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| Chapter XXV. The answer to the effect that the fast of Lent has reference to the tithe of the year.
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Chapter XXV.
The answer to the effect that the fast of Lent has
reference to the tithe of the year.
Theonas: Although the
pious simplicity of some folks would put aside a question on this
subject, yet because you are more scrupulous in your examination of
those things which another would consider unworthy to be asked about,
and want to know the whole truth of this observance of ours and the
secret of it, you shall have a very clear reason for this also, that
you may still more plainly be convinced that our predecessors taught
nothing unreasonable. By the law of Moses the command propounded to all
the people generally was this: “Thou shalt offer to the Lord thy
God thy tithes and firstfruits.”2207
And so, while we are commanded to offer tithes of our substance and all
our fruits, it is much more needful for us to offer tithes of our life
and ordinary employments and actions, which certainly is clearly
arranged for in the calculation of Lent. For the tithe of the number of
all the days included in the revolving circle of the year is thirty-six
days and a half. But in seven weeks, if Sundays and Saturdays are
subtracted, there remain thirty-five days assigned for fasting. But by
the addition of Easter Eve when the Saturday’s fast is prolonged
to the cock-crowing at the dawn of Easter Day, not only is the number
of thirty-six days made up, but in regard to the tithe of the five days
which seemed to be over, if the bit of the night which was added be
taken into account nothing will be wanting to the whole
sum.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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