See Sermons on 1 Tim. i. 11. where it forms the fourth
2105.] god's power to bless kis people. 329
god's power to bless his people.
Eph. iii. 20, 21. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the
poiver that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the Church by
Christ Jesus throughout all ages, tvorld without end. Amen.
MAN is a dependent creature, and therefore should be instant in prayer : but he is also a crea- ture infinitely indebted to his God, and therefore he should abound also in thanksgiving. The Apostle's direction to us is, that "in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we should make our requests known unto Goda." This rule he him- self observed, as well in relation to those for whom he interceded, as for himself. He has been pouring out his heart before God on behalf of the Church at Ephesus ; and he concludes the prayer with that animated doxology which we have just read.
It is our intention to consider,
I. His representation of the Deity —
God has given a wonderful display of his omnipo- tence in the visible creation : and he is ever ready to exert it in the behalf of those who call upon him. There is no limit to his power to bless his people —
[We may ask what we will, and he will do it for usb. We may " ask" for the pardon of all our sins, the supply of all our wants, and for support in all our conflicts ; and he will grant our requests. We may then bring forth all the promises in the Bible, and " ask" for the fulfilment of them all to our souls : and they also shall be granted. We may then collect all the most comprehensive expressions that language can afford us, and offer them in prayer before him ; and still his liberality will keep pace with our petitions.
After having exhausted all the powers of language, we may proceed to stretch our imaginations beyond the limits of dis- tinct and accurate conception : and, provided the things be proper for him to give, and for us to receive, he can, and will, bestow them. He will do for us not onlv what we ask, but
a Phil. iv. 6. b John xv. 7-