a disease than exercise a virtue. I much wonder, what they who are thus persuaded do think, what conceit they have, concerning the fasts of the patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself."-Hooker B. v. Sec. lviii.

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Fasting is not to be commended as a duty, but as an instrument; and in that sense no man can reprove it or undervalue it, but he that knows neither spiritual arts nor spiritual necessities. But by the doctors of the Church it is called the nourishment of prayer, the restraint of lust, the wings of the soul, the diet of angels, the instrument of humility and self-denial, the purification of the spirit." Bp. Taylor's "Holy Living.”

More than all we have our Lord's own word, that some kinds of wickedness may be cast out by fasting joined with prayer, which cannot be cast out in any other way: and He has also told us of this, as of prayer, that, when it is done with true purpose of heart, God will reward it.

PROPER ENDS OF FASTING.

The Church of Rome has greatly abused this, as well as other means of grace, in her doctrine of merit; by which she would make it available, as a ground of pardon for past sins. But "whatever is not of faith is sin;" and therefore fasting can in no sense be called a good work, except we do it as Christians; that is, trusting in Christ and Him only, and hoping thereby to serve Him better: in which case, if our immediate purpose also be a proper one, it is, as the twelfth article of the Church expresses it, "pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ.".

"There be three ends, whereunto if our fast be directed, it is then a work profitable to us, and accepted of God.

"The first is, to chastise the flesh, that it be not too wanton, but tamed and brought in subjection to the spirit.

"The second, that the spirit may be more earnest and fervent to prayer.

"The third, that our fast be a witness with us before God, of our humble submission to His high Majesty, when we confess and acknowledge our sins unto Him, and are inwardly touched with sorrowfulness of heart, bewailing the same in the affliction of our bodies." Homily of Fasting.

FOR WHOM IT IS PROFITABLE.

The several ends of fasting teach us for what persons it is profitable; namely, for those who need to bring their bodies into subjection, to pray earnestly, and to mourn for their sins: and since all Christians are here included, they are indeed very bold who say that they do well enough without it, unless they can show some especial reason why they should not do it.

That it is not meant only for a few persons of peculiar temperament, is plain from the connexion in which our Lord has spoken of it. When He taught His disciples how to fast, it was at the same time and in the same words that He taught them how to give alms and pray. The instruction was general to all; and it made a part of the same lesson with that prayer, which all Christians say daily to their heavenly Father.

Young children and persons of weak and sickly

:

bodies have however always been excepted, as in their case it would not serve its proper ends. But we must not make a pretext of our health too hastily for it may be that we are ill, simply because we do not fast; and the truth is, that, whilst we are so apt to make a conscience of pampering our bodies for our health's sake, many die or suffer the worst of miseries for want of it.

Bp. Patrick also excuses, after St. Chrysostom, "such as out of choice eat always sparingly; no more, as near as they can guess, than will just suffice to support their strength." But these are very few; and he justly calls their life one of perpetual abstinence.

To these there is yet another class to be added; even of them, who are forced to a never-ending fast, who have nothing to abstain from but starvation. Among the early Christians "there was not any that lacked;" for "great grace was upon them all," and the rich gladly brought their money, "and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." But, in these days of little grace, many have hardly enough to eat, and the Apostle could not say now, as he did then, to all, that, "having food and raiment, we should be therewith content."

There is however one very numerous class of Christians, to whom fasting is more needful than to others; namely those, who from their childhood have been brought up in luxury. These are all their lives long in one great temptation, beset with the worst of evils in body and soul: but, though the gulf of self indulgence is yawning at their feet,

HYMN.

Hark! heard ye not the ancient seer, While thus the wondrous promise ran? “A Virgin shall conceive, and bear

A Son, Immanuel, God with man!"

Hark! hear ye not the Angel bring
His answering message from the sky?

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Hail, Virgin blest, from whom shall spring
A Son, the Son of God most High!”

Thou, for our sake incarnate made,

Thy Godhead, lo! with faith we own,

Or in a servant's form array'd,

Or partner of Thy Father's throne.

O, Jesus, glory be to Thee,

Return'd to Thy celestial rest, Thron'd with Thy Father's majesty,

In union with the Spirit blest.

Bp. Mant.

THE

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

Mary.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY, MARCH 25. We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAILY SERVICE.

Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb. Te Deum. My soul doth magnify the Lord; and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand-maiden: for behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me; and holy is his name. And his mercy on them that fear him, throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel; as he

is