THE FIRST SERMON VPON THE inscription , or title of the Psalme . To him that excelleth . A Psalme of Dauid .

THis Psalme ( as appeareth by the inscription ) was made by the Prophet Dauid , The author of this Psalme : and to whom it was committed . as most of the Psalmes were ; and not as a priuate thing belonging to himselfe alone , but for the benefit of the whole Church , as the rest of the Scriptures also were written to that end : and therefore it was deliuered , or specially by him commended , vnto him that excelleth ; namely in Musicke ; that is , vnto one of the Leuites , that was skilfull in Musicke , to bee sung publikely in the Temple , and therefore by him to bee set vnto some tune fit for it : according to the manner of Gods worship in those daies , and according to the diuision of the offices of the Leuites made by Dauid , for all kinde of Musicke , both with voyce , and with diuers kinds of instruments : 1. Chron. 25. as appeareth in the booke of the Chronicles . And the whole Psalme thus made and directed , is a prayer of the Church for Dauid their King . The argument of this Psalme . For in the beginning , and end of the Psalme there are the words of supplication and prayer , desiring some thing of the Lord : in the middest they shew with what faith they do pray . And it is euident that they pray not for themselues onely , but for another : for they say , The Lord heare thee , and defend thee , &c. and they meane their King , whom in the sixt verse they call the Lords annointed : it was made by Dauid , as appeareth by the title . He then teacheth the people to pray for himselfe , desireth their prayers , telleth them for what they should pray , and giueth them a forme of it . The occasion of it . The time when he made this prayer for them , and the occasion of it is not set downe in the title , as it is in some other Psalmes : but yet it is thought by diuers , that it was when hee went to battell against the Ammonites . Which thing as it is but coniecturall , so we are sure of this out of the words of the text , that it was in a time of great daunger , not onely to his owne person , as appeareth in the first and second verses : but to the whole realm , as is euident vers. 7.8 : and it was a time of war , for they speake of chariots and horses as of meanes of defence , vers. 7. He then in a matter of great moment fleeth to God for succour , as to his only defence : he vseth all good meanes , but reposeth his whole confidence in Gods defence : therefore hee prayeth to him before he beginneth any thing , and determineth further in the whole course of his proceeding stil to pray vnto God for direction and aide : And not onely to doe it a little at the first , as may appeare out of the verse . Dauid did desire the people to pray for him . 1.3.4 : but because it concerned not himselfe alone , but all the people , and finding his owne insufficiencie in prayer , and beleeuing the promises of God made vnto the prayer of other , especially of the Church , he desireth them to pray for him , and namely to pray that God would heare his prayers , which what they were or should be in particular they knew not , but generally they might presume that they were good , and such as did concerne that action : and so whatsoeuer they were , he would haue them pray to God that he would heare them : as appeareth vers. 4.

The people doe according to this direction and commaundement of his ; The Prophet did vse this forme of prayer for him . for they vsed this forme of prayer which hee had prescribed , and so did pray earnestly for him , that God would both heare his prayer , and defend his person , and to that end send him helpe from heauen , and declare by the euent that hee had heard his and their prayers , in giuing them victorie ouer their enemies : and God heareth them all , and saueth the king , confoundeth their enemies , causeth them to returne home with victorie and great triumph , as appeareth by the next Psalme : wherein he and they together giue thanks vnto God for the victorie , attributing it onely to God , and not to their owne strength , or any power of man ; as in this Psalme they had professed , that they did not trust in chariots and horses , and such warlike defence , as men vse to doe , and namely their enemies did , but only in the protection and defence of God , which by calling vpon his name they sought for . And so this is the generall argument and summe of this Psalme , both in respect of Dauid , who made this prayer , and of the people who did vse it for him .

By the inscription then it appeareth , that Dauid making this prayer for the people to vse in his behalfe , was desirous that they should pray for him , and did as it were seek it at their hands . If he in so good a cause did not rest in the confidence of his own prayers , but desired others to pray for him ; and if he did it then , when he had so many means to accomplish his desire , because he knew God to be aboue them , and so as without him they could doe nothing , and hee was able to hinder and to frustrate all ; and if hee that was so well able to pray for himselfe and others , yet did desire the prayer of others , & of those that were inferiour vnto him : Kings ought to take order that the people should publikly pray for them . Then no King , Prince , or Potentate is exempted from this , to stand in neede of the prayer of others : and therefore they ought to take order in their seuerall realmes and dominions , that the people may vsually pray for them in their publike places and assemblies : and more seriouslie and particularly to doe it , as there shall bee any speciall occasion , as here was in the time of Dauid . Therefore this order that is among vs established by lawe , that in all Churches the Minister and people are willed to pray continually for the Kings most excellent Maiestie , both in common prayer and in preaching ; and that as warre , or other thing shall fall out , so some speciall formes of prayer are set out by publike authoritie to bee vsed in such cases : is according to Gods word , and to the example of godly Princes . I speake not now of our duties to pray for them , but of theirs , that they should thinke that they neede it , and so require it of the people .

