The Holy Exercise of a True Fast, Title page

The Holy Exercise of a True Fast · Title page

THE HOLIE exerciſe of a true Faſt, deſcribed out of Gods word.

¶ IOEL. 2. 12. 13. Turne you vntounto me (ſaith the Lord) vvith all your heart, and vvith fasting, and vvith vveeping, and vvith mourning. And rent your heart, and not your clothes: and turne vntounto the Lord your God, for he is gratious, and merciful, ſlovve to anger, and of great kindneſse, and repenteth him of the euill.

Seene and allowed.

AT LONDON, Printed for Iohn Hariſon, and Thomas Man.

AN. 1580.

p. 3THE HOLIE EXERCISE OF A true Faſt, deſcribed out of Gods word.

IT IS AN EVIdent declaration, of a maruellous blindneſſe which is in vsus, to order our ſteps towardes the kingdome of heauen: that like children newe come into the worlde, we know not when to eate, and when to forbeare eating, no further then we hauehave our direction out of Gods word. But it is yet more maruell, that in ſo ſmall a matter, ſcarſe the hundred perſon, of thoſe which profeſſe the name of Christ, knowe either how p. 4to enter into this way, or howe to turne them in it when they are entred, to any glory of God, or profite of them ſelues. For to let the Papistes goe, which through a ſhameful ſuperſtition in it, rather pine away their ſoules, then take downe their bodies: it is a ſhame to ſpeake, how few there are, of thoſe which beare the name of Gospellers, that hauehave ſo much as the knowledge of this exerciſe, ſo far are they from any lawfull and right practiſe of it. For a great number as a needleſſe thing, reiect it altogether. For ſhaking off the Popiſh yoke, from their owne neckes, by vſing, or rather, abuſing their libertie: they ſuffer their ſeruants to remaine ſtill vnderunder it. Which custome, vnleſſe it be thorough p. 5infirmitie of body, or ſome other weightie cauſe: it can hardly eſcape the hot and vehement ſuspicion, either of belly gods, if thinking it religious in their ſeruants, they them ſelues will not obſerue it: or of a couetous minde, if hauing no ſuch opinion of it, they doe notwithſtanding conſtraine their ſeruants therevnto. An other ſort there be, which being afraide of the reproch of belly gods, and thinking it, ſitting to the Chriſtian profeſſion, to keepe the fleſh in ſome bridle: allowe (in deede) of the exerciſe of faſting, but for want of knowledge of a better, they ſticke ſtill in the mire of the Popiſh faſt. For remedie whereof, there followeth a treatiſe, whereby the true faſt being vnderſtanded: p. 6as wel the prophane opiniō, of thoſe which reiect this exerciſe, as the fooliſh ſuperſtition of thoſe, which cōtent thē ſelues with a ſhadow therof, is laid open.

Fasting therefore, is an abstinence commaunded of the Lorde: thereby to make ſolemne profeſſion of our repentance. Wherein, that which is ſaide of the Lord commaunding it: is to be conſidered againſt thoſe, whiche would thruſt this exerciſe, out of the doores of Chriſtian Churches. For the repreſſing of which errour, let that be called to remembrance, whiche the Lord commaunded by Moſes: **Leuit. 16. 29, 30, 31, & 23. 27. to 33 Num. 29. 7.Lev 16:29Lev 16:30Lev 16:31Lev 23:27–33Num 29:7that eueryevery ſoule once a yeare ſhould humble it ſelfe, in faſting before the Lord, in one of the great aſſemblies p. 7of his people. For although the ceremonie of the day be taken away by the comming of our Sauiour Chriſte: yet the thing it ſelfe is no more taken away, then a reſt for Gods ſeruice is baniſhed, bicauſe the Iewes Saboth is aboliſhed. For, when as (no doubt) the conſideration of the fast was, that the wrath of God, ſhould not breake out against them, or being brokē out, ſhould be cauſed to returne home againe: the ſame cauſe remaining, there is good reaſon the ſame effect ſhould continue. And when it is an hūbling of a man before his God: was there any degree of casting downe, neceſſarie for that people, whiche is not neceſſarie for vsus? either ought thei to hauehave gone downe lower p. 8into the conceit of their vnworthineſſe, then we into the conſcience of our guiltineſſe? whoſe benefites as they are greater then theirs, ſo the abuſe of them ſhould driue vsus, to the loweſt humiliation that can be, ſo it be lawfull and warrantable by the word of God.

