The reason why great things are not done for us, notwithstanding God is All-sufficient, is, because we come not with great faith; If we were able to believe much, it would be to us according to our faith. And what is the reason that we come not with great faith, but because we come not in the name of Christ? We are discouraged in the sight of our own weakness, or imperfections and frailties; but if we did look on Christ, and behold him, and come in his name, we would come with a strong faith, and if we did so, it would be according to our faith. When we come timorously and fearfully to God, when we come doubting whether we shall receive it or no, it is a sign we come in our own name; When we come boldly and confidently, and make no question, but the thing we ask shall be granted, it is a sign that we come in the name of Christ; and if we do so, do you think he will deny us? My Beloved, to what end hath the Father given him all things into his hands? Why is he made rich with all treasures? Is it that he might keep it, and hoard it up? No, but it is to bestow on those that his Father hath given him amongst men; when a man hath riches it is a vanity under the Sun, saith Solomon, to ⟨p. 21⟩keep them, and hoard them up; he were as good not to have them, as not to use them; and do you think that Christ will have all things given into his hands for nothing? Is it not to bestow on us? Do you think, that he will purchase a thing at so dear a rate, and when he hath done, make no use of it? It is said Phil. 2. 8. 9.1 That, because he took upon him the form of a servant, and was obedient to the death of the Cross, therefore his Father gave him a name above all names, and therefore he did thus and thus unto him, hath he purchased this for himself, for his own sake? Certainly, it was not for himself, for he had no need of it, but he bought it for us; and will he not make use of it, when he hath done? therefore doubt not when you come in his name, you shall receive, and that abundantly too; when we come in the name of his Son, he is able to deny us nothing, only remember this, that thou come with boldness. It is said,2 Ephes. 3. 12. that we have this benefit by Christ, we come with boldness and confidence through faith in him.
The reason why great things are not done for vs, notwithstanding God is All-sufficient, is, because we come not with great faith; If we were able to beleeue much, it would be to vs according to our faith. And what is the reason that we come not with great faith, but because we come not in the name of Christ? Wee are discouraged in the sight of our owne weaknesse, or imperfections and frailties; but if we did looke on Christ, and behold him, and come in his name, we would come with a strong faith, and if we did so, it would be according to our faith. When we come timorously and fearefully to God, when we come doubting whether we shall receiue it or no, it is a signe we come in our owne name; When we come boldly and confidently, and make no question, but the thing we aske shall be granted, it is a signe that we come in the name of Christ; and if we doe so, doe you thinke he will deny vs? My Beloved, to what end hath the Father given him all things into his hands? Why is he made rich with all treasures? Is it that he might keepe it, and hoard it vp? No, but it is to bestowe on those that his Father hath given him amongst men; when a man hath riches it is a vanitie vnder the Sunne, sayth Salomon, to ⟨p. 21⟩keepe them, and hoard them vp; he were as good not to haue them, as not to vse them; and doe you thinke that Christ will haue all things given into his hands for nothing? Is it not to bestow on vs? Doe you thinke, that he will purchase a thing at so deare a rate, and when he hath done, make no vse of it? It is said Phil. 2. 8. 9.1 That, because he tooke vpon him the forme of a servant, and was obedient to the death of the Crosse, therefore his Father gaue him a name aboue all names, and therefore he did thus and thus vnto him, hath he purchased this for himselfe, for his owne sake? Certainely, it was not for himselfe, for he had no neede of it, but he bought it for vs; and will he not make vse of it, when he hath done? therefore doubt not when you come in his name, you shall receiue, and that abundantly too; when wee come in the name of his Sonne, he is able to deny vs nothing, onely remember this, that thou come with boldnesse. It is said,2 Ephes. 3. 12. that we haue this benefit by Christ, we come with boldnesse and confidence through faith in him.
- 1Phil. 2. 8. 9.
- 2Ephes. 3. 12.
