The right wayThe right vvay

That which is here set down as one end of their fasting, ¹in this phrase, That we might afflict ourselves, showeth the extent of a true fast. It must be a fast that may be felt: and that so far, as they who keep it, may find and feel a want of that which they have forborne. This may be one branch of a Christians self-denial, voluntarily to forbear that which nature requires, and not to afford unto it that which it craveth. Afflicting themselves here meant, extendeth both to mens bodies, and also to their souls: For a mens self doth not consist of body only. This extent of a fast is by the law thus expressed, Ye shall afflict your souls, ²Levit. 16. 29. The body is afflicted, when it is denied necessaries, so much and so long as it is very sensible of the want thereof: by a sympathy the soul also may therewith be afflicted. But the soul is further afflicted, when it is grieved and disquieted upon the apprehension of Gods displeasure and wrath for sin, yea and for offending his fatherly goodness: and is thereupon deeply humbled and cast down. By this kind of afflicting ones self, the body is kept under and brought into subjection,³ I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 9. 27. Here he useth two words which carry much emphasis, [Greek or Hebrew], I keep under, and [Greek or Hebrew], I bring into subjection. The former word is taken from a Champion or Wrestler that striveth for the mastery: for it hath reference to the 25. ⟨p. 8⟩verse, where mention is made of men that strive for the mastery. The later word hath reference to Masters that prudently keep their servants under,⁴ especially when they begin to wax insolent or wanton. By the body he means the old man, which is called a body of sin, Rom. 6. 6. and the flesh which lusteth against the spirit,