This holy _practice_ ought to be frequent, but then especially when the hand, and _Rods_ of the _Lord_ are upon us: For then (as _Job_ saith) _God_ softeneth our _Hearts_, and we are most like then to be as the ground, mollified upon a _Thaw_, fit to be broken up, or like the ground moistened with _storms_, and _showers_ from Heaven, then in some hopefull turn for the _Lords_ most gracious _seed_, and heavenly _planting_. [Sidenote: 2dly.] [Sidenote: Christ Jesus his appointments undoubted means of Christian health and chearfulness.] Secondly, maintain an earnest longing, and endeavour to enjoy _Christ Jesus_, who is our _souls_ life in every holy _Ordinance_, which he hath appointed. If it be possible (with true _satisfaction_ to our _consciences_, and _doubts_ in _Gods_ presence) let us never rest from being planted into the holy _society_ of _Gods_ children, gathered into the _order_ of _Christ Jesus_, according to his most holy _will_ and _Testament_: Remembering that _Christian health_, _grouth_, and _flourishing_, are promised to the _Trees_ planted in _Jehovahs_ house: And that the holy _Ordinances_ are the _Lords provisions_, and soul _meals_, and _Breasts_ which he hath graciously appointed for his _children_, of all _sorts_, and _ages_. [Sidenote: Prayer with fasting a most Christian and mighty ordinance.] Especially be much in holy _prayer_, and _fasting_ before the _Lord_: this is an _Ordinance_ of which neither _Pope_ nor _Devill_ could ever deprive a _child_ of _God_: If it be possible practice this duty with others, however before the _Lord_ in secret: remembring how frequent the _children_ of _God_ in holy _scripture_ were in this _duty_. _Daniel_ is an heavenly _pattern_: and so is _David_, who wept and chastised his soul with _fasting_ although he was reproached for it, _Psal. 69_. Our holy _Bridegroom_ the _Lord Jesus_, tels us that the _Bridegroom_ shall be taken away, and then his servants fast: as if he had expressly named the times of the _Antichristian bondage_, wherein the _followers_ of _Jesus_, like the blessed _Women_, (_John the 20_.) _weeping_, cry out, they have taken away my _Lord_, and I know not where they have laid him. This holy _Ordinance_ is of such admirable use among the _Saints_, that even in the first, and purest times of _Christianity_, we read of _Christian yoak fellows_, consenting to a _separation_ from each other, for a time that they may give themselves to _prayer_, and _fasting_, 1. Cor: 7. _Obj._ But some say _fasting_ as it seems to be more proper to the _Old Testament_, so seems it not so usefull in the _New Covenant_, when more _spirituall_ worship, and _spirituall_ joys seem more _suitable_, and _seasonable_. [Sidenote: The excellent use of prayer and fasting.]