Thus also _Paul_ and _Barnabas_ themselves, as we read in the following chapter, when they _returned again to_ Lystra, Iconium _and_ Antioch, _confirmed the souls of the disciples_; and _when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, commended them to the_ Lord, ver. 23. Yea, that blessings are to be obtained in the use of this means, which are no otherwise attainable, our Lord expresly declares in his answer to his disciples asking, [112]_Why could not we cast him out? Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit, this kind_ (of devils) _goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting_: these being the appointed means of attaining that faith, whereby the very devils are subject unto you. 11. These were the _appointed_ means. For it was not merely by the light of reason, or of natural conscience, (as it is called) that the people of God have been in all ages directed, to use fasting as a means to these ends. But they have been from time to time taught it of God himself, by clear and open revelations of his will. Such is that remarkable one by the prophet _Joel_, [113]_Therefore thus saith the_ Lord, _turn you unto me, with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning――Who knoweth if the_ Lord _will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Then will the_ Lord _be jealous over his land, and will spare his people. Yea, I will send you corn and wine and oil――I will no more make you a reproach among the Heathen._ Nor are they only temporal blessings which God directs his people to expect in the use of these means. For at the same time that he promised to those who should seek him with fasting, and weeping, and mourning, _I will render you the ears which the grashopper hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpiller and the palmer-worm, my great army_, he subjoins, _So shall ye eat and be satisfied, and praise the name of the_ Lord _your_ GOD――_Ye shall also know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the_ Lord _your_ God. And then immediately follows the great gospel-promise, _I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit._