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 give." With the promise He obliges Himself to grant the favours which we ask of Him. " By promising He made Himself a debtor."

But some one will say: I am a sinner, and on that account do not deserve to be heard. But S. Thomas makes answer that for prayer to obtain the favours which it seeks, it does not depend upon our merits, but upon the Divine compassion, " For every one that asketh receiveth." (S. Luke xi. 10.) The author of the Imperfect Work comments on this, " Every one, be he righteous, or a sinner." But in this our Redeemer Himself releases us from every fear, saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you." (S. John xvi. 23.) As if He had said, " Sinners, if you have no merits of your own, I have in my Father's sight; ask them in My Name, and I promise you shall have what you ask." This promise must not, however, be understood to be made concerning temporal favours, such as health, riches, fortune, and the like; because the Lord very often denies these favours to us, seeing, as He does, that they would do hurt to our eternal salvation. S. Augustine says, that "what is profitable for the sick, the physician knows, rather than the patient;" and he also adds, that God " denies to some men in mercy that which He grants to others in wrath." Therefore temporal blessings ought ever to be sought by us on the condition that they may assist our souls. But, on the contrary, spiritual graces, such as forgiveness, perseverance, Divine love, and the like, should be sought for unconditionally by us, with a firm confidence that we shall obtain them, for Jesus Christ says, " If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him." (S. Luke xi. 13.)

Perseverance in prayer is necessary before all things. Cornelius a Lapide says, that " the Lord wishes us to be persevering in prayer, even to importunity." And the following passages from Holy Scripture signify the same truth, " Men ought always to pray." (S. Luke xviii. i.) " Watch ye therefore, and pray always." (S. Luke xxi. 36.) " Pray without ceasing." (i Thess. v. 17.) These oft-repeated words also signify the same, "Ask,