Al men ought to desire others to pray for them according to their seuerall neede . And if Kings are bound thus to doe , then Noblemen , and other inferiour persons much more , who haue not so many meanes to accomplish their owne desires , or it may be are not so well able to pray for themselues , at leastwise as Dauid was . And so generally all men ( for this , as well as the rest of the Scripture is written for our learning ) are bound , as at all other times to desire others to pray for them ; so also , as they shall haue any speciall cause , to desire them to doe it a great deale more : and not only to pray themselues for themselues continually , because prayer in all things is our speciall refuge and succour ; but to desire others to pray God , that he would from time to time heare their prayers . And as Dauid doth it here in this speciall neede of his , as being in danger and feare of his enemies : so if we be in sicknes and feare of death , we should in the feeling of our own weaknes , and in the faith of the prayers of others , desire them to pray for vs , and not only to pray our selues . And this is the aduice and commandement of the Apostle : Is any among you afflicted ? Jam. 5.13.14 . let him pray : is any sicke among you ? let him call for the Elders of the Church , and let them pray for him . Now seeing sicknes is but one kind of crosse , and the Lord hath many waies else to afflict vs ; in any of them we ought to do the like : yea and not only when affliction is vpon vs , that it might be remoued and taken away ; but when wee haue iust cause to feare it , that it might be preuented , and so we escape it . And not onely in outward affliction , but all inward much more , by how much they are more dangerous and grieuous : as if wee shall be distressed in minde , being tempted by Sathan either vnto sinne , or for sinne : for if they be auailable in other cases , then in these . And so to conclude this one point in a word , in euery matter that is of any importance either for our selues , or for any of ours , wee ought so to commend the same , and the whole successe of them vnto God in prayer , who must onely bring them to passe , as that we rest not therein , but desire also the prayers of others to helpe vs in the same .

This ordinance of his , By this God would haue vs vnited in loue one to another . the Lord in much wisedome and mercie hath left , to vnite vs in brotherly loue one to another ; that when we shall see by experience how much we are or may be beholding one to another , in that by their prayers wee haue been holpen in so great distresses , wee might from the bottome of our harts vnfainedly loue one another . Thus the greatest Monarch may be beholding to all his subiects , as Dauid was here to his people ; and the rich this way may thinke that they faire the better for the poore ; and the Minister for the meanest of his flocke ; And it were well that this way wee were all of vs a great deale more beholding one to another than we are : in that we would in brotherly loue acquaint others with our estate , and desire their prayers , and then they would pray for vs , according to the counsell and aduice of the Apostle : Acknowledge your faults one to another , and pray one for another , Vers. 16. that ye may be healed , for the prayer of a righteous man auaileth much , if it be feruent . If we should for our owne benefit and good , acquaint other with some speciall sins , that haue been the cause ( and so consequently that may bee the cause ) of some great crosse ; that they vpon the knowledge of it might in greater feeling and faith pray for vs , that they might bee forgiuen , and wee deliuered from the punishment of them : then should wee make them acquainted with other of our necessities to that end much more .

As in other things wee need the help one of another , so in prayer : and therefore should desire the same . And that wee might bee perswaded vnto this duty of crauing the prayers of others in the feeling of the great need that we haue of them ; let vs first of all consider , how the Lord hath so made vs all ▪ that he would haue vs helpe one another , and know that we neede the help one of another , both for soule and bodie and euery way else : and therefore that we should seeke for it one of another ; as in the naturall bodie all parts doe need the mutuall helpe one of another , as the eyes of the feete , and the belly of the hands , and doe in a sort seeke vnto them for it , and by a naturall instinct , as it were begge and craue it . And all experience teacheth vs , that in all other things none of vs is sufficient of our selues , and therefore we craue the help of others , as in counsell , in labour , and in all worldly affaires ; why then should it not be so in praier also ? Yet such is our corruption , that we rather seeke helpe in any thing , as distrusting our selues , sauing in this , wherein wee most neede it . But we haue found the other true by our owne experience , and so doe vse it , if we did beleeue this , and would doe thereafter , wee might finde the fruite of it as sensible . We desire men to sue for vs to Princes , so should wee do vnto God . Secondly , when we haue suites vnto Princes or great men , we desire those that are in fauour with them , to further our suites , and those especially that are most gracious with them ; and wee rest not in our selues , though we be well knowne vnto them , especially if the matter that wee sue for bee of any moment : why should wee not then much more speak vnto others , that they would pray to God for vs , and commend our suites vnto his high Maiestie ? For though Gods loue be not partiall , as mans is , Matth. 18.20 . but his promise is to all alike : yet experience sheweth that some are more acquainted with prayer , then other , and so haue more accesse vnto God , as it were , and come oftner into his presence , and neerer vnto him , and so there is more hope that they should bee sooner heard . Especiallie when God hath made a speciall promise , that when two or three bee gathered together in the name of his sonne , hee will be in the middest of them , and therefore when diuers , or the whole Church pray for vs , there is more hope of being heard , than when wee pray our selues alone . The Papists pray to the Saints , that are dead , that they would pray to God for them , that hee would heare their prayers ; for which there is no warrant in the Scripture , but the whole word of God is rather against them : but here is an example to desire the prayers of the Saints on earth that are liuing , with hope of great fruite ; and few do follow it .