But if this holy exerciſe of Fasting, doe not clearely enough appeare, to be no fading or ſhadowing ceremonie, by this ſet and ordinarie Faſt, bicauſe the like doth not agree with the time of the Gospell: yet by other moueable and vncertain faſtes, which were holden vponupon occaſion, the ſame may be more ſtrongly ſtrengthened. For where we ſee the like occaſion of faſt, that was then: p. 9there we may be aſſured of the ſame commaundement to faſt, that was giuen them: commaundement I ſay, leaſt any man thinking it to be a will worſhip, taken vp at the pleaſure of men, might thinke he had as good (or better) right to lay it downe, thē they had, to take it vp. For proofe whereof, that one place of the Prophet Ioel Ioel. 2. 12.Joel 2:12ſhall ſuffice, which, vponupon occaſion of a great dearth in the lande, commaundeth in the Lords behalfe, to ſanctifie a fast. By which one cōmandement, it is euident, that other faſtes, which were kept, either by the Churches publiquely, or by ſome of the faithfull priuatly: were done in obedience, and not at the randon of mans inuention. If this be not ſufficient, to ſubdue our p. 10ſturdie affections, to this ſo holy an exerciſe: yet at the leaſt, let them ſtoupe vnderunder ſo manifest, both doctrine and examples hereof, by the Churches of GOD vnderneath the Gospell. For when as our Sauiour Chriſt, being charged by the Phariſees Luk. 5. 33.Luke 5:33and Iohns Diſciples, that his Diſciples fasted not, ſo aunſwered, that he did not only not condemne it, but highly alſo commend it, ſo it were done ſeaſonably: It is plaine, that the libertie which the Gospell bringeth, hath not remoued the ancient bound of a Christian faſt. And if we looke into the practiſe, whereby the way chalked out by his doctrine, is troden and beaten plaine vntounto vsus by examples: it will ſoone be ſeene, how greatly p. 11they deceiue them ſelues, which vnderunder the colour of greater perfectiō attained vnderunder the Gospel, caſt away the aſſistance, that the Lord offreth by this exerciſe. For if we enquire of the Churches and Apostles faſting, then was it most often, when they were fulleſt of the graces of God: that is, after the ſolemne ſending of the holy Ghoſt.

If we thinke then, that this exerciſe of faſt, be too ceremonius, bicauſe it was tied to a certaine day: the commaundement to holde it without any ſuch restraint, vntounto a certaine time, ought to correct that thought of ours. If we ſtande in feare, that it ſhould be too Iewiſh: the doctrine of the Gospell is ready, to pull vsus out of p. 12that feare. If preſumption of greater graces, then thoſe which ſhould need ſuch a ſupplie, doe bring this faſt out of conceit with vsus: the practiſe of it by the holy Apoſtles, at the higheſt toppe of their perfection in this world, will eaſily ſet vp the credite thereof againe. But if faſtes, neither ſtanding nor ſitting, neither vnderunder the lawe, nor vnderunder the Gospell, neither of the weaker, nor of the ſtronger, can draw vsus into louelove, and (in louelove) into practiſe thereof: it must needes be confeſſed, that there is a maruellous poiſon of rebellion in our natures, which all this triacle of the Lords high authoritie, and of ſuch authorized examples of the children of God, will not cast foorth. Howbeit, the Lorde p. 13leaueth vsus not here, but vntounto his Lordly authoritie, of commaunding this exerciſe of faſt, hath added fatherly promiſes, to allure vsus vntounto the ſame: as towardes the end of this treatiſe, ſhall plainely appeare.

This exerciſe therfore of faſting, being both of ſuch authoritie, and of ſo great weight to pul wrath vponupon vsus, if it be neglected: let vsus nowe ſee in …hat things (especially) it doth conſiſt. And they are in number two. The former is of the outward, and (as the Apoſtle calleth it,) of the bodily exerciſe: 1. Tim. 4. 8.1 Tim 4:8the other is of the inward vertues, helped forward by the bodily exerciſes. For the outward ceremonie, it is an abſtinence for a time, from the commodities and pleaſures p. 14of this life, therby to make vsus the apter to the inward vertue. And th… outward abſtinence is therfore commaunded, that we ſhould both feele and in feeling, profeſſe that we are vnworthie either of life, or of any thing that belōgeth to the vpholding thereof. And albeit, it may appeare but a childiſh thing to carnall men, and a thing vnworthie the wiſedome of the Gospell, to place any thing i… this bodily exerciſe, ſeeing that the Lorde is a ſpirit, and will be worſhipped in ſpirit and trueth, and ſeeing that they being of their owne nature, neither good nor euill, can not make vsus either better or worſe: yet if we conſider that it is the Lordes ordinance, who hath ſo commanded it, w… p. 15can not be but most aſſured, that the Lorde who hath ſo inſtituted it, will giuegive it a bleſſing, and cauſe it to proſper, to that end wherevnto he hath ordained it: if we vndertake it in his feare, and in a conſcience of obeying the Lordes commaundement. Thoſe 1. Cor. 9. 251 Cor 9:25which came either to runne, or to wraſtle for the beſt game: were wont to abſtaine from ſuch things, as might hinder their exerciſe, or make them leſſe able to performe thē with praiſe. And whatſoeuer, either pith in their armes, or ſwiftneſſe in their legges, they had otherwiſe: yet as they neglected not that abſtinence, ſo they found that it greatly profited them, to the better breathing and other inhabling of them, to their exerciſes. p. 16And ſhall we thinke, that the dyet which the Lorde him ſelfe hath appointed, to the fitting of vsus towardes the ſpiritual wrastling with our fleſhly mind, ſhal not hauehave a ſingular fruit? And if there were no other fruit of this abstinence, but that the enimies mouth ſhould thus be ſtopped, which charge the Gospell, to ſet open a ſchoole to allicentiouſneſſe of eating, & to giuegive (as it were) a ſauce to prouoke mens appetites thervnto, which are otherwiſe too ſharpe ſet of them ſelues: it ſhould be no ſmall effect of our abstinence. In deed the Papistes charge vponupon vsus, is here the ſame and no other, then the Phariſees, againſt Luke. 5. 33.Luke 5:33the Diſciples of our Sauiour Christ: but why ſhould not we, if we deſire p. 17that the Goſpel ſhould be wel ſpokē of, take away the occaſiō of ſuch ſpeches.

