Chap. 42. an Expofition open the Book of Jos. Verf. so. For his friends. The Hebrew is, when he prayedfor his friend. It is vital in Singularepar- the Grammar of the holy Text, to put the fingular for the pltr- plurali.pr crc ral : 'Tis fo here, either, Firff, becaufehe prayed for every one of them diftin&ly, and by name ; or, Secondly, b c.iuïe he look- ed upon themall as one,andbound them up in the fame rcquefls, rvben be prayed Forbis friends. They are called his friends, to Phew the effeem that he had of them, notwithfianding all their unkindnefs and unfriendlinefs to- wards him. He prayed for them inmuch love, though they had o, rarer/ 0° chewed little love to him ; and his heart was fo inuch towards Jmgulare"ir- them, thatthe Text fpeaks as if he had forgot himfelf, or left him- tutem, quæ in paucmir vet Pelfat that tirnt quite out of his prayers. Doubtlefs lob prayed chriflianis re- for himfelf, but his great bufinefs at that time with God, was, for periatur.ítilerc. hisfriends. Now, in that, ohs prayer is Paid exprefly tobe for his friends, act for himfelf, thoughwe cannot doubt but that he prayed, and prayed much for himfelf Qbferve ; a/fgodlyman is free topray for others, as well asforhimfelf, and infamecafes, or at fame times, more for othersthan for himfelf. He feldom drives this bleffed trade with heaven for felf only, and be fometimes doth it upon the alone account of othert. 'Tis agreat piece of fpìritualnefs, to walk exa&ly, and keep in with God to the utmofl,that fo our own perfonal foul concernsmay nor take up our whole time inprayer, but that we may have a free- dom of fpirit to inlarge for the benefit of others. Many by their uneven walkings, exceedingly hinder themfelves in this dutyof. praying forfriends, and of praying for the wholeChurch. Uneven- walkings hinder that duty ina twofold refpe&. Fire, Becaufe they indifpofe the heart to prayer in general ; which is one fpecial reafonwhy the Apofile Peter gives that coup fel to Husband and Wife (i Pet, 3. 7.) to woflk,`according to knewledge, andas being heirs together of the fame grace of life, Dddddd that 937
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