The word here used to pray, signifieth not barely to pray,1 or put up requests to God; 'Tis a word with an emphasis, implying the Multiplying of prayer, and that not the multiplying of prayer so much by number, as by weight; the pouring forth or multiplying of strong prayers, or, as it is said of Christ, In the days of his flesh (Heb. 5.7.) the offering up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears. There may be a multiplying of weak insignificant words in the ears of God by prayer; But the faithful people of God, through the Spirit, pour out many strong words in prayer (as Christ did in the days of his flesh) to him who is able to save them from death or danger, and give them life. When Elihu saith, He shall pray, he intends such prayers, even the urgency, importunity, or vehemency of the soul in prayer. When Isaac saw his wife Rebecca was long barren (he was forty years old before he married, and many years being elapsed in marriage, there was no appearance of Children) Then (saith the Text, Gen: 25.21.) Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren, and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebecca his wife conceived, It cannot be imagined that Isaac being so holy and gracious a man, had not prayed for that mercy before; Doubtless he prayed that God would fulfil the promise to his father Abraham in giving him a child: but when he saw the promise so long delayed, or stick so long in the birth, then he entreated the Lord ('tis this word) he poured out many and strong prayers. The word is used again concerning Manoah, after his wife had received a promise from the Lord of hearing a Son, afterwards called Sampson (Judg: 13.8.) Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said. O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst ⟨p. 422⟩send, come again unto us, &c. Fearing they might not fully follow the instructions given his wife for the education of their son, he earnestly begged of the Lord further direction in that matter. That prophecy either of the Gentiles to be converted, or of the return of the dispersed Jews, expresseth them by this word (Zeph: 3.10.) From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants shall come, even the daughter of my dispersed shall bring mine offerings. As if the Prophet had said;
The word here used to pray, signifieth not barely to pray,1 or put up requests to God; 'Tis a word with an emphasis, implying the Multiplying of prayer, and that not the multiplying of prayer so much by number, as by weight; the powring forth or multiplying of strong prayers, or, as it is sayd of Christ, In the dayes of his flesh (Heb. 5.7.) the offering up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and teares. There may be a multiplying of weak insignificant words in the eares of God by prayer; But the faithfull people of God, through the Spirit, powre out many strong words in prayer (as Christ did in the dayes of his flesh) to him who is able to save them from death or danger, and give them life. When Elihu saith, He shall pray, he intends such prayers, even the urgency, importunity, or vehemency of the soule in prayer. When Isaac saw his wife Rebecca was long barren (he was forty yeares old before he married, and many yeares being elapsed in marriage, there was no appearance of Children) Then (saith the Text, Gen: 25.21.) Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because shee was barren, and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebecca his wife conceived, It cannot be imagined that Isaac being so holy and gracious a man, had not prayed for that mercy before; Doubtless he prayed that God would fullfill the promise to his father Abraham in giving him a childe: but when he saw the promise so long delayed, or stick so long in the birth, then he intreated the Lord ('tis this word) he powred out many and strong prayers. The word is used againe concerning Manoah, after his wife had received a promise from the Lord of hearing a Son, afterwards called Sampson (Judg: 13.8.) Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and sayd. O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst ⟨p. 422⟩send, come againe unto us, &c. Fearing they might not fully follow the instructions given his wife for the education of their son, he earnestly begged of the Lord further direction in that matter. That prophecy either of the Gentiles to be converted, or of the returne of the dispersed Jewes, expresseth them by this word (Zeph: 3.10.) From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants shall come, even the daughter of my dispersed shall bring mine offerings. As if the Prophet had sayd;
- 1[Greek or Hebrew] multiplicavit, propriè verba fortia et magnacopia fudit in oratione. inde [Greek or Hebrew] supplices. Zeph. 3.10.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 multiplicavit, propriè verba fortia et magnacopia fudit in oratione. inde 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 supplices. Zeph. 3.10.
