"Minding you of the approaching Fast of Lent"
I am come the second time upon a Shrove-Sunday (I cannot tell whether by chance or choice) to perform the Pulpit-Office of the day; and I know not how I should better manage that Province, than by minding you of the approaching Fast of Lent, nor how better to dispose you for that, than by presenting you with a Map of St. Paul's Austerities. If I should propound unto you this day the example of Christs forty days fast in the Wilderness; you would say happily, that was Miraculous ... who is like unto the Lord our God? who by the power of his Divine Nature could support the frailties of his Human: well therefore we press not Christ's example, but we speak after the manner of man because of your infirmities. I bring you the example of a man, a mere man, that was of the same Passions we are of, to direct you, and encourage you to the Christian Combats with your flesh in the following time of Lent.
Whether St. Paul or the other Apostles kept the Fast of Lent formally, I know not, there are some in the world bold to avouch it: but if they did not, this I am sure of, they practised the duties of Lent precisely; and if we could but once agree about them, we should never fall out about the time. If it once be granted that the duties of Lent be lawful, and needful, surely there must be a time allowed them: for omnia tempus habent, there is a time for all things under the Sun. And that the Apostles observed the duties of Lent strictly, St. Paul is my Record in this place, who in the end of this Chapter Exhorting the Corinthians to contend and strive for the heavenly prize of Salvation, by a double example shews after what manner they should do it.
There is also explicit criticism of those who reject the Lenten fast:
To avoid the danger of symbolising with the Papists, they run with the Heathen into all excess of riot. And as we are sorry to see these things, so we are bold to open our mouths wide in this solemn assembly, and complain of it, as one cause of the grand impiety, lewdness and debauchery of these times. That men on Fasting days, Ember weeks, and the time of Lent, when they should go to Joel's doctrine of turning to the Lord with fasting, and weeping and mourning, they go to Jael's Butter and Milk in a Lordly dish, wrap them warm, and lay them down and take their rest; that they turn their fasting days into feasting days; instead of watching in night to Prayer, sleep away all Prayers in the day; instead of taking of revenge on themselves for their sins, let no pleasure of the Spring pass by them. Men have found out an easier way of going to heaven then St. Paul knew, or the Saints in after ages, they can go now ... from the pleasures of this world, to the pleasures of another, when the Church calls to lamentation and mourning, behold joy and gladness, slaying Oxen, and killing Sheep, eating flesh and drinking Wine.
The sermon concludes with a critique of those invoke Christian liberty against the Lenten fast, emphasising the obligation not to cause scandal to the Body of Christ and to accept the authority of Church and Magistrate:
I would fain know in matter of scandal, whether it be a greater offence to go against the judgment of some weak and ignorant man, by passed only by his own fancy and prejudice, than against the judgment of the whole Church, wherein there are so many wise, and holy men, and they backed by the Authority of an Established Law? Well then seeing some fasting is under a command not only of God but of the Church also, that in casu scandali, we are not to infringe the Authority of the Magistrate to gratify the humour of some ignorant Christians. It would be our wisdom to shew our affections and obedience to the Church, whereof we are members, and in some measure to conform our selves to the Laws of fasting, that are there in force. I conclude with that excellent Counsel of St. Peter. As free and not using your liberty as a cloak of maliciousness. In which words there are two things obvious: concession, 'as free', and then a caution, 'not using your liberty as a cloak of maliciousness'. All Christians are made partakers of a glorious liberty by Christ, no question, but then here is a caution, not using their liberty as an occasion to the flesh, which they do undoubtedly, whensoever they confront the just Laws of the Church, whereof the King is Supreme Governor, and fall foul upon that Law, to which the Counsel of St. Peter is subservient, 'They use their 'liberty as a cloak of maliciousness'.
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