We may look upon it as a moral, as well as a mediatory act, an act of Christ's love to his own disciples, chiefly the apostles, who were, as it were, his family and special charge.
Out of this example of Christ let us learn to pray one for another ; it is a spiritual act of love. You may discern the hypocrisy and sin- cerity of your love to others by your carelessness or seriousness in prayer for them ; for if we desire a thing, we will pray for it with importunity. By this the saints have communion with one another at a distance.
Chiefly this concerneth ministers for their charge ; they should be of Samuel's temper ; though he had received affronts from Israel, ' God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you,' 1 Sam. xii. 23. Their sin doth not exempt you from the duty you owe to them for God's sake; they look to a higher obligation than civil respects and an interchange of kindness. But especially are we bound to i)ray for them if, as the apostles here, they are gained to any degree of faith, knowledge, and obedience : 2 Thcs. i. 11, 'We pray always for you, that God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.' What encouragement hath a minister to go to God for such, not only when you send for him in times of sickness, but always, as the apostle saith, ' in every address to God.' It is sweet to give an account of the thriving lambs, and to desire the Lord to perfect his work. And it argueth in the minister sincerity to take pleasure in their gracious estate, and to account it, as it were, his own benefit that God liath any way blessed them with grace, which moveth him again to commend
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their case to God. Certainly if we have but any portion of the unity of the Spirit, or any share in the communion of saints, or any respect to God's glory, thus it would be.
Again, it concerneth masters of families. Your family is your charge, given you of God ; pray for them in the bowels of love. You are to make an errand to the throne of grace, not only for yourselves, but your children and servants ; as the centurion came to Christ for his servant, Mat. viii. G. If we did not want hearts, we could never want an occasion of recourse to God. By virtue of our relation we are to espouse the interests of our family, and to plead with God on their behalf, as we would on our own. Job is an excellent pattern : Job i. 5, he ' rose early, day by day, and offered burnt-oiferings for his children,' in the time of their feasting. His great care was to keep his children in the favour of God ; he knew no hurt in their feasting, had heard none by information ; yet because miscarriages are usual in the heat and license of feasts, the family should not be without a daily sacrifice : ' For Job said. It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.' Up then betimes, as Job did, and milk out a blessing for your families ; not only in general, as men will put up cursory prayers, out of custom and use, for their families ; they pray God to bless their families ; but bring them forth by head and poll, and set them before the Lord, as ' Job offered sacrifices according to the number of his children ; ' or as Christ here, ' I pray for these,' pointing to the apostles ; Lord ! for these, and every one of them. The occasion of Job's prayer is not manifest. If you do but suspect that a child hath such a disease, you will go to a physician. Should we have less care of their souls ? Christ says they live in an evil world, ver. 11, therefore he prays for them.
Again, look on this prayer of Christ not only as an act of love to his charge and familiars, but as an act of prudence as to the apostles, who were to bring others to believe by their word : ' I pray for them; I pray not for the world,' &c. These that are designed for the great work of the gospel, chiefly for them : they had to do with obstinate Jews and idolatrous Gentiles, and they had need take the blessing of Christ's prayers along with them. Ministers and dispensers of the mysteries of salvation above all men need the help of your prayers. How affectionately doth Paul call for this everywhere ! 1 Thes. v. 25, ' Brethren , pray for us.' It is a duty you owe, and it may be not only of great comfort to us, but of great profit to yourselves. God would have all orders and estates in the church to be obliged to one another ; you for our instructions, we for your prayers : ' The head cannot say to the foot, I have no need of thee,' 1 Cor. xii. 21. Our calling is encumbered with the more difficulties, and that we may be acquainted with all sorts of Satan's enterprises, our persons may be exposed to more temptations than yours. The many things requisite to make our ministry useful call for your prayers ; abilities, the right use of them ; fruit and success, that we may be able pastors, faithful, successful; that we may have abilities, which are a common gain ; whatever gifts are bestowed on ministers, are for the people's profit ; that out of love of ease, or love of the world, or error, we may not mislead you, nor be disheartened for lack of success. Instead of praying for ministers,