Vol. 2

496 ST. LUKE.taken away from us by temptation.To pray, not tobe led into temptation, is to pray for the gift of perseverance.And how careful ought we to be in endeavouringto obtain a gift,upon which our eternalhappiness depends, and which we deserve so muchthe less to receive, the more we are persuaded thatwe do deserve it, and the less solicitous we are toobtain it? Lord, 1 expect it from thy pure mercyalone. I do not ask, not to be tempted at all, butthat I may meet with the temptations only of thyelect, which serve to increase their love towards thee,and cause them to cleave unto thee with the greatersteadfastness.Sect. II.— Three Loaves horro'wed.knock.Ask, seeky" 5. And he said unto them. Which of you shallhave a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight,and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;"How great is the advantage and privilege of aChristian, who prays, not to a friend, but to a Father,and a Father who does not wait for our solicitinghim, but presses us himselt to ask him ; who has nodifficult moments or unseasonable hours, but whomwe find ready at all times, not barely to lend, buteven to give, and that not only more than we deserve,but more than we ask, or could presume to ask.The bread of the mind is truth ; the bread of tb^heart is to do the will of God ; the bread of thewhole man is Jesus Christ and his grace : give us,Lord, these three, and never cease to give them." 6. For a friend of mine in his journey is cometo me, and I have nothing to set before Kim ?"