Of their FASTINGS.
THey use also Fastings, which are some sometimes prescribed by their Speakers to their Novices, and continued by those that observe them for many dayes together, but their Fasts are as the Apostle calls the humility of VVill-worshippers; A voluntary hu∣mility, not savouring of Religion, not joyned with Prayer, but undertaken as a foolish imitation of the miraculous forty dayes Fasts of Moses, Elias, Christ, and the long three weeks abstinence of Daniel, and three dayes Fast of the Apostle Paul, and as is con∣ceived for the procuring of Revelations and inspirations, as they think of the Spirit. And they that use such ceremonies to purchase them, may have them (I beleeve) from one Spirit or other. Many of them have fasted themselves so weak, they could scarse go, and till their faces have gathered blacknesse: One of them of late I could name, hath fasted himselfe so weak, that he could scarcely speak, or go, otherwise, then by the help of some to lead and sup∣port him: a servant made that lived in the house with him, reports that shee is certaine, that for foureteen dayes together, he neither eat nor drunk, a crum or drop of any thing: some that have lately seen him are of opinion, he is starved almost past recovery, but whether death will be the issue of his Fasting or no, must be left to the providence of God, and to a little time to determine. But where are such ungodly Murtherous Fasts as these prescribed in the Word? David George of Delfe, a Blasphemous Impostor, whom George Fox resembles as much as one Egge another, had frequent∣ly his three dayes Fasts. The Heathen Priests in China use absti∣nence sometimes for thirty dayes together, to procure abilitie to Prophesie. The savage Indians in New England that are trained up for Powwowes (so they call their Wizards) use to fast many dayes before the Devill appeares to them, and they make their com∣pact