them ; and that they loved their own safety in preference to their God ? No doubt, they would have gloried thus, and have despised both Jehovah and all his servants. But would Daniel give occasion for such profane triumph ? He abhorred the thought ; and therefore he would not relax, or intermit so much as once, his accustomed mode of worship. Similar to his was the conduct of Nehemiah, when Sanballat and Tobiah wanted to intimidate him, and to lead him into an act which should betray a want of confidence in his God : " Shall such a man as I flee? said he : and who is there, that being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in0." Thus, whatever specious arguments might have suggested themselves to him for the preservation of his life, Daniel de- termined to die rather than dishonour God; being anxious only that " God should be magnified in his body, whether it were by life or by death p."]
3. For the encouragement of his own people —
[Suppose that Daniel had not thus openly maintained his steadfastness, what would all the rest of his captive brethren have done ? Would not they have caught the infection ? would not they have dissembled with him, just as Barnabas and others were led away with Peter's dissimulation*1? It would have been to little purpose that he prayed in secret, if he had been so shamefully regardless of the influence of his example. On the other hand, by boldly confessing his God before men, and offering himself up as a sacrifice for him, the rest of his nation must be emboldened to maintain a similar fidelity, and to brave all the threatenings of their idolatrous oppressors. This was the effect produced by Paul's submission to bonds and im- prisonment for the Gospel's sake : " Many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by his bonds, were much more bold to preach the word without fearr." Daniel, being at the head of the kingdom, knew the vast importance of his example ; and therefore on this account, as well as for the foregoing reasons, " would not give place, no, not for an hour8:" yea, we doubt not but that in offering himself upon the sacrifice and service of his people's faith, he joyed and rejoiced with them all ; and (in his heart) called on them to joy and rejoice with him*.]
Address —
1. Those who live in the neglect of prayer —
[We see in the example of Daniel how a child of God will act : he will pray with frequency, with fervour, with an especial regard to God as his Covenant-God in Christ Jesus :
° Neh. vi. 10, 11. p Phil. i. 20. <i Gal. ii. 12, 13.
* Phil. i. 14. s Gal. ii. 5. l Phil. ii. 17, 18.
1132.1 Daniel's undaunted piety. 527
and he will confess his God openly, determining to die for him rather than deny himu. Now what resemblance have you to Daniel ? He could not be kept from prayer ; you cannot be prevailed on to pray : he could not be kept from prayer, though he knew that, for continuing it, he should be cast into the den of lions ; and you cannot be prevailed on to pray, though your neglect of it will infallibly bring you into the depths of hell. Not all the terrors of death could induce him to omit so much as one single opportunity of praying; and not all the terrors of damnation can instigate you to pray even once with real fervour and devotion. Only ask yourselves, How often have you prayed like Daniel ? how often in the day ? in the week ? in the year ? how often even in your whole life ? This question will give you an insight into your state before God. O that it may be the means of bringing you to his footstool, and of forming in you those habits which are altogether necessary to your salvation.]