ask. But,
in another sense, it is not in our power to ask; for it is not
in our power to obtain the grace which is necessary in asking.
We know that salvation is not in our power. Therefore some
condition of salvation is not in our power. Now the conditions
of salvation are two: (1) The asking for it, and (2) the
obtaining it. But God promises to give us what we ask. Hence the
obtaining is in our power. Therefore the condition which is not
in our power must be the first, namely, the asking. Prayer
presupposes a grace which it is not within our power to obtain.

After giving the utmost consideration to the second half of this
obscure fragment, and seeking assistance from some eminent
scholars, the translator has been compelled to give a strictly
literal translation of it, without attempting to make sense.

[196] P. 141, l. 14. _Lord, when saw we_, etc.--Matthew xxv, 37.

[197] P. 143, l. 19. _Qui justus est, justificetur adhuc._--Apoc. xxii,
II.

[198] P. 144, l. 2. _Corneille._--See his _Horace_, II, iii.

[199] P. 144, l. 15. _Corrumpunt mores_, etc.--I Cor. xv, 33.

[200] P. 145. l. 25. _Quod curiositate_, etc.--St. Augustine, _Sermon
CXLI_.

[201] P. 146, l. 34. _Quia ... facere._--I Cor. i, 21.

[202] P. 148, l. 7. _Turbare semetipsum._--John xi, 33. The text is
_turbavit seipsum_.

[203] P. 148, l. 25. _My soul is sorrowful even unto death._--Mark xiv,
34.

[204] P. 149, l. 3. _Eamus. Processit._--John xviii, 4. But _eamus_ does
not occur. See, however, Matthew xxvi, 46.

[205] P. 150, l. 36. _Eritis sicut_, etc.--Genesis iv, 5.

[206] P. 151, l. 2. _Noli me tangere._--John xx, 17.

[207] P. 156, l. 14. _Vere discipuli_, etc.--Allusions to John viii, 31,
i, 47; viii, 36; vi, 32.

[208] P. 158, l. 41. _Signa legem in electis meis._--Is. viii, 16. The
text of the Vulgate is _in discipulis meis_.

[209] P. 159, l. 2. _Hosea._--xiv, 9.

[210] P. 159, l. 13. _Saint John._--xii, 39.

[211] P. 160, l. 17. _Tamar._--Genesis xxxviii, 24-30.

[212] P. 160, l. 17. _Ruth._--Ruth iv, 17-22.

[213] P. 163, l. 13. _History of China._--A History of China in Latin
had been published in 1658.

[214] P. 164, l. I. _The five suns_, etc.--Montaigne, _Essais_, iii, 6.

[215] P. 164, l. 9. _Jesus Christ._--John v, 31.

[216] P. 164, l. 17. _The Koran says_, etc