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christian_n christian_a church_n pastor_n 1,389 5 9.1051 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A44239 The Holy fast of Lent defended against all its prophaners, or, A Discourse shewing that Lent-fast was first taught the world by the apostles, as Dr. Gunning, now Bishop of Ely learnedly proved in a sermon printed by him in the year 1662 by His Majesties special command together with a practical direction how to fast. Gunning, Peter, 1614-1684. 1677 (1677) Wing H2525; ESTC R40999 45,046 54

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more_o strict_o yourselves_o and_o those_o who_o be_v so_o forward_o in_o reproach_v to_o their_o neighbour_n their_o mock-fast_n i_o fear_v if_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o fast_a will_v find_v but_o difficulty_n enough_o even_o to_o fast_o so_o large_o as_o they_o do_v who_o fast_n they_o carp_v at_o and_o though_o indeed_o you_o may_v find_v too_o too_o many_o libertine_n who_o study_n by_o all_o mean_v possible_a to_o avoid_v the_o difficulty_n of_o church-fast_n by_o excessive_a drink_v and_o intemperance_n in_o meat_n not_o prohibit_v yet_o those_o of_o a_o better_a conscience_n though_o they_o come_v far_o short_a of_o the_o rigour_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n in_o their_o abstinence_n yet_o do_v so_o fast_o as_o their_o fast_a day_n be_v day_n of_o real_a mortification_n unto_o they_o as_o for_o libertins_n it_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v wonder_v they_o will_v deny_v themselves_o even_o to_o abstain_v from_o flesh_n than_o that_o they_o take_v the_o liberty_n they_o do_v upon_o fasting-day_n do_v not_o so_o whole_o fix_v your_o eye_n upon_o the_o cockle_n as_o you_o take_v no_o notice_n at_o all_o of_o the_o good_a corn._n but_o to_o the_o point_v undertake_v to_o be_v prove_v how_o may_v one_o who_o with_o his_o soul_n desire_v nothing_o more_o than_o to_o observe_v most_o religious_o all_o apostolical_a ordination_n be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o holy_a apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n ordain_v the_o quadragesimal_n fast_o of_o lent_n as_o a_o time_n of_o abstinence_n and_o humiliation_n for_o all_o christian_n let_v he_o thorough_o satisfy_v himself_o that_o fast_v be_v a_o christian_a duty_n and_o have_v a_o singular_a force_n to_o cast_v out_o the_o devil_n to_o obtain_v the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o appease_v the_o allmighties_n just_a anger_n and_o which_o shall_v have_v a_o singular_a reward_n in_o heaven_n and_o moreover_o let_v he_o reflect_v if_o any_o credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o old_a and_o new_a scripture_n and_o to_o 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evident_a to_o every_o christian_a man_n that_o fast_v in_o general_n be_v very_o well_o become_v every_o good_a christian_a and_o that_o he_o hardly_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a who_o want_v neither_o health_n nor_o strength_n yet_o fast_n not_o at_o all_o and_o indeed_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o matter_n well_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o one_o great_a end_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n be_v to_o save_v we_o from_o our_o sin_n by_o teach_v by_o his_o doctrine_n and_o by_o enable_v we_o by_o his_o example_n and_o other_o gracious_a assistance_n fervourous_o to_o practice_v the_o propitiatory_a humiliation_n of_o fast_v our_o alwise_a mediator_n understand_v very_o well_o that_o can_v he_o but_o bring_v we_o hearty_o to_o repent_v we_o of_o our_o sin_n and_o to_o express_v the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o interior_a contrition_n by_o exterior_a humiliation_n or_o fast_v such_o be_v the_o genius_n of_o his_o eternal_a father_n that_o he_o can_v not_o but_o pardon_v we_o how_o great_a or_o how_o many_o soever_o our_o sin_n may_v be_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o refuse_v to_o repent_v and_o that_o even_o in_o sackcloth_n and_o ash_n that_o be_v with_o such_o a_o repentance_n as_o show_v itself_o by_o some_o exterior_a act_n or_o other_o no_o prayer_n no_o tear_n no_o blood_n no_o death_n of_o he_o can_v possible_o obtain_v our_o pardon_n except_o we_o will_v repent_v perish_v we_o must_v and_o that_o eternal_o but_o what_o conduce_v this_o to_o persuade_v lent-fast_a be_v appoint_v by_o the_o apostle_n very_o much_o for_o we_o have_v hence_o that_o fast_v be_v a_o necessary_a christian_a duty_n and_o strange_o conduce_v to_o save_v the_o world_n from_o sin_n it_o evident_o follow_v it_o be_v well_o worthy_a the_o apostle_n the_o better_a to_o secure_v so_o useful_a a_o practice_n to_o determine_v certain_a day_n every_o ye●r_n in_o which_o all_o christian_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o
