The outward actions are, to abstain, for the time that we fast: First, from allc worldly business and labour, making our fasting day, as it were a Sabbath day, Lev. 23. 28. for worldly business will distract our minds from holy devotion. Secondly, from all manner of food, yea, fromd bread and water, so far as health will permit: 1. That so we may acknowledge our own indignity, as being ⟨p. 291⟩unworthy both of life, and all the means for the maintenance thereof. 2. That by afflicting the Body, the Soul, which followeth the constitution thereof, may be the more humbled. 3. That so we may take a godly erevenge upon our selves, for abusing our liberty in the use of God's Creatures. 4. That by the hunger of our Bodies, through want of these earthly things, our Souls may learn to hunger more eagerly after spiritual and heavenly food. 5. To put us in mind, that as we abstain from food which is lawful, so we should much more abstain from* Sin, which is altogether unlawful.
The outward actions are, to abstain, for the time that we fast: First, from allc worldly business and labour, making our fasting day, as it were a Sabbath day, Lev. 23. 28. for worldly business will distract our minds from holy devotion. Secondly, from all manner of food, yea, fromd bread and water, so far as health will permit: 1. That so we may acknowledge our own indignity, as being ⟨p. 291⟩unworthy both of life, and all the means for the maintenance thereof. 2. That by afflicting the Body, the Soul, which fol•loweth the constitution there•f, may be the more humbled. 3. That so we may take a godly erevenge upon our selves, for abusing our liberty in the use of God's Creatures. 4. That by the hunger of our Bodies, through want of these earthly things, our Souls may learn to hunger more eagerly after spiritual and heavenly food. 5. To put us in mind, that as we abstain from food which is lawful, so we should much more abstain from* Sin, which is altogether unlawful.
- cLev. 23. 28, 36. Joel. 1. 14. and 2. 15.
- d2 Sam. 3. 35. Ezra. 10. 6. Dan. 10. 3. Esther 4. 16. Acts 9. 9.
- e2 Cor. 7. 11
- *Quid prodest vacuare corpus ab escis, & animum deplore peccatis? Aug. de tem. Ser. 46.Q•id prodest vacuare corpus ab escis, & animum •epl•re peccatis? Aug. de tem. Ser. 46.
