THE CHRISTIAN EXERCISE OF FASTING , PRIVATE AND PVBLIKE :

Plainly set forth by testimonies of holy Scriptures , and also of old and late writers :

Wherein is shewed how religious families priuatly , and the congregations publikely , haue humbled themselues before almightie God , making vse of iudgements past , auoyding euils present , and preuenting future calamities , &c.

Together with sundrie abuses of fasting in three generations of hypocrites : the first in the dayes of the Prophets : the second in the dayes of Christ : the third in the dayes of Antichrist .

Hereunto also are added some meditations on the 1. and 2. chapters of Iob , to comfort and instruct all such as be afflicted with any crosse , either inwardly in minde , or outwardly in bodie .

By H. HOLLAND Minister and preacher of Gods word .

AT LONDON , Printed by the Widow Orwin for William Young , and are to be sold at his shop in Canon lane neere the great North-doore of Paules Church , at the signe of the white Horse . 1596.

I Haue endeuoured in this treatise ( Christian Reader ) to lay open this argument of fasting plainly and truely according to the Scriptures . First , the religious abstinence is described : next the branches of the same , the priuat and the publike with their speciall notes and differences . Thirdly , I haue shewed what causes , and reasons haue moued the faithfull , to exercise themselues in the one and in the other . The priuat fast is onely commended in the practise of the faithfull of all ages . The publike is both commanded by precept , and commended by practise , and was both ordinary and extraordinary . And first for the ordinarie we haue Gods great charge and law written . 1. The 10. Leuit 23.27.16.29 . day of the 7. moneth ye shall humble your soules . 2. Ye shall doe no worke at all , vers. 29. and it shall be a feast of Kippurim , a day of reconciliation . Generall ordinary fast . 4. throughout their dwellings , vers. 31. 5 an ordinance Leuit. 16.31 . for euer . The practise and obedience of this lawe wee haue noted . Heb. 9.7 . But into the second ( Tabernacle ) went the high priest alone , once euery yeare , &c. that is , this solemne day appoynted . This law of a general ordinary fast for the Iewes , may seeme to binde vs , and might no doubt bee profitable for the Christians vnder the Gospel , if it were obserued . The cause of this fast ( sayth one ) was that the wrath of God might not break out , or being broken out , that it might bee a meanes to returne it home againe : the same cause remaining , wise men will conclude the effect shall continue . Againe ( sayth he ) this exercise being a meanes to humble a man before his God , was there any degree of humiliation , necessary for that people , which is not as needfull for vs ? Nay , we hauing receiued vnder the Gos●ell more benefits then they , the abuse of Gods good gifts and graces in vs , should driue vs to the lowest humiliation that can bee , so it bee lawfull and warrantable by the word of God . Generall extraordinarie fast . Ioel. 1. chap. ver. 14. 2. cap. ver. 16. The extraordinary was either signified by prophet , and so commanded of God immediatly as wee see by Ioel : or published by Gods Vicegerents , princes and priests , the presidents and gouernours of Gods people , as shall appeare by sundrie examples of the Scripture in this treatise following .

