A09453:328
A Reformed Catholic
A reformed Catholic: or, A declaration showing how near we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundry points of religion: and wherein we must for ever depart from them with an advertisement to all favourers of the Roman religion, showing that the said religion is against the Catholic principles and grounds of the catechism.A reformed Catholike: or, A declaration shewing how neere we may come to the present Church of Rome in sundrie points of religion: and vvherein we must for euer depart from them with an advertisment to all fauourers of the Romane religion, shewing that the said religion is against the Catholike principles and grounds of the catechisme.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1598Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1598
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.
Secondly we dissent from the Church of Rome touching the manner of keeping a fast. For the best learned among them allow the drinking of wine, water: electuaries, &1 that coften within the compass of their appointed fast: yea they allow the eating of one meal on a fasting day at noon tide, and upon a reasonable cause, one hour before: the time of fasting not yet ended. But this practise3 indeed is absurd, & contrary to the practise of the old testament: yea it doth frustrate the end of fasting. For the bodily abstinence is an outward means and sign whereby we acknowledge our guiltiness and unworthiness of any of the blessings of God. Again they prescribe a difference of meats, as white-meat only to be used on their fasting ⟨p. 226⟩days, and that of necessity and for conscience sake in most cases. But we hold this distinction of meats both to be foolish and wicked. Foolish: because in such meats as they prescribe, there is as much filling and delight, as in any other meats; as namely in fish, fruits, wine, &c. which they permit. And its against the end of a religious fast to use any refreshing at all; so far as necessity of health and comeliness will permit. Thus the Church in times past used to abstain not only from meat & drink, but from all delights whatsoever, even from soft apparel and sweet ointments. Joel 2. 15.—Sanctify a fast—: let the BRIDEGROOM GO FORTH OF HIS CHAMBER, and the bride out of her bride chamber. Dan. 10. 3. I eat no PLEASANT bread, neither came FLESH NOR WINE within my mouth, neither did I ANOINT my self at all, till three weeks of days were fulfilled. 1. Cor. 7. 5. Defraud not one an other, EXCEPT it be with consent for a time, that ye may give your selves to FASTING and prayer.
Secondly we dissent from the Church of Rome touching the manner of keeping a fast. For the best learned among them allow the drinking of wine, water: electuaries, &