While in such instances as these we contemplate the con- descension of our God, we cannot fail to notice the love which he bears to his chosen people, and the peculiar delight which he feels in hearing and answering their prayers.]
Observe,
1. What blessings are God's people in the places where they live!
[Our blessed Lord represents them as " the lights of the world," and " the salt of the earth;" because, without them,
I Acts xii. 4 — 19. m Rom. xv. 30.
II 1 Thess. iii. 10. Phil. i. 4. Col. iv. 12. ° Jam. v. 16.
i> Ezek. xiv. 14. Q Amos vii. 1 — G. r Exod. xxxii. 10, 11, 14.
the world would be immersed in total darkness, and speedily become one mass of corruption. Little do the world think how much they are indebted to the saints. They are ready to traduce the characters of God's people, and to represent them as " the troublers of Israel :" but, were they viewed aright, they would be considered rather as "the shields of the earth," who ward off from it the judgments of the Almighty. Only let us duly notice the tokens which God has given them of his regard, and the mercy he has shewn to others for their sake, and we shall know how to appreciate their value, and ardently pray for their increase in the earth.]
2. What encouragement have the ungodly to pray for themselves!
[Has God shewn himself so willing to hear the prayers of a single individual in the behalf of populous cities, and will he not hear the prayers of individuals for themselves ? Never from the foundation of the world has he rejected the petitions of a real penitent : nor, as we have before observed, has he pre- scribed any limits to our petitions for spiritual blessings. " The Lord will not be angry," however frequently we renew, or how- ever largely we extend, our supplications : " If we ask, we shall have ; if we seek, we shall find ; " yea, if we ask for all the glory of heaven, it shall be given to us. O that men were duly sensible of the privilege of prayer ! and that they would plead for mercy while yet a throne of grace is open to them!]
3. How diligently should the godly improve their interest in the behalf of others !
[We can scarcely conceive a person so obdurate, but that if, by speaking to another, he could obtain health for the sick, and relief for the indigent, he would avail himself of such an opportunity to benefit his fellow-creatures. Yet is there amongst us a lamentable backwardness to the work of inter- cession, notwithstanding our almighty Friend is at all times accessible, and the blessings which he will bestow are infinitely greater than words can express. O let all of us stir up our- selves to this blessed work ! Let us consider how much we ourselves need the prayers of others ; and let a sense of our own necessities stimulate us to " labour fervently in prayer" for others. We are sure at least that, if we prevail not for them, we shall bring down a blessing upon our souls, and " our prayer shall return into our own bosoms." Let us con- sider also that to neglect to pray for others, is to sin against our Gods ; and that, if we have no heart to sigh and cry for the abominations or the miseries of others, we have great reason to fear and tremble for ourselves1.]
s 1 Sam. xii. 23. l Ezek. ix. 4. with Amos vi. 0, 7.