December 22 — On the Ember Week in Advent

Consider, first, that the ember weeks, at the four seasons of the year, are times set aside by the church, from the earliest ages, for fasting and prayer. The primitive church had that zealous regard for the glory of God, and the sanctification of the souls of her children, by training them up to these religious exercises, so much recommended by the word of God, that she would not suffer any of the four parts of the year to pass, without calling upon them all, to sanctify one week, at least, by more than ordinary devotion; and by an offering up to God therein the tribute of a penitential fast. In hich also she had, moreover, in view, that, by their diligence in this practice, her children might draw down a blessing from God, on all their labours, and on the fruits of the earth; that they might give thanks for the blessings already received, and implore the divine mercy for the forgiveness of the sins they were continually committing. Christians, let us, at these holy times, enter into these views of our holy mother the church; and, by joining, as it were, in a body, with all the people of God upon earth, in fasting, in alms deeds, and in humble prayer, make the best return we are able to the Giver of all good gifts, for all his benefits, beg a continuance of his graces and blessings, and the pardon of all our sins, through the merits of the passion and death of his only Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Consider, secondly, that these penitential fasts, of the ember weeks, are also instituted in order to turn away the judgments of God; which we have too great reason to apprehend may be hanging over our heads on account of our sins. For, if we duly consider the multitude and enormity of the crimes that are daily and hourly committed amongst Christians, of all degrees and conditions; crimes that continually cry to heaven for vengeance; (and how few there are in comparison, that are not frequently falling into mortal sin, in one shape or another!) we cannot but fear lest the very worst of Gods judgments may be speedily falling upon Christendom, if not averted by prayer and penance. It is then not only a duty of obedience to our nicthei the church, but a charity also that we owe both to ourselves and to our neighbours, to join, at these times, in prayer and penance, in order to prevent these dismal visitations of the divine justice; and fo turn now to the Lord with our whole heart, in fasting, and weeping, and mourning, as the prophet admonishes, {Joel ii,) that so, by entering into dispositions of true penitents, and seriously turning away from the evil of our sins, we may prevail with our merciful God to turn away also his scourges from us, which we have deserved by our sins. O that Christians would remember this, on all their days of fasting, and would always enter into the true spirit of these institutions, chiefly designed for the abolishing sin, and appeasing th« divine justice. Thus would they offer up to God such a fast as he has chosen. Thus would their fastings draw down a blessing from him.

Consider, thirdly, that the ember weeks are also set aside, by the church of Christ, for the times of giving holy orders; which, by apostolical tradition, and by the example of the apostles, ought to be accompanied with prayer and fasting. {Acts xiii. 2, 3, &/ xiv. 22.) Yes, Christians, as there is not any one thing, on which both the general good of the whole church, and the welfare of every soul in particular, so much depends, as upon having saints for our pastors, and such as may be men according to God’s own heart, who, both by word and work, may continually promote the glory of God, and the salvation of souls; so there is not any one thing, which more pressingly calls for our prayers and fasting, than the obtaining of such pastors from God. This should indeed have a great part in our devotions at all times; but more especially at these times of their ordination. Bad priests are sometimes permitted by God, as one of his most dreadful judgments upon the sins of the people. It is the business, then, of all Christians, by praying well, and living well, to avert this judgment, and to obtain better guides.

Conclude to labour, by more than ordinary devotion and penance, at these holy times, to answer all the ends of these ancient institutions. This ember week in particular, and all the latter part of advent, (that is, twelve whole days before Christmas,) by an ancient custom of the primitive English church, was dedica ted by our Catholic ancestors to fastings, watchings, prayer and alms: and all the faithful, at this time, betook themselves to ctm- fession and penance, in order to prepare themselves liir a worthy participation of the body of the Lord, on Christmas day; as we from B. Egbert, who was archbishop of York above a thousand years ago; {in Dialogo de ecclesiastica Institut'wnc.) O how much have we degenerated from this ancient piety 1