God’s beggar, who just now out of the Gospel urged thee to ask, and seek, and knock. He knew His beggar, and lo the Householder, the mighty rich One, rich, to wit, in riches spir- itual and eternal, exhorteth thee and saith, “Ask, seek, knock; he that asketh receiveth, he that seeketh findeth, to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”2144 He exhorteth thee to ask, and will he refuse thee what thou askest? 5. Consider a similitude or comparison drawn from a contrary case (as of that unjust judge), which is an encouragement to us to prayer. “There was,” saith the Lord, “in a city a 296 certain judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man.”2145 A certain widow importuned him daily, and said, “Avenge me.” He would not for a long time; but she ceased not to peti- tion, and he did through her importunity what he would not of his own good will.2146 For thus by a contrary case hath He recommended us to pray. 6. Again, He saith, “A certain man to whom some guest had come, went to his friend, and began to knock and say, A guest is come to me, lend me three loaves.” He answered, “I am already in bed, and my servants with me.” The other does not leave off, but stands and presses his case, and knocks and begs as one friend of another. And what saith He? “I say unto you that he riseth, and not because of his friendship,” but “because of the other’s im- portunity he giveth him as many as he wanted. Not because of his friendship,” though he is his friend, but “because of his importunity.”2147 What is the meaning of “because of his importunity?” Because he did not leave off knocking; because even when his request was refused, he did not turn away. He who was not willing to give, gave what was asked, because the other fainted not in asking. How much more then shall that Good One give who exhorteth us to ask, who is displeased if we ask not? But when at times He giveth somewhat slowly, it is that He is showing us the value of His good2148 things; not that He refuses them. Things which have been long desired, are obtained with the greater pleasure, whereas those which are given quickly, are held cheap. Ask then, seek, be instant. By the very asking and seeking thou dost grow so as to contain the more. God is keeping in reserve for thee, what it is not His will to give thee quickly, that thou mayest learn for great things to long with great desire. Therefore “ought we always to pray, and not to faint.” 2149 7. If then God hath made us His beggars by admonishing, and exhorting, and command- ing us to ask, and seek, and knock, let us for our part pay regard to those who ask from us. We ask, and from whom do we ask? Who are we that ask? What do we ask? From whom, 2144 Matt. vii. 8. 2145 Luke xviii. 2. 2146 Beneficio. 2147 Luke xi. 5, etc. 2148 Commendat. 2149 Luke xviii. 1. 626 On the words of the Gospel, Matt. vii. 7, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you;’…