So Moses did pray for the people when they had sinned, Exod, 32.30, 31. Either pardon them, or let me have no mercy. Thus God would have Job pray for his friends, Job 42.7, 8. So did Jeremiah, ch. 13.17, & 14.17.18. Our Saviours example is a full pattern, Luk. 23.24. Father forgive them, they know not what they doe. So Stephen the first Martyr, with a loud voyce prayed for his adversaries, Act. 7.60. Lord lay not this sin to their charge.
Reas. 1. From the compassion we owe to our Brethren, we are bound to pray for them in sicknesse, Psal. 35.13. or in any other calamity, Ps. 141.5. How much more in the calamity of sin, which is the greatest calamity that can be.
2. We are bound to exhort and reprove them, now neither will doe good without prayer, 1 Tim. 4.4, 5.
3. From the desperate condition of sin, which is such that none alone is able to help them, except God doe it. It's the work of an Almighty power to redeem us from any sin, Psal. 130. ult. Sin is of a poysen some nature, some poysons take away our eyes, and some benumme us, so sin takes away our eyes that we cannot see our condition, and so hardens us, that not any thing can help us but God, and therefore God must be prayed to for help.
4. From the displeasure of God against men, if he see none to stand up and intercede for their Brethren, Isa. 56.16, 17.
5. From the benefit that befalls Gods servants, if he see them praying for their Brethren. Job's prayer for his friends was the rise of his deliverance, Job 42, 8, 9. Isa. 57.18. If ever God restore comfort to those we pray for we shall be sharers in their comforts, God will restore comfort to them and their mourners.