Thirdly , when we pray , When wee wrastle with men we desire help : so should wee when wee striue in prayer with God . Gen. 32.24 . we doe as it were striue with God to obtaine some thing , as was shewed to Iacob in the vision of an Angell wrastling with him all night long ; to teach vs , that when we pray we must not come coldly or sleepely vnto it , but with all earnestnes of desire , and not giue ouer vntill the Lord blesse vs , as Iacob would not let the Angell goe , vntill he blessed him : and then the Lord will assuredly blesse vs , if we perseuere , as he did Iacob ; and as Christ hath shewed in the parable of the wicked Iudge , who was ouercome by the importunitie of the widow . Therefore as when we wrastle or striue with a man , Luk. 18.2 . we knowing his great strength and our owne weakenes , and so how hard it is to ouercome , we would gladly haue others to helpe and to striue with vs against him ; and so we may more easily do that by the helpe of others , which alone hardly , or not at all we could do : So when we striue with the Lord God in prayer , being priuie to the weakenes of our owne faith , and how many sinnes there are to hinder vs , and what an hard thing it is to obtaine any thing in respect of our great vnworthinesse , we should desire others to helpe vs with their prayers , and therein as it were to striue with vs . And in this respect it is a singular great blessing , if it were rightly esteemed , and accordingly vsed , to haue many in a familie , or in the Church , to pray with vs , and for vs .

Thus speaketh the Apostle , and thus did hee practise , when hee so earnestly intreated the Romanes to pray for him , Rom. 15.30 . 32. saying , Brethren , I beseech you for our Lord Iesus Christs sake , and for the loue of the spirit , that you would striue with me by prayer to God for me ; that I may come to you with ioy by the will of God , and may with you bee refreshed . He had often , and of a long time purposed to come to them , Chap. 1.10 . as he professeth in the first chapter ; and prayed , that by some meanes one time or other he might haue prosperous iourney by the will of God to come vnto them : Paul desired the Church to striue with him in prayer . now at the last he desireth them also not only to pray , but to pray earnestly , and to striue with him in their prayers , that he may come with ioy : and doth beseech them that they would doe so , euen for the loue of Christ , and of the spirit . If hee then after so many and earnest prayers did desire them to striue with him : how had we need much more to doe it , who pray seldomer , and more coldly ? And truly as great things may be done , when many striue together , which none of them could seuerally doe : so by the prayers of many great things are obtained , which by the prayers of one alone are not so easily gotten . So the same Apostle writeth to the Corinthians , that God had deliuered him from great dangers , and would doe so still , 2. Cor. 1.8 . so that they would pray earnestly for him : Brethren , ( saith he ) we would not haue you ignorant of our affliction , which came vnto vs in Asia , how we were pressed out of measure , passing strength , so that we altogether doubted euen of life . Yea , we receiued the sentence of death in our selues , because wee should not trust in our selues , but in God , who raiseth the dead . Who deliuered vs from so great a death , and doth deliuer vs : in whom we trust , that yet hereafter he will deliuer vs ; so that yee labour together in prayer for vs . Thus he beleeued , that hee might get great good by the earnest prayers of others , and therefore doth desire them , Great things may be obtained , when many pray together . euen to bee deliuered by the power of them from many great dangers . And it may bee ( if wee haue marked the experience of our selues , and others ) that we may well remember , what great deliuerances haue been graunted , when others haue laboured in prayers for vs , or wee for them : if not , wee may see it by the grace of God in time to come . But very few account prayer such a labour or striuing as it is , and so go to it coldly , and trust to their own strength , and so obtaine nothing . Pauls hope was in this , that others should striue with him in prayer ; so we might haue greater hope , if wee sought for helpe at the prayers of others , and did not trust to our owne too much .

If thus in all matters of moment we desire the prayers of others according to our neede , it will come to passe , What comfort we may haue when we haue desired the prayers of others . that wee should not want the fruite of them , seeing the Lord hath promised to heare them ; but howsoeuer things fall out with vs , we shal haue this comfort of a good conscience , that we haue neglected no means , that God hath appointed for our good . But if wee bee carelesse of the prayers of others , and so doe not seeke for them , besides that it may come to passe that wee shall faile of our purpose through our owne default : ( as when one striueth alone , he cannot ouercome , because he hath none to ioyne with him ; or at least hee shall not obtaine it so soone , as otherwise hee might , as when one is about a thing alone , hee is the longer a doing it ) we shall haue the lesse comfort , or more griefe , because we neglected some meanes that might haue done vs good . We must then be perswaded , that the prayers of others may doe vs good , and that wee neede them , and so accordingly desire them . In the daies of ignorance and superstition men gaue much to haue a continuall Masse for them , that is , In Poperie they maintained others to pray for them . to pray for their soules : and there were Beadmen also ( as they called them ) appointed for that purpose , to pray for the liuing and for the dead , and were maintained by the goods of the Church to that end : which prayers of theirs because they were in an vnknowne tongue , and so without vnderstanding ; and also not according to the word of God , and so without faith ; could doe them no good : yet this truth they aimed at though in darknes and as blind men , that the prayers of others were so auaileable for them , that euen in that respect onely they gaue much yeerely vnto those that should pray for them . And truly if they had prayed aright , they might by their prayers haue giuen more than they receiued ; for they might haue obtained great things of the Lord for them . But here was another great abuse of that time in these prayers also , that they hauing others thus to pray for them , they rested in that , and so neglected their owne prayers the more ; and thought that they might doe it with the lesse danger , for they had others that prayed for them continually , and so that that was wanting in themselues , was supplied by others . Dauid was of another minde , for heere by his practise we haue an example of one , that so desireth the prayers of others , as that hee purposeth not to neglect prayer himselfe , or to vse it any whit the lesse for that ; but to vse it rather the more , willing them to pray God to heare his prayers : so that if he did not pray himselfe , their prayers should do him no good ; but it should be al one with him , as if one should desire a man to set his hand to a blank , and so he should preferre that as a supplication for him to the Prince . So we are to desire others to pray for vs , but in the meane season we must not neglect to pray for our selues .

