A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

.158. Of praying more and more fervently.

Verse 19.

But I beseech you rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

THe foresaid general motion of praying for their Ministers, the Apostle doth* 1.1 here in particular make for himself; that they would pray for him in special. This is evident by the reason following, which concerned himself alone, thus ex∣pressed, That I may be restored.

In ordering this motion he doth, as it were, cast himself at their feet, and useth a word of great humility, and great fervency, a 1.2 I beseech. Of the composition and divers acception of this word, See Heb. 3. v. 13 § 143.

This Conjunction, BUT, carrieth here such an emphasis, as it did vers. 16. §. 145.

It appears hereby that he believed the prayers of the Church to be very preva∣lent with God, which moved him thus earnestly to crave them. This earnest de∣sire in this case, is thus more fully expressed, Now I beseech you, Brethren, for the Lord Iesus Christs sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me, in your prayers to God for me, Rom. 15. 30. What could have been more said, then is here said, to move the bowels of any to grant a request?

This should move every Congregation to be earnest with God in prayer for their Minister.

He further thus presseth it, The rather to do this.

The Greek word translated b 1.3 the rather, is very emphatical.* 1.4

Of the Emphasis hereof, See Chap. 2. v. 1. §. 5. It sheweth, that there may be occasions of enlarging the heart in prayer, and of performing the duty more care∣fully and more fervently at sometimes then at others. It is noted of Christ himself, that in his Agony he prayed once, and twice, and thrice, Matth. 26. 39, 42, 44. Yea that he prayed c 1.5 more earnestly, Luke 22. 44. And it is noted concern∣ing Peter, That prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for* 1.6 him, Act. 12. 5. This is further evident by long continuance in prayer, as Christ continued all night therein, Luk. 6. 12. And by joyning fasting with prayer, Act. 13. 3.

They who content themselves with set forms of prayers, never varying their course, do not take that notice of the different occasions of prayer, which they should; nor yet of the power and efficacy of prayer, and how it may like pouder, by adding more store, be much more prevalent.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Prayer desired for himself.
• a 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.4

  Prayer where more •…•…ervent.
• c 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.6

  ^d 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.