less_o myself_o that_o i_o may_v have_v the_o more_o to_o give_v to_o those_o that_o be_v in_o necessity_n my_o fast_a be_v a_o act_n of_o charity_n if_o i_o fast_o the_o better_a to_o dispose_v myself_o for_o prayer_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o religious_a devotion_n if_o i_o fast_o judge_v myself_o not_o worthy_a of_o any_o delicacy_n nor_o of_o my_o fill_n of_o even_o the_o course_v fare_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o humility_n and_o dispose_v my_o soul_n moreover_o as_o little_a to_o affect_v fine_a clothes_n or_o stately_a dwelling_n as_o i_o do_v good_a victual_n and_o consequent_o moderate_v my_o desire_n of_o money_n and_o riches_n which_o be_v not_o desirable_a by_o corrupt_a nature_n but_o for_o these_o or_o such_o like_a use_n if_o i_o fast_o that_o i_o may_v be_v better_a able_a to_o pay_v my_o debt_n or_o provide_v my_o child_n portition_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o justice_n and_o christian_n paternal_a piety_n if_o to_o moderate_v my_o inordinate_a appetite_n of_o meat_n and_o drink_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o temperance_n in_o fine_a it_o be_v hard_a to_o name_v a_o virtue_n which_o fast_v do_v not_o strange_o help_v to_o procure_v maintain_v and_o increase_v and_o after_o all_o this_o can_v either_o pagan_a or_o christian_n deny_v the_o holy_a fast_a of_o lent_n to_o have_v a_o divine_a character_n stamp_v upon_o it_o and_o must_v it_o be_v still_o stigmatise_v with_o the_o ignominious_a brand_n of_o superstition_n and_o will-worship_n but_o how_o do_v i_o know_v assure_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o b._n saviour_n teach_v the_o primitive_a christian_n to_o fast_a in_o lent_n be_o i_o able_a to_o produce_v a_o grand_a jury_n of_o so_o many_o venerable_a old_a man_n who_o have_v be_v miraculous_o keep_v alive_a ever_o since_o and_o be_v ready_a to_o avouch_v as_o much_o upon_o solemn_a oath_n no_o not_o i_o how_o do_v i_o then_o know_v it_o have_v a_o angel_n appear_v to_o i_o and_o tell_v i_o as_o much_o no._n how_o then_o why_o how_o do_v the_o israelite_n who_o live_v above_o two_o thousand_o year_n after_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o sabbath_n know_v that_o god_n almighty_n command_v their_o first_o father_n adam_n to_o keep_v it_o holy_a they_o have_v no_o book_n of_o it_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n be_v write_v above_o two_o thousand_o year_n after_o by_o moses_n i_o conceive_v they_o know_v it_o thus_o adam_n instant_o upon_o god-almighties_a command_n set_v himself_o religious_o to_o observe_v that_o day_n and_o teach_v his_o child_n to_o do_v so_o also_o his_o child_n practise_v and_o teach_v their_o child_n downward_o till_o moses_n his_o day_n nor_o have_v any_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o that_o first_o holy_a day_n because_o it_o be_v not_o transmit_v and_o recommend_v to_o they_o by_o a_o book_n nor_o will_v it_o have_v be_v a_o sufficient_a excuse_n for_o any_o one_o then_o to_o have_v pretend_v how_o can_v they_o be_v certain_a that_o some_o of_o their_o ancestor_n betwixt_o they_o and_o adam_n have_v not_o of_o their_o own_o head_n superstitious_o devise_v a_o religious_a observation_n of_o that_o day_n before_o all_o other_o unless_o they_o can_v have_v produce_v some_o positive_a evidence_n of_o such_o a_o innovation_n in_o like_a manner_n i_o say_v concern_v the_o holy_a fast_o of_o lent_n the_o holy_a apostle_n first_o teach_v the_o observation_n of_o it_o in_o the_o several_a country_n where_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n their_o