Christian Prayer and Fasting

1. Rules in giving of Alms and doing Good Works

1. They must be done in obedience to God’s commandments: not because we think it good, but because God requires us to do such and such a good deed; for such obedience of the worker God prefers before all sacrifices, and the greatest works (1 Samuel 15:22).

2. They must proceed from faith, else they cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6 & Romans 14:23) Nay, without faith, the most specious works are but shining sins and Pharisees’ alms.

3. Thou must not think by thy good works and alms to merit heaven; for in vain had the Son of God shed his blood, if heaven could have been purchased either for money or meat. Thou must therefore seek heaven’s possession by the purchase of Christ’s blood, not by the merits of thine own works; for “eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ.” (Romans 6:23). Yet every true Christian that believes to be saved, and hopes to come to heaven, must do good works, as the apostle saith, for necessary uses, which are four:—First, that God may be glorified (1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Corinthians 8:19, Philippians 1:11); Secondly, that thou mayest shew thyself thankful for thy redemption (Luke 1:74-75); Thirdly, that thou mayest make sure thine election unto thyself (2 Peter 1:10); Fourthly, that thou mayest win others, by thy holy devotion, to think the better of thy Christian profession (Matthew 5:16 & Isaiah 61:9). And for these uses we are said to be “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, and that God hath ordained us to walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).

4. Thou must not give thine alms to impudent vagabonds, who live in wilful idleness and filthiness, but to the religious and honest poor, who are either sick, or so old that they cannot work; or such who work, but their work cannot competently maintain them: seek out those in the back lanes, and relieve them. But if thou meetest one. that asketh an alms for Jesus’ sake, and knowest him not to be unworthy, deny him not; for it is better to give unto ten counterfeits, than to suffer Christ to go, in one poor saint, unrelieved. Look not on the person, but give thy alms as unto Christ in the party.

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