An exposition of the Lords prayer in the way of catechism By William PerkinsAn exposition of the Lords praier in the way of catechisme By William Perkins

[Daily] The word in the original is thus much in effect, Bread unto our essence or substances: then ⟨image 47⟩the meaning is; Give us such bread from day to day, as may nourish our substances. Thus prayeth Agur Prou. 30. 8. Feed me with food convenient for me. Some there are which put an Angelical perfection in fasting: But we are taught in Scriptures, that as above all things, we are to seek for life eternal, so we must in this life, sustain and maintain our natural bodies, so long as we live in this world. Fasting in it self, as it is abstinence, is no part of Gods worship; but in it own nature a thing indifferent: and therefore, it is to be used so far forth, as it shall further us in prayer, and no further. For seeing we are taught to pray for such food as shall preserve nature, and maintain the vital blood, we must not use fasting to the hindrance or destruction of nature.

[Daily] The worde in the originall is thus much in effect, Bread vnto our essence or substances: then ⟨image 47⟩the meaning is; Giue vs such bread from day to day, as may nourishe our substances. Thus praieth Agur Prou. 30. 8. Feede me with food conuenient for me. Some there ar which put an Angelical perfection in fasting: But we are taught in Scriptures, that as aboue all thinges, we are to seeke for life eternall, so wee must in this life, sustaine and maintaine our naturall bodies, so long as we liue in this world. Fasting in it selfe, as it is abstinence, is no part of Gods worship; but in it own nature a thing indifferent: and therefore, it is to bee vsed so farre forth, as it shal further vs in prayer, and no further. For seeing we ar taught to pray for such food as shall preserue nature, and maintaine the vitall blood, we must not vse fasting to the hindrance or destruction of nature.