Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 7:8

8 For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Here is a Precept Expressed by three Words, Ask, Seek, Knock, and a promise Annexed in three Distinct Terms. It shall be given you. You shall find. It shall be opended unto you. The thing commanded is Prayer, the thing promised is an Audience o[illegible: 1 letter] Prayer or an Answer to Prayer. The Multiplying of the Terms in which the P[illegible: 1 letter]ecept is expre[illegible: 1 letter]sed is not Idle and S[illegible: 1 letter]per[illegible: 1 letter]luous, it lets us know our Aversness to the Duty, and that God in it requireth of us, Faith, Diligence, and Constancy, and Importunity. Christ had before told us, of whom we should ask our Father, it is not said what we should ask, both in regard we have a liberty to ask any thing we have need of, and he had Chap. 6. particularly directed the matter of our Prayers. The promise that we shall have, signifies an Answer, either in kind, or in value, the promise of giving lets us know, that our Prayers are not Meritorious. For every one that ask[illegible: 1 letter]th the things he needeth, and in Faith, according to the will of God, and for a right end, receiveth, &c. Iames 4.3.

Marginal references: Pro. 8.17. Jer. 29.12.