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

When men fast to put on a disguise of extraordinary devotion and sanctity, as the Pharisees did thus; and by disfiguring their faces and counterfeiting a solemn and dejected countenance, and by mortified habits, &c. did seek to gain the reputation of extraordinary holiness among the people. As the Pharisee in the parable among other things boasted of his often fasting, I fast twice a week. Strict piety hath such a real value in it, that some that have it not, yet will pretend to it, as thinking to advance their reputation by it.

¹2. There is a mischievous abuse of it, (if I may so express it) when mens hearts are full of malice, mischief and cruelty, and will hide it under the disguise of a religious fast. As Jezebel when she was designing against Naboth's vineyard, and life also, she proclaims a fast; and those Jews that are reproved, Isaiah 58. they fasted and fasted, but it was for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness. They oppressed the poor, laid heavy yokes upon their necks, and ruined them by their cruelties, and yet were very zealous fasters, as our Saviour speaks of the Pharisees, who made long prayers for a pretence while they were devouring widows houses, Math. 23.14.

¹2. There is a mischievous abuse of it, (if I may so express it) when mens hearts are full of malice, mischief and cruelty, and will hide it under the disguise of a religious fast. As Jezebel when she was designing against Naboth's vineyard, and life also, she proclaims a fast; and those Jews that are reproved, Isaiah 58. they fasted and fasted, but it was for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness. They opprest the poor, laid heavy yokes upon their necks, and ruined them by their cruelties, and yet were very zealous fasters, as our Saviour speaks of the Pharisees, who made long prayers for a pretence while they were devouring widows houses,