convert_v fell_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o and_o teach_v their_o child_n in_o like_a manner_n and_o so_o one_o generation_n another_o till_o our_o present_a day_n and_o this_o all_o over_o the_o christian_a world_n now_o unless_o nonconformist_n can_v show_v when_o this_o burdensome_a precept_n of_o fasting-lent_n be_v impose_v upon_o christendom_n since_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n i_o can_v see_v how_o they_o can_v more_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o this_o obligation_n than_o can_v the_o israelite_n excuse_v themselves_o from_o the_o keep_n of_o saturday_n sabbath_n which_o be_v ordain_v two_o thousand_o year_n before_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o there_o be_v also_o as_o yet_o no_o write_v word_n of_o god_n at_o all_o for_o any_o such_o observation_n but_o what_o proof_n can_v be_v bring_v that_o all_o intermediate_v generation_n since_o the_o apostle_n in_o several_a christian_a country_n have_v keep_v lent_n a_o much_o strong_a than_o jacob_n can_v bring_v to_o prove_v to_o his_o child_n that_o saturday-sabbath_n have_v be_v keep_v ever_o since_o adam_n he_o can_v only_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o present_a generation_n that_o so_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v by_o their_o father_n and_o grandfather_n time_n out_o of_o mind_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o tradition_n among_o they_o of_o a_o late_a beginning_n of_o such_o a_o observation_n write_a record_n divine_a or_o human_a he_o have_v none_o ay_o beside_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o of_o the_o present_a age_n in_o several_a christian_a country_n who_o affirm_v that_o they_o have_v immemorial_o from_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n among_o they_o religious_o observe_v lent_n will_v produce_v by_o and_o by_o record_n of_o above_o a_o thousand_o year_n stand_v for_o its_o apostolical_a institution_n but_o positive_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n appoint_v lend_v i_o argue_v thus_o two_o hundred_o year_n ago_o england_n france_n spain_n germany_n italy_n and_o all_o the_o eastern_a church_n universal_o fast_v lent_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o record_n and_o annal_n of_o our_o own_o and_o those_o other_o christian_a country_n therefore_o the_o apostle_n teach_v lend_v to_o their_o first_o convert_v both_o in_o the_o eastern_a and_o western_a world_n where_o they_o preach_v for_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o so_o many_o several_a country_n king_n and_o subject_n priest_n and_o people_n can_v by_o chance_n fall_v upon_o the_o yearly_a practice_n of_o abstain_v from_o flesh_n forty_o 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superstition_n natural_o unclean_a and_o unholy_a and_o to_o teach_v abstinence_n from_o certain_a creature_n upon_o such_o a_o account_n be_v deserve_o call_v the_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n and_o with_o this_o heresy_n the_o manichaean_n be_v charge_v by_o s._n austin_n and_o other_o father_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n mean_v such_o like_a abstainer_n from_o certain_a creature_n be_v manifest_a by_o the_o reason_n he_o give_v why_o christian_n shall_v not_o abstain_v upon_o such_o a_o account_n to_o wit_n because_o every_o creature_n of_o god_n be_v good_a and_o consequent_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o reject_v any_o as_o in_o themselves_o evil_a and_o unclean_a second_o we_o may_v abstain_v from_o certain_a meat_n or_o drink_v as_o less_o suitable_a to_o a_o time_n of_o humiliation_n or_o appease_v of_o almighty_a god_n for_o our_o sin_n by_o penitential_a work_n of_o fast_v weep_v and_o mourn_v or_o for_o some_o other_o spiritual_a end_n and_o such_o a_o abstinence_n as_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v prohibit_v by_o s._n paul_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n that_o it_o be_v commend_v not_o only_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n but_o also_o by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o example_n of_o the_o holy_a man_n that_o ever_o live_v upon_o earth_n thus_o s._n tymothy_n abstain_v