Theo. He himself declared that sufficiently enough, when as he as well rebuked his Disciples, as also the father of the Lunatic, for their incredulity, giving them thereby to understand, that, that was the cause, why his Disciples were not able to cast out yt Devil, albeit they had used all the skill and cunning they had. Wherefore, seeing it was for want of faith,1 it was requisite, that their faith should be increased. And this could not be had, but by the grace of God. For, faith is the gift of GOD: And therefore, as we cannot have it without him, no more also can it be increased but by him alone. And therefore, Jesus Christ exhorted his Disciples,2 to pray that it might be increased in them. Wherefore,3 sith it is so, we must address us unto GOD, by hearty and faithful prayer. And prayer can in no wise please him, without it come from the soul and heart.
And because that abstinence or fasting,4 greatly availeth the soul or mind, forsomuch as being less pressed by the body, it is better disposed towards God: therefore the servants of GOD, have commonly ⟨image 126⟩joined abstinence and fasting with their prayers, when as they would address them selves unto his Majesty, for any things of great importance, and be more fervent in prayer, according as the necessity of the cause required. And therefore, Jesus Christ meaning to let his Disciples understand, that they had great need to pray unto GOD, for the increase of their faith, and that fasting, greatly availed unto prayer, because it was of great efficacy: he joined fasting with prayer, when as he spake of faith that was to be required, for the casting out of this kind of wicked, and most cruel Devils.
Theo. He himself declared that sufficiently enough, when as he as wel rebuked his Disciples, as also the father of the Lunaticque, for their incredulitie, giuing them therby to vnderstand, that, yt was the cause, why his Disciples were not able to cast out yt Deuil, albeit they had vsed al the skil and cunning they had. Wherefore, seeing it was for want of fayth,1 it was requisite, that their faith should be encreased. And this could not be had, but by the grace of God. For, fayth is the gift of GOD: And therfore, as we cannot haue it without him, no more also can it bee encreased but by him alone. And therefore, Iesus Christ exhorted his Disciples,2 to pray that it might bee encreased in them. Wherfore,3 sith it is so, we must addresse vs vnto GOD, by hearty and faythfull prayer. And prayer can in no wise please him, without it come from the soule and heart.
And because that abstinence or fasting,4 greatlye auayleth the soule or minde, forsomuch as being lesse pressed by the body, it is better disposed towardes God: therfore the seruauntes of GOD, haue commonly ⟨image 126⟩ioyned abstynence and fasting with their prayers, when as they would addresse them selues vnto his Maiestie, for any things of great importaunce, and be more feruent in prayer, according as the necessitie of the cause requyred. And therefore, Iesus Christe meaning to let his Disciples vnderstande, that they had great neede to pray vnto GOD, for the encrease of their faith, and that fasting, greatly auayled vnto praier, because it was of great effycacie: he ioyned fasting with prayer, when as he spake of fayth that was to be required, for the casting out of this kinde of wicked, and most cruell Deuils.
- 1Increase of faith necessary.Encrease of fayth necessary.
- 2Ephe. 2.
- 3John. 6.Iohn. 6.
- 4The right use of fasting.The right vse of fasting.
