Fast always
But if fasting be indeed of so great importance and attended with such a blessing, is it not best, say some, fifthly, to fast always? Not to do it now and then, but to keep a continual fast? To use as much abstinence at all times as our bodily strength will bear? Let none be discouraged from doing this. By all means use as little and plain food, exercise as much self-denial in this at all times, as your bodily strength will bear. And this may conduce by the blessing of God to several of the great ends above mentioned. It may be a considerable help not only to chastity but also to heavenly mindedness, to the weaning your affections from things below and setting them on things above. But this is not fasting, scriptural fasting. It is never termed so in all the Bible. It in some measure answers some of the ends of it, but still it is another thing. Practice it by all means, but not so as thereby to set aside a command of God and an instituted means of averting his judgments and obtaining the blessings of his children.
1771 text
5. “But if fasting be indeed of so great importance, and attended with such a blessing, is it not best, say some, fifthly, to fast always? Not to do it now and then, but to keep a continual fast? To use as much abstinence at all times, as our bodily strength will bear?” Let none be discouraged from doing this. By all means use as little and plain food, exercise as much self-denial herein at all times, as your bodily strength will bear. And this may conduce, by the blessing of God, to several of the great ends above-mentioned. It may be a considerable help not only to chastity, but also to heavenly mindedness; to the weaning your affections from things below, and setting them on things above. But this is not fasting, scriptural fasting: it is never termed so in all the bible. It in some measure answers some of the ends thereof; but still it is another thing. Practice it by all means; but not so as thereby to set aside a command of God, and an instituted means of averting his judgments, and obtaining the blessings of his children.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 27 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:16-18.
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