Sermon XXX.
[LXXX. Ben.]
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 19, “Why could not we cast it out”? etc., and on
prayer.
1. Our Lord Jesus Christ reproved unbelief even in His own disciples, as we heard just
now when the Gospel was being read. For when they had said, “Why could not we cast him
out?” He answered, “Because of your unbelief.”2669 If the Apostles were unbelievers, who
is a believer? What must the lambs do, if the rams totter? Yet the mercy of the Lord did not
disdain them in their unbelief; but reproved, nourished, perfected, crowned them. For they
themselves, as mindful of their own weakness, said to Him, as we read in a certain place in
the Gospel, “Lord, increase our faith.2670 Lord,” say they, “increase our faith.” The knowing
that they had a deficiency, was the first advantage; a greater happiness still, to know who it
was of whom they were asking. “Lord,” say they, “increase our faith.” See, if they did not
bring their hearts as it were to the fountain, and knocked that that might be opened to them,
out of which they might fill them. For He would that men should knock at Him, not that
He might repel those that knock, but that He might exercise those who long.
2. For do you think, Brethren, that God doth not know what is needful for you? He
knoweth and preventeth our desires, who knoweth our want. And so when He taught His
disciples to pray, and warned them not to use many words in prayer, He saith, “Use not
many words; for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him.”2671
Now the Lord saith something different from this. What is this? Because He misliked that
we should use many words in prayer, He said to us, “When ye pray, use not many words;
for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him.” If our “Father
knoweth what things we have need of before we ask Him,” why do we use even few words?
What is the use of prayer at all, if “our Father knoweth” already “what things we have need
of”? He saith to one, Do not make thy prayer to Me at great length; for I know what is
needful for thee. If so, Lord, why should I so much as pray at all? Thou wouldest not that I
should use long prayers, yea rather Thou dost even bid me to use near none at all. And then
what meaneth that precept in another place? For He who saith, “Use not many words in
prayer,” saith in another place, “Ask, and it shall be given you.”2672 And that thou mightest
not think that this first precept to ask was given cursorily, He added, “Seek, and ye shall
find.” And that thou mightest not think that this too was cursorily given, see what He added
further, see with what He finished. “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” see what He
2669 Matt. xvii. 19, 20.
2670 Luke xvii. 5.
2671 Matt. vi. 7, 8.
2672 Matt. vii. 7.
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 19, ‘Why could not we cast it out’? etc., and on prayer.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 19, ‘Why could not we cast it out’?…