B07431:8
Two treatises. 1. The holy exercise of a true fast, described out of God's…
Two treatises. 1. The holy exercise of a true fast, described out of God's word. / Written by T.C. ; 2. The substance of the Lords Supper. / Written by T.W..Two treatises. 1. The holy exercise of a true fast, described out of God's word. / Written by T.C. ; 2. The substance of the Lordes Supper. / Written by T.W..
London: printed for I. Harison, 1610
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Tract › THE HOLY EXERCISE OF a true Fast, described out of Gods word.
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.
THE HOLY EXERCISE OF a true Fast, described out of Gods word.
IT IS AN evident declaration, of a marvellous blindness which is in us, to order our steppes towards the kingdom of heaven; that like children new come into the world, we know not when to eat, and when to forbear eating, no further then we have our direction out of ⟨p. 2⟩Gods word: But it is yet more marvel, that in so small a matter, scarce the hundred person, of those which profess the name of Christ, know either how to enter into this way, or how to turn them in it when they are entered, to any glory of GOD, or profit of them selves. For to let the Papists go, which through a shameful superstition in it, rather pine away their souls, then take down their bodies: it is a shame to speak, how few there are of those which bear the name of Gospellers, that have so much as the knowledge of this exercise; so far are they from any lawful and right practise of it. For a great number, ⟨p. 3⟩as a needless thing, reject it altogether; For shaking off the Popish yoke, from their own necks, by using, or rather abusing their liberty; they suffer their servants to remain still under it. Which custom, unless it be through infirmity of body, or some other weighty cause; it can hardly escape the hot and vehement suspicion, either of belly-Gods, if thinking it religious in their servants, they them-selves will not observe it: or of a covetous mind, if having no such opinion of it, they do notwithstanding constrain their servants thereunto. An other sort there be, which being afraid of the reproach of Belly-gods, ⟨p. 4⟩and thinking it fitting to the Christian profession, to keep the flesh in some bridle; allow (in deed) of the exercise of Fasting; but for want of knowledge of a better, they stick still in the mire of the Popish fast. For remedy whereof, there followeth a Treatise, whereby the true Fast being understanded; as well the profane opinion of those which reject this exercise, as the foolish superstition of those, which content them selves with a shadow thereof, is laid open.