But let vsus ſee wherein this abſtinence doth conſiſt, where firſt of all commeth to be conſidered, the abstinence from meates and drinkes, whereof (as the principall of the outward 2. Sam. 12. 16. 17. Ezr. 10. 6. Leui. 23. 32. Iudg. 20. 262 Sam 12:162 Sam 12:17Ezra 10:6Judg 20:26obſeruations) the whole exerciſe tooke the name. And the word it ſelfe with the practiſe declare, that it is not only a ſober vſe of meats, which ought to be continual al the life long, or a more ſparing diet then at other times: but an vtter abstinence from euening to euening, from all kinde of meates and drinkes. Whereby it appeareth, that the Popiſh fast is nothing leſſe, then the faſt which the Scripture teacheth: for they breake p. 18the necke of this abſtinence, both by fulneſſe and by delicacie. By fulnes, in that it is lawfull (as other dayes) at dinner to fill them ſelues with any thing, fleſh only excepted: at euening and morning to fill them ſelues with bread and drinke. By delicacie for that, where men on that day, ſhould content them ſelues with common & courſe meates, ſufficient only for preſeruation of health: the Papistes in their abſtinence, did either not ſo much as aime at this marke, or elſe they ſhot groſſely wide. For in permitting the vſe of all things at their dinner, beſides fleſh: it is euident, that they left greater dainties, and greater ſtirrers of fleſhly luſtes, then they did cut off. And beſides, the dainties p. 19in meates: wine, (then which there is nothing more prouoking) was as vſuall that day as of others. And at euening, when they would giuegive the clearest testimonie of their abſtinence, and when they did light their candels (as it were) to ſhewe their abstinence by: the greateſt part of thoſe that were both able and might finde in their hearts, to bestowe it of them ſelues, had their tables furniſhed with ſpice bread, with fruites of this ſide and beyond the ſeas, with Marmelet and Sucket, and ſuch like: then which dealing, what could be more childiſh? to deny the tasting, only of one morſell of fleſh, and to permit a fulneſſe of bread: to forbid the courſer meats & table, which might p. 20hauehave bene furniſhed for two pence, & to drawe in the delicatest meates, which could not be prouided for twē tie ſhillings: to reſtraine the vſe of things bred at home, and to leaue the vſe free of things fetched out of Barbarie: finally to condemne the eating of a peece of ſmoakie and reaſtie bakon, and to iuſtifie the banqueting and iunqueting diſhes, which are before mentioned. That I ſpeak nothing of ſome of the poorer ſort, which vponupon the Thurſday at night, and Friday at dinner, would fill their bellies the fuller, that they might paſſe ouer their abſtinence, with leſſe feeling the want of their accuſtomed diet. All which things, as we condemne in the Papistes: ſo we must carefully take p. 21heede that they be not found in vsus: vnleſſe we hauehave forgot, that in iudgeing them we condemne our ſelues, Rom. 2. 1.Rom 2:1when as we do the ſame things, whiche we finde fault worthy in them.

