Wait in the way of prayer
And first, all who desire the grace of God are to wait for it in the way of prayer. This is the express direction of our Lord himself. In his sermon on the mount, after explaining at large what religion consists in, and describing the main branches of it, he adds, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8.
Here we are, in the plainest manner, directed to ask in order to receive, or as a means of receiving; to seek in order to find the grace of God, the pearl of great price; and to knock, to continue asking and seeking, if we would enter into his kingdom.
1771 text
And first: all who desire the grace of God, are to wait for it in the way of prayer. This is the express direction of our Lord himself. In his sermon upon the mount, after explaining at large wherein religion consists, and describing the main branches of it, he adds, Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. (Matt. vii. 7, 8.) Here we are in the plainest manner directed to ask, in order to, or as a means of receiving; to seek in order to find, the grace of God, the pearl of great price; and to knock, to continue asking and seeking, if we would enter into his kingdom.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 16 in the 1771 Works. Malachi 3:7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.