Abstaining from pleasant food
The lowest kind of fasting, if it can be called by that name, is the abstaining from pleasant food. Of this we have several instances in Scripture, besides that of Daniel and his brethren, who from a peculiar consideration, namely, that they might not defile themselves with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank (a daily provision of which the king had appointed for them), requested and obtained of the prince of the eunuchs pulse to eat and water to drink (Daniel 1:8-12). Perhaps from a mistaken imitation of this might spring the very ancient custom of abstaining from flesh and wine during such times as were set apart for fasting and abstinence, if it did not rather arise from a supposition that these were the most pleasant food, and a belief that it was proper to use what was least pleasing at those times of solemn approach to God.
1771 text
5. The lowest kind of fasting, if it can be called by that name, is the abstaining from pleasant food. Of this we have several instances in scripture, besides that of Daniel and his brethren: who from a peculiar consideration, namely, that they might not defile themselves with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank, (a daily provision of which the king had appointed for them) requested and obtained of the prince of the Eunuchs, pulse to eat and water to drink. Perhaps from a mistaken imitation of this, might spring the very ancient custom, of abstaining from flesh and wine during such times as were set a-part for fasting and abstinence. If it did not rather arise from a supposition that these were the most pleasant food, and a belief, that it was proper to use what was least pleasing, at those times of solemn approach to God.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
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Catalogue & scope
Sermon 27 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 6:16-18.
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