Robert Traill (The Throne of Grace), Works, 1:41-42:
What saith the King on this throne of grace? John 16:24, Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Had not they asked formerly great things? that he would expound his word to them, Matt. 13:36; that he would teach them to pray, Luke 11:1; that he would increase their faith, Luke 17:5. But all this was as nothing to Christ; nothing in regard of the great things he had to give, and they stood in need of. This is a great word of Christ’s, Ask, and I will give, and ye shall receive; ask still more, and ye shall receive more, even till your joy be full. The reason why our souls are so empty of joy, is because our mouths are empty of prayer. Christ’s love-quarrels with his people are three. 1. That they do not ask great things, and often. 2. That they do not receive what he is so ready to give. Our narrow vessels cannot take in large floods from the fountain of living water. 3. That they do not praise for what they receive. It is his due, our duty, and our great mercy. Both prayer and praise widens the heart for receiving more of Christ’s fulness.
What saith the King on this throne of grace? John 16:24, Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. Had not they asked formerly great things? that he would expound his word to them, Matt. 13:36; that he would teach them to pray, Luke 11:1; that he would increase their faith, Luke 17:5. But all this was as nothing to Christ; nothing in regard of the great things he had to give, and they stood in need of. This is a great word of Christ’s, Ask, and I will give, and ye shall receive; ask still more, and ye shall receive more, even till your joy be full. The reason why our souls are so empty of joy, is because our mouths are empty of prayer. Christ’s love-quarrels with his people are three. 1. That they do not ask great things, and often. 2. That they do not receive what he is so ready to give. Our narrow vessels cannot take in large floods from the fountain of living water. 3. That they do not praise for what they receive. It is his due, our duty, and our great mercy. Both prayer and praise widens the heart for receiving more of Christ’s fulness.