Superstition hath euer preuailed in the world , where Gods grace and light was wanting , to corrupt all the pure worship of God , but neuer so much abused any one exercise of religion as this of fasting . The very Heathens abuse fasting in the worship of their false gods . The priests of Egypt euer abstained from flesh and wine , and thought this a matter of great deuotion . The wise men of Persia , their diet was but farina & olus , course bread and hearbes . The wizards of India , when they came to the priesthood of the Sunne , did euer after abstaine from flesh . The priests of Egypt fasted 3. dayes before they sacrificed . So the diuell commandeth coniurers to fast three dayes before any magicall practise of coniuration . And to be short , Mahomet extolleth fasting : for the Turkes fasted in the siege of Constantinople , & hauing wonne the citie , ascribe this great victorie to their fasting . But to passe by these Pagans , and to come vnto the Church , for this corruption crept also into it , euen from the beginning . Esay . 58. Zach. 7. & ca. 8. Philo. Ioseph . In the dayes of the Prophets it was thought a seruice which might highly commend a man with God . In the dayes of Christ , the Essees and Pharisees did farre exceede the former ages in the abuse of fasting . And to come vnto the Gospel , Superstition in time did so gather strength , where light was quenched , that all the pure worship of God was at last quite thrust out of Church doores . The yeare of Christ 220. Anno. 220. the Montanists began to be very superstitious in the abuse of fasting , and to set vp wil-worship , as appeares with Tertullian in a whole treatise of fasting for herein he doth Montanize daungerously , Tertul. de ●iunio . for following their very words and phrases , he sayth : Fasting is a meanes to purge vs from sinne and death , an expiation and satisfaction for sinne and a meanes to reconcile vs vnto God . Anno. 280. August . contrae Faustum . lib. 6. cap. 5. & lib. 30. cap. 5. Anno. 360. After these the Manichees followed , commanding and teaching men to abstaine from all flesh , egges , wine , &c. Then were spread abroade into many parts of the world the monasticall lawes and rites of fasting , which first began in Egypt , and from thence came into Syria , and by meanes of Eustathius crept into Armenia , afterwards by Basill into Greece , Basil & Nazianzen did weaken them selues to much with fasting . and of Ambrose into Italy . About this time Basill began to exhort mightily vnto fasting , and yet were no lawes made to binde consciences . But Epiphanius anon after made Bishop of Cyprus , began not onely to exhort , but also to commande lawes , and the times of fasting , &c. as constitutions and traditions apostolicall , cleane contrary to the doctrine , custome and libertie of the old Church , Sociates story is to be noted . as appeareth with Socrates , lib. 5. cap. 21. For there was no Scripture or lawe written by the Apostles ( sayth Socrates ) concerning fasting . And Chrysostome counts fasting a thing indifferent : Chrysostom homil , 4. ad populum Antioch . his very words are these : Sunt quidam ciborum inter se , &c. Many striue about meates : so let vs striue and endeuour to take away this custome of swearing ( sayth he ) and these wicked othes which men rap out so thicke amongst vs . This is better then all fasting . The care and time wee spend about abstinence from meates , let vs spend in learning and labouring to abstaine from swearing . For it is madnes ( sayth he ) lightly to regard things forbidden , and to striue about things Ieiunium est ad●aphoron . Nos concessis abstinentes , prohibita audemus ? indifferent . We be not forbidden to eate , but we be to sweare , &c. If the holy writers had well considered those words of the Apostle , Chrysost. homil. in Math. 47. ie●untum in choro virtutum extremum certe sortitur locum . bodily labour profits little , but pietie is profitable vnto all things : they would not so lightly haue fallen into those high and hyperbolicall commendations of fasting , which afterwards gaue such occasion to Antichrist , to abuse this exercise in the Church of God . For when the man of sinne came to sit as generall and vniuersall Bishop in the seate of pestilence , then were strong lawes made to binde consciences . The Popes schoolemen did preach and write , that fasting was a worke to purchase and merite grace , August complaineth much against the like in his time : Epist. 119. what would he haue done , if he had seene the the ages folowing . pardon of sinnes , reconciliation with God , and a speciall worke to purchase heauen , marueilous effectuall and profitable for the quicke and dead . I speake their owne words , as after shall appeare . Thus then thou seest ( Christian reader ) what an argument this is which I vndertake to commend vnto the Church of God . I know it requires more strength and time then I haue or can haue any . Notwithstanding , I was thus moued and imboldened to publish this small treatise . First , for that I finde but few to haue done any thing in this manner in english of this argument . I haue written therefore that the ignorant might better know and more practise fasting : trusting that the Lord will in time supply what here is wanting . Next , my desire is to stirre vp the faithfull people of God , because of some dangers threatned these times against vs , by prayer and fasting to begge a generall pardon of sins , and christian courage for prince and people , and our whole armie to fight the Lords battels . And to stop the mouthes of Machiuelists , Com. lib. 2. cap. 2. Ier. 38 4. 2. Thes. 2.11 . which are not ashamed to say , that preaching prayer and fasting be meanes to cast downe , discourage , and to make a people faint hearted . And this doe fooles beleeue because they neither beleeue nor loue the trueth . But the spirit of God speaketh the contrary , testifying vnto vs of the courage and good successe of Ioshua , Dauid , Iehoshaphat , Ezra , Nehemias , after prayer and fasting .

