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

Though God be visiting the world with his judgments, dashing the nations like potters vessels, one against another: yet they care for none of these things; they are loth so far to own God as to fast and pray under his rebukes; and their spirits are too high to stoop to the humbling duties of such a day, because fasting and praying have been abused, it may be by some in hypocrisy, they are glad of that excuse to lay it quite aside.

Though God be visiting the world with his judgments, dashing the nations like potters vessels, one against another: yet they care for none of these things; they are loth so far to own God as to fast and pray under his rebukes; and their spirits are too high to stoop to the humbling duties of such a day, because fasting and praying have been abused, it may be by some in hypocrisie, they are glad of that excuse to lay it quite aside.

The Book of Ecclesiastes they value above all Scripture because of two or three verses they find therein, that they can interpret to gratify a sensual life, chap. 2.24. There is no better thing than that a man should eat and drink and that he should make his soul enjoy good of his labour, and to the same purpose ⟨p. 264⟩in ch. 3.13. and ch. 5.18, 19. But they should consider that Solomon only speaks of the good of man with respect to this life, and the end that God giveth man the good things of this life for, which is to use them for the outward comfort of his life, which he speaks of in opposition to such to whom God hath given wealth and riches and honour, yet hath not given him power to eat thereof, Eccl. 6.2. Sure there is a Medium betwixt sordid sparing, and luxurious spending, betwixt using meats and drinks to the due comfort of nature, and the abusing them to the great injury of the soul. And though due feasting is lawful, yet still with respect to the proper season, and not to be killing sheep, and slaying oxen, and drinking wine in bowls when God calls to fasting, and baldness, and girding on of sackcloth, as the Prophet complains,