§. 39. Of assisting one another in extraor∣dinary prayer.

I. *IN extraordinary prayer mutuall assistance of Saints is usefull. It is expresly recorded that Hezekiah the King, and Isaiah the prophet (both of them) prayed and cried to heaven when Sennacharib invaded Ierusalem with an huge hoste. The destruction of that host followed thereupon, 2 Chro. 32. 20, 21. Esther, as she sent to the Iewes to fast for her, so she and her maidens fasted together, Esth. 4. 16. Da∣niel, though a man powerfull in prayer desired the assistance of his three companions, when he begged an extraordinary favour of God, Dan. 2. 17. 18. Yea, Christ himselfe, the Me∣diatour betwixt God and man, when in the dayes of his flesh he withdrew himselfe to that extraordinary prayer which he made that very night wherein he was apprehended, took three of his prime Disciples, and calls on them to watch and pray, Mat. 26. 37, 41.

Mutuall assistance of Saints makes prayers much more powerfull and effectuall then otherwise they would be. For, the fervour of one mans spirit joyned with anothers, is as fire put to fire, wherby the heat is much greater. Iron sharpneth iron: so a man sharpneth the countenance of his friend, Pro. 27. 17. That is, society, and mutuall communion betwixt friends, is of as great force to quicken each others spirit, and so to cheere up their countenance, as whetting iron upon iron is to sharpen it. This proverbe is best verified in the Page  253 communion of Saints about holy duties, and especially in mutuall prayer: whereby we may much cherish, support, and encourage one another.

This pattern of these three Worthies, Moses, Aaron, and Hur, is most worthy our due observation, and that as oft as any weighty and just occasion is offerd. Let it not therfore be enough in extraordinary cases to make our ordinary prayers. And as we set our selves more then ordinarily to performe this duty, so let us (suspecting our owne weaknesse and dul∣nesse) take the helpe of some choice ones, who in such a case may be a good help unto us. Provided that the good lawes of Church and Common-wealth under which we live be not herein scandalously violated, and we our selves brought * into such troubles, as the enduring thereof cannot minister unto us any sound ground of comfort. But for the point, the best that be need the prayers of others. The Apostles in their time craved and obtained this helpe. We do beyond comparison much more need the helpe of others prayers.