Chap. 36. an Expoftion upon the Backof jo'a. Verf. 5'. do,and if fo, then look through the promifes and fee, whether Godbath not promifed, to dogood things for his people in gene- rail, and for every believer in particular ; Behold, the Lord is . mighty, thefe are not vainewords, he can fill up, and fulfill all his promifes. As he hath made promifes , fo he can create per- formances. Abrahamwas fully perfwaded that what he had pro- mifed he was able to performe, ( Rom. q,, t r. ) Secondly, If the Lord be mighty in all thefe notions fore (hewed, then certainlyhe cando whatfoeverwe defire hire to do according to his will.As God hath not out-promifed his power,fo we cannot out-pray the power, nor out-ask the arnne of God; we may quicklyout-pray the power of man, and ask what he can- not do ; he may fay, I cannot do this for you , it is not in my power: but here is our comfort,if what we pray and ask be good for us to have, if it be jufc and righteous for him to do, let it be what it will, it is within the compafle of the power ofGod, who is alto ready toperforme it for us.The Apoftieaffureth us of this, ( 6ph, 4. 20. ) He is able to do for sas abundantly, above what we askor think,; he cannot only dowhat we ask, but hecan do above what we ask, yea, abundantly above what we ask. How narrow, and fhort, and poor, are our words and prayers, compared with, the power ofGod ! He can do abundantly for us above what we ask, and not only fo, but above what we think. HAman fhould have fotnewhat in hismind, that he is not able to exprefs, ( as the mind is far larger than the tongue,) if a man think what he can- not fpeak or utter, yet the Lord is of fuch power, that he can do not onlywhat we think,but abundantly above what we are able to think. How many requefts do we put up daily to God in prayer for our perfons, for our families, far. the Churchof God, and a- bout the Kingdoms of men,our ownKingdome efpecially,is it not matter of fingular comfort, . that all thefe requefts are before a Mighty God,a God who canquickly fend down all our prayers in performances,and give us the fruit ofall our askings?' Tis an ever- lafi:ingSpring of comfort and encouragement unto the people of God, both in prayer and unto prayer ; they pray to him who is mighty, mighty to dowhat they pray for. Thirdly,If God be fo mighty himfelf rhat he cando all things, then he is able to give us might ro do what he requireth of us if he . be mighty enough todo what we ask, then he is Mighry, enough, 165
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