An other of theſe corporall exerciſes is watching, or a cutting ſhort of our ordinarie ſleepe: which we may apply to the furtherance of this exerciſe. For beſide that this abſtinence, is a remouing of ordinarie pleaſures and commodities: it appeareth, that ſome thing alſo ſhould be pared from it. For beſide that it is meete that there ſhould be a certaine conformitie and ſutableneſſe of our whole behauiour, all the time of the faſt: the Prophet Ioel exhorting the Prieſtes Ioel. 1. 13.Joel 1:13to this holy exerciſe of faſt, biddeth p. 22them that they ſhould continue in ſackcloth in the night time, extending this exerciſe (at the leaſt) to ſom part of the night. Where notwithſtanding it is to be noted, that as well in the former abſtinence from meate, as in this withdrawing of ſome part of ſleepe, that neither is ſo ſtreightly required of the Lord, but that thoſe whoſe either diſeaſe, or other infirmitie will not beare this abſtinence, without hazard of their health, may vſe ſo much libertie, as ſhall ſerue for the preſeruation of their health: ſo they take heed they vſe not this gentle dealing of the Lord, as a cloake to hide the lustes of their fleſh withall. A third kinde of abstinence is in the apparell, that albeit they put not on p. 23ſackcloth and aſhes, as the holy fathers did in times paſt, yet that they content them ſelues with a common kinde of attire, auoyding all ſuch coſtlineſſe and curioſitie, wherby in tricking and trimming vp them ſelues, the fleſh may take occaſion of being proud. Thus the lord, when he would hauehave the children of Iſrael to humble Exod. 33. ….Exod 33them ſelues before him: ſpake to Moſes, ſaying, ſpeake vntounto the children of Iſrael, that for the preſent time, they lay aſide their iewels and ornaments, that I may knowe what I ſhall do with them. And thus farre hath it bene ſpoken of the outward exerciſes, which are generall, and to be don of al, which make this ſolemne profeſſion of repentance. There is one p. 24yet which is more ſpeciall, belonging vntounto married perſons alone, which is, that they for the time, ſhould with conſent abſtaine from the mutuall felowſhip 1. Cor. 7. 5.1 Cor 7:5one of an other, which is ſo ſtraitly required, that euen the bridgrome Ioel. 2. 16.Joel 2:16and the bride, (which of all other ought to hauehave the greatest priuiledge in that point) are bidden at ſuch times, to come out of their chā bers.

But for as much as, the kingdome Rom. 14. 17Rom 14:17of heauen ſtandeth not in theſe thinges, and the Lorde being a ſpirit, will be worſhipped in ſpirite and trueth: either theſe exerciſes must lead vsus to ſome farther thing, or elſe the ſame accuſation will lye againſt vsus, wherewith the Prophet charged the p. 25Iſraelites, who contenting themſelues with the outwarde ceremony of Eſay. 58. 30Isa 58:30abstinence, were ſent home as emptie as they came. And in deede, vnleſſe we bring more with vsus, thē this our abſtinency, our fastes may bee matched with the beaſtes faſt of Niniuie, for they alſo both eate nothing, Ionas. 3. 7.Jonah 3:7and were couered with ſackcloth: yea the beastes faſt, may be ſo much better then ours, as there be ſome kinds of beaſtes, that can longer endure without meate and ſleepe then wee. Where the Papistes faſt, which was ſhewed before to be childiſhe, may here be proued to be beaſtly and brutiſh. For if they did onelyonly abſtaine from meate, they iudged themſelues to hauehave bolden a good faſt vntounto the p. 26Lorde. There followe the inwarde vertues helped forward by the bodily exerciſe, which in the number * two. …ſdra. 6. 21.The one is the humbling and caſting downe of our ſelues, before the high maiestie of God, with ſorrow for our ſinnes: the other, is the aſſurance that we hauehave, that with forgiueneſſe of them, we ſhall obtaine the thinge that we ſtande in need of, and make ſute for.

Here therefore, firſt commeth to be conſidered, our humbling and caſting downe, which is a vile eſteeming of our ſelues, aunſwering to the outward exerciſe. For therefore doe we abstaine for a time, that we might therby hauehave a quicker feeling of our owne vnworthineſſe. Therefore p. 27we bring downe the bodie, that the minde may be likewiſe brought downe. Therefore we crucifie the fleſh, that the deſerued death of the ſpirite, may be the better knowen. Therfore we abstaine from our pleaſures Mark. 2. 20. Luk. 5. 35. Math. 9. 15.Mark 2:20Luke 5:35Matt 9:15and commodities, that through conſcience of ſinne, and feeling of the wrath of God, either preſent, or to come for the ſame: we might drawe our ſelues to a greater ſorrowe. In which reſpect, the exerciſe which the other Euangeliſtes call fasting, Saint Mathew calleth mourning. Here-vppon Ioel. 2. 17. 1. Sam. 7. 6.Joel 2:171 Sam 7:6it cometh, that weeping which is a witneſſe of our ſorrowe, is annexed vntounto the faſt; which the children of God hauehave don ſo plentifully in this exerciſe, that they hauehave bene ſayde, p. 281. Sam. 7. 6.1 Sam 7:6to hauehave drawne whole bucketes of water: which the depth of the ſorowe for their ſinnes, & the anger of God, againſt them hath miniſtred. And as theſe outwarde exerciſes are commaunded, to drawe vsus to a feeling of our vnworthineſſe: ſo in the feeling thereof, by them we make a ſolempne confeſſion of the ſame. For the Children of God in time paſt, by their abſtinence from meate and drinke, confeſſed themſelues vnworthy ſo much as of a crumme of bread, or droppe of water: by putting on ſackcloth, vnworthie of the worſt ragge to couer their ſhame with. So that if common honestie and health would hauehave ſuffered, they woulde hauehave ſtripped them ſelues ſtarke naked. The ſame p. 29is to be vnderstanded, of the benefite of ſleepe, and company of mariage, as alſo of all other the commodities of this life: whereof they did not onelyonly confeſſe themſelues vnworthie, but in that they put duſt & aſhes vponupon their heads, they gaue to vnderſtand, that they were vnworthy of the life it ſelf, and that they deſerued to be as farre vnderneath the ground, as they were aboue it: yea if there had beene any thing, apter to hauehave ſet foorth their euerlasting condemnation in hell, of that alſo woulde they hauehave borne the marke, thereby to declare their guilt and deſert of the ſame. So that hereby they doe iustifie the Lorde, in that vengeaunce against them: whereof by this humbling of themſelues, they p. 30ſeeke redreſſe. If then we keepe a holy faſt vntounto the Lord, we muſt thereby be humbled in our ſelues before the Lorde: but if vppon confidence of our faſting, wee waxe bolder to ſinne, in a perſuation that through Luk. 5. 33. Luk. 18. 11.Luke 5:33Luke 18:11obedience giuen vntounto him, in this one point, wee may be bolder to be diſobedient in others: or if the vſe hereof doe make vsus ſwell againſt our brethren, and after the example of the Phariſees, deſpiſe them which do not faſt as we doe: then is the fast, appointed of the Lord for our medicine, become our bane and poyſon.

