XXXI. Publike fastes ought sometime to be commaun∣ded and the same are most profitable & commendable: * yet no man must be constrayned to them.

It appertaineth also to a profitable gouern∣ment of the church: that as priuate fastes are in mens free choise, so also to the publike fastes al men are to be counselled, but no man to be constrained. The commoditie of fastes Page  232cannot sufficiently be commended: yea it of∣ten happeneth that they are verie needfull, so that godlie magistrats, and ministers of the church are compelled to commaund publike fastes vnto the whole church; for the appea∣sing of some greeuous wrath of God: as it was wont to be done in the old testament, and in the primitiue church: not that by them we cā deserue remission of sinnes, and mitigation of gods anger: but that by taming of the flesh, the spirite may be stirred vp more feruently to call vppon God, & to appease him by faith∣full inuocation. By the waye it pertaineth to the churches edification, that no mans con∣science bee compelled and bounde vnto such fastes: sith they ought to proceed from a free, willing, and truely humbled spirite: as also the Apostle writeth of almes to bee bestowed on the poore, that they ought to be done, not with heauinesse or vppon constraint, but as euerie man can finde in his heart.