A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

1. In the Sanction of it. 2. The Manner of Observation. 3. The occasion that requires and calls for it. 4. The concern that abstinence from food hath in the right Observation of it. 5. The abuse of the Ordinance in the wrong managing of it.

1. First, for the Sanction of it. 1. It seems partly to be dictated by the light of nature, for the heathen observed it, especially when any fore calamity was either felt or feared by them. As in the case of Nineveh, when Jonah denounced destruction to the City, they presently betook themselves to fasting, both King, Nobles, and People, yea, the very Beasts must be concerned in it, Jonah 3.7, 8. So when they would make their prayers more prevalent, in such cases they would join fasting with their prayers. As Baals Priests, when they cried to their God Baal to hear them. The Text saith, they cried all day until the evening sacrifice, 1 Kings 18.19. So that they did not only pray, but fast also. As they used lustrations, sacrifices, festivals in their religious rites and worship of their Gods, so sometimes they had their Jejunia, and religious fasts. As we have some account of this in Tertullian in his Book adversus Phychicos. By which they thought to make some satisfaction for their sin, and to reconcile to themselves the Deity they had offended, or to obtain some special favour they had need of.

2. It is a duty by Institution, and that both in the Old and New Testament, the fast of the seventh month was by direct institution in the Old Testament. And at other times God called them to it. Sanctify a fast, call an Assembly (said the Prophet Joel) chap. 1.14. And God is said to choose it,