And therefore here nowe, wee giuegive a newe charge vppon the Popiſh fast, a great deale more hot then the former. For ſeeing that they with p. 31the proude Phariſee, boaſt of the merite of their faſtes, ſetting theſe faſtes (as other workes) in the place of the bloode of Christ: It is manifest, that their fastes are ſo farre frō humbling them, that through the opinion of them, they riſe vp againſte the Lorde, and doe their beſt to ſet themſelues, euen in the throne of God: ſo that vntounto the childiſhneſſe & brutiſhnes, of their fast aboue mentioned, here they hauehave added an horrible & blaſphemous ſacriledge. To the cō paſſing of this true humbling of our ſinnes, is annexed neceſſarily, an information and meditation of the filthineſſe of our ſinnes, and of the iuſte vengeance of the Lord againſt them, declared in the threateninges of the p. 32law, and execution of the iudgementes of God against the wicked, and namely againſt our Sauiour Christ, who putting vppon himſelfe our wickedneſſe, ſuffered hell paines for it: and ſpecially an information and meditation of thoſe, both ſinnes and puniſhmentes, which the preſent time and perſons doe giuegive occaſion of. And thus farre touching the first part of the inwarde vertues in faſting; ſtanding in the caſting downe of our ſelues before the Lord.

There followeth the other part, which is a profeſſion of our faith, that we ſhall be lifted vp as high, through the grace of the Lord our God in Ieſus Chriſt, as the conſcience of our ſinnes doth caſt vsus downe: and that p. 33we ſhall obtaine, the remouing of the euills tending to our destruction, (through the worthineſſe of our Sauiour Christ,) which either preſently preſſe vsus, or hange ouer our heads, through our owne vnworthineſſe. For as true repentance, casting vsus downe with one hand, both in ſorrowe for our ſinnes, and confeſſion of the ſame, leaueth vsus not in our downefall, but through faith, reacheth vsus the other hand, to lift vsus vp againe: ſo this ſolemne profeſſion of our repentance, carying vsus first to the valley of trouble, afterward bringeth vsus backe againe, to the gate of hope. In which respest, we alwayes finde in the holy Scriptures, **Ezra. 9. 5. Nehem. 1. 4. Dan. 9. 3. Iudg. 20. 26 Luke. 5. 33. 1. Cor. 7. 7.Ezra 9:5Neh 1:4Dan 9:3Judg 20:26Luke 5:331 Cor 7:7that faſting is ioyned with praier, **2. Chron. 20. 6. Iames. 1. 6. Iohn. 16. 23.2 Chr 20:6Jas 1:6John 16:23which cā neuer p. 34be truly made, without hope of obtaining the grace, that is prayed for. But for as much as prayer, is a daily and ordinarie exerciſe of Gods children: it is manifeſt **Ionas. 3. 8. Eſay. 58. 4.Jonah 3:8Isa 58:4that by the prayer which is coupled with faſting, there is vnderſtanded a ſpeciall or peereleſſe kinde of prayer, both in zeale and ſtrength of prayer, as alſo in continuance of the ſame. Whereby appeareth, that here is an other vſe of the outward abſtinence, that it might be as it were a wing, wherewith the praier, that otherwiſe through earthly affections, creepeth vponupon the grounde, might the eaſilier flee vp into heauē: and that it might be a grindeſtone, to make a point of it, that it may pearce, and to ſet an edge that it may p. 35cut, both the viſible and inuiſible enimies, which we pray againſt. And therefore the outwarde abſtinence that pulleth downe the body, helpeth to lift vp the minde, and crucifying the fleſh, it quickneth the ſpirite, and maketh it more liuely to this exerciſe. Where yet againe the Popiſh faſt is found inſufficient, which vponupon the dayes of their faſtes, had no extraordinarie exerciſes of prayer: more then other dayes which were not faſted. To the better performance alſo of this part, is annexed an informatiō and meditation, of the gracious promiſes of GOD, especially ſuch as may ſerue for reliefe of the preſent occaſions.

