We should rise early on a Fast, 2 Sam. 12. 16. Ioel 1. 13. It is probable that for this cause some lay on the ground, others in sackcloth in the night of their Fasts, not only to expresse, but further their humiliation by keeping them from sleeping overmuch or oversweetly.
Preaching was used by Gods people at their solemn Fasts, to quicken them to prayer, Nehem. 9. 3. compared with 8. 8. Ier, 36. 5, 6.
It is not unlawful to fast privately on the Lords-day, the service of the ordina∣ry Sabbath is not contrary but helpfull to the exercise of mourning and godly sor∣row; and when we conceive greatest sorrow for sinne, it is not unlawfull to re∣joyce in our redemption by Jesus Christ: Christ forbad it not on that day, it not convenient for a publick Fast since it should be consecrated unto God onely for that purpose.
We should remember the poor on that day, Isa. 58. 17. Quod ventri subtrahitur illud pauperi detur.
The Popish Fast is a mock Fast, worse then the Pharisaical, which yet is con∣demned by Christ.
First, Fasting is made in the Church of Rome a worship of God, and a work of righteousnesse. Iunius had much a do to keep a poor woman from despair, because she did eat flesh on some Fast-day, it lay upon her as if she had committed some grievous and unpardonable sin.
Secondly, It is religiously tied to fixed and certain times and dayes, whereas true Fasting is pro temporibus & causis. Tertul. de jejun.
Thirdly, They think to perform it by forbearing only flesh, when wine and other delicates are not forbidden, which Ierom justly calleth a superstitious Fast.
The fourty dayes Fast, which Moses, Elias and our Saviour Christ did fast, were miraculous, and therefore not to be imitated. Neither did they fast fourty dayes every year, but once only in all their life.
Augustine doth sometimes write of the fourty dayes Fast, that it hath a Divine Authority, but meaneth not an authority of precept, but of example, as Elias, Moses and Christ.
We observe Fasting-dayes, as we call them, by abstinence from flesh (indeed not Fasting-dayes but Fish-dayes, as the Law doth rather call them) not with any opi∣nion either for the day, or for the abstinence of any holinesse therein, or Religion toward God, but only by way of obedience to politick Laws and duty to our Prince, the Law it self professing it self to be politickly intended. Abbot against Bishop.
In stead of Mundayes and Thursdayes used in the Synagogue, the Church ap∣pointed Wednesdaies and Fridaies for that purpose, holding in them a convenient distance from the Lords-day as these other did from the Sabbath. M. Thornd. Service of God at Religious Assem. c. 8.
The Papists allow a Break-fast, and they are allowed to eat all variety of roots, fruits, fishes, and whatsoever-junkets which have not any affinity with flesh. They are licensed to drink wine without exception, so that they eat and drink without intemperate excesse. Yet Bellarmine (l. 2. de bonis operibus c. 5.) saith, Vinum cal••∣faciendo corpus incitat in libidinem, Prov. 20. 1. Wine is luxurious, and in that respect it was called by the very Heathen 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the milk of Venus.
A childe partaking once of their delicate fast, not many daies after longing for the former kinde of dainties, cried to his mother, saying, Good Mother when shall we fast again? B. Mort. Appeal l. 2. c. 24. See D. Fulk on Rhem. Test. Col. 2. 23.
Bellarmine reports a story which makes much against him, of Spiridion a godly man, who had a guest come to him on a Fasting-day, and he set flesh before him having nothing else, I will not eat, saith the guest, because I am a Christian; Nay therefore (said he) eat, and make no difference, because thou art a Christian.