Two treatises. 1. The holy exercise of a true fast, described out of God's…

But if this holy exercise of Fasting, do not clearly enough appear, to be no fading or shadowing ceremony, by this set and ordinary Fast, because the like doth not agree with the time of the Gospel: yet by other moveable and uncertain Fasts, which were holden upon occasion, the same may be more strongly strengthened. For where we see the like occasion of fast, that was then; there we may be assured of the same commandment to fast, that was given them: commandment I say, least any man thinking it to be a will worship, taken up at ⟨p. 8⟩the pleasure of men, might think he had as good (or better) right to lay it down, then they had, to take it up. For proof whereof, that one place of the Prophet Joel shall suffice;¹ which, upon occasion of a great dearth in the Land, commandeth in the Lords behalf, to sanctify a Fast. By which one commandment, it is evident, that other Fasts, which were kept, either by the Churches publicly, or by some of the faithful privately; were done in obedience, and not at the random of mans invention. If this be not sufficient, to subdue our sturdy affections, to this so holy an exercise; yet at the least, let them stoop ⟨p. 9⟩under so manifest, both doctrine & examples hereof, by the Churches of God underneath the Gospel. For when as our Saviour Christ, being charged by the Pharisees and Johns Disciples,² that his Disciples fasted not; so answered, that he did not only not condemn it, but highly also commend it; so it were done seasonably: It is plain, that the liberty which the Gospel bringeth, hath not removed the ancient bound of a Christian Fast. And if we look into the practise, whereby the way chalked out by his doctrine, is trodden and beaten plain unto us by examples; it will soon be seen, how greatly they deceive them selves, ⟨p. 10⟩which under the colour of greater perfection attained under the Gospel, cast away the assistance, that the Lord offereth by this exercise. For if we enquire of the Churches & Apostles fasting, then was it most often, when they were fullest of the graces of God: that is, after the solemn sending of the holy Ghost.