by Nicholas Bownd
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Nicholas Bownd’s The Holy Exercise of Fasting is a deeply pastoral and biblically rich guide to the spiritual discipline of fasting, calling Christians to a more reverent and purposeful engagement with this often-neglected practice. Originally written in the context of a public call to fasting due to national calamities, Bownd provides a comprehensive theological and practical exposition on why fasting is a divine ordinance, grounded in both the Old and New Testaments.
The book is structured around a series of homilies that systematically unpack the nature, purpose, and practice of fasting. Bownd explains that fasting is not a mere human tradition but a biblical mandate aimed at humbling the soul before God, seeking His mercy, and turning away from sin. He describes both the outward elements—abstinence from food, reduction in worldly comforts—and the inward graces, particularly humility and repentance, that should accompany this holy ordinance. Bownd's pastoral warmth shines as he exhorts his readers to engage in fasting not out of mere duty, but as a means of drawing near to Christ in true sorrow for sin and dependence on divine grace.
What makes this work especially compelling is its practical clarity and the pastoral wisdom Bownd offers. He addresses not only the theology behind fasting but also the common hindrances and misconceptions that often discourage believers from practicing it rightly. His writings challenge modern readers to embrace fasting as a vital spiritual discipline, reminding us that seasons of self-denial can lead to deeper intimacy with God and renewed spiritual vitality.
About the Author:
Nicholas Bownd (1551–1613) was a Reformed English clergyman and theologian, best known for his works on Sabbath observance and spiritual disciplines. Serving as a faithful pastor in Suffolk, Bownd was deeply committed to the biblical exposition of God's law and its role in the Christian life. His writings reflect the depth of Puritan piety and a passion for the holiness of God's people. His work on fasting, written during times of national crisis, reveals his pastoral heart and theological depth, making it a valuable resource for Christians seeking to cultivate a life of repentance and prayer.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREF. I. TO THE RIGHT REVERAND.
PREF. II. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
1. HOMILY. I.
2. HOMILY. II.
3. HOMILY. III.
4. HOMILY. IIII.
5. HOMILY. V.
6. HOMILY. VI.
7. HOMILY. VII.
8. HOMILY. VIII.
9. HOMILY. IX.
10. A DIRECTION FOR PRAYER.
11. APPENDIX. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES.