2.1 The works of Charity towards our Brethren are,a forgiving 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. Else we shall* under pretence of ⟨p. 298⟩godliness, 4practice 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, •o 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 wouldest have spent in thine own diet, if thou hadst not fasted that day. And remember that he thatb soweth plenteously, shall reap plenteously; 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 hastc feasted hungry Christ, in his poor Members.
2.1 The works of Charity towards our Brethren are,a forgiving 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. Else we shall* under pretence of ⟨p. 298⟩godliness, 4practice miserableness: like those, who will pinch their own bellies, to defraud their labouring servants of their due allowance. As therefore Christ joyned Fasting, Prayer, and Alms together, in Precept, •o must thou joyn 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 wouldest have spent in thine own dyet, if thou hadst not fasted that day. And remember that he thatb soweth plenteously, shall reap plenteously; and that this is a special sowing day. Let thy Fasting so† afflict thee, that it may refresh a poor Christian; and rejoyce that thou hast dined and supped in another; or rather, that thou hastc feasted hungry Christ, in his poor Members.
- 1Vis orati• nem tuam volare ad coelum? Fac illi duas alas, Jejunium & E•eemosynum. Aug.
- aIsa. 58. 6. &c. Zach. 7. 9, 10.
- *Qui•jej nat ut parcat, n•n ad D•igl•••m jejunat, sed substantiae suae parcit. Chrysost. i• Mat. 5. Act. 10. 30.
- 4Act. 10 30.
- *Non D•o sed •bi jejunat, qui q•• ad t•mpus subtrahit, nonin op••us subtrahit, sed ventri postmodum offecenda custodit. Greg. M Past. c. 44.
- b2 Cor. 9. 6.
- †Jejuniam tuam te castig•t, sed alterum laetisicat. Aug. Ser. de temp. 64.
- cAccipiat esuriens Christus quod jejunans minùs accipit Cristianus. Aug. d••t•m. Ser. 157.
