And in fact, he hath not left us undetermined; he hath shewn us the way wherein we should go. We have only to consult the oracles of God, to inquire what is written there? And if we simply abide by their decision, there can no possible doubt remain. III. 1. According to this, according to the decision of holy writ, all who desire the grace of God, are to wait for it, in the means which he hath ordained; in using, not in laying them aside. And first: all who desire the grace of God, are to wait for it in the way of _prayer_. This is the express direction of our Lord himself. In his sermon upon the mount, after explaining at large wherein religion consists, and describing the main branches of it, he adds, _Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened._ (_Matt._ vii. 7, 8.) Here we are in the plainest manner directed to ask, in order to, or as a _means_ of receiving; to seek in order to find, the grace of God, the pearl of great price; and to knock, to continue asking and seeking, if we would enter into his kingdom. 2. That no doubt might remain, our Lord labours this point in a more peculiar manner. He appeals to every man’s own heart. _What man is there of you, who if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven_, the Father of angels and men, the Father of the spirits of all flesh, _give good things to them that ask him_? ver. 9, 10, 11. Or, as he expresses himself on another occasion, including all good things in one, _How much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him?_ _Luke_ xi. 13. It should be particularly observed here, that the persons directed to ask, had not then received the holy Spirit. Nevertheless our Lord directs them to use this means, and promises that it should be effectual; that upon asking they should receive the holy Spirit, from him whose mercy is over all his works.