Wherin the better to correct our dulneſſe p. 36and heauineſſe to this ſo holy an exerciſe, let vsus remember, that it is to obtaine ſome ſpeciall grace at the hand of the Lord. Whereby it is giuen vsus to vnderstand, that vponupon due holding of this fast vntounto the Lord, there be excellent promiſes & a most ſingular reward. Whereof the place of Ioel, as it ſpake before, for the commaundement of all the fastes, …oel. 2. 13. … 19. 20.which the people of God vſed, ſo will it vndertake for the promiſes, which the Lorde hath made, to all thoſe which ſubmit them ſelues to the obedience thereof. The truth of which promiſes is ſo manifest in the Scriptures: as the Sunne (at noone dayes) can be no clearer. For let all the fastes of the holy Churches, and of p. 37godly men laid out in Scripture, both of the olde and newe Teſtament be **Iudg. 20. 23. Ezra. 19. 6▪ Heſt. 4. 16. 2. Chron. 20. 3.Judg 20:232 Chr 20:3turned ouer: and it ſhall be ſeene, that the end of their fast (which kept it in any meaſure of trueth and ſimplicitie) was a feast, and the iſſue of their mourning, great reioyſing. For, Dan. 9. 20. Ionah. …. 10▪Dan 9:20albeit the ordinarie prayers of the faithfull, returne not emptie vntounto them againe: yet hauing regarde vntounto theſe, which are ioyned with this exerciſe, they may worthily ſeem to be barren, which are otherwiſe Act. 12. 5. Act. 13. 2.Acts 12:5Acts 13:2fruitfull, and to be blasted, which otherwiſe ſeeme ful eared. Yea the faſt of the wicked king Achab, ioined with 1. Regum. 21▪ 27.1 Kgs 21:27no true repentance, nor ſo much as with any true knowledge how to ſerue the Lord, but performed in ſome ſort p. 38onelyonly in keeping of the outward and bodily ceremonte, went not vnrewarded from the Lorde. For euen by the very ſhadowe of his exerciſe, the execution of that iudgement, which was awarded againſt him, touching his vtter raſing from the kingdome of Iſrael: was differred vntill his ſonnes dayes. Nowe, if the comming within the ſhadowe of this exerciſe, doeth heale ſome diſeaſes: what will it doe if wee come to touche the bodye thereof? and if the leaues of it, hauehave ſome vertue to preſerue men from the vengeance of God: howe ſoueraigne is the fruit, to deliuer vsus from the wrath to come? And if the ordinarie obedience of the children of GOD, goeth not emptie, and vnrewarded p. 39from the preſence of GOD: this extraordinarie obedience and exerciſe, in the worſhippe of GOD, must needes receiue ſpeciall, and extraordinarie bleſſinges from his hande. When Benhadab 1. Regum. 20. 29.1 Kgs 20:29the Syrian king, ouercome by Achab king of Iſrael, was out of hope of any ſafetie, at the length by the aduice of his ſeruaunts, he put him 1. Reg. 20. 31. to 35.1 Kgs 20:31–35ſelfe and his companie in ſackcloth, with ropes about their neckes: thinking by humbling them ſelues before the king, to obtaine pardon, which came to paſſe accordingly. If therefore, men in hope of obtaining pardon, will humble them ſelues to them, of whome they hauehave no promiſe, that they ſhal obtaine any thing: p. 40howe much more ought we to doe it, which hauehave ſo ſure promiſes of good ſucceſſe? and if mercy was obtained of men, in whom there is ſcanta drop of that pitie and compaſſion, which is ſeafull in the Lorde: we may be well aſſured, that we ſhall not miſſe of it at his hande. And if one enimie, can looke for it at the hande of an other: we may with greater aſſurance, looke for it at the hande of the Lorde, to whome we are already reconciled, by the bloud of his ſonne.