Obiection . But it may seeme superfluous , and more then needed , that Dauid should thus desire the prayers of the people : for they were his subiects , and therefore as in that respect they did owe other duties vnto him , so this of praier most of all ; according to the exhortation of the Apostle , who willeth , 1. Tim. 2.1.2 . that supplications , prayers , intercessions , and giuing of thankes be made for all men , and namely , for Kings , and for all that are in authoritie : therfore it is like that they would not neglect it , though he had not admonished them of it . Besides , it was a publike cause that hee dealt in , euen against the open enemies of the whole realme , against whom he went to warre , and so it concerned them as well as himselfe : for the enemies came not against his person onely , but against them all , and so they could not forget him their King , vnlesse they forgat themselues . Answere . Yet because he knew that men naturally are forgetfull , and so if they were not put in minde of it , they might either wholy neglect it , or not doe it so throughly as they should , hee put them in minde to pray for himselfe , and giueth them a forme of it , and so telleth them what they should say . This should moue vs to put our dearest friends in minde of vs , and call vpon them to pray for vs ; Our dearest friends had neede to be put in mind to pray for vs . yea when they know our estate best , and what great neede wee haue of the prayers of others : for they may forget vs sometimes , though they wish vs well . And as through forgetfulnes they may neglect other duties , which yet they are willing generally to performe , as not to visite vs , to send to vs , to write to vs , as often as they should , and wee looke for at their hands : so much more not to pray for vs ; for many times they that doe the former in great measure , neglect this wholy , or in a great part . Wee finde by experience , that many times , yea when wee are spoken to of our friends , wee remember not all , but forget many things : why should we not think then , that others may forget vs , if they be not put in minde ? Parents are bound to pray for their children , and they should know it well enough ; yea their children kneele downe and aske them blessing , and put them in minde of it , and notwithstanding al this many doe forget it ; and though they cast out certaine words of course , yet they doe not thereupon determine seriously to pray for them : what would they doe then , if their children by asking them their daily blessing should not put them in minde of it at all ? Therefore euery manner of way we see , what great reason there is of this , to desire others to pray for vs : and so much for this present .

THE SECOND SERMON vpon the inscription . To him that excelleth . A Psalme of Dauid .

THat I might prosecute that argument which I began the last day , as you heard , wee want not examples in the Scripture for the practise of this dutie , Example of those that haue desired others to pray for them . 1. Sam. 1.6 . in the faithful seruants of God , men and women of al sorts , who haue wel seene in how great need they haue stood of the prayers of others , and haue accordingly desired the same . Hannah the wife of Elkanah a very godlie woman ( as appeareth in her storie ) being barren , and thereby being vpbraided of her aduersarie , was troubled in her minde , and prayed vnto the Lord , and wept sore , and she prayed for a manchild , not so much for her self , as for the glory of God ( for she vowed him vnto God in her prayer ) : Hannah desired Hely to pray for her . Hely the Priest sitting in the Temple before her , and perceiuing her lips onely to moue , but not hearing a word , thought she had been drunken , and told her so : but she said no , and told him what she did : then Hely prayed God to heare her prayers , Vers. 17. saying , Goe in peace , and the God of Israel grant thy petition , that thou hast asked of him : Then she said againe , Let thine handmaid finde grace in thy sight : that is , I beseech thee pray for me still , as now thou hast done , that God would grant me my petition : for what grace or fauour else could she meane , seeing that in other things , as for the ill opinion hee had conceiued of her , she had satisfied him before ? and so God heard them both , as appeareth in the sequell of that storie . The Israelites also being in feare of the Philistims , So did the Israelites desire Samuel to pray for them . Chap. 7.8 . came to Samuel the Prophet , and desired him , that as hee had prayed for them alreadie , so hee would not cease to doe it still ; saying , Cease not to crie vnto the Lord our God for vs , that hee may saue vs out of the hand of the Philistims : and he did so , and the Lord heard him , Vers. 10. and thundred with a great thunder that day vpon the Philistims , and scattered them : so they were slaine before Israel . Here many seeke to one for his prayers , then much more may one seeke to many for theirs .

