Irenaeus Against Heresies Book II And by these human passions, drawing away their intelligence, while they describe the origin and production of the Word of God in the fifth place, they assert that thus they teach wonderful mysteries, unspeakable and sublime, known to no one but themselves. It was, [they affirm, ] concerning these that the Lord said, "Seek, and ye shall find,"[64] This opinion [of theirs], however, is not only untenable, but also opposed to that which was spoken by our Lord: "Seek, and ye shall find."[98] men, and, by descending to their argument, may often refute them by their own doctrines; but in thus acting may God be merciful to me, for I venture on these statements, not with the view of comparing Him to them, but of convicting and overthrowing their insane opinions)-they, for whom many foolish persons entertain so great an admiration, as if, forsooth, they could learn from them something more precious than the truth itself! That expression of Scripture, "Seek, and ye shall find,"[262] Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book III For he whose it is to desire nothing that is not in our power, and to obtain by asking from God what he piously desires, does he not possess much, nay all, having God as his everlasting treasure? "To him that asks," it is said, "shall be given, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."[64] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book I And, in truth, the Word does not wish him who has believed to be idle. For He says, "Seek, and ye shall find."[127] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book II Gold is not taken from the earth in the lump, but is purified by smelting; then, when made pure. it is called gold, the earth being purified. For "Ask, and it shall be given you,"[244] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III Non potest autem ea aliter comparari continentia, nisi gratia Dei. Et ideo dixit: "Petite, et dabitur vobis."[93] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book IV "For narrow," in truth, "and strait is the way" of the Lord. And it is to the "violent that the kingdom of God belongs."[1] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V Faith, then, we say, we are to show must not be inert and alone, but accompanied with investigation. For I do not say that we are not to inquire at all. For "Search, and thou shalt find,"[28] The righteous man will seek the discovery that flows from love, to which if he haste he prospers. For it is said, "To him that knocketh, it shall be opened: ask, and it shall be given to you."[38] Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book VIII But, on the contrary, the Barbarian philosophy, expelling all contention, said, "Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; ask, and it shall be given you."[2] Tertullian The Prescription Against Heretics It is written, they say, "Seek, and ye shall find."[83] " For it is clear that the next words also apply to the Jews: "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you."[89] Now, how shall he who was always outside knock at the place where he never was? What door does he know of, when he has passed through none, either by entrance or ejection? Is it not rather he who is aware that he once lived within and was thrust out, that (probably) found the door and knocked thereat? In like manner, "Ask, and ye shall receive,"[93] Tertullian On Baptism may be supplied you. "Ask," saith He, "and ye shall receive."[217] Tertullian On Prayer said separately, after delivering His Rule of Prayer, "Ask, and ye shall receive; "[66] A Letter from Origen to Gregory For to this the Saviour exhorted, and said not only, "Knock, and it shall be opened to you; and seek, and ye shall find,"[5] Clementine Homily III and elsewhere, `Seek and find, '[48] Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas And the apostle laid his hand on her, and began to say: Jesus, who always appearest to us-for this Thou always wishest, that we should seek Thee-and Thou Thyself hast given us this power of asking and receiving;[51] who art not seen by bodily eyes, but who art not altogether hidden from those of our soul, and who art hidden in Thy form, but manifested to us by Thy works; and by Thy many deeds we have recognised Thee as we go on, and Thou hast given us Thy gifts without measure, saying, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.[53] Letter of Origen to Gregory And do not be content with knocking and seeking, for what is most necessary for understanding divine things is prayer, and in urging us to this the Saviour says not only,[6] Origen Commentary on Matthew Book X Now you will connect with the man seeking goodly pearls the saying, "Seek and ye shall find,"[35] Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIV "To whom it is given," as if those who wished to remain pure in celibacy, but weremastered by their desires, had an excuse, we must say that, if we believe the Scriptures, why at alldo we lay hold of the saying, "But they to whom it is given," but no longer attend to this, "Ask andit shall be given you,"[200] For if they "to whom it is given" can receivethis saying about absolute purity, let him who wills ask, obeying and believing Him who said, "Askand it shall be given you,"[202]