3. Hearing the word, for the word is necessary both for the discovery of sin for our present humiliation, and for the discovery of our duty with respect to future reformation, both which are necessary to an acceptable fast. And the word of the Gospel sets before men a door of hope, that their sin may be pardoned, and judgment removed. It presents God not only as reconcilable, but delighting in mercy; It sets before men many instances of God's h•aring prayer, and the prevalency of repentance and humiliation with him. And particularly what acceptance solemn fasting hath found with him in several ages. And all this mightily tends to the furthering the great duties of the day. And it is observed of the fast kept by the children of Israel, Nehem. 9.3. that they read in the book of the Law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day, and another fourth part they confessed and worshipped; if repentance, spiritual mourning, and soul humiliation be necessary to the day, as I shall show presently, then the hearing the word may be of great use thereunto: As when Josiah heard the words of the Law, he rent his clothes and humbled himself, 2 Chron. 34.27. and Ahab upon the like occasion humbled himself, though not in the like manner; and we read how God appointed Jeremiah, and Jeremiah Baruch to read the roll that was written from the mouth of God, in the ears of the people upon their fasting day, Jer. 36.6. and what was the cause of Ninevehs repentance and humiliation, was it not Jonah's preaching? as our Saviour speaks of it, Math. 12.41. They repented at the preaching of Jonah, though his preaching was only this, yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed. The word is effectual through Christ to bring the impenitent to repentance, and to renew the exercise of repentance in those that have already repented; which is a proper work for a fast day.
3. Hearing the word, for the word is necessary both for the discovery of sin for our present humiliation, and for the discovery of our duty with respect to future reformation, both which are necessary to an acceptable fast. And the word of the Gospel sets before men a door of hope, that their sin may be pardoned, and judgment removed. It presents God not only as reconcileable, but delighting in mercy; It sets before men many instances of God's h•aring prayer, and the prevalency of repentance and humiliation with him. And particularly what acceptance solemn fasting hath found with him in several ages. And all this mightily tends to the furthering the great duties of the day. And it is observed of the fast kept by the children of Israel, Nehem. 9.3. that they read in the book of the Law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day, and another fourth part they confessed and worshipped; if repentance, spiritual mourning, and soul humiliation be necessary to the day, as I shall shew presently, then the hearing the word may be of great use thereunto: As when Josiah heard the words of the Law, he rent his cloaths and humbled himself, 2 Chron. 34.27. and Ahab upon the like occasion humbled himself, though not in the like manner; and we read how God appointed Jeremiah, and Jeremiah Baruch to read the roll that was written from the mouth of God, in the ears of the people upon their fasting day, Jer. 36.6. and what was the cause of Ninevehs repentance and humiliation, was it not Jonah's preaching? as our Saviour speaks of it, Math. 12.41. They repented at the preaching of Jonah, though his preaching was only this, yet forty days and Nineveh shall be destroyed. The word is effectual through Christ to bring the impenitent to repentance, and to renew the exercise of repentance in those that have already repented; which is a proper work for a fast day.
