The friend at midnight
The absolute necessity of using this means, if we would receive any gift from God, appears yet further from that remarkable passage which immediately precedes these words. And he said to them, whom he had just been teaching how to pray, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and shall say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves? And he from within shall answer, Do not trouble me. I cannot rise and give you anything.
I say to you, Though he will not rise and give him anything, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs. And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Luke 11:5, 7-9.
Though he will not give him anything, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs. How could our blessed Lord more plainly declare that we may receive from God, by this means, by asking with importunity, what otherwise we should not receive at all?
1771 text
3. The absolute necessity of using this means if we would receive any gift from God, yet farther appears from that remarkable passage which immediately precedes these words: And he said unto them (whom he had just been teaching, how to pray) which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and shall say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves――and he from within shall answer, Trouble me not――I cannot rise and give thee: I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise, and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you, Luke xi. 5, 7, 8, 9. Though he will not give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. How could our blessed Lord more plainly declare, that we may receive of God, by this means, by importunately asking, what otherwise we should not receive at all!
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 16 in the 1771 Works. Malachi 3:7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.