104 ON THE PLACE. OF FISH IN 
1625. 
“TREATISE OF Fastinc.”——enry Jason. 
CuHaptTer II. 
Voluntary fasts are of two sorts. They are either worldly 
and profane, or religious and holy. 
Worldly and profane I call those whose end is for some 
worldly use, or for some respect belonging to this life. And _ 
these are divers. For sometimes men may fast for effecting 
of some worldly business with better speede, as Saul and 
his soldiers did, when the people tasted no food, because 
theeking had adjured them, saying ; Cursed be the man that 
eateth any foode untill evening, that I may be avenged on my 
enemies. We see the reason of this fast was, because the 
King would not allow them any time of eating, for that 
they might bestow all the time in pursuing of the enemie. 
And so in like sort a man may fast for his health, that he 
may get rid of undigested humours; for his gain, that he 
may spare his purse; and for the public good, that he may 
preserve the breede of cattell; yea, and for very luxury 
and of a gluttonous disposition, that he may keep his 
stomach for better cheer. When men fast for these or any 
such like ends, their fasts are worldly and profane, and 
therefore have no place amongst religious exercises. 
The second are holy and religious fasts. And so I call 
those which are intended and do serve for some special 
use, which concerneth God’s glory and the good of men’s 
souls, 
CHAPTER X. 
He says of Lent— 
Because the fast of Lent was antiently observed in divers 
churches and countries after a very diverse and different 
maner. First, there was a difference in the number of 
weekes appointed for this use ; some observing eight weekes, 
some seven, some six, and some, as we now doe, six weekes 
and foure daies. Secondly, there was difference in the 
