Chapter 10: THAT BY PRAYERS AND FASTINGS WE MUST NOT LOOK TO MERIT ANYTHING

THAT BY PRAYERS AND FASTINGS WE MUST NOT LOOK TO MERIT ANYTHING

Moreover, our ecclesiastics have taught that this fault must be amended with respect to prayers and fasts - viz., that men are commonly taught to seek some sort of merit and justification by these their works. For just as we are saved by grace through faith, so also are we justified. And of the works of the law, among which prayers and fastings are reckoned, Paul has written thus: "Christ is become of none effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." Therefore we must pray, but to the end that we may receive of God, not that we may hereby confer anything upon him. We must fast, that we may the better pray and keep the flesh within duty, not that we may deserve anything for ourselves before God. This end and use alone of prayers and fasts both the Scripture and also the writings and examples of the fathers prescribe. Besides, our circumstances are such that although we could pray and fast with such devoutness, and perform all things that God has enjoined upon us, so that nothing more could be required (which hitherto no mortal has at any time performed) , yet we must still confess that we are unprofitable servants. What merit, therefore, can we imagine?