A help to holy walking, or, A guide to glory containing directions how to worship God, and to walk with him in the whole course of our lives / by Edward Bury.

3. Direct. Concerning our External Car∣riage in the days of Humiliation, I shall speak something, for having made the preparation before mentioned, and the day being come, there are some External Duties required, viz. That we rise betimes that morning, and deny our selves that rest and sleep, which our slug∣gish Nature requires, so far forth as we do not thereby dis-able our selves for the duty, and that we spend the whole day in the work, and let us not think a whole day too much, for if we prevail not for the diverting those Judg∣ments which our sins deserve; perhaps, we may spend many Years in greater Sufferings: And 'tis thy duty also to bring as many of thy Family as conveniently may be along with thee, especially those that have Understand∣ing, that the Congregation may be full, that we may joyn together as one man, in the work; that may be done by many, that a few cannot do, I have observed upon such occasions; men think one in a Family suffici∣ent to come to the Congregation, while the other mind their worldly Occasions; but as these Sow sparingly, so they are like to reap little. The King of Nineveh will rise up in Judgment against those, who Commanded all men and Beasts to rest and Fast, and what lies in thee, come with an humble Heart, and a self-denying Spirit to the work; and to this End Fasting is enjoyned, which of it self is a thing indifferent, but of excellent use to bring the Body into Subjection. Now, this should

be a total abstinence from all meat and drink, except unfeigned necessity forbid; the very Name and Nature of a Fast implies this much, and if this abstinence be not observed, 'tis no Fast. Esther we find, Commands the Jews neither to eat nor drink for three days, and promises that she and her Maids would do the like, Est. 4.16. Yet if this total abstinence be really prejudicial to the Health, and prove a hinderance, and not a furtherance to the duty, 'tis Lawful to take some little refresh∣ing, for though Scripture Examples afford us not so much; yet rectified reason, yea, and Scripture grounds warrant it, Hos. 6.6. I have desired Mercy and not Sacrifice; a place urged by Christ himself upon such an Occa∣sion, Mat. 12.7. And Fasting being Ordain∣ed as an help, is no duty when it becomes an hinderance, but then it should be but a small reflection, so much, and no more, as will re∣vive decayed Nature, prevent the danger, and fit a man for the duty. The Papists in their Fasts, or rather mock-fasts, observe not this rule; their Fast consists not in the abstinence from, but in the choice of meats and drinks, for which we have no Scripture Evidence, nor indeed any shew of reason; they forbear flesh, when they gorge themselves with Wine, and strong Drink, and Fish, and other Dainties, which no less pamper the Body, and provoke Lust; but at this rate a Man may Fast, not only forty days, but forty Years, with little Trouble: But a Scripture Fast consists not in

the choice of Meat, but in the abstinence from Meat, and Drink, not in the choice of Meat, for all is alike Lawful, 1 Cor. 10.25.27. & 8.8. Heb. 13.8,9. And as Meat and Drink, so also Bodily Labour is forbidden; this must be laid aside, as upon a Sabbath; for Worldly business divert the mind, and unfit it for Duty. We find upon those days of Atonement, as they were called under the Law, work was forbidden upon pain of death, Lev. 23.27, &c. Whatsoever Soul it be, that doth any work upon that same day, the same Soul will I destroy from among his People. Also Num. 29.7. Lev. 16.29. Now, though the Ce∣remonious part of this be taken away, yet so far as it conduceth to the main End, viz. to Afflict the Soul, it remains in Force: How can there be a Solemn Congregating together, or the work of the day be carried on, if there be not a cessation from Bodily Labour? Again, Costly and Gorgeous Apparel must be that day laid aside, as unfit for such a Duty; we find Kings themselves upon such days, Girded themselves with Sack-cloath, and put Ashes upon their Heads, and did not, as in our times, mourn in Scarlet, Silks, and Sattins, Exod. 33.4,5,6. Jonah 3.6. Musick also, and other Sports and Recreations must be abstain∣ed, as very unsuitable for Mourning times. God complains of the Jews, that they in their Fasts did find pleasure; and may he not Com∣plain of many of us, that as soon as the Or∣dinance is over, fall to our Recreations, as

at other times, Isa. 58.3. Yea, from Mar∣riage Duties, at other times Lawful, and San∣ctified by the word of God, 1 Cor. 7.5. De∣fraud not one another, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give your selves to Fast∣ing and Prayer. Also Joel 2.16. Nay, all De∣lights and Recreations, whereby the Nature of Man is refreshed, should be forborn: See an Example of David, 2 Sam. 12.16.20. And in Daniel, Chap. 10.3. These things serve partly to humble us, partly to take re∣venge upon our selves, for our former Mis∣carriages.