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§ 13. Of fasting, wearing of Sackcloth, or other vile apparel, lying in ashes, being barefoot, and the like austerities used in Gods Worship.
1. THese acts are evident expressions of Humiliation and Self-abasement; and some of them are fit expressions thereof in all places and times, as fasting, and wearing of mean apparel; and some of them but in some Ages and Countries, because, tho they are apt in nature to express the same, yet therein nature is subject to some variety according to the different customs of times and places. 2ly. They are fit means of mortification, some of them in all times and places, as fasting; some of them only in some times and places according to custom. 3ly. Consequently they are fit adjuncts of Divine Worship in special seasons and oc∣casions of solemn Humiliation.
But 4ly. These acts may become also acts of Divine Worship (whether they be lawful acts thereof is another Question), being used as direct means of honouring and pleasing God in abasing and displeasing self: For so they are done before his Foot-stool to the exalting of his name in our abject and forlorn state and po∣sture. And the Scripture expresly takes notice of a kind of Will-Worship in a certain voluntary abasement, and neglect of the bo∣dy, Col. 2.23.