Friday after Ash-Wednesday — On the Rules of Fasting

Consider, first, that fasting, according to the present discipline of the church, implies three things. First, we are to abstain from flesh meat on fasting days: secondly, we are to eat but one meal in the day: and thirdly, we are not to take our meal till about noon. The ancient discipline of the church was more rigorous, both in the point of the abstinence, and in not allowing the meal in Lent till the evening. These regulations are calculated to mortify the sensual appetite, by penance and self-denial. If you find some difficulty in the observance of them, offer it up to God for your sins. Fasting is not designed to please, but to punish. Your diligent compliance on this occasion with the laws of your mother, the church, will also give an additional value to your mortification, from the virtue of obedience.

Consider, secondly, that we must not content ourselves with the outward observance of these regulations, that relate to our diet on fasting days; but we must principally have regard to the inward spirit, and what we may cdl the very soul of the fast; which is a penitential spirit. W ithout this, the outward observance is but like a carcass without life. This penitential spirit implies a deep sense of the guilt of our sins, a horror and detestation of all our past disloyalties and treasons, and a hearty sorrow for them; a sincere desire to return to God, and to renounce our sinful ways for the future; and particularly a readiness of mind to make the best satisfaction we are capable of to divine justice, by penancing ourselves for our sins. Fasting, performed in this spirit, cannot fail of moving God to mercy. O my soul, let thy fasting be always animated with this spirit!

Consider, thirdly, that fervent prayer and almsdeeds also, according to each one’s ability, ought to be the inseparable companions of our fasting. These three sisters should go hand in hand, Tob. xii. 8, to help us in our warfare against our three mortal enemies — the flesh, the world, and the devil. The practice of these three eminent good works we must oppose to that triple concupiscence, which reigns in the world, and by means ol which Satan maintains his unhappy reign. By fasting we overcome the lust of the flesh; by almsdeeds we subdue the lust of the eyes, by which we are apt to covet the mammon of the world, and its empty toys; and by fervent and humble prayer we conquer the pride of life, and put to flight the devil, the king of pride. O let us never forget to call in these powerful auxiliaries to help us in our warfare. Let almsdeeds and prayer ever accompany our fasts.

Conclude to follow these rules, if you desire your fast should be acceptable: if you fail in them, it will not such a fast as God hath chosen.