Matthew Poole and continuators on Daniel 9:3

3 And I set my face unto the Lord GOD, to seek by prayers and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes .

Observe two things. 1 That deep revolting, and deep afflictions, calls for deep and solemn Humiliation. 2 Gods decrees and promises do not excuse us from Duty and Prayer, but include it and require it. God will be inquired of for those things which he hath purposed and promised to give his People, Ezek. 36.37. And if it be objected by any (as it is by Calovius) that Gods both threats and promises are absolute and not Hypothetical, as they will prove by Ier. 25.11, 12. and 29.10. Its answered that 1 Though it be spoken peremptorily and absolutely, yet not without a tacit condition and secret reserve in God, Ion. 3.4. 2 God often speaks positively to put sinners in the more awe of his judgments, and to drive them to repen[illegible: 1 letter]ance, Jer. 18.7, 8, 9, 10. 3 If God give a reason of his threatning, viz. because they have despised his Word and abused his Patience, 2 Chron. 36.15, 16. Luk. 19.42, 43, 44. then the Threat is absolute. 4 And if God add upon his threatnings such words as these, I will not hear you, pray not for this people; of which we have many instances, then its peremptory. 5 When the Threat and the judgment threatned is the fruit of Gods decree, then it is irreversable; not else. Mind all these Rules well in this Case.