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

5. Lastly, fasting may be abused by too frequent use, especially public fasts. It is an extraordinary duty, and therefore not to be practised upon ordinary occasions. The too ordinary use of it may take off from the reverence and solemnity of the duty. We find the several public fasts upon record in Scripture were taken up upon some eminent occasions.

5. Lastly, fasting may be abused by too frequent use, especially publick fasts. It is an extraordinary duty, and therefore not to be practised upon ordinary occasions. The too ordinary use of it may take off from the reverence and solemnity of the duty. We find the several publick fasts upon record in Scripture were taken up upon some eminent occasions.

And besides it may make Religion burdensome; and weak converts may be discouraged that are already brought in: And those that are without, may be prejudiced and hindered. We should not make Christ's yoke heavier than he would have it. Christ did not impose the rigour of the legal ministration upon his Disciples, nor the burdensome traditions of the Pharisees: nor did himself practice the austerity used by John the Baptist, nor imposed it upon his Disciples.

And besides it may make Religion burdensom; and weak converts may be discouraged that are already brought in: And those that are without, may be prejudiced and hindred. We should not make Christ's yoke heavier than he would have it. Christ did not impose the rigour of the legal ministration upon his Disciples, nor the burthensom traditions of the Pharisees: nor did himself practice the austerity used by John the Baptist, nor imposed it upon his Disciples.

Thus I have run through the five particulars I proposed to discourse this subject in.