About Ephesians 3:18, 19
“Angels and saints before the throne never can enter fully
into the love of Christ towards His church and people. The subject is infinite,
and their minds are finite. As finite cannot comprehend that which is infinite,
so the saints can never, to the ages of eternity, full understand the fullness of
Christ’s love. Why then is this request made? I reply, because this is the very
nature of true grace, to be reaching out after the knowledge of God in Christ
which can never be attained-no, not in heaven. Paul prays for what those saints
have not attained. Yet he prays for what might, even in this life, be attained:
that is, in a greater measure and degree. We see from thence that both in
prayer and preaching it must be so-it ought to be so-that some subjects must be
prayed for, and preached, too, which are beyond our present attainments, (and
it may be will exceed our knowledge) and enjoyment in this life. Indeed it is
in this way that much f our spiritually is discovered. Hereby our real
aspirations heavenward are made manifest-to have higher views of the love of
Christ than we have ever had yet. Here a little and there a little He lets down
some bright beams of light from His glorious person on our minds, so that in
His light we see light.”
-S. E. Pierce English
Minister 1746-1829
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