A37049:459
A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…
A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First: That it is a piece of external worship, is clear. 1. From Precepts commanding it. 2. From the practises and examples of the Saints in Scripture. 3. From Scripture-directions given to regulate us in it; yet it differeth from Prayer and Sacraments. 1. That those are ordinary pieces of Worship, but this is extraordinary, proceeding from special occasions, either of a Cross lying on, or 2. Feared and imminent; 3. or some great thing which we are to Suit for, or such like. Although it be an extraordinary piece of Worship; yet the more holy we read any to have been, we find they have been the more in this duty of Fasting.
2. We are to consider that Fasting is not of it self a piece of immediate worship, as Prayer, &c. but mediate only as it is made use of to be helpful to some other duty, such as Praying, Humbling of our selves, Mortification, &c.
Again, 3. Fasting may be considered in four respects: 1. As it is gone about in secret, by one single person setting himself a part for Prayer, and for Fasting to that end; many instances whereof are in Scripture. 2. As its private, or a little more public, being gone about by a Family, or some few persons joining together, as Esther and her Maids. 3. As it is public, being performed by a Congregation, as Act. 13.2, 3. 4. As gone about by a whole national Church: These four are all mentioned, Zach. 12.11, 12. where we find, 1. the whole Land. 2. Families together. 3. Families a-part. 4. Particular Persons or Wives a-part, setting about this duty.
Again, 3. Fasting may be considered in four respects: 1. As it is gone about in secret, by one single person setting himself a part for Prayer, and for Fasting to that end; many nstances whereof are in Scripture. 2. As its private, or a little more publick, being gone about by a Family, or some few persons joyning together, as Esther and her Maids. 3. As it is publick, being performed by a Congregation, as