12. Now whatsoever reasons there were to quicken those of old in the zealous and constant discharge of this duty, they are of equal force still to quicken us. But above all these we have a peculiar reason for being _in fastings often_, namely, the command of him by whose name we are called. He does not indeed in this place _expresly_ enjoin, either fasting, giving of alms, or prayer. But his directions how to fast, to give alms, and to pray, are of the same force with such injunctions. For the commanding us, to do any thing _thus_, is an unquestionable command, to do that thing; seeing it is impossible to perform it _thus_, if it be not performed _at all_. Consequently, the saying, give alms, pray, fast in _such a manner_, is a clear command to perform all those duties, as well as to perform them in that _manner_, which shall in no wise lose its reward. And this is a still farther motive and encouragement, to the performance of this duty; even the promise which our Lord has graciously annexed to the due discharge of it: _Thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly_. Such are the plain grounds, reasons and ends of fasting; such our encouragement to persevere therein, notwithstanding abundance of objections which men, wiser than their Lord, have been continually raising against it. III. 1. The most plausible of these I come now to consider. And, first, it has been frequently said, “Let a Christian fast from sin, and not from food: this is what God requires at his hands.” So he does: but he requires the other also. Therefore this ought to be done, and that not left undone. View your argument in its full dimensions; and you will easily judge of the strength of it. “If a Christian ought to abstain from sin, then he ought not to abstain from food: But a Christian ought to abstain from sin: Therefore he ought not to abstain from food.” That a Christian ought to abstain from sin, is most true. But how does it follow from hence, that he ought not to abstain from food? Yea, let him do both the one and the other. Let him, by the grace of God, always abstain from sin; and let him often abstain from food: for such reasons and ends as experience and scripture plainly shew to be answered thereby.