T…erefore, if the authoritie of the Lorde ſhould not compell vsus: yet the most liberall and certaine promiſes, ſhould allure vsus to this exerciſe. Which if we doe not, what remaineth, but that ſuch as will not fast, p. 41with the ch…dren of GOD, must eate and drink… of the furious wrath of GOD, with the wicked: they that will not weepe with the one, must …owle with the other. And finally, they that will hauehave no part, in the obedience of the commaundement giuen hereof, to both the peoples, vnderunder the Lawe and vnderunder the Gospell, must hauehave no part in the promiſes made to any of them: according as the Lorde threateneth, that who ſo euer ſhall not afflict or humble his Leui. 23. 29. Luke. 5. 35.Luke 5:35ſoule with the rest, that he will destroy them from among his people.

The time of fasting is the time …f affliction, either for want of ſome great benefite needfull, or through p. 42feeling of ſome great iudgement preſent, or to come. Where the Popi… fast must paſſe an other condemnation, which maketh no difference o… choice of time: but appointeth eueryevery Friday, and other ſet euens yearely, whether the time be prosperous o… vnprosperous, whether it be peace o… warre, health or ſickneſſe, dearth o… plentie. Which is al one, as if the Phyſician ſhuld nowe appoint his patien… this day twentie or fortieyeres hence to take a purgation, or to be let bloud▪ In which caſe, either he must be … Prophet, rather then a Phyſician, t… knowe that he ſhall on that day, hau… neede of it: or elſe he must be a Phyſician of no value, ignorant, or vnfaithfull. As therefore the Phyſicia… p. 43openeth no vaine, but with ob…uation where the ſigne is, giueth … purgation, without heede taking … the time of the yeare, whether it … ſpring or fall, whether it be hot … colde: ſo it behoueth the ſpiritu… Phyſician, to hauehave an eye vntounto …e time, when this medicine is in …aſon. And ſo much the more, …re rather then there, as the daun…r is greater. For as a newe piece … cloth added to an olde garment, …keth ſomething from the olde, …d cauſeth the rent to be worſe, Luke. 5. 36.Luke 5:36…en before: ſo fasting vnfitly ap…lied, to the ſtate of thoſe that are …ioyned to keepe it, maketh them …orſe, then they were before the faſt. …ea that which more is, as the newe p. 44Luke. 5. 37.Luke 5:37wine put into olde veſſels, doeth … onelyonly make them worſe, but bre… them all to pieces: ſo this fast thr… vponupon thoſe, which are not, either … the time, or for ſome other cauſe … for it, doeth vtterly destroy them▪ Whereby men may perceiue, wh… cauſe we hauehave to make a great co… ſcience of the Popiſh fast, as th… which is able of it ſelfe (if there we… no other corruptions amongest them to driue a man to eternall destruction.

According alſo to the greatneſſe of the affliction, the time of th… fast is taken, by the diſcretion o… Leuit. 23. 27. 28.Lev 23:27Lev 23:28thoſe, to whome it belongeth, at the least for a whole day. And if the wrath of the Lorde be hotter, then two p. 45dayes or **Eſter. 4. 16elſe three, as it appea… by the example of the Iewes in …ters time and of Saint Paul. Act. 9. 9.Acts 9:9…nd this time (what ſo euer) hath … nature of a Saboth. For therein Leuit. 23. 30. 31.Lev 23:30Lev 23:31… are bound to abstaine from their …ly labours, according to the ſame …ightneſſe, and with the ſame ex…ions, that they are bound to ob…e the Saboth. And therefore the Ioel. 2. 12. Leui. 23. 32.Joel 2:12…phet willeth them to ſanctifie a …: And the Lord threateneth, that … ſo euer ſhall doe any worke on … day, him ſhall he cut off from a…gest his people. The end whereof … that men ſetting them ſelues a … from their daily occupations, …t be wholy bestowed in the ſpi…all exerciſes aboue ſpecified. p. 46Whereby that we may knowe, … there was neuer a thread in the … cloth of the Popiſh fast, which … not throughly infected with the … rituall leproſie, of diſobedience v… the Lorde: it is to be noted, … where they ordayned many, … wicked and vnneceſſarie holie day… this * one (and beſides the Sab… the onelyonly holie day appointed of … Lorde) they quite raſed out of t… Kalender. And of the fast in ge… rall thus farre.

The kindes or ſortes of fastes … followe, which are either priuat… publique.

The priuate fast is that, whic… vndertaken vponupon ſome partic… calamitie, by the diſcretion of the … p. 47against whome the calamitie is ſent. And it is either of a particular man … houſhold. In the former whereof it … to be obſerued, that for as much as …he fast is ioyned with a ſeparation …om their daily occupations: that …either children, nor ſcholers, nor …eruantes, nor any other which be at …he dispoſition and gouernement of …thers, can chuſe any ſuch day ap…ointed for common occupations, without the conſent of thoſe that hauehave commaundement ouer them. Without which conſent, they must be …orced to holde their faſtes vponupon the Lordes day, or other dayes of rest, establiſhed in the places of their abode. For here the Lawe of the Lorde hath place, that if the wife, p. 48ſonne, or daughter, vowe a vowe vntounto Num. 30. 4.Num 30:4the Lord: that the huſband or father ſhall hauehave power to breake it.

