Jesus Christk. Even to an angel he refused the specific request; but "answered him with good and comfortable words," which were eventually a more suitable and substantial blessing1.
Take tliese limit at ions, then, with respect to our prayers, and these exceptions respecting God's ansioers to them; and then we need not fear to entertain the confidence described in our text: we may not only be " sure that God hears us, but we either have, or shall have, the petitions that we desired of him."
And now you will readily see,
II. The encouragement which this affords him to abound in that duty —
What is there that man can need at the hands of God ? Whatever it may be, he is at liberty to ask it : and may be confident, that, in answer to his petitions, it shall be granted to him. Needest thou, believer,
1. The forgiveness of thy sins?
[Call them to remembrance from thine earliest infancy, and spread them all before him : fear not, either on account of their number or malignity ; but go with confidence to thy God, in the name of Jesus ; and " he will blot .them out as a morning cloud," and " cast them all behind him, into the very depths of the seam."]
2. A supply of grace, to sanctify thy soul ?
[Look not at the inveteracy of thy lusts, as though they were too great to be subdued ; but look rather at the extent of God's gracious promises ; and expect that he will enable you to " cleanse yourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of Godn." Re- strain not prayer before him ; and he will transform you into " his perfect image, even from glory to glory," " by the mighty working of his Spirit, who raised Christ himself from the dead0" ]
3. All the glory and blessedness of heaven ?
' Be not straitened in yourselves, my brethren ; for ye are not straitened in God." He himself says to you, " Open your mouth wide, and I will fill itD:" and therefore spread before him your every want, assured that, as he is able, so also
k 2 Cor. xii. 9. 1 Zech. i. 12, 13.
m Isai. xliv. 22. Mic. vii. 19. "2 Cor. vii. 1.
0 2 Cor. iii. 18. Eph. i. 19, 20. P Ps. Ixxxi. 10.