The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three bookes: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundrie places, and the other two annexed. Taught and deliuered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his owne briefes, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelour of Diuinitie. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolued; another of the principall texts of Scripture vvhich are either explaned, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.

I. Question. What is a Religious Fast?

Ans. It is a voluntary and extraordinary abstinence, taken vp for a religious end; what this end is, we shall see afterward.

First, I call it voluntarie, because the time, and particular manner of Fasting, is not im∣posed, or determined, but left free to our owne liberty. Againe, I tearme it extraordi∣nary, to distinguish it from ordinary fasting; which stands in the practise of temperance and sobrietie; whereby the appetite is re∣strained, in the vse of meates and drinkes, that it doe not exceede moderation. Now this kinde of fast is to be vsed of all Christi∣ans, at all times; whereas the extraordinarie

is not dayly and ordinarily to be practised, but vpon speciall occasions, and at speciall times, in as much, as it is a more strait and severe abstinence then the other.