When Rabshakeh was sent by the King of Ashur with a great hoast against Ierusalem , and came vp to the walles of the citie , and spake blasphemously against the Lord , and against his annointed : Hezekiah the King came into the house of the Lord , and prayed ; 2. King . 19.1 . Hezekiah desired the prayers of Isaiah . and sent messengers vnto the Prophet Isaiah , desiring him that he would pray for them , saying , Lift thou vp thy prayer for the remnant that are left : and he did so , and God heard him for them , and the same night the Angell of the Lord went out , Vers. 35. and smote in the campe of the Assyrians an hundreth , fourescore and fiue thousand . Paul also the Apostle ( as we haue heard alreadie ) desireth the Romanes to pray for him , saying , Brethren , I beseech you for our Lord Iesus Christs sake , Rom. 15.30 . And Paul of the Romanes and Corinthians . 2. Cor. 1.10 . and for the loue of the Spirit , that yee would striue with mee by prayer to God for me . And so doth he to that end intreate the Corinthians with these words : God hath deliuered vs from a great death ; in whom we trust , that yet hereafter hee will deliuer vs , so that yee labour together in prayer for vs . This holy man , who was often in prayer for himselfe , and for all Churches , desireth others to pray for him . Thus the best seruants of God , as they haue not neglected this benefit of prayer from their brethren , so they had the fruit and comfort of it in great measure : and truly if wee beleeue rightly the Communion of Saints , and that God hath appointed one to doe good to another by the graces that hee hath bestowed vpon them ; why should wee not thinke , that part of the communion consisteth in this , that wee communicate in the spirit of prayer , as well as in the spirit of counsell or of comfort : and that this way we may giue and receiue helpe one from another , as well as any other way ? Hester that noble and vertuous Queene , who as it seemeth had vsed often to pray her selfe , Hester desireth the Iewes to fast and pray for her . and with her maides , else she could not haue promised that for them , which she did ; in a matter that greatly concerned the glorie of God , and the good of his Church , doth not onely pray her selfe with her seruants three daies and three nights , Hest. 4.16 . and that with fasting , but doth desire that all the Iewes that were in that citie would doe the like for her . So that sometimes wee had need not onely to desire others to pray for vs , but euen to fast and pray for vs .

The wicked haue bin constrained to desire the prayers of others , and haue gotten great good by them . And truly the vertue and power of the prayer of one man is so auaileable for another , that the very wicked haue seene it , and been driuen to acknowledge it , and so haue desired the seruants of God to pray for them , and haue had great benefit thereby . Then if the vngodly and prophane men of the world , who are not at all acquainted with prayer , yet haue thought that the prayers of others might doe them good ; then they that know what prayer doth meane , and that haue accustomed themselues to prayer , and haue obserued the fruite of it in themselues , may bee assured , that the prayers of others shall be of like or a great deale more force for them . If they whose consciences tels them , that for their vngodlinesse they are altogether out of Gods fauour , and so they had no heart to pray to him themselues , neither had any hope that hee would heare them ; yet haue had some hope , that God might heare some others for them , and so haue sought vnto them for their prayers : then how much more they , who liuing in a good course , haue hope that God is wel pleased with them in Christ , may be perswaded that God will most willingly heare others for them , and so in great faith desire their prayers ? And to conclude , if they that are not of the Church of God , but are aliants and strangers from it , haue been of opinion , that if any of the faithfull seruants of God in his Church would pray for them , that God would be mercifull vnto them for their sakes : then how much more they that are the true members of the Church of God may verely beleeue , that God will heare their fellow brethren for them ? For as in a familie if strangers can hope , that if some seruant of speciall account doe speake to the master for them , hee will doe some thing at their request ; then they that are of the same house may bee assured much more that the intreatie of their fellow seruants shall doe them much good : So in the house of God , Ephe. 2.12 . if they that are strangers from the couenant of promise , and haue no hope , and are without God in the world , yet thinke that his seruants shall be heard for them ; then how much more may they that are of the household of faith themselues beleeue , that God will heare their fellow seruants for them , seeing that he hath not onely giuen them leaue , but commanded them to speake , and intreate one for another , and themselues are such alreadie , as hee meaneth to doe good vnto ?

And this is that that we reade of in the person of Pharaoh King of Egypt , Pharaoh often desired Moses and Aaron to pray for him . who though he could not abide Moses and Aaron , yet when the hand of God was heauie vpon him , hee was many times compelled to seeke to them for their prayers ; and his owne conscience did tell him , that the Lord might happely heare them for him , though himselfe was vnworthie once to bee regarded of him . As when himselfe and his land was punished with frogs , hee called for them , and said , Pray yee vnto the Lord , Exod. 8.8 . that hee may take away the frogges from me , and from my people : and afterwards , when they were punished with great swarmes of flyes , so that the earth was corrupt with them : he said , I will let you goe , Vers. 28. that yee may sacrifice vnto the Lord your God in the wildernesse , but goe not farre away , pray for me : and thirdly , when the Lord sent thunder , and haile , and lightning , so that the fire was mingled with the haile , he sent , and called for them , and said vnto them ; Chap. 9.27 . I haue now sinned , the Lord is righteous , but I and my people are wicked ; Pray ye vnto the Lord ( for it is enough ) that there be no more mightie thunders , and haile , and I will let you goe , and ye shall tarie no longer . Where at the last hee confesseth himselfe and all his people to bee wicked , and to haue deserued these plagues , but he prayeth these his seruants to pray to God for them , and they doe so ; and at their prayers the Lord remoueth these seuerall plagues . Thus this wicked man when he was in the middest of his deserued punishments , and had no heart in them to goe to God himselfe , yet sought to others that he was well perswaded of , and receiued great good often by their prayers .

