Christian Religion, Catechism · Part 28
HEST. chap. 9. verſ. 16. vntounto the 24.
HAuing heard of the extraordinarie prayer in faſting, there remaineth to ſpeake of that which is in a holy feaſting. VVhat is it?
It is a thankſgiuing vntounto God for ſome ſingular benefit, or deliuerance from ſome notable euill, either vponupon vsus, or hanging ouer vsus; which he hath beſtowed vponupon vsus, eſpecially after in faſting wee hauehave begged the ſame at his hand.
VVhat ought eſpecially to be the time of this prayer?
The time that is neereſt vntounto the mercy and benefit which we hauehave receiued: as wee ſee in this ſtory; where the Iewes that were in the countrie, and in the prouinces did celebrate it the fourteenth day of the monethmonth Adar; becauſe they had ouerthrowne their aduerſaries the thirteenth day before: and the Iewes that were in Suſa, becauſe they made not an end of the ſlaughter of their enemies before the fourteenth day was paſt, they celebrated their feaſt the fifteenth. Looke 2. Chron. 2….26. And the example of Iacob, checked for deferring the paiment of his vow at Bethleem.
Wherefore ought we to take the thou that is next the deliuerance?
Becauſe we being moſt ſtrongly and throughly affected with the benefit we receiue the firſt time it is beſtowed vponupon vsus, eſpecially when there is not onelyonly a notable benefit befallen vntounto vsus, but that thereby alſo wee are freed from foure notable euill that was vponupon vsus, or neere vntounto vsus, wee are then moſt fit to hold a feaſt vntounto the Lord.
Why is the ordinance of a yeerely feaſt by Mar…ocheus, rather commanded vponupon the day after the ſlaughter of their enemies, then the day of the ſlaughter?
To ſet forth, that reioycing ought not to bee ſo much for the deſtruction of our enemies, as that thereby we obtaine peace to ſerue God in.
Wherein doth this feast conſiſt?
The ſcope and drift of it is, to reioyce before the Lord; and to ſhew our ſelues thankfull for the benefit receiued: not onelyonly in that we are deliuered; but that we are deliuered by prayer we hauehave made vntounto God; whereby our ioy encreaſeth, and whereby it differeth from the ioy of the wicked, which reioyce that they are deliuered, as well as we.
How muſt that be best performed?
Partly by outward and bodily exerciſes; and partly by exerciſes of the mind.
What are the outward exerciſes?
A more liberall vſe of the creatures, both in meate and apparell, then is ordinarie.
May wee eate and drinke more that day then on others?
No: the exceeding is not in the quantity of meat and drinke; but in a more daintie and bountifull diet then ordinarie, which is to bee referred to the exerciſe of godlineſſe;Nehem. 8.10. and therefore ought to be vſed in that moderation and ſobrietie, at men may bee made more able thereunto; euen as the abſtinence in faſting is vſed to a further humiliation of the mind, and affecting of the ſoule.
What is the exerciſe of godlineſſe?
It is either in pietie and duety vntounto God, or in kindneſſe vntounto men,
What is the dutie vntounto God?
To lift vp our voice in thankſgiuing vntounto him, as for all other his mercies, whereof this benefit ſhould cauſe the remembrance;Pſal. 5.1. as one ſinne cauſeth the remembrance of others; ſo for that preſent benefit: and for that purpoſe to call to remembrance and compare the former euils which either wee were in, or were neere vntounto, with the preſent mercy, and eueryevery part of the one, with the member of the other.
What other duely of pietie is to bee performed vntounto God?
By a diligent meditation of the preſent benefit, to confirme our faith and confidence in God; that hee that hath ſo mightilie and gratiouſly deliuered vsus at this time; will alſo in the ſame or the like dangers deliuer vsus hereafter, ſo farre as the ſame ſhall be good for vsus.
What is the kindneſſe we ſhould ſhew towards men?
An exerciſe of liberality according to our power, out of the feeling of the bountifull hand of God toward vsus.
To whom muſt that be ſhewed?
To our friends, in preſents,Reuel. 11.10. Nehem. 8.10. and as it were in new-yeeres gifts, and portions, to be ſent to the poore and needie.
What remaineth further of theſe holy feaſts?
The ſorts and kinds of them, which are, as before we hauehave heard of faſts.