Here are directions given for the due performance of this duty. It should be performed,
1. Unostentatiously —
[Religion, of a certain kind at least, was in high repute among the Jews: and consequently there was a great tempta- tion to assume an appearance of piety amongst them. Hence the Pharisees observed frequent fast-days, (generally " twice in the week,") and studiously endeavoured to attract the atten- tion of others by their squalid appearance. They omitted to cleanse and anoint themselves, as at other times ; and " dis- figured their faces," probably by dust and ashes which they had strewed on their heads, or, at all events, by downcast and gloomy looks.
Similar temptations do not occur to us: the habits of modern times are not such as to render that kind of sanctity an object of applause : it would rather be thought an indication of insanity : and therefore hypocrisy is rarely seen amongst us in that garb. Nevertheless, the caution against an ostentatious display of piety is at no time unseasonable. Diversity of customs, however they may produce a change in the modes of shewing hypocrisy, make no change at all in the dispositions of the heart : and therefore we must understand this caution as extending to every thing whereby our religious exercises may be ostentatiously displayed.]
2. Sincerely —
[As on the one hand, we are not to desire to be seen of men, so on the other hand, we should act as in the presence of the all-seeing God. But here we fail. In seasons of great public calamity, our government has always called us to humble ourselves before God: and the words which we have uttered at such times have been well suited to the occasion. But how little of real repentance has God seen amongst us! The true way to keep a fast unto the Lord, is by deep humiliation of our souls, and a resolute amendment of our lives. The former is inculcated by the Prophet Joel', the latter by the Pro- phet Isaiah'' But in how few instances have our pro- fessions been realized ! Well ma}' God complain of us, as of his people of old, " When ye did fast, did ye fast unto 7)ie, even unto me^ ?" Truly, in sincerity of heart we have been as defi- cient as ever the Pharisees of old were : and the only difference between them and us has been, that they had the appearance of piety without the reality, and we have been equally destitute of both : we have, with the exception of uttering a few words in a place of worship, rejected even the form of tliat duty,
> Joelii. 1-2, 13. i^ Isai. Iviii. 5—7. • Zcch. vii. 5, (J.