deed prevail against us, were it not for the power that worketh in us; but there is a secret, silent operation of God upon the soul, which subdues the power of sin; and it shall soon appear, to our joy and satisfaction for ever, that the grace of God is much stronger than our sins, and more powerful than corruption itself. Surely, then, we have every encouragement to believe, that if the arm of the Lord has been lifted up to slay our corruptions, he will not refuse even to do for us exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." 2. See this power exerted in confirming our faith. To believe in the Son of God, without the assistance of the Lord himself, is utterly impossible as well might you attempt to create a new world. Did not he first teach you to believe? And must not the same spirit of faith be given to you now, to teach you always to believe that he is faithful who has promised? It is only by being assisted with the power from on high, that you can cast anchor upon the Rock of Ages, or do the will of God by believing in him whom he has sent into the world. But a constant act of faith is preserved in the soul by this mighty power. Moral suasion could not work faith in your heart; the Lord must give it, and increase it. Those who are ordained unto eternal life, and believe the gospel, are the men on whose minds the Spirit of God works in a most gracious and effectual way; and this he does to give them to know that he will do yet more, and to make them persuaded that he "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think." 3. You may learn this, too, from considering that the power of God appears, in preserving us near to himself. Does it not require Divine agency to keep you near to Christ, from whom, alas, you would be always wandering, did he not engage to put his fear in your heart, that so you might not depart from him? The blessings of communion and fellowship with the Saviour would, alas, be all strange things to us, did not God, by his powerful hand, raise us to that state of dignity in which we may enjoy them. God answers the prayers of the Saviour by keeping us through his own name, and so influencing our conduct that we are led on to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. When our sinful inclinations would lead us from him, he gently, delightfully restrains us, by saying to our souls, "I am your salvation," and causes us to esteem the light of his countenance more than any other enjoyment. If he does this for us, never let us fear but he will convince us of his ability "to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." 4. What gracious power does he evince, in enabling us to glorify his name! Without Divine strength, should we ever adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, or, with well-doing, put to silence the ignorance of foolish men? Left to ourselves, should we not rather bring a reproach upon that worthy name by which we are called? This Divine energy assisted the apostle Paul in his labors; hence he said, "Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily:" and again, "I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." This power working in us, too, shall influence our conduct; shall make us fill up our days to the Divine glory; and serve our generation according to the Divine will. But, O, never let us forget that the same power which makes a man a Christian in this untoward generation, will also exceed all that he asks or thinks. This is the mighty power of God, which will accomplish so much for our good. III. Consider the honor that should be ascribed to him on account of it. "To him," says the apostle, " be glory." And is it not equitable that we should give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; and that, since we can view the attribute of Divine power engaged on our behalf, we should give him the praise he so justly demands; for his is the kingdom, the power, and the glory? But observe three things in the honor we must give to God; for, being able to exceed our desires, it must be ascribed to him in all the churches; it must be presented to him through the mediation of Christ; and it must be rendered to him to the latest period of time, and throughout eternity. The text shows us, 1. That honor must be ascribed to Christ in all the church. "Unto him be glory," says my text, "in the church.". For this power, you know, can be exerted on the behalf of every individual member of his church, however mean or contemptible in the eyes of the world; therefore the joy, occasioned by the contemplation of it, shall pervade all the members of the mystical body of Christ. Every Christian, who has experienced proofs of this ability, has a right to call upon those members of the church of Christ with whom he is connected, to rejoice with him; and the gladness should be like "the precious oil that ran down from the beard, even Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his garment." For this power God is alike praised, by men below and saints above, whether we regard the church militant or triumphant: they praise him for the glory of his mighty acts, and they say, "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might, and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all." 2. This glory must be presented to him through the mediation of Christ. To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus. We should never have dared to offer the sacrifice of praise to God, had it not been for this glorious Redeemer; since he has by his cross glorified the Divine perfections, we can contemplate them with holy pleasure and delight, and adore him for them all. But he would spurn at our attempts at adoration, if we had no reference to the atonement of his Son. Our praises will never be acceptable in his sight, unless they are offered through faith in Christ Jesus. Besides, he must present them to God, even the Father; hence we rejoice that " we have a great High Priest passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God," who bears our praises to the eternal throne. Yes, he stands at the altar, "having a golden censer, and there is given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which is before the throne." How pleasing is the thought, that our imperfect praises are conveyed to God the Judge of all, by the Angel of the covenant! What need have we of saints to be our advocates, when we have Christ Jesus? Who else can render our acknowledgments worthy of the acceptance of the eternal Father, but Jesus only? hence, "Jesus alone shall bear my cries Up to his Father's throne; He, dearest Lord, perfumes my sighs, And so shall it be with our songs of praise, even till we are admitted into his presence. O, to him be glory by Christ Jesus. 3. The honor must be rendered to him to the latest period of time, and throughout eternity. "To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." So long as Jehovah possesses this Divine power, so long must he be honored on account of it. And I leave with yourselves to judge, whether this will not be for ever and ever. It must be throughout all ages; when the present generation shall have passed away, and another shall have come; when our heads shall be all laid beneath the clods of the valley, and the worms feed sweetly on our bodies; even then there will be a generation to call Jehovah blessed, and a seed to serve him. For then this power shall be exerted, and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord. Yea, till all his saints are gathered in, must the Head of the church be glorified, and world without end. When all the redeemed shall be united in Christ, this glory shall be rendered to Jehovah ; since the sweet work of praise shall be our employment in heaven, for ever and ever. Now to all this you are called upon to add the solemn word-Amen. My text is a prayer for the glory of God. O, offer it up from the bottom of your hearts! And what think you, sinner, of the power of |