B. A Tender Love for the Souls of Men.
A Twofold Prayer 4 hearts as their chief care, and it is dearer to them than any interests of their own.
1, It is the saints' highest end.
2. It is the saints' chief care.
B. A Tender Love for the Souls of Men.
The children of God have a tender love for the souls of men and a true desire of their welfare here and hereafter; and therefore they cannot but desire and pray for the ending of that which ruins souls.
1. The value of a soul. You know for what they were and in whose image they were made; for what they were bought and with what price they were bought; what service for God they are capable of doing; what happiness in God they are capable of enjoying.
2. The natural condition of the soul. It is alienated from its rightful Lord and sold for a mess of pottage, for the gratifications of a base lust, into the hands of a sworn enemy and made a prey to the roaring lion. Here is one made a cage of unclean and filthy birds who is capable of being made a temple of the Holy Spirit; a drudge of Satan who might have been a servant of God; an instrument of unrighteousness who might have been a vessel of honor.
C. A Great Value for the Grace of God.
1. The power of grace. All good people have a great value for the grace of God and are convinced of the sovereignty and power, the necessity and efficacy of that grace; and therefore, they pray for that grace, both for the reformation of sinners and for the establishment of the just. They know that nothing can be done without it and whatever good they wish to be effected, either upon saints or sinners, they depend upon that grace for it and its powerful influences.
2. The promise of grace. They know also that this grace is promised to the church, this clean water to cleanse it from all filthiness and from all of its idols. Yet God will be inquired of by His people, to do it for them; we must ask and then we shall receive.