A06783:37
A fruitful treatise of fasting
A fruitful treatise of fasting wherein is declared what the Christen fast is, how we ought to fast, [and] what the true use of fasting is. Newly made by Thomas Becon.A fruitful treatise of fasting wherin is declared what ye Christen fast is, how we ought to fast, [and] what ye true vse of fastyng is. Newlye made by Thomas Becon.
printed by John Day, 1551printed by Ihon Day, 1551
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
¶The .vi. Chapter.
Hear peradventure some man will say, Is it ungodly to fast at the commandment of man?1 What if the Magistrates cause a fast to be proclaimed? Ought it not to be observed of their subjects? I answer. If the high powers at any time commandeth fasting, so that it be done unto ⟨image 18⟩a godly end, and riseth not of superstition, it ought to be observed of the subjects. For we have examples hereof in the holy scriptures, which do both set forth the authority of Magistrates in commanding fasting, and also the obedience of subjects in observing the same.
HEare peraduenture some manne wyll saye, Is it vngodlye to faste at the commaundemente of manne?1 What if the Magistrates cause a faste to be proclaymed? Ought it not to be obserued of theyr subiects? I aunsweare. If the hye powers at anye tyme commaundeth fastynge, so that it bee doone vnto ⟨image 18⟩a godlye ende, and ryseth not of supersticion, it oughte to bee obserued of the subiectes. For wee haue examples hereof in the holye scryptures, whyche doo bothe sette forthe the authoritie of Magistrates in commaundynge fastynge, and also the obedyence of subiects in obseruing the same.
- 1Fasts com•••ded of the high powers.