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FTER having shown the sinner the melancholy and shameful state that he has fallen into, Our Saviour shows him the means of coming forth from it by prayer.

'Ask: seek: knock.’ These words stand for three degrees of prayer; and — so to speak — for three separate entreaties which we are to make, perseveringly, and one after the other. But what are we to entreat God to give us, that we may get out of this worse than bestial state that sin has plunged us into? Some words of St James will teach us: — ' But if any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, Who giveth abundantly, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.’