Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

[LXI. Ben.]

On the words of the Gospel, Matthew 7:7 , “Ask, and it shall be given you;” etc. An exhortation to almsdeeds.

1. In the lesson of the Holy Gospel the Lord has exhorted us to prayer. “Ask,” says He, “and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks receives, and he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? Or if he ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then,” says He, “though ye be evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Though you be evil,” He says, “ye know how to give good gifts unto your children.” A marvellous thing, Brethren! We are evil: yet have we a good Father. What is more evident? We have heard our proper name: “Though you be evil, you know how to give good gifts unto your children.” And now see what kind of Father He shows them, whom he called evil. “How much more shall your Father?” Father of whom? Undoubtedly of the evil. And what kind of Father? “None is good but God only.”