A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

Doct. 3. A faithful Christian praying for his Brother fallen into any sin, shall obtain life and peace for him.

Doct. 3. A faithfull Christian praying for his Brother faln into any sin, shall obtain life and peace for him.

If any man, […] his Brother sin a sin not unto death, he shall pray for him, and shall give him life. He that prays for him shall be an instrument to convey life unto him; or God himself moved by his prayer, shall give him life; it's all one: he shall give him life of justification, sanctification, and consolation: This is evident by other examples, when the Israelites had committed a great sin, so that God in his displeasure had threatened to destroy them, yet at Moses earnest request, he spared them, and Aaron, Deut. 9.15. to 21. Job prayed for his friends, and the Lord accepted him. Our Saviours prayer for his enemies is thought to be the cause why Peters Sermon was effectual to the conversion ⟨p. 425⟩of three thousand at once, Stephens prayer made way for the conversion of Paul.

If any man, 〈…〉 his Brother sin a sin not unto death, he shall pray for him, and shall give him life. He that prayes for him shall be an instrument to convey life unto him; or God himselfe moved by his prayer, shall give him life; it's all one: he shall give him life of justification, sanctification, and consolation: This is evident by other examples, when the Israelites had committed a great sin, so that God in his displeasure had threatned to destroy them, yet at Moses earnest request, he spared them, and Aaron, Deut. 9.15. to 21. Job prayed for his friends, and the Lord accepted him. Our Saviours prayer for his enemies is thought to be the cause why Peters Sermon was effectuall to the conversion ⟨p. 425⟩of three thousand at once, Stephens prayer made way for the conversion of Paul.

Reas. 1. From the pleasure God takes to knit the members of his body together, now no better means to knit them then to make them useful one to another, 1 Cor. 12.21, 22. So Jobs friends should not prevail by their own prayers, but they should all be beholding to Job whom they had wronged.

Use. Its a ground of much encouragement to all that see their Brethren sin a sin not unto death, to pray for them; be it a sin of covetousness; nay, be it a sin of frowardness, which is of a deep nature; yet the Lord promiseth to hear us for them, Isa. 57.17, 18.

Ʋse. Its a ground of much encouragement to all that see their Brethren sin a sin not unto death, to pray for them; be it a sin of covetousnesse; nay, be it a sin of frowardnesse, which is of a deep nature; yet the Lord promiseth to hear us for them, Isa. 57.17, 18.

Motives.

1. The Lord will be angry with you, if you neglect it. Is it nothing for you to see your Brethren be under the burden of sin?

1. The Lord will be angry with you, if you neglect it. Is it nothing for you to see your Brethren be under the burthen of sin?

2. It will increase your comfort, if you pray heartily for them, God will return all your calamities, Job 42.

2. It will encrease your comfort, if you pray heartily for them, God will return all your calamities, Job 42.

3. None can help but God, therefore pray to him.

4. This is a marvellous benefit, that thy prayers shall be an instrument to raise the dead to life.

4. This is a mavellous benefit, that thy prayers shall be an instrument to raise the dead to life.

Obj. Many pray for their Brethren, yet full short of giving them life. What say you to Abraham's prayer for Ishmael, Gen. 17.18. and Samuel's for Saul? 1 Sam. 15.11, 31. & 16.1.

Obj. Many pray for their Brethren, yet full short of giving them life. What say you to Abrahams prayer for Ishmael, Gen. 17.18. and Samuels for Saul? 1 Sam. 15.11, 31. & 16.1.

Ans. 1. It would be considered whether he be a Brother thou prayest for; Abraham prayed for such a one as was neither yet gracious, nor belonged to the election of grace, as is likely, for that is prerequired; Samuel prayed for Saul, but God tells him he had rejected him.

2. Consider whether you use the other means that God requires in your places. David no doubt prayed for his Sons, yet he neglected other means; as its said of Adonijah, that his Father never displeased him at any time saying, Why hast thou done so? 1 Kings 1.6.

3. A man may pray, but it may be without faith or fervency, for that's required, James 5.17. If we be wanting in none of these, God will make good undoubtedly that which he hath here promised.

3. A man may pray, but it may be without faith or fervency, for thats required, James 5.17. If we be wanting in none of these, God will make good undoubtedly that which he hath here promised.

Verse 16. latter part. There is a sin unto death, &c.

These words contain an exception from his former direction, that in case we see our Brother sin a sin unto death, I do not say he shall pray for it.

These words contain an exception from his former direction, that in case we see our Brother sin a sin unto death, I doe not say he shall pray for it.