As touching fasting, truly I have read none, neither of the old, nor of the new writers that can satisfy me, or that may seem sufficiently to consider the nature thereof. For as oft as they speak of fasting, presently they fall to the abstaining from meat, and therein only they rest very much: but I think it should be otherwise: for as soon as we can, let us come unto the fountain it self, and after let us with diligence pursue the rivers: but this is the only fountain of fasting, a sincere and earnest, & a singular desire either of ⟨p. 228⟩Righteousness or newness of life, in general, or some part thereof: which doth either sufficiently appear by this one thing, that when the Disciples could not cast out a certain Devil, because they as it were, to a sporting bickering, descended rashly and unadvisedly: and a little after they enquired how it came to pass that they were deceived of their opinion.1 Christ calleth them to fasting: signifying undoubtedly thereby, that such victory is so hard and difficile, that except they strive with all their force, they could do nothing at all. But there are two things that are wont always to spring and flow out of this fountain: The first is, that we wisely and diligently avoid all occasions. Moreover that on the other side whatsoever occasion of godliness we seek, labour for, or violently snatch, we be always inclined to it, & stay thereon, being wearied thereby. Hereupon we may very well descend to the use of meats, as to one of the rivers: and there may we find fasting, ⟨image 238⟩as touching nourishment, to be no other then so to use them, either in taking or refusing, as shall seem most meet to root out vices, and to advance virtue. And so fasting doth not only respect the use of meats, but also all other things that fall under that kind: which truly if we use wisely, either vice may be diminished, or virtue increased.
As touching fasting, truely I haue read none, neither of ye old, nor of ye new writers that can satsfiie mee, or that may séeme sufficiently to consider the nature therof. For as oft as they speak of fasting, presently they fall to the abstaining from meate, and therein only they rest very muche: but I thinke it shoulde bée otherwise: for as soone as wée can, let vs come vnto the fountaine it selfe, and after let vs with diligence pursue the riuers: but this is the only fountaine of fasting, a sincere and earnest, & a singuler desire either of ⟨p. 228⟩Righteousnesse or newnesse of life, in general, or some parte thereof: which doth either sufficiently appeare by this one thing, that when the Disciples coulde not cast out a certaine Diuell, because they as it were, to a sporting bickering, descended rashly and vnaduisedly: and a little after they enquired howe it came to passe that they were deceaued of their opinion.1 Christe calleth them to fasting: signifiyng vndoubtedly thereby, that suche victory is so harde and difficill, that except they striue with all their force, they could doe nothing at all. But there are two things that are wont alwaies to spring and flowe out of this fountaine: The first is, that wée wisely and diligently auoide all occasions. Moreouer that on the other side whatsoeuer occasion of godlinesse wee séeke, labour for, or violently snatche, we be alwaies enclined to yt, & stay therō, being wéeried therby. Héerevpon wée may very well descend to the vse of meates, as to one of the riuers: and there may wée finde fasting, ⟨image 238⟩as touching nourishment, to be no other then so to vse them, either in taking or refusing, as shall séeme most méete to roote out vices, and to aduance vertue. And so fasting doth not onely respect the vse of meates, but also all other things that fall vnder that kind: which truely if wée vse wisely, either vice may bée diminished, or vertue encreased.
