Ask, and it shall be given
And yet you need not utterly despair even of these, who for the present turn again and tear you. For if all your arguments and persuasives fail, there is yet another remedy left, and one that is frequently found effectual when no other method avails. This is prayer. Therefore whatever you desire or want, either for others or for your own soul, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). The neglect of this is a third grand hindrance to holiness. Still we have not, because we ask not (James 4:2). O how meek and gentle, how lowly in heart, how full of love both to God and man might you have been at this day, if you had only asked? If you had continued instant in prayer (Romans 12:12)! Therefore now, at least, ask, and it shall be given to you. Ask, that you may thoroughly experience and perfectly practice the whole of that religion which our Lord has here so beautifully described. It shall then be given to you to be holy as he is holy, both in heart and in all manner of conduct (1 Peter 1:15-16). Seek in the way he has ordained: in searching the scriptures, in hearing his word, in meditating on it, in fasting, in partaking of the supper of the Lord; and surely you shall find. You shall find that pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46), that faith which overcomes the world (1 John 5:4), that peace which the world cannot give (John 14:27), that love which is the earnest of your inheritance (Ephesians 1:14). Knock: continue in prayer and in every other way of the Lord. Do not be weary or faint in your mind. Press on to the mark (Philippians 3:14). Take no denial. Do not let him go until he blesses you (Genesis 32:26). And the door of mercy, of holiness, of heaven shall be opened to you.
1771 text
18. And yet you need not utterly despair even of these, who for the present turn again and rent you. For if all your arguments and persuasives fail, there is yet another remedy left; and one that is frequently found effectual, when no other method avails. This is prayer. Therefore whatever you desire or want, either for others or for your own soul, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you. The neglect of this is a third grand hindrance of holiness. Still we have not, because we ask not. O how meek and gentle, how lowly in heart, how full of love both to God and man might ye have been at this day, if you had only asked? If you had continued instant in prayer! Therefore now, at least, Ask, and it shall be given unto you. Ask, that ye may throughly experience and perfectly practise the whole of that religion, which our Lord has here so beautifully described. It shall then be given you, to be holy as he is holy, both in heart and in all manner of conversation. Seek, in the way he hath ordained, in searching the scriptures, in hearing his word, in meditating thereon, in fasting, in partaking of the supper of the Lord, and surely ye shall find. Ye shall find that pearl of great price, that faith which overcometh the world, that peace which the world cannot give, that love which is the earnest of your inheritance. Knock: continue in prayer, and in every other way of the Lord. Be not weary or faint in your mind. Press on to the mark. Take no denial. Let him not go until he bless you. And the door of mercy, of holiness, of heaven shall be opened unto you.
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 30 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:1-12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.