1The holy Scripture appoints no time under the new Testament to fast: but leaves ⟨p. 631⟩it unto Christians own free choice, Rom. 14.3. 1 Cor. 7.5. to fast as occasions shall be offered unto them, Mat. 9.15. As when a man becomes an humble and earnest suitor unto God for the pardon of some gross sin committed,2 or for the prevention of some sin, whereunto a man feels himself by Satan solicited: or to obtain some special blessing which he wants: or to avert some Judgement, which a man fears, or is already fallen upon himself or others: or lastly,3 to subdue his flesh unto his spirit, that he may more cheerfully pour forth his Soul unto God by prayer. Upon these occasions a man may fast a aday or blonger, as his ⟨p. 632⟩occasion requires, and the constitution of his body, and other needful affairs will permit.
1The holy Scripture appoints no time vnder the new Testament to fast: but leaues ⟨p. 631⟩it vnto Christians owne free choyse, Rom. 14.3. 1 Cor. 7.5. to fast as occasions shall be offered vnto them, Mat. 9.15. As when a man becomes an humble and earnest suiter vnto God for the pardon of some grosse sinne committed,2 or for the preuention of some sinne, whereunto a man feeles himselfe by Sathan sollicited: or to obtaine some speciall blessing which hee wants: or to auert some Iudgement, which a man feares, or is already fallen vpon himselfe or others: or lastly,3 to subdue his flesh vnto his spirit, that hee may more cheerefully poure forth his Soule vnto God by prayer. Vpon these occasions a man may fast a aday or blonger, as his ⟨p. 632⟩occasion requires, and the consti•u•ion of his body, and other needfull affayres will permit.
- 1Praeceptum esse Jeiunium video, quibus autem diebus non oporteat jeiunare, & quibus oporteat, praecepto Domini vel Apostolorum non inuenio definitum. August. ad Cassulan. Ep. 86.Praeceptum esse Ieiunium video, quibus autem diebus non oporteat ieiunare, & quibus oporteat, praecepto Domini vel Apostolorum non inuenio definitum. August. ad Cassulan. Ep. 86.
- 2Indifferenter jeiunandum, ex arbitrio, non ex imperio novae disciplinae, pro temporibus & causis uniuscuiusque. Tert. aduers. Psychic.Indifferenter ieiunandum, ex arbitrio, non ex imperio nouae disciplinae, pro temporibus & causis vniuscuiusque. Tert. aduers. Psychic.
- 3Montanus haereticus primus erat qui jeiuniorum leges praescripsit. Eus. Eccl. hist. li. 5. cap. 18. ex Apollon.Montanus haereticus primus erat qui ieiuniorum leges praescripsit. Eus. Eccl. hist. li. 5. cap. 18. ex Apollon.
- aLeu. 23.32. Josh. 7.6. 2 Sam. 3.35.Leu. 23.32. Iosh. 7.6. 2 Sam. 3.35.
- bHest. 4.16.
