Posted in Lewis Bayly on January 9th, 2007 5 Comments »
1. Of avoiding Evil
This abstinence from evil is that which is chiefly signified by thy abstinence from food, etc., and is the chief end of fasting, as the Ninevites very well knew (Jonah 3:8 & 10). A day of fast, and not fasting from sin, the Lord abhorreth. It is not the vacuity of the stomach, […]
Posted in Lewis Bayly on January 8th, 2007 3 Comments »
3. Of the humble Confession of Sins.
In this action thou must deal plainly with God, and acknowledge all the sins thou knowest, not only in general, but also in particular (1 Samuel 7:6, Ezekiel 9:4, Daniel 9, Nehemiah 1). This has been the manner of all God’s children in their fasts—First, because that without confession, thou […]
Posted in Lewis Bayly on January 7th, 2007 1 Comment »
2. Of the Bewailing of thy own State.
Bewailing or lamentation is the pouring out of the inward mourning of the heart, by the outward means of the voice, and tears of the eyes (Jeremiah 31:18-20). With such filial earnestness and importunity in prayer, is our heavenly Father well pleased; nay, when it is the fruit […]
Posted in Lewis Bayly on January 6th, 2007 1 Comment »
1. Of the inward insight of Sin, and sense of Misery
This sense and insight will be effected in thee—First, by considering thy sins, especially thy gross sins, according to the circumstance of the time when, place where, manner how, and persons with whom, it was committed. Secondly, the majesty of God against whom it was […]
Posted in Lewis Bayly on January 5th, 2007 14 Comments »
The true manner of performing a private fast consists partly in outward, partly in inward actions.
The outward actions are, to abstain, for the time that we fast—First, From all worldly business and labour, making our fasting day, as it were, a Sabbath day (Leviticus 23:28 & 36, Joel 1:14 & 2:15) for worldly business will […]