Nor was Daniel inattentive to his posture in prayer : "he kneeled upon his knees and prayed." We do not say that this posture is indispensably necessary to the acceptance of our prayers ; because we find instances in Scripture of persons standing when they prayed : but it is sanctioned by the exam- ple of the most eminent saints h, and even by our blessed Lord
a 1 Kings viii. 29, 30, 35, 38, 42, 44, but especially 46 — 50, Avhich. specifies what was to be done in a state of captivity, as Daniel now was.
b Ps. v. 7. c Jonah ii. 4.
d John i. 14. eaK^vwaev suggests the precise idea, which the type was intended to convey.
* Col. ii. 9. t Ps. lv. 17.
s Acts ii. 2, 15. and hi. 1. and x. 9. The third, sixth, and ninth hours answered to nine, twelve, and three with us.
h Thus did David; Ps. xcv. 6. Solomon; 2 Chron. vi. 13. Ezra; ix. 5. Stephen; Acts vii. 60. Peter; ix. 40. Paul; xx. 36. a large assembly on the sea shore; xxi. 5.
himself'. As for the idle slothful posture of sitting during the time of prayer (as is the habit of too many), we do not hesitate to say, that it is most irreverent, unscriptural, and offensive. But what shall we say to those who defer their prayers till they have lain down in their beds, and then offer some petitions, in the midst of which they fall asleep ? Surely it is scarcely needful to tell them what acceptance such ser- vices must meet with : they may account it a mercy, if their solemn mockery of God be not visited with some signal judg- ments: to hope for any favourable answer to such prayers, were folly and impiety. Daniel would not yield to such indo- lent habits, though he was above ninety years of age ; because he knew that the deepest prostration of body should accom- pany the devotions of the soul, and that nothing but extreme weakness could justify us in dispensing with it.
With all his prayers, Daniel offered also a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving : " he prayed and gave thanks." This argued the sincerity of his heart. They can feel but little gratitude to God, who do not acknowledge the mercies they have received, as well as ask for the continuance and increase of them. The direction given us by God himself is, " that in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we should make our requests known to himk :" yea, it is his express will and com- mand that we should abound in thanksgiving as much, and as constantly, as in prayer itself1.
Perhaps it may surprise us, that Daniel offered these his devotions always " with his windows open." Was this from ostentation 1 Was Daniel like those Pharisees who " prayed standing in the corners of the streets, that they might be seen and admired of men ? " No : Daniel was in a heathen land, where the established religion was idolatry ; and where Jehovah was not worshipped or acknowledged. He therefore felt it incumbent on him to let it be universally known, that he was a worshipper of the one true God : he wished to be a witness for God, and against idolatry ; and to lead men, by his example, to inquire after the God of the Hebrews, in whom alone they could obtain peace and salvation. And though this habit rendered him singular, and excited the odium of his ungodly neighbours, " he endured the cross, and despised the shame," and persevered in the performance of his duty without any regard to the opinions of men.
The most extraordinary thing is, that Daniel persisted in this habit " when he knew that the writing was signed." The writing was the law which had been recently enacted, con- demning to the den of lions every person, who, for the space of thirty days, should presume to ask any petition of any God