Ieroboam desired the Prophet to pray for him when his hand was withered . So did that wicked man Ieroboam King of Israel ( of whom it is often said to his shame , that hee caused Israel to sinne ) when the man of God came out of Iudah ( at the commandement of the Lord ) vnto Beth●el , where hee stood by his idolatrous altar to offer incense , and reproued for his idolatrie , and cried out against the altar ; he hearing it stretched out his hand , and said , Lay hold on him : but his hand which he put out against him dried vp , and he could not pull it in againe to him . Then the King said vnto the man of God , 1. King . 13.6 . I beseech thee pray vnto the Lord thy God , and make intercession for me , that mine hand may be restored vnto me . And the man of God besought the Lord , and the Kings hand was restored , and became as it was afore . So though he could not pray himself , and say , I beseech thee my God , with hope that God would heare him ; yet hee desireth the Prophet to pray to his God , and thought that another might be heard for him , and so he was . Thus did Zedekiah King of Iudah , though neither himselfe , nor the Princes could abide Ieremy the Prophet , Zedekiah desired the prayers of Ieremy . neither did they reuerence him , or the doctrine that he deliuered vnto them ; for they would not obey the words of the Lord , which he spake vnto them : yet when they were in great distresse , Jerem. 37.3 . because the Chaldeans did besiege the citie , hee sent certaine men vnto him , saying , Pray now vnto the Lord our God for vs . Behold how the most vngodly are driuen to iustifie this holie ordinance of prayer , in such wise that they are compelled to seeke to those sometimes for their prayers , whom otherwise they doe not loue , neither haue any good opinion of , but rather hate them , and account them their enemies . Euen as those in our time , who though they neuer cared for the ministerie of the word , nor for the assemblies of Gods people , nor for his seruants , yet when they are in any great miserie or feare , and lie at the point of death , are inforced to send to them , whom they neuer cared for in their life , and to intreate them to pray for them , whom they would neuer intreate for any thing before .

Lastly , Simon Magus the Sorcerer heard Peter the Apostle iustlie denounce the fearefull iudgement of God against him for his sinne ; he fearing it , Act. 8.24 . desired Peter to pray for him ; saying , Pray ye to the Lord for me , that none of these things , which ye haue spoken may come vpon me . This wicked man , who of a long time had bewitched the Samaritanes with his sorceries , And Simon Magus of Peter . saying that himselfe was some great man , hoped that al that euill , which his sinnes had deserued , and which God had threatned against him , might by the prayers of his seruants be turned from him , and so hee escape them . Shall not wee then much more , who haue a desire to please God , and to walke in his waies , hope that the prayers of others shall be auaileable , to turne from vs al those euils , which our own consciences tell vs we haue iust cause to feare , if wee seeke vnto them for them ? Let vs then in the feare of God , and as we loue our owne wealth , determine to practise this Christian dutie much more than we haue done : and let vs be heartely sorie that for want of it we haue neglected our own good too much . What good we might haue gotten if we had sought to others for their prayers . For many great things might wee haue obtained , many fearefull troubles might wee soone haue been deliuered out of : yea some grieuous things , that haue befallen vs , might haue bin by the grace of God wisely preuented , if we had sought vnto others , who might haue intreated the Lord for vs . In which respect wee haue great cause to be sorie , The great losse when the good die , whose prayers we had . when the Lord taketh away any good man or woman , for then we want so many that might stil haue prayed for vs , and for the Church , and so wee are left the more destitute of helpe . And if wee ought to lament the death of those , who haue been beneficial to vs for worldly things , whose helpe wee see now that wee want to our great hindrance ; then especially should wee be grieued , that wee are depriued of the comfortable presence of those , to whom in all distresses of bodie or minde , wee might resort , and communicate our whole estate , as Dauid did to Ionathan , and might boldly haue desired their prayers , and might with great facilitie haue obtained them for vs .

Thus much for this part of the title , that this Psalme being a prayer of the Church for Dauid , hee made it for them , and committed it to the singer , that he might take order , that it should be vsed publikly , and so by vertue of it did require , that thus they should pray for him . One thing more of Dauid is to bee obserued out of the title , and the discourse of the whole Psalme , namely with what minde and purpose , or to what end he desired their prayers . Not as purposing to neglect prayer himselfe , Dauid in desiring their prayers did not purpose to neglect prayer himself . or to grow any whit more slacke in it because of that , and so to put off this as a burden from himselfe , as one that had other great matters in hand , and so to commit it to them , that should haue leisure enough : As if hee should haue said , you know that I must goe out to battell against the Ammonites , and in warre wee shall haue our hands full , and our mindes taken vp euery way , I shall haue no leisure to pray to God there , though I know it to be necessarie , and would faine doe it ; I would haue you therefore to pray for me ; and so trusting to them should neglect this dutie himselfe , and so they might haue prayed very doubtingly for him : but that they might be the more willing to pray for him in this case , hee telleth them , and professeth it openly , that he would pray to God himselfe : and as he should be in any speciall trouble , so he would doe it much more earnestly : and therefore he would haue them pray to God for him , that he would heare those prayers of his .

