ζ. Forty days did Ezekiel bear the iniquities of the children of Israel. (Ezek. iv. 6.)
η. Forty days did Elijah fast in the desert. (1 Kings xix. 8.)
θ. Forty days did Nineveh afflict itself in sackcloth and ashes. (Jonah iii. 4.)
ι. Forty days was Christ with His Apostles after the resurrection. (Acts i. 3.)
2. We keep forty days of Lenten fast—
α. That we may represent in the Christian year the fasting of our Lord, as we also represent His birth, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension.
β. That we may appease God’s wrath against us; making satisfaction to the best of our power for our fallings short during the rest of the year.
γ. That we may practise and test our strength, so as to be able to exert it when temptation arises.
δ. That we may fulfil Christ’s words, When the Bridegroom is taken away, then shall ye fast in those days.