The suruey of popery vvherein the reader may cleerely behold, not onely the originall and daily incrementes of papistrie, with an euident confutation of the same; but also a succinct and profitable enarration of the state of Gods Church from Adam vntill Christs ascension, contained in the first and second part thereof: and throughout the third part poperie is turned vp-side downe.

The second proposition.

There are sundrie kindes of fastes. To wit, naturall, ciuill, christian, miraculous, coactiue, religious. Naturall fasting is,* 1.1 when we fast for phisicke sake, either to recouer our health lost, or to preserue vs from diseases to come. Of which kind of fast, who list may reade at large, in Hippocrates his Aphorismes, and in Galens Commentaries vpon the same. Ciuill fasting is,* 1.2 when men are so seriously bent to their ciuill affaires, that they will vse no intermission at all, either for meate or drinke. This kinde of fast vsed king Saul, when hauing the victorie in his handes, hee pursued the Philistines. For euen then comman∣ded he all his armie, that none should eate or drink till night. 1. Sam. 14. verse 24. So did the wicked Hebrewes, who vowed that they would neither eate nor drinke, vntill they had slaine S. Paule, Acts. 23. verse 21. This fast practised Iosue, when he charged the Sunne and Moone to stand still, till hee was a∣uenged of his enemies. Ios. 10. verse 12. The christian fast is to keep sobrietie in our diet. That is, neither to eate too often,* 1.3 neither immoderately. Which kinde of fasting ought to bee more familiar, then it is to many a one: for want whereof the

countrey aboundeth, with drunkardes, gluttons, and idle belly-gods. Miraculous fasting was practised by the apostles, when our Sauiour did thereby confirme the preaching of his gospel. Moses, Elias, and Christ himselfe, vsed the same kinde of fast. Coactiue fasting is,* 1.4 when by reason of famine or want of foode, we are enforced to abstaine. With this fast souldiours are af∣flicted in warres, poore folkes in their owne houses: rich seldom or neuer. Wherefore wisely saide the Philosopher, touching the houre of dining; that a riche man may dine when he list, a poore man when he can get meate.* 1.5 The religious fast is absti∣nence with a penitent heart and true faith, not onely from all meates and drinkes, but euen from all thinges whatsoeuer, that may any way nourishe or delite the bodie. The forme of which fast, is abstinence: the matter is meate, drinke, and what∣soeuer bringeth corporall oblectation; the efficient cause is faith and repentance for our sinnes; the end is to appease Gods wrath, and either to procure deliuerance from our miseries or some mitigation thereof.

For which cause fasting in the Scriptures, is continually ioyned with praier: and being vsed as is said, God doth accept it for the merites of Christ Iesus, not for anie worthinesse in it selfe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Naturall fast.
• * 1.2

  Ciuill fast.
• * 1.3

  Christian fast.
• * 1.4

  Coactiue fast.
• * 1.5

  Religious fast.