Christian religion: substantially, methodicalli[e,] [pla]inlie, and profitablie treatised

HEST. chap. 9. vers. 16. vnto the 24.

HAuing heard of the extraordinarie prayer in fasting, there remaineth to speake of that which is in a ho∣ly

feasting. VVhat is it?

It is a thanksgiuing vnto God for some singular benefit, or deliuerance from some notable euill, ei∣ther vpon vs, or hanging ouer vs; which he hath be∣stowed vpon vs, especially after in fasting wee haue begged the same at his hand.

VVhat ought especially to be the time of this prayer?

The time that is neerest vnto the mercy and be∣nefit which we haue receiued: as wee see in this sto∣ry; where the Iewes that were in the countrie, and in the prouinces did celebrate it the fourteenth day of the moneth Adar; because they had ouerthrowne their aduersaries the thirteenth day before: and the Iewes that were in Susa, because they made not an end of the slaughter of their enemies before the fourteenth day was past, they celebrated their feast the fifteenth. Looke 2. Chron. 2••.26. And the example of Iacob, checked for deferring the paiment of his vow at Bethleem.

Wherefore ought we to take the thou that is next the deliuerance?

Because we being most strongly and throughly affected with the benefit we receiue the first time it is bestowed vpon vs, especially when there is not onely a notable benefit befallen vnto vs, but that thereby also wee are freed from foure notable euill that was vpon vs, or neere vnto vs, wee are then most fit to hold a feast vnto the Lord.

Why is the ordinance of a yeerely feast by Mar••o∣cheus, rather commanded vpon the day after the slaughter of their enemies, then the day of the slaughter?

To set forth, that reioycing ought not to bee so

much for the destruction of our enemies, as that thereby we obtaine peace to serue God in.

Wherein doth this feast consist?

The scope and drift of it is, to reioyce before the Lord; and to shew our selues thankfull for the bene∣fit receiued: not onely in that we are deliuered; but that we are deliuered by prayer we haue made vnto God; whereby our ioy encreaseth, and whereby it differeth from the ioy of the wicked, which reioyce that they are deliuered, as well as we.

How must that be best performed?

Partly by outward and bodily exercises; and part∣ly by exercises of the mind.

What are the outward exercises?

A more liberall vse of the creatures, both in meate and apparell, then is ordinarie.

May wee eate and drinke more that day then on others?

No: the exceeding is not in the quantity of meat and drinke; but in a more daintie and bountifull di∣et then ordinarie, which is to bee referred to the ex∣ercise of godlinesse;* 1.1 and therefore ought to be vsed in that moderation and sobrietie, at men may bee made more able thereunto; euen as the abstinence in fasting is vsed to a further humiliation of the mind, and affecting of the soule.

What is the exercise of godlinesse?

It is either in pietie and duety vnto God, or in kindnesse vnto men,

What is the dutie vnto God?

To lift vp our voice in thanksgiuing vnto him, as for all other his mercies, whereof this benefit should cause the remembrance;* 1.2 as one sinne causeth

the remembrance of others; so for that present bene∣fit: and for that purpose to call to remembrance and compare the former euils which either wee were in, or were neere vnto, with the present mercy, and e∣uery part of the one, with the member of the o∣ther.

What other duely of pietie is to bee performed vnto God?

By a diligent meditation of the present benefit, to confirme our faith and confidence in God; that hee that hath so mightilie and gratiously deliuered vs at this time; will also in the same or the like dangers deliuer vs hereafter, so farre as the same shall be good for vs.

What is the kindnesse we should shew towards men?

An exercise of liberality according to our power, out of the feeling of the bountifull hand of God to∣ward vs.

To whom must that be shewed?

To our friends, in presents,* 1.3 and as it were in new-yeeres gifts, and portions, to be sent to the poore and needie.

What remaineth further of these holy feasts?

The sorts and kinds of them, which are, as before we haue heard of fasts.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Nehem. 8.10.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 5.1.
• * 1.3

  Reuel. 11.10. Nehem. 8.10.