A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

And as a fast is an extraordinary duty, so confession of sin ought to be more than ordinary in such a day, and what may suffice at another time, may not be sufficient then. It ought to be more extensive with respect to the several kinds and acts of sin, with respect to the aggravations of sin, and with respect to the persons that are under guilt, and with respect to the inward principles of sin in the heart, out of which all actual sins do spring. As Daniels confession of sin extended to the kinds of it, the several aggravations of it, and to the persons that were concerned in it, as their Kings, Princes, Fathers, people of the Land, those that were near, and those that were far off, as we find in that chapter. And this confession of sin is requisite to the deeper humiliation of the soul, to the condemnation of our selves; and to the justifying of God, whereby he may have the greater glory.

And as a fast is an extraordinary duty, so confession of sin ought to be more than ordinary in such a day, and what may suffice at another time, may not be sufficient then. It ought to be more extensive with respect to the several kinds and acts of sin, with respect to the aggravations of sin, and with respect to the persons that are under guilt, and with respect to the inward principles of sin in the heart, out of which all actual sins do spring. As Daniels confession of sin extended to the kinds of it, the several aggravations of it, and to the persons that were concern'd in it, as their Kings, Princes, Fathers, people of the Land, those that were near, and those that were far off, as we find in that chapter. And this confession of sin is requisite to the deeper humiliation of the soul, to the condemnation of our selves; and to the justifying of God, whereby he may have the greater glory.

2. Is supplication, which is the imploring mercy from God, either with respect to the pardon of sin committed, or the preventing those judgments that are impending, or the removing such as are inflicted. As we find Daniel in the time of his fasting, after his confession, made earnest supplications for forgivenesses of sin, v. 9. for the turning away God's anger and fury, v. 16. for the shining of his face upon his sanctuary, v. 17. for the repairing the desolations of their City called by his name, v. 18. and for the people in general, ibid.