mighty blame the Jews, because on the days of their fasting, which were days of penance, they wished to do their own will and not the will of God; because they were not only not willing to forgive their debtors, (as they prayed to be forgiven by God.) but they would not even give them any time to collect their money. They also spent that time which ought to have been devoted to prayer, in profane quarrels, and even in contentions. In fine, so far were they from attending to spiritual things, as they ought to have done on the fasting-days, they added sin to sin, and impiously attacked their neighbours. These and other such sins ought those pious people to avoid, who wish their fasting to be pleasing unto God, and useful to themselves: they may then hope to live well, and die a holy death.
There now remain "almsdeeds," one of the three good works recommended to our imitation by the angel Raphael.
CHAPTER IX.
THE NINTH PRECEPT, OR ALMSDEEDS.
Three things are to be explained concerning almsdeeds; its necessity, advantages, and the method.
