himself to the work of prayer in the more solemn attitude of penitential sorrow, " in weeping, and mourning, and fasting3." And how successful such prayer shall be, may be seen in the case of Nineveh, where the whole city was spared from destruc- tion in consequence of their turning to the Lord in fasting and in prayer b. The example of Daniel is yet more encou- raging than this, inasmuch as it brought down upon him not merely a suspension from evil, but the most extraordinary tokens of God's favour. See how his fast was conducted ; and with what fervent prayers it was accompanied : and then see what an answer it brought down from heaven0: and know, assuredly, that such humiliation shall prevail, whatever enemies you have to contend with, whatever corruptions you have to strive against.]
Address —
1 . Those who are yielding to their spiritual enemies —
[Many think it sufficient to say, that such or such pro- pensities are naturally inherent in them ; and that they are regarded rather as constitutional infirmities, than as any deep grounds for personal humiliation. But, on this ground, there is no sin whatever which may not be cloked with a suitable apology. That a man will find a greater difficulty in mortify- ing his besetting sin, is true : and that he will, to his latest hour, be more in danger from it, is also true : but it must be put awayd; and, if not subdued and mortified, it will inevitably plunge the soul into everlasting perdition. The eye, the hand, the foot, are natural, and dear, and necessary : but, if any one of them stand in competition with our duty, it must not be spared : there is no alternative, but to part with that, or to have both body and soul cast into the flames of helle. If a man shall say ' I have grace, but not enough for that ;' I answer, that grace insufficient, is no grace ; and that the man who thinks he is a partaker of divine grace, whilst he is led captive by any constitutional or habitual sin, is only deceiving his own soul, and will find out his error when it is past a remedy f. A life of alternate sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting, (a life, alas ! too common amongst those who profess religion,) will never be approved of God. I will readily allow that a man may have more than ordinary diffi- culties to contend with ; but then he must adopt more than ordinary measures for the surmounting of them ; and if he will not do this, he has only himself to blame : for " there is no kind, either of spirit or corruption, that shall not go forth by prayer and fasting."]
a Joel ii. 12. b Jonah iii. 7—10. c Dan. ix. 3—5, 17—23.
d Heb. xii. 1. e Mark ix. 43—48. f Jam. i. 26.