A85486:132
The right wayThe right vvay
The right way: or A direction for obtaining good success in a weighty enterprise. Set out in a sermon preached on the 12th of September, 1648. before the Lords on a day of humiliation for a blessing on a treaty between His Majesties and the Parliaments commissioners. / By W. Gouge.The right vvay: or A direction for obtaining good successe in a weighty enterprise. Set out in a sermon preached on the 12th of September, 1648. before the Lords on a day of humiliation for a blessing on a treaty between His Majesties and the Parliaments commissioners. / By W. Gouge.
London: printed by A. Miller for Joshua Kirton, 1648London: printed by A. Miller for Ioshua Kirton, 1648
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
For this end of old they fasted long. Esther required, That they should not eat, nor drink three days night or day, Esth. 4. 16. In those hot countries, they could longer forbear food, then we in these cold countries can; and therefore did forbear till they were afflicted. For this end in Nineveh they restrained even their beasts from fodder and water, Jon. 3. 7. They did also put on sackcloth with ashes, and lay in sack cloth and ashes, Esth. 4. 1, 3. All this was to afflict themselves the more, and to bring under their bodies.1 If a Fast be discreetly ordered, it will tame the rebellion of the flesh, it will bind and keep in compass inordinate, and exorbitant motions, and subdue immoderate appetites. It will so restrain such things as might hinder prayer, as the soul will be much more free to fly up aloft.
For this end of old they fasted long. Esther required, That they should not eat, nor drink three daies night or day, Esth. 4. 16. In those hot countries, they could longer forbear food, then we in these cold countries can; and therefore did forbear till they were afflicted. For this end in Nineveh they restrained even their beasts from fodder and water, Jon. 3. 7. They did also put on sackcloth with ashes, and lay in sack cloth and ashes, Esth. 4. 1, 3. All this was to afflict themselves the more, and to bring under their bodies.1 If a Fast be discreetly ordered, it will tame the rebellion of the flesh, it will binde and keep in compasse inordinate, and exorbitant motions, and subdue immoderate appetites. It will so restrain such things as might hinder praier, as the soul will be much more free to flie up aloft.
- 1