Ans. FIrst, we doubt not, but that fasting is a worke acceptable to God, being referred to the right end, as to chastise and humble the bodie, 1. Corin∣thians. 9.27. and to make our prayers more feruent, 1. Corinthians. 7.5. But otherwise there is no holinesse or vertue in fasting of it selfe, neither is it by the worke wrought of any merite or worthines: For our prayers, which are a more principall worke, then fasting is, yet of themselues by any worthy∣nes in them, are not regarded of God: for Salomon sayth, When thou hearest, haue mercie, 1. King. 8.30. It is of the Lords mercy, that our prayers are heard, not of any worthynes in them.
Augustine sayth very well, Si volumus bene ieiunare à cibis, ante omnia ieiu∣nemus & à vitijs.* 1.1 Quid prodest, pallidum esse ieiunijs, si odio & inuidia liuescas? What doth it helpe to fast from meate, if wee fast not from sinne? What a∣uayleth it to be pale and wan with fasting, if thou frettest with hatred and enuie? Ergo, the externall or outward acte of fasting of it selfe is litle or nothing worth.