraged in that service for them.
