FASTING, WATCHING, AND PRAYER 255 in sinning a man breaketh the fast of the soul, and forgetteth God. 5o is it tnat~watchingand fasting as regardeth the soul are always necessary for us and for all men. For to none is it lawful to sin a . But the fasting j of the body and its watchings, 118 a believe me, they are not possible at all times, nor for all persons. For there are sick and aged folk, women with child, men that are put upon diet, children, and others that are of weak complexion. For indeed everyone, even as he clotheth himself according to his proper measure, so should choose his [manner of] fasting. For just as the garments of a child are not suitable for a man of thirty years, even so the watchings and fastings of one are not suitable for another. CXIb. But beware that Satan will use all his strength [to bring it to pass] that ye [shall] watch during the night, and afterward be sleeping when by commandment of God ye ought to be praying and listeningtcTthe word of God. ~*TelTlne, would it please you if a friend of yours should eat the meat and give you the bones 1 Peter answered : No, master, for such an one ought not to be called friend, but a mocker. Jesus answered with a sigh : Thou hast well said the truth, O Peter, for verily every one | that watcheth with the body more 118 b than is necessary, sleeping, or having his head weighed down with slumber when he should be praying or listening to the words of God, such a wretch mocketh God his creator c , and so is guilty of such a sin. Moreover, he is a robber, seeing that he stealeth the time that he ought to give to God, and spendeth it when, and as much as, pleaseth him. In a vessel of the best wine a man gave his enemies to drink so long as the wine was at its best, but when the wine came down to the dregs he gave to his lord to drink. What, think ye, will the master do to his servant when he shall know all, and the servant be before him ? Assuredly, he will beat him and slay him in righteous indignation according to the laws of the world. And now what shall God do to the man that spendeth the best of his 11 It is not permitted to anyone to do what is unlawful. Inde. b The
Chapter of time. God creates.
