A06783:48
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 .vii. Chapter
Furthermore the true and christen fast riseth either of an1 heart contrite and sorrowful for the sins committed against God, or else of a mind fervently given to godliness. As touching that fast, which cometh from a contrite and sorrowful heart for the since committed against God, it is a worthy and noble fast in the sight of God, and can not but highly please him.2 For the Psalmographe sayeth, A troubled spirit is a sacrifice unto God, neither doth he despise a contrite and humbled heart. And God him self sayeth by the Prophet.3 Whom shall I regard and favour? Even him that is poor, and of a lowly and troubled spirit, and ⟨image 22⟩such one as standeth in awe of my words. Who so ever doth so fear God and stand in awe of his indignation and heavy displeasure, that he is loth to offend him,4 and therefore seeketh all means possible to please him: and if at any time through frailness of nature he chanceth to offend, he is straightways angry with him self, repenteth of his former misdeeds, and conceiveth such an inward sorrow in his heart, that he delighteth in no worldly thing, neither in meat, drink, apparel, richesse, pastimes, pleasures. &c. but continually sorroweth for his disobedient unkindness and unkind disobedience against God our heavenly father, so that the very trouble of his ⟨image 22⟩heart will not suffer him to eat or drink, till through continual calling on the name of the Lord he feeleth in his mind some token of Gods goodness, grace and favour toward him, and is through faith in Christs blood fully persuaded that all his since are forgiven him, and he again received into favour, the fast of such one is an acceptable sacrifice unto God.