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demned by God; frustrating a chief end of the fast, which is, that the soul may be afflicted.

Afflicting the soul works repentance; another chief end, and companion of fasting; for godly sorrow causes repentance, never to be repented of, 2 Cor. vii. 10.

When the soul is afflicted, and heavy laden with sin, then a man will readily and earnestly seek after God, even as the sick do to the physician for health, and as a condemned man to the king for a pardon. In their affliction (saith God) they will seek me diligently, Hosea v. 15. If this be true of the outward, then much more of inward affliction.

The afflicted soul is a fit object of God's mercy; to him doth God look that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, Isa. lxvi. 2, that trembles at his word; yea, the bowels of his fatherly compassion are troubled for him, Jer. xxxi. 20, who is troubled and ashamed for his sin.

Moreover, upon a day of humiliation (if a man deal sincerely) this affliction of his soul drives him quite out of himself to seek help of God in Christ; and makes him endeavour to bring his soul into such good frame, that he may truly say he doth not regard iniquity in his heart, Psa. lxvi. 18, and that his unfeigned purpose is, and endeavour shall be, to keep a good conscience toward God and man alway. Whence follows boldness, and assurance, through Christ Jesus, that God will be found of him, John xv. 7, and that in God's own time, and in the best manner, he shall have all his holy desires fulfilled.

Who are to observe religious fasts.

All whom lawful authority enjoins, are to keep a public fast, Joel i. 14, so far as health will permit.

These only may keep a private fast:

First, Such as are of understanding; else how can they search out their ways, judge themselves, or pray? In public fasts, if authority think fit, little children may be caused to fast, that the parents, and others of understanding, may (as by objects of misery) be stir-