he will with his own," and therefore may hear and answer its, though we be the meanest and the vilest of the human race. It is this idea which we express, when we say, "for tlmie is the kingdom." The word for shews that it has respect to what goes before, and that we urge this consideration as a plea, to enforce the preceding petitions. Next to the sovereign right of God to answer us, we plead his power. Nothing short of omnipotence can effect the things which we desire of God in this prayer: but he is almighty, and all-sufficient: " with him all things are possible :" and we acknowledge our con- viction, that " there is nothing too hard for him." Lastly, we plead " the glory" which he will derive from granting all the things which we have prayed for ; in the conversion and sal- vation of the world at large, and in every mercy vouchsafed to ourselves in particular, whether in the supply of our bodily wants, or in the pardon of our sins and the preservation of our souls. This sovereignty and this poiver are his immutable per- fections ; and this glory will result to him through all eternity, even ''for ever" and ever.
Such considerations may well animate us in our addresses at the throne of grace, and encourage us in a further confirmation of our petitions by the word " Amen."
We have already mentioned one sense of the word " Amen ;" namely, that it is a full assent to all that has been uttered. But it has another meaning also, and imports a desire that the things which have been asked may be gran ted p. In this latter sense it is often doubled, in order to express more strongly the ardour of that desire^. Would we understand its just import? we may see it illustrated in the prayer of Daniel ; where, having enforced his petitions by many urgent pleas, he comes at last to renew them all with redoubled ardour ; not indeed by the word " Amen," but in a more copious strain, expressive of the idea contained in it^
In the Apostolic age the use of this word was universal in the Church: whilst one person addressed the Lord in the name of the whole assembly, all who were present added their " Amen," and thereby made every petition and thanksgiving their own^ Nor has the word lost its use and emphasis even in heaven: for the whole choir, both of saints and angels, are represented as using it in both the senses that we have men- tioned; " saying. Amen : Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen*." O that, in adding our Amen to the prayer before us, we might resemble them ; and so utter it now from our inmost souls, that we maybe counted worthy to utter it in full concert with them to all eternity !]
P Rev. xxii. 20. ^ Ps. Ixxii. 18, 19. ^ j^an. ix. 17—19.
s 1 Cor. xiv. 10. t Rev. vii. 11, 12.