434 ON THE PLACE OF FISH IN 



1625. 



" TREATISE OF FASTING." Henry Mason. 

 CHAPTER 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 

 the king 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 



