VER. 9— 13. ST. LUKE. 395 AUG. But when thou sbalthave obtainedthe threeloaves,Aug.that is,the food and knowledge of the Trinity,thou hastublsup both the source of lifeand of food. Fear not. Cease not. For that bread willnot come to an end, but willput an end to your want. Learn and teach. Live and eat. THEOPHYL. Or else,The midnight is the end of life,at which many come to God. But the friendisthe Angel who receivesthe soul. Or, the midnight is the depth of tempta tions,in which he who has fallenseeksfrom God threeloaves, the reliefof the wants of his body, soul,and spirit; through whom we ruu into no danger in our temptations. But the friendwho comes from hisjourneyisGod Himself,who proves by temptationshim who has nothing to set beforeHim, and who isweakened in temptation. But when He says,And the door isshut,we must understand that we ought to be pre pared beforetemptations. But afterthatwe have falleninto them, the gate of preparationis shut,and being found un prepared,unlessGod keep us,we are in danger. 9. And I say unto you, Ask, and itshallbe given you ; seek,and ye shallfind; knock,and itshallbe openedunto you. 10. For every one thatasketh receiveth; and he thatseekethfindeth; and to him that knocketh it shallbe opened. 11. If a son shallask bread of any of you that isa father,willhe give him a stone? or ifhe ask a fish,willhe fora fishgivehim a serpent? 12. Or ifhe shallask an egg,willhe offerhim a scorpion? 13. If ye then,beingevil,know how to givegood giftsunto your children: how much more shallyour heavenlyFathergivetheHoly Spiritto them thatask Him? AUG. Having laidasidethe metaphor, our Lord added an Aug.exhortation,and expresslyurged us to ask,seek,and knock, tul,'