Lastly , I was moued hereunto by the spitefull speeches and writings of our common aduersaries , who falsely accusing our profession , cry in the eares of the simple , and publish in their bookes , that wee count Rhems . T. Acts. 13. cap. annot. Num. 3. fasting but a morall and Christian temperance , That fasting is a matter of policie we neuer held , but that abstinence from fleshe may be commanded for policies sake we confesse . a fasting from sinne , &c. And yet a more manifest calumniation : Luke . cap. 2. Rhe. T. annot. Num. 17. The heretikes count fasting ( say they ) but a matter of policie .

To answer these accusers . First I say vpon mature and deliberat consideration , and for good policie , doe the lawes of this kingdome commende an abstinence from flesh for some dayes in the weeke , &c. For maintenance of nauigation : for breeding and increase of cattell : 5. Eliz. cap. 5 , title . certaine politique constitutions , made for maintenance of the nauie . and that the trade of fishing and fish markets might be continued in our land : as by the very words of the statute may appeare . Be it further enacted by the authoritie aforesayd , for the benefit and commodities of this Realme , to grow aswel in maintenance of the Nauie , as in sparing and increase of flesh , victuall , in this realme , &c. that it shall not bee lawfull for any person or persons within this realme , to eate any flesh vpon any dayes now vsually obserued as fish dayes , vpon paine that euery person offending herein , shall forfeite 3. pounds for euery time he or they shall offend , or els suffer 3. moneths close imprisonment , without baile or mainprise . To this order is yet further added a good caution , as followeth . And because no manner of person shall misiudge of the intent of this statute , limiting orders to eate fish , and to forbeare eating of flesh , but that the same is purposely intended and meant politikely for the increase of Fishermen , and Mariners , & repayring of Port-townes , and nauigation , and not for any superstition to bee maintained in the choyce of meates : be it enacted , that whosoeuer shall , by preaching , teaching , writing , or open speech notifie , that any eating of fish , or forbearing of flesh , mentioned in this statute , is of any necessitie , for the sauing of the soules of men , or that it is the seruice of God , otherwise then as other politike lawes are to be , that then such persons shall be punished as spreaders of false newes are and ought to bee . And this is the Christian policie which our friends , of Rhemes haue stumbled vpon . This abstinence commaunded by our lawes , is an abstinence for order sake , as the learned Ierome speaketh ; which whosoeuer disliketh is no friend to the common wealth ,

Ordinis causa , com . in Gal. cap 5.

A good rule for things indifferent .

Epist. 118. Note the word contrary .

