n in communion with friends or in the company of foes,--when
that grace is not available. At _all_ times.

3. "Having _all_ sufficiency"--perfect competence to meet just the
present emergency. A sufficiency, let us mark, absolutely independent
of Nature's resources,--a sufficiency beautifully illustrated by
"unlearned and ignorant" Peter and John in the presence of the learned
Sanhedrim. Let us rejoice and praise God as we trace these three
glorious links in this endless chain of blessing. _All_ sufficiency.

4. "In _all_ things" (or "in every way"). It is no matter from what
side the demand may come, this precious grace is there to meet it. Is
it to deal with another troubled anxious soul, where human wisdom
avails nothing? Divine wisdom and tact shall be supplied. Courage if
danger presents itself, or "all long-suffering with joyfulness" if
afflictions tear the heart. In _all_ things.

5. "May abound to _every_ good work." Now filled to the brim, and
still connected with an inexhaustible supply, the vessel _must_
overflow, and that on every side. No effort, no toil, no weariness, no
drawing by mechanical means from a deep well; but the grace-filled
heart, abiding (and that is the only condition) in complete dependence
upon its God, naturally overflows on every side--to _all_ good work.

6. "Being enriched in _every thing_" (we omit the parenthesis,
although full of its own divine beauty), (or, "in every way"). This is
in some sort a repetition of No. 5, but goes as far beyond it as the
word "enriched" is fuller than the word "sufficient." The latter fills
the vessel, as we have said, up to the brim; the former adds another
drop, and over it flows. In view of these "exceeding great and
precious promises," we may say,--

"Oh wherefore should we do ourselves this wrong,
Or others, that we are not always strong?"

since we may be enriched in _all_ things.

7. "To _all_ bountifulness." This stream of grace is never to
stagnate, or it will lose all its character of blessing, as the manna
hoarded for a second day "bred worms, and stank." Thus every single
Christian becomes a living channel of blessing to all around, and the
circle is now completed, by once more returning to the point whence it
started, "Which causeth through us thanksgiving to God," and closes
with no weary wail of "All things are full of labor," but joyful songs
resound on every side, and at every motion of this circle of ble