i Matt. xvii. 27. r Exod. viii. 17, 24. s Josh. x. 13.
1 Judg. v. 20. u Isai. xxxviii. 6 — 8. x Gen. xxx. 27.
y Gen. xxxix. 5. z The text. a Gen. xix. 21.
b Gen. xix. 22. c Acts xxvii. 24, 34. <* Jer. v. 1.
e Ezek. xxii. 30, 31.
the elect's sake ;" yea, it was out of respect to them alone that there was not an utter excision of the whole human race f.
What stronger proofs can be given of God's love to his chosen people?]
But we shall have a further insight into this sub- ject, if we consider,
II. How acceptable are their prayers!
Who can contemplate one single individual inter- ceding, as Abraham did, for all the cities of the plain, and not admire the condescension of God to his pray- ing people ? He has heard and answered them, for whomsoever they made their supplications ; whether,
1. For themselves —
[No limits whatever, except those which were necessarily fixed by a concern for his own honour, have been assigned by God to the exercise of his own grace in answer to his people's prayers. God has said to them, " Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it :" " Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Agreeably to these promises he has done for them not only what they have asked, but exceeding abun- dantly above their most sanguine hopes. The prayer of Jonah ascended up even from the bottom of the sea, and brought him a deliverance unprecedented in the annals of the world. The situation of the Canaanitish woman may be considered in some respects still more desperate, because her request had been repeatedly refused : but by persisting in her supplications she obtained the desire of her heart g. No kind of blessing has ever been denied to the prayer of faith. David sought information whether the men of Keilah would betray him ; and God told him that they would11. He desired direction, when and in what manner he should attack the Philistine armies : and God pointed out to him the precise time and place for making his attack successfully '. Thus also when they have implored mercy after the most heinous transgressions, God has shewn the same readiness to hear and answer their requests k. " He has never said to any of them, Seek ye my face in vain."]
2. For each other —
[Mutual intercession is a duty which has been expressly enjoined, and to which we have been encouraged by the most signal tokens of God's acceptance. The deliverance vouch- safed to Peter deserves particular attention. He was secured in prison with all the care that human foresight could devise.
f Matt. xxiv. 22. e Matt. xv. 22—28. h 1 Sam. xxiii. 11, 12. * 2 Sam. v. 19, 23, 24. k Ps. xxxii. 5. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13.
30.] Abraham's intercession for sodom. 155
He was chained between two soldiers, and guarded by many others. Prayer was made for him by the church ; but appa- rently to no purpose. The day appointed for his execution was ahnost arrived. But at midnight God returned an answer; an answer which as much surprised the suppliants, as it con- founded their enemies : his chains fell off, the iron gates opened to him of their own accord, and his adversaries were put to shame \ It was from a full persuasion of the efficacy of inter- cession, that St. Paul was so earnest in requesting the prayers of others for him m, and that he was so unwearied in his prayers for them11. And it is particularly in reference to intercession for the saints, that St. James says, " The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much °."]
3. For the ungodly —
[The iniquities of a nation may indeed arrive at such a height, that if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, those holy men should not prevail, except for the preservation of them- selvesp. But the instances wherein God has heard prayer on behalf of the ungodly are very numerous, and very encouraging. How speedily did the supplications of Amos remove the threatened judgment from his country q ! And how irresistible, if we may so speak, were the intercessions of Moses ! God had determined to execute vengeance on his people for making and worshipping the golden calf. He therefore, fearing, as it were, that Moses would interpose in their behalf, and prevent the execution of his purpose, said to him, " Let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may con- sume them ;" that is, ' If thou intercedest for them, thou wilt bind my hands ; therefore let me alone, that I may inflict upon them the judgments they have deserved.' But Moses would not " let him alone :" he instantly " besought the Lord," and, as it were, prevailed against him : for " the Lord repented of the evil which he had thought to do unto his peopled"