A fruitful treatise of fasting

That we therefore may humbly, reverently devoutly & honourably come unto the preaching, hearing or reading of the blessed word of God, let us not neglect this noble virtue of fasting, but after the example of the aforesaid godly men prepare our selves by the diligent exercise thereof, to be mete to handle so holy and heavenly mysteries. By this means shall it come to pass, y• god which is the author of the holy scripture shall alway be present with us by his holy spirit, and teach us the true knowledge of his godly will, unto the glory of his blessed name, the profit of his holy congregation, and the singular ⟨image 72⟩comfort of our conscience.

That we therfore maye humbly, reuerētly deuo•tely & honorably come vnto the preachyng, hearing or reading of the blessed word of God, let vs not neglecte thys noble vertue of fasting, but after the exāple of the aforesayd godly men pr•pare our selues by the diligent exercise therof, to be mete to handle so holye and heauenly misteries. By this meanes shal it come to passe, y• god which is the author of the holi scripture shal alwaye be present wyth vs by hys holy spirit, and teache vs the true knowledge of hys godly wyl, vnto the glory of his blessed name, the profit of hys holye congregacion, and the syngular ⟨image 72⟩comfort of our conscience.

Howe have we heard first what the true and Christen fast is.¹ Secondly, how we ought to fast. Thirdly, what the true use of fasting is.² It remaineth that we be not like that negligent servant which knoweth his masters will, and doth it not, & therefore is beaten with many stripes, but rather that we be likened unto that good seed which bringeth forth her increase, some an hundred fold,