from_o wine_n continual_o for_o mortification_n so_o that_o s._n paul_n think_v fit_a to_o exhort_v he_o not_o always_o to_o drink_v water_n but_o to_o make_v use_n of_o a_o little_a wine_n for_o his_o stomack-sake_n and_o frequent_a infirmity_n whereas_o have_v it_o be_v superstition_n to_o abstain_v from_o certain_a creature_n of_o god_n upon_o a_o religious_a account_n he_o ought_v to_o have_v dissuade_v he_o from_o his_o abstinence_n by_o tell_v he_o such_o a_o abstinence_n from_o the_o good_a creature_n of_o god_n be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n will-worship_n etc._n etc._n eat_v flesh_n and_o drink_v wine_n be_v very_o lawful_a and_o laudable_a when_o do_v in_o their_o due_a and_o proper_a season_n but_o be_v no_o way_n suitable_a to_o day_n or_o time_n when_o i_o be_o call_v upon_o by_o my_o lawful_a superior_n to_o appease_v god_n almightys_n anger_n for_o my_o own_o and_o other_o sin_n by_o fast_v weep_v and_o mourn_v hear_v not_o i_o but_o the_o holy_a prophet_n isa._n ch_n 22._o v._n 12_o 13_o 14._o and_o in_o that_o way_n do_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o host_n call_v to_o weep_v and_o to_o mourning_n and_o to_o baldness_n and_o to_o gird_v with_o sackcloth_n and_o behold_v joy_n and_o gladness_n slay_v ox_n and_o kill_a sheep_n eat_v flesh_n and_o drink_a wine_n let_v we_o eat_v and_o drink_v for_o tomorrow_o we_o shall_v die_v and_o it_o be_v reveal_v in_o my_o ear_n by_o the_o lord_n of_o host_n sure_o this_o iniquity_n shall_v not_o be_v purge_v from_o you_o till_o you_o die_v say_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o host_n now_o they_o seem_v not_o so_o much_o to_o be_v a-sleep_o as_o dead_a who_o hear_v not_o god_n almighty_a cry_v out_o unto_o they_o and_o call_v they_o to_o fast_v weep_v and_o mourn_v this_o holy_a and_o penitential_a time_n of_o lent_n after_o all_o the_o authority_n above-cited_n for_o its_o apostolical_a institution_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o abound_a of_o all_o sort_n of_o wickedness_n among_o we_o and_o the_o heavy_a spiritual_a plague_n of_o blindness_n of_o mind_n and_o insensibility_n of_o divine_a thing_n which_o have_v seize_v upon_o we_o and_o no_o doubt_n call_v aloud_o for_o penitential_a humiliation_n but_o if_o abstinence_n from_o certain_a meat_n upon_o a_o religious_a account_n be_v true_a christian_a piety_n what_o shall_v we_o say_v to_o s._n paul_n rom._n 14._o v._n 2._o one_o believe_v that_o he_o may_v eat_v all_o thing_n another_o who_o be_v weak_a eat_v herb_n and_o v_o 6._o he_o that_o eat_v
fast_n and_o whatsoever_o most_o severe_a mortification_n in_o exchange_n for_o its_o intolerable_a eternal_a torment_n and_o no_o less_o glad_o and_o willing_o ought_v we_o to_o do_v or_o suffer_v any_o thing_n never_o so_o troublesome_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n to_o prevent_v our_o fall_n into_o the_o same_o state_n of_o immutable_a unsufferable_a misery_n often_o and_o serious_o to_o think_v of_o this_o to_o wit_n that_o except_o we_o repent_v with_o fast_v weep_v and_o mourn_v we_o must_v perish_v and_o that_o eternal_o will_v make_v the_o most_o rigorous_a severity_n seem_v gentle_a and_o easy_a otherwhile_o let_v we_o call_v to_o mind_v the_o eternal_a joyful_a easter_n a_o religious_a devout_a lent-fast_a will_v end_v in_o and_o this_o will_v make_v we_o cry_v out_o with_o the_o great_a s._n paul_n the_o suffering_n of_o this_o time_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o future_a glory_n which_o shall_v be_v reveal_v in_o we_o whatsoever_o we_o can_v suffer_v by_o fast_v or_o whatsoever_o other_o christian_a severity_n in_o this_o our_o time_n upon_o this_o earth_n be_v light_n &_o easy_a if_o compare_v with_o the_o immense_a weight_n of_o eternal_a glory_n which_o expect_v we_o in_o the_o other_o life_n courage_n therefore_o o_o my_o soul._n sigh_v pray_v and_o fast_o heaven_n will_v make_v amends_o for_o all_o si_fw-mi credis_fw-la omne_fw-la patere_fw-la si_fw-la non_fw-la pateris_fw-la non_fw-la credis_fw-la etc._n etc._n o_o christian_a man_n say_v the_o divine_a s._n crysostom_n if_o thou_o believe_v be_v willing_a to_o suffer_v all_o thing_n if_o thou_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o