So then in requiring this of them , hee did not leaue them in suspense , to thinke thus , he willeth vs to pray for him indeede , and so it is our bound dutie to doe , and wee will doe it ; but wee cannot tell whether hee will vse any prayer himselfe , which if hee doe not , ours shall doe him the lesse good . But as hee required their prayers , so hee bound himselfe to the like practise , No more must kings when their subiects doe pray for them . and would haue them also to know it before hand , that so they might pray accordingly , that God would heare his prayers . So that first of all Kings and Princes be they neuer so great , must not so require their subiects to pray for them , that they shuld thinke it were not needfull for themselues to pray at all , for they had enow that daily did it for them euery where . And all others that desire the prayers of their brethren , must not for that bee any one whit the more remisse and sparing in their owne prayers : which is diligently to bee marked of vs , because it is contrarie to the common practise of the Church of Rome , and of diuers others . For the Romish Synagogue maketh Emperours , Kings , The practise of the Papists is otherwise . and great men to beleeue vpon their credit , that prayer doth not so necessarily belong vnto them , or to such kind of men ; that doth peculiarly belong to the Clergie , and Church-men , ( as they cal them ) ; they could pray enough for them , and for al the world , if they may be wel paid for their labours . Therefore if such men as they will but giue some lands and reuenewes to an Abbey , or erect a Monastery , or some religious house , there to be prayed for , they shall haue so many continually to pray for them , that it maketh no matter though themselues very seldome or not at al pray . This kingly prophet , or propheticall king was of another minde , and so ought all godly and religious not onely Princes , but men and women to be .

But to leaue these men , And of some Gospellers . and their religious practises to themselues , we shall finde this corruption to be in some , that are not of the worser sort ; that when they know that others doe pray for them in sicknesse , or otherwise , they can be contented to let passe their owne prayers now and then in hope of that , and to become somewhat remisse themselues . But as Dauids desire was here , not onely that they would pray for him , but after this manner , euen that God would heare his prayers , which hee had and would make euery day : so doth the Apostle ioyne these two very fitly together , and requireth them both of all men alike : Jam. 5.13.14 . saying , Is any man among you afflicted ? Let him pray : Is any sicke among you ? Let him call for the Elders of the Church , and let them pray for him : where he would haue al men to pray for themselues in their seuerall afflictions , and to send for others , that they might pray for them likewise . We must not seuer our own prayers from the prayers of others . And as he would not haue them in some cases to content themselues with their owne prayers , but send for others to pray with them ; so hee would not haue them passe ouer their owne prayers in hope of that , but begin with them first , and pray themselues , and if they cannot that way preuaile sufficiently , then to call for the aide of others ; among whom it may come to passe , that the prayer of some one righteous man or other might bee so feruent , that it might auaile much for them . Therefore those things which the Lord by precept , and by the practise of his seruants , hath ioyned together so neerely , let no man put asunder .

Yet God heareth his seruants for those that neither doe , nor can pray for themselues . And yet we doe not denie , but that such is the goodnes of God to all sorts of men , to leaue them without excuse ; and that hee hath made so many gracious promises vnto the prayers of his seruants , that hee often heareth them praying for those , who neither pray for themselues at all , neither can pray , nor haue any purpose to doe it . So did he diuers times , as hath been declared before , heare Moses and Aaron praying for Pharaoh King of Egypt , & for his Princes , and for his people : all which had no purpose at all to serue God themselues , neither knew how to doe it , but did hinder , as much as lay in them , his people from it : and as for prayer , they know not how to pray one word aright . So did hee also heare the man of God , that prayed for Ieroboam the idolatrous king of Israel , when his hand was dried vp , as we haue seene euen now ; so that both these were deliuered from their seueral plagues that were vpon them by the prayers of others , when they neither knew how to pray themselues , neither had any desire to learne . The like may be said of the prayers of Abraham , which hee in great compassion made for the filthie wicked Sodomites , Gen. 18.32 . that the Lord did heare him sixe times praying for them , though they were so beastly minded , that they could haue no care to pray for themselues .