The publique faſt is that, which is vndertaken vponupon ſome more generall calamitie of the Church, at the appointment of them, which (vnderunder Ioel. 2. 15.Joel 2:15Christ) hauehave the gouernement of the places, where the fast is holden. In this fast, bicauſe a publique aſſembly is commaunded: it followeth that the chiefe instruction of the foreſaid profeſſion of repentance, is to be fetched from the publique preaching of the word.

Now leauing the cauſes of the priuate faſts, to the examinatiō of eueryevery one, which cā beſt iudge of their own estate: let vsus conſider, what cauſes p. 49there be of a generall fast amongeſt vsus. Wherein that it may be ſeene, that the trumpet of fasting is blowen rather, by the breath of GOD, then by the mouth of man: let vsus take a ſhort vewe of the cauſes, of the fastes mentioned in the Scripture. The cauſe of the faſt is the wrath of God against the Church, where is to be conſidered, that the people of God hauehave not onelyonly regarded this wrath, againſt them ſelues particularly, but againſt others alſo, of the ſame ſocietie and fellowſhippe in religion that they were of, through a mutuall feeling and compaſſion which they hauehave one with an other: as in the exāple of the Church of Antioch, whoſe faſt Acte…. …3. 2.appeareth to hauehave ben taken in hand, p. 50rather for the miſerie of the Church of Ieruſalem, then for them ſelues. Now the Churches round about vsus, being fallen into great decay, partly by the ſpirituall miſeries, as well of the hereſies of Papiſts, Arrians, Anabaptiſts, the Familie of louelove &c. as alſo of the ſchiſme of Lutheraniſme daily preuayling, partly by bodily plagues of the peſtilence, almoſt in al places: of the ſword in our neighbour coūtries, and of the famine which waiteth cōmonly vpō the ſame: it is euident that therby groweth one cauſe of hūbling our ſelues before our God. And when this wrath is cōſidered, either in that which is alreadie come, or in that which may be feared ſhortly to come: to whether ſo euer of the cauſes we looke, we ſhal find, that we hauehave cauſe p. 51to fast. For what ſpirituall euil is in any of all their Churches, which are not altogether in ours? not one of thoſe detestable hereſies, but are lodged amongſt vsus. And although the ſchiſme of Lutheraniſme be not among vsus, yet there is almoſt a great diſtraction of minds for the Church gouernement, beſide the diuerſities of iudgementes in many other matters. And among bodily puniſhments, the plague hath indifferently fed, and yet doeth feed vpō vsus. The ſword hath ben ſhaked at vsus both in the North by traytours, and in the South by diſordered wicked perſons. And ſhuld it not ſtrik vsus that her maieſtie was of late in daunger of her life by a ſhot. Which that it was not meant towardes her, p. 52ought not to abate our care for her maieſtie, but rather encreaſe it: as that which was more nerely directed against her of the Lorde, to make both her and vsus to crie for his grauous couer and protection ouer her. And if we conſider the wrath that hangeth ouer our heades, the notes thereof are taken by the example of the people of God, and firſt of Ezra, Ezra. 9. 3.Ezra 9:3who vnderſtanding that the people had married ſtraunge women, faſted: wherevppon we hauehave this note of the wrath to come, that conſidering how that ſinne is committed openly in the land in diuerſe ſortes, that therefore anger is at hand. Here may be hādled with godly and diſcrete wiſdome the ſinnes of the lande.

p. 53The ſeconde note to knowe the tempeſt to come, is taken from the Niniuites faſt. Wherevppon we gather, Ionas. 3. 5.Jonah 3:5that for ſomuch as we are greeuouſly threatened, aſwell by the miniſters and ſeruauntes of the Lorde, that ſpeake in his name vntounto vsus, as alſo by his late ſhaking of the earth: that ſharpe iudgement (without repentaunce) muſt ſpedily come vppon vsus. The thirde is taken from ſignes of the wrath of god, which may break out againſt vsus: as in Hester, where Heſter. 4. 6Esth 4:6it was concluded at the requeſt of Hamon, of the deſtruction of the whole Church, wherewith may fitly be compared the holy league (as they ſay) and decree of the late coū cel of Trent, againſt the whole church p. 54and against ours particularly. An other ſigne, is the preparation made againſt the Church, or an indeuour to execute their malice, which draue Io …. Paral. 20.ſaphat and other moe to a faſt. Here the loftie countenaunces, and vndewtifull demeanour of the Papistes, may be conſidered, with their rebellious attempts in Ireland; as alſo the Spaniſh nauie, and great preparation made amongst them of the holy league, with the preſent troubles in Scotland, & like accidents, ſufficient to procure the practiſe of this holy exerciſe.