suffer_v thou_o do_v not_o believe_v for_o such_o and_o so_o great_a thing_n be_v promise_v we_o that_o rather_o than_o fall_v short_a of_o they_o we_o ought_v to_o suffer_v a_o thousand_o death_n undoubted_o a_o few_o lent-fast_n immortality_n glory_n a_o kingdom_n a_o eternal_a kingdom_n be_v propose_v unto_o we_o to_o which_o kingdom_n he_o who_o to_o teach_v we_o the_o way_n to_o it_o fast_v 40._o day_n and_o 40._o night_n bring_v all_o devout_a imitator_n of_o his_o quadragesimal_n fast._n amen_o finis_fw-la a_o postscript_n if_o any_o one_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o prove_v of_o lent_n to_o be_v a_o apostolical_a institution_n by_o the_o unanimous_a tradition_n of_o all_o christian_a country_n they_o be_v desire_v to_o reflect_v first_o how_o they_o will_v triumph_n have_v they_o a_o like_a tradition_n but_o even_o of_o one_o country_n for_o a_o non_fw-fr observance_n of_o set-fast_n and_o second_o how_o that_o all_o christian_a church_n agree_v that_o a_o sacred_a reverence_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o whatsoever_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v apostolical_a by_o a_o true_o universal_a unanimous_a tradition_n but_o the_o dispute_n betwixt_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o church_n of_o england_n be_v whether_o certain_a doctrine_n or_o practice_n be_v indeed_o always_o every_o where_o by_o all_o or_o in_o a_o manner_n by_o all_o christian_a doctor_n acknowledge_v as_o apostolical_a i_o say_v by_o all_o or_o in_o a_o manner_n by_o all_o for_o as_o bishop_n gunning_n well_o observe_v p._n 132._o he_o will_v in_o a_o dangerous_a degree_n disserve_v our_o common_a christianity_n who_o will_v reject_v some_o book_n of_o h._n scripture_n the_o epistle_n for_o example_n of_o s._n james_n and_o s._n judas_n or_o something_o for_o be_v a_o tradition_n apostolical_a for_o the_o positive_a possible_a rejection_n of_o some_o one_o socrates_n or_o other_o ecclesiastical_a writer_n or_o some_o one_o or_o a_o few_o father_n against_o the_o know_a generality_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o ancient_a writer_n and_o immemorial_n witness_n or_o practice_n of_o whole_a christian_a country_n and_o the_o reason_n be_v manifest_a especial_o in_o our_o present_a particular_a matter_n of_o practice_n have_v the_o h._n apostle_n for_o example_n in_o the_o several_a country_n they_o convert_v to_o christianity_n teach_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o abstinence_n from_o certain_a meat_n on_o fasting-day_n nor_o no_o set-fast_n on_o friday_n or_o lent_n but_o have_v positive_o teach_v that_o to_o observe_v solemn_a set-fast_n be_v legal_a as_o the_o heretic_n aerius_n and_o that_o abstinence_n from_o certain_a meat_n be_v vain_a and_o unprofitable_a as_o the_o heretic_n jovinian_a according_a to_o s._n aug._n l._n de_fw-fr ser._n n._n 35._o &_o 82._o that_o some_o one_o or_o a_o few_o pretender_n to_o christianity_n shall_v either_o be_v ignorant_a what_o be_v teach_v they_o by_o the_o apostle_n or_o will_v wilful_o teach_v otherwise_o than_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v be_v no_o wonder_n but_o that_o all_o the_o several_a christian_a country_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v make_v a_o distinction_n of_o day_n and_o meat_n and_o this_o ever_o since_o they_o be_v christian_n they_o positive_o unanimous_o attest_v as_o much_o and_o all_o their_o most_o ancient_a record_n partly_o positive_o witness_v the_o same_o partly_o be_v silent_a as_o to_o any_o innovation_n and_o yet_o no_o such_o thing_n shall_v be_v teach_v they_o but_o rather_o the_o quite_o contrary_a by_o the_o first_o planter_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n among_o they_o this_o be_v impossible_a and_o whoever_o go_v about_o to_o weaken_v the_o force_n of_o universal_a tradition_n right_o understand_v invalidate_n as_o much_o as_o in_o he_o lie_v all_o reveal_v religion_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v assure_o any_o book_n as_o to_o all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o to_o be_v divine_a revelation_n but_o by_o such_o a_o tradition_n concern_v this_o see_v bishop_n gunning_n above_o christo_fw-la jejunanti_fw-la gloria_fw-la