Christian Prayer and Fasting

2. Of doing Good Works

The good works which as a Christian thou must do every day, but especially on thy fasting day, are either the works of piety to God, or the works of charity towards thy brethren.

First, The works of piety to God, are the practice of all the former duties in the sincerity of a good conscience, and in the sight of God.

Secondly, The works of charity towards our brethren are, forgiving of wrongs, remitting debts to the poor that are not well able to pay; but especially in giving alms to the poor that want relief and sustenance (Isaiah 58:6, etc., & Zechariah 7:9-10). Else we shall, under pretence of godliness, practise miserableness; like those who will pinch their own bellies, to defraud their labouring servants of their due allowance. As, therefore, Christ joined fasting, prayer, and alms together in precept, so must thou join them together, like Cornelius, in practice. And therefore be sure to give at the least so much to the poor, on thy fasting day, as thou wouldst have spent in thine own diet, if thou hadst not fasted that day. And remember, that “he that soweth plenteously shall reap plenteously” (2 Corinthians 9:6), and that this is a special sowing day. Let thy fasting so afflict thee, that it may refresh a poor Christian; and rejoice that thou hast dined and supped in another; or rather, that thou hast feasted hungry Christ, in his poor members.

In giving alms, observe two things: First, The Rules; Secondly, The Rewards.

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