And yet I further answer the Rhemish aduersaries that our godly wise gouernours , Church , and people , doe also truly and in heart imbrace the religious abstinence described and commended of God in his word , & haue & doe practise the same when occasions are offered and as need requireth . And this shall well appeare also by a publique fast commanded by our gouernours , and kept in our Church in Anno 1563. For then , first our most gracious Queene meued with a motherly affection for the mortalitie of her subiects and people , signifieth her good liking of a Christian fast , by her princely and expresse charge , Archbishop Canterburie , Math. Parker . to the Archbishop then being , all which as a worthie president for all posterities I haue inserted , as followeth : Most reuerend father in God , right trustie , and right welbeloued , we greete you well : Like as Almightie God hath of his meere grace , committed to vs next vnder him , the chiefe gouernment of this realme and the people therein : so hath he of his like goodnes , ordained vnder vs sundry principall ministers , to serue and assist vs in this burden . And therefore considering the state of this present time , wherein it hath pleased the most highest , for the amendment of vs and our people , to visite certaine places of our realme with more contagious sicknes , then lately hath beene : for remedie and mitigation thereof , wee thinke it both necessarie and our bounden dutie , that vniuersall prayer and fasting be more effectually vsed in this our realme . And vnderstanding that you haue thought and considered vpon some good order to be prescribed therein , for the which yee require the application of our authoritie , for the better obseruation thereof , amongst our people , we doe not onely commend and allow your good zeale therein , but wee also commaund all maner of our ministers ecclesiasticall , ciuill , and all other our subiects to execute , follow , and obey such godly and wholesome orders , as you being primate of all England , and Metropolitane of this prouince of Canterburie , vpon godly aduise and consideration , shall vniformely deuise , prescribe , and publish for the vniuersall vsage of prayer , fasting , and other good deeds , The order of the fast commaunded by the Queene , and published in print by the Archbishop of Canterburie . Anno. 1563. during the time of the visitation by sicknes and other troubles : Giuen vnder our Signet at our Mannour of Richmond the 1. day of August , the 5. yeare of our raigne . The order then prescribed by this Archbishop , and practised by the people was commended as followeth . It is most euident to them that read the scriptures , that both in the old Church vnder the lawe , and in the primitiue Church vnder the Gospel , the people of God hath alwaies vsed generall generall fasting , both in times of common calamities , as warres , famine , pestilence , &c. and also when any waightie matter , touching the estate of the Church , or the common wealth was begunne or intended . And it cannot bee denied , but that in this our time , wherein many things haue been reformed , according to the doctrine and examples of Gods worde , and the primitiue Church , this part for fasting and abstinence , being alwaies in the scripture as a necessarie companion ioyned to feruent praier , hath been too much neglected . Wherefore for some beginning of redresse herein , it hath beene thought meete to the Queenes maiestie , that in this contagious time of sicknes , and other troubles and vnquietnes , according to the examples of the godly king Iehosaphat , and the king of Niniuie , with others , a general fast should be ioyned with generall prayer throughout her realme , 1. Chro. 20. Ionas . 3. and to bee obserued of all her godly subiects in manner and forme following . 1. First , it is ordained that the wednesday of euery weeke shall be the day appointed for this generall fast . 2. All persons betweene the age of 16. yeares and 60. ( sicke folkes and labourers in haruest , or other great labours only excepted ) shall eate but one only competent and moderate meale vpon euery wednesday . In which said meale shal be vsed very sober and spare diet , without varietie of kinds of meate , dishes , spices , confections , or wines , but only such as may serue for necessitie , comelines and health . 3. Item , in that meale , it shal be indifferent to eate flesh or fish , so that their quantitie be small , and no varietie or delicacie be sought . Wherein euery man hath to answer to God , if he in such godly exercises either contemne publike order , or dissemble with God , pretending abstinence , & doing nothing lesse . 4. Item , those that bee of wealth and abilitie , ought that day to abate and diminish the costlines , and varietie of their fare , and increase therewith their liberalitie & almes towards the poore , that the same poore which either indeede lacke foode , or els that which they haue is vnseasonable and cause of sicknes , may therby be relieued , and charitably succoured , to be maintained in health . 5. Pag. 5. Item , that a Sermon bee had , preached by such as bee authorized , and the preacher to intreate of such matters especially as bee meete for this cause of publike prayer , &c. 6. Last of all , this day being in this manner appointed for a day of generall prayer and fasting , ought to be bestowed by them , which may forbeare from bodily labour , in prayer , studie , reading , or hearing of the Scriptures , or good exhortations , &c. And when any dulnes or wearines shall arise , then to bee occupied in other godly exercises : but no part therof to be spent in plaies , pastimes , or idlenes , much lesse in lewd , wicked , or wanton behauiour .

I haue thus purposely set before thine eyes , Christian reader , the religious care of our good Prince and gouernours , partly to stop the mouthes of aduersaries , which perswade men that wee despise fasting : partly to stirre vp Gods faithfull people of all degrees , Anno 1588. to renue their zeale in the true profession of the Gospell . And to conclude , we haue seene some yeares past , 1593. a comfortable experience of Gods blessing vpon the priuate and publike fastings and prayers of Gods people in the land . Wherefore let vs in assurance of faith draw neere vnto God , & humbly cast downe our selues againe , in prayer & fasting , to confute aduersaries slanders , to euert enemies practises , to the glorie of God , protection and deliuerance of his Church , confirmation of our owne faith , soules and consciences , by and through Iesus Christ : to whom with the Father , and most holy spirit , three distinct persons , one inuisible , euerliuing and euerlasting God , be all praise for euer , Amen .