Faith with works is such an ornament and testimony to the legitimacy and validity of true faith that, according to the Apostle Paul, it “adorns the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10). Alsop expounds this text encouraging believers to live according to the precepts and promises of the gospel.In addition to providing numerous directions on how to practice godliness each day by living according to the promises of the gospel and the precepts of the law, Alsop buttresses his argument for the advance of personal godliness by stressing the sanctification of the Sabbath and the sanctification of family religion.

Author  Vincent Alsop (d. 1703) was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge. Though he was guilty of loose living early in life, the local minister (whose daughter he later married) spoke with him earnestly about his soul. Alsop was converted, and lived a life of serious piety from then on. Ordained as an Episcopalian, he later became a Presbyterian. He was one of the ejected ministers of 1662, and such was the hostility towards them that Alsop was imprisoned for six months for praying with a sick person as a minister! Vincent Alsop died in 1703; his funeral sermon was preached by Samuel Slater.