Therefore though they , who in faith and loue to their brethren pray for others , may hope to be heard for them , that doe not , neither can pray for themselues at all : as the Israelites were willed to pray for the prosperitie of the King of Babylon in the time of their captiuitie ; Ierem. 29.7 . and Paul willeth the Church to pray for the Romane Emperours , 1. Tim. 2.1 . who were Heathen , and wee doe pray according to the will of God for the Iewes , Turkes , and all Infidels : yet they that desire others to pray for them , But wee can haue little comfort in the prayers of others , if wee pray not for our selues . and looke for some benefit by their prayers , must be sure that they pray themselues for themselues , otherwise they can haue little comfort in them . For euen as when wee stand in neede of the helpe of some great man , and hee not onely pitieth our estate , but mindeth to doe vs good , and therefore willeth vs to come to him , and to make our estate knowne vnto him , and yet we should neglect to doe that , but goe and desire others to speake for vs , and they also should doe so ; would not he say vnto them , wherefore doth hee not come and speake for himselfe ? Will he set other men aworke , and take no paines for himselfe ? And so many times their speech for vs , when wee refuse to open our mouthes for our selues , shall not onely not further our suites , but rather hinder them : where if wee did first intreate our selues , and then they come after vs , or with vs , they might greatly further vs : So when wee come vnto the Lord to make our requests knowne vnto him in supplication and prayer , as hee calleth all men thereunto indifferently without respect of persons , saying , Iam. 1. ● . If any man lack wisedome , let him aske it of God , who giueth to all men liberally , &c: and for all this in our great need we will not pray our selues , or not as wee should , but desire others to pray for vs , and trust only to that , it shal be said vnto vs by the Lord , Why do you not pray your selues ? I haue commanded you to call vpon me in the time of your trouble , Psal. 50.15 . and I wil heare you , & deliuer you : whereas if we do pray earnestly our selues , and others at our request doe second our prayers , the prayers of many , euen of two or three shal greatly preuaile & further our prayers . Thus wee see what intent and purpose we must haue when we desire others to pray for vs , namely not to neglect our owne prayers because of that . Dauid desired the people to pray for him , and did pray himselfe also . We haue a notable example of this euen in this Psalm in the person of Dauid , who desiring many men , euen the whole church of God at Ierusalem to pray for him , did not only himself in all his actions from day to day vse feruent prayer , but openly professeth it vnto them before hand , desiring them to further his prayers . So did that good King Hezekiah , when he was in feare of the hoste of Senacherib , 2. King . 19.1 . hee went himselfe first into the house of the Lord , to pray to him for his defence : and then hee sent messengers to the Prophet Esay , Vers. 4. and desired him to pray for him , and for the remnant of the people that were left , and so he did : So did Hezekiah when he desired the prayers of Isaiah . and therefore it said that both of them did pray , euen Hezekiah as well as Esay , the King that sent vnto him , as well as the Prophet whose prayers were desired ; and he rested not in this , that hee had sent to the Prophet Esay a man of God , who was well able and willing to pray for him and for all the rest ; for thus it is written , that when the Captaine of the hoste of the King of Ashur had spued out his blasphemie against God , and against Hezekiah in the eares of the people ; that Hezekiah the King , 2. Chron. 32.20 and the Prophet Isaiah the sonne of Amoz prayed against it , and cried to heauen . So did the Apostle Paul not neglect to pray himselfe for the obtaining of those benefits , wherein he desired the help of the Romanes , and of the Corinthians . For he thus writeth of himselfe , God is my witnes , Rom. 1.9 . whom I serue in my spirit in the Gospel of his sonne , that without ceasing I make mention of you alwaies in my prayer , And Paul , when he craued the prayers of the Romanes and Corinthians . Chap. 15.30 . beseeching that by some meanes one time or other I might haue a prosperous iourney by the will of God to come vnto you . And afterwards ; Brethren , I beseech you for our Lord Iesus Christs sake , and for the loue of the spirit , that yee would striue with mee by prayers to God for mee ; that I may come vnto you with ioy by the will of God . And to the Corinthians ; We trust in God , that hereafter he will deliuer vs , so that ye labour together in prayer for vs . 2. Cor. 1.10 . So that in both these places he insinuateth thus much , that as hee had often prayed for himselfe , so he would do still , willing them not onely to striue , but to striue with him in their prayers for him . For ( to shew it in that comparison which the Apostle vseth ) as if one should bee striuing to obtaine some great thing , and then should desire others to put to their helping hand , he would not giue it ouer himselfe , and lay the whole burden vpon them , but striue still with them ; so did S. Paul here , and so must we doe . But the example of Queene Hester is most fit for this purpose , And Queene Hester , when she desired the Iewes to fast and pray for her . Hest. 4.16 . who in that great and common calamitie of the Iewes , which Hamans malice had brought vpon them , shee was determined to make suite to the King for them , she commanded that all of them should not only pray , but fast for her , and that three daies and three nights : she did not purpose to take any libertie to her selfe thereby , but said plainly , that she her selfe and her maides would doe so likewise . And thus when all prayed together , God heard them , and one of them for another ; as the people of Ierusalem for Dauid their King ; the Prophet Isaiah for Hezekiah and the rest of the people , and the captiued Iewes for Hester the Queene , and her for them : so will hee doe one of vs for another . So that if we daily giue our selues to prayer , and make conscience to vse that holy ordinance of God our selues , wee may in great faith and hope desire the prayers of others . And thus much for him that made the prayer , whose name is prefixed in the title of it : now for them that vsed it , which was the Church of God at Ierusalem , which is to be gathered out of the discourse of the whole Psalme : but I cannot enter into it at this present , I will reserue it vntill the next day .