in general, denotes the abstinence from food, (see Fasting); but is more particularly used for such abstinence on a religious account.

Religious fasting has been practised by most nations from the remotest antiquity. Some divines even pretend its origin in the earthly paradise, where our first parents were forbidden to eat of the tree of knowledge. But though this seems carrying the matter too far, it is certain, that the Jewish church has observed fasts ever since its first institution. Nor were the neighbouring heathens, viz. the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Assyrians, without their fasts. The Egyptians, according to Herodotus, sacrificed a cow to Isis, after having prepared themselves by fasting and prayer: a custom which he likewise attributes to the women of Cyrene. Porphyry affirms, that the Egyptians, before their stated sacrifices, always fasted a great many days, sometimes for six weeks; and that the least behoved to be for seven days: during all which time the priests and devotees not only abstained from flesh, fish, wine, and oil; but even from bread, and some kinds of pulse. These austeritys were communicated by them to the Greeks, who observed their fasts much in the same manner. The Athenians had the Eleusinian and Theophorarian fasts, the observation of which was very rigorous, especially among the women, who spent one whole day sitting on the ground in a mournful dress, without taking any nourishment. In the island of Crete, the priests of Jupiter were obliged to abstain all their lives from fish, flesh, and baked meats. Apuleius informs us, that whoever had a mind to be initiated in the mysteries of Cybele were obliged to prepare themselves by fasting ten days; and, in short, all the pagan deities, whether male or female, required this duty of those that desired to be initiated into their mysteries, of their priests and priestesses that gave the oracles, and of those that came to consult them.

Among the heathens fasting was also practised before some of their military enterprises. Aristotle informs us, that the Lacedemonians having resolved to succour a city of the allies, ordained a fast throughout the whole extent of their dominions, without excepting even the domestic animals: and this they did for two ends; one to spare provisions in favour of the besieged; the other to draw down the blessing of heaven upon their enterprise. The inhabitants of Tarentum, when besieged by the Romans, demanded succours from their neighbours of Rhegium, who immediately commanded a fast throughout their whole territories. Their enterprise having had good success by their throwing a supply of provisions into the town, the Romans were obliged to raise the siege; and the Tarentines, in memory of this deliverance, instituted a perpetual fast.

Fasting has always been reckoned a particular duty among philosophers and religious people, some of whom have carried their abstinence to an incredible length. At Rome it was practised by kings and emperors themselves. Numa Pompilius, Julius Caesar, Augustus, Vespasian, and others, we are told, had their stated fasts; and Julian the apostate was so exact in this observance as to outdo the priests themselves, and even the most rigid philosophers. The Pythagoreans kept a continual fast; but with this difference, that they believed the use of fish to be equally unlawful with that of flesh. Besides their constant temperance, they also frequently fasted rigidly for a very long time. In this respect, however, they were all outdone by their master Pythagoras, who continued his fasts for no less than 40 days together. Even Apollonius Tyranus, one of his most famous disciples, could never come up to him in the length of his fasts, though they greatly exceeded those of the ordinary Pythagoreans. The gymnosophists, or brahmans of the east, are also very remarkable for their severe fasting; and the Chinese, according to Father Le Comte, have also their slated fasts, with forms of prayer for preserving them from barrenness, inundations, earthquakes, &c. The Mahometans too, who possess so large a part of Asia, are very remarkable for the strict observance of their fasts; and the exactness of their dervishes in this respect is extraordinary.

Fasting was often used by the heathens for superstitious purposes; sometimes to procure the interpretations of dreams; at others, to be an antidote against their pernicious consequences. A piece of superstition prevails to this day among the Jews; who, though expressly forbidden to fast on Sabbath-days, think themselves at liberty to dispense with this duty when they happen to have frightful and unlucky dreams the night preceding, that threatened them with great misfortunes. On these occasions they observe a formal fast the whole day; and at night the patient, having invited three of his friends, addresses himself to them seven times in a very solemn manner, saying, "May the dream I have had prove a lucky one!" And his friends answer as many times, "Amen, may it be lucky, and God make it so?" After which, in order to encourage him, they conclude the ceremony with these words of Ecclesiastes, "Go eat thy bread with joy;" and then set themselves down to table. They have also added several fasts not commanded in the law of Moses, particularly three, in memory of sore distresses their nation has suffered at different times. The abstinence of the ancient Jews commonly lasted 27 or 28 hours at a time; beginning before sunset, and not ending till some hours after sunset next day. On these days they were obliged to wear white robes in token of grief and repentance; to cover themselves with sackcloth, or their worst clothes; to lie on ashes; to sprinkle them on their head, &c. Some spent the whole night and day following in the temple or synagogue, in prayers and other devotions, barefooted, with a scourge in their hands, of which they sometimes made a good use in order to raise their zeal. Lastly, in order to complete their abstinence, at night they were to eat nothing but a little bread dipped in water, with some salt for seasoning; except they chose to add to their repast some bitter herbs and pulse.

The ancients, both Jews and Pagans, had also their fasts for purifying the body, particularly the priests and such as were any way employed at the altars; for when nocturnal disorders happened to these, it was unlawful for them to approach all the next day, which they were bound to employ in purifying themselves. On this account, at great festivals, where their ministry could not be dispensed with, it was usual for them on the eve thereof, not only to fast, but also to abstain from sleep, for the greater certainty. For this purpose the high-priest had under-officers to wake him, if overtaken with sleep; against which other preservatives were also made use of.