both the word itself, and God in it, were greatly glorified^: nor is it possible to see such effects yet produced in the hearts and lives of men, without acknowledging, that " he who hath wrought them to the self-same thing is Godh" ]
Let us next inquire,
II. How that desire is to be obtained —
The Apostle speaks of himself and all his fellow- labourers, as instruments whereby the Gospel was propagated throughout the world. And the same is true of ministers in all succeeding ages, even to the present day : they are God's ambassadors to a rebel- lious world. But the prayers of God's people are no less necessary than the efforts of his ministers : for it is God alone that can give effect to any exertions ; and it is prayer alone that can interest him in our behalf- fit is God alone that can raise up ministers, or fit them
for the work1 Hence we are directed to "pray that
God would send forth labourers into his harvest k."
It is God alone that can open places for them to labour in. Men universally of themselves reject the Gospel : but when God opens a door for his servants, no attempts of his enemies can shut it1
It is God alone that can give success to their endeavours. That same divine power, which first opened the understand- ings of the Apostles, must open the hearts of others to attend
to them™ And then only does the word effect any
radical change in men, when it comes " in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power11."
Hence St. Paul so earnestly entreated the prayers of the Thessalonian Church, and yet more earnestly the intercessions of the saints at Rome0. God has in mercy made his servants and his people mutually dependent on each other : the people being quickened by the exertions of their ministers ; and ministers being strengthened by the prayers of their people : and thus the builders and the building are advanced together, and all are edified in love.]
g Acts xxi. 19, 20. . ii 2 Cor. v. 5.
1 Rom. x. 15. and 2 Cor. ii. 15, 10. and iii. 5. k Matt. ix. 38. Eph. iv. 12, 13.
1 Acts xviii. 10, 11. 1 Cor. xvi. 9. and Rev. iii. 8. m Luke xxiv. 45. with Acts xvi. 14. " 1 Cor. ii. 4, 5. and iii. 5 — 7. ° Rom. xv. 30 — 32.