If it be objected, “But this is no direction to unbelievers; to them who know not the pardoning grace of God: for the apostle adds, _but let him ask in faith_: otherwise, _let him not think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord_.” I answer the meaning of the word _faith_ in this place, is fixed by the apostle himself, (as if it were on purpose to obviate this objection) in the words immediately following: _Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering_, nothing _doubting_ μηδὲν διακρινόμενος. Not doubting but God heareth his prayer, and will fulfil the desire of his heart. The gross, blasphemous absurdity of supposing _faith_ in this place to be taken in the full Christian meaning, appears hence: it is supposing the Holy Ghost to direct a man who knows he has not this faith (which is here termed _wisdom_) to ask it of God, with a positive promise that _it shall be given him_; and then immediately to subjoin, that it shall not be given him, unless he have it before he asks for it! But who can bear such a supposition? From this scripture, therefore, as well as those cited above we must infer, that all who desire the grace of God, are to wait for it in the way of prayer. 7. _Secondly_, all who desire the grace of God, are to wait for it in _searching the scriptures_. Our Lord’s direction with regard to the use of this means, is likewise plain and clear. _Search the scriptures_, saith he to the unbelieving _Jews,――for they testify of me_, John v. 39. And for this very end did he direct them to search the scriptures, that they might _believe in him_. The objection, “That this is not a command, but only an assertion, that they did search the scriptures,” is shamelessly false. I desire those who urge it, to let us know, how a command can be more clearly expressed, than in those terms, Ἐρευνᾶτε τὰς γραφὰς. It is as peremptory as so many words can make it. And what a blessing from God attends the use of this means, appears from what is recorded concerning the _Bereans_; who after hearing St. _Paul_, _searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so? Therefore many of them believed_: found the grace of God, in the way which he had ordained. _Acts_ xvii. 12, 13. It is probable, indeed, that in some of those who had _received the word with all readiness of mind, faith came_ (as the same apostle speaks) _by hearing_, and was only confirmed by _reading_ the scriptures. But it was observed above, that under the general term of _searching the scriptures_, both hearing, reading, and meditating, are contained.