I, but the grace of God which was with me :" " by the grace of God I am what I amb."
Nor is it by strength once communicated, that we are strong; but from continual communications of grace from the same overflowing fountain. It is not through Christ who hath strengthened, but who doth strengthen us, that we can do all things0. We need fresh life from him, in order to the pro- duction of good fruit ; exactly as we need fresh light from the sun, in order to a prosecution of the common offices of life. One moment's intermission of either^ would instantly produce a suspension of all effective industry.]
From that source he receives all that he can stand in need of —
[Christ is not so prodigal of his favours, as to confer them in needless profusion : he rather apportions our strength to the occasions that arise to call it forth d. He bids us to renew our applications to him ; and, in answer to them, imparts " grace sufficient for use." There are no limits to his commu- nications: however "wide we open our mouth, he will fill itf." He is " able to make all grace abound towards us, that we, having always aZZ-sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good worker" he is ready to " do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or thinkh." " If only we believe, all things shall be possible unto us1:" we shall be " able to quench all the fiery darts of the devilk," and " be more than conquerors over all the enemies of our souls1."]
The uses to which we may apply this subject, are,
1. The conviction of the ignorant —
[Many, when urged to devote themselves to God, reply, that we require more of them than they can do ; and that it is impossible for them to live according to the Scriptures. But what ground can there be for such an objection ? Is not Christ ever ready to assist us? Is not Omnipotence pledged for our support ? Away with your excuses then, which have their foundation in ignorance, and their strength in sloth. Call upon your Saviour; and he will enable you to " stretch forth your withered hand:" at his command, the dead shall arise out of their graves ; and the bond-slaves of sin and Satan shall be " brought into the liberty of the children of God."]
2. The encouragement of the weak —
b 1 Cor. xv. 10. c ivlvvafiovvTi. d Deut. xxxni. 25.
e 2 Cor. xii. 9. f Ps. Ixxxi. 10. e 2 Cor. ix. 8.
h Eph. iii. 20. t Mark ix. 23. k Eph. vi. 16. 1 Rom. viii. 37.