The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

5. Days of fasting and prayer, are another seasonable time of doing works of mercy. For how can we expect that God should show mercy unto us in removing those Judgements which we feel, or in preventing those which we fear; if we will not show mercy to our poor Brethren, who stand in need of our relief? In the day of our fasting therefore, let us at least give away to the poor so much as we save by our fast. For as Austin in one of his Sermons saith, Then are our fasts acceptable to God, ¹if they which fast out of necessity, because they want meat, be relieved by us. Let this therefore be always observed by us, that the poor have the gain of our fasting, and not our own purses.

5. Daies of fasting and prayer, are another seasonable time of doing works of mercy. For how can wee expect that God should shew mercy unto us in removing those Judgements which wee feel, or in preventing those which wee fear; if wee will not shew mercy to our poor Brethren, who stand in need of our relief? In the day of our fasting therefore, let us at least give away to the poor so much as wee save by our fast. For as Austin in one of his Sermons saith, Then are our fasts acceptable to God, ¹if they which fast out of necessity, because they want meat, bee relieved by us. Let this therefore be alwaies observed by us, that the poor have the gain of our fasting, and not our own purses.

1. 1Tum grata sunt Deo nostra jejunia, si illi qui necessitate jejunant reficiantur a nobis. Aug. Serm. de Temp. 64.

VI. Our Alms must be given readily and speedily, without any needless delay; according to the counsel of the Wise-man,¹ With-hold not good from them, to whom it is due; that is, with-hold not any act of Charity from those who stand in need of thy help, Say not unto thy Neighbour, go and come again, and to morrow I will give thee, when thou