Chapter XI.—Mattidia Has Unintentionally Fasted One Day.

“But since your mother has real confidence in the efficacy of baptism,^11721172    Lit., “since your mother is faithfully disposed in regard to baptism.” let her fast at least one day before her baptism.”  But she swore:  “During the two past days, while I related to the woman^11731173    The second Epitome makes her the wife of Peter:  a various reading mentions also her hostess. all the events connected with the recognition, I could not, in consequence of my excessive joy, partake of food:  only yesterday I took a little water.”  Peter’s wife bore testimony to her statement with an oath, saying:  “In truth she did not taste anything.”  And Aquila, who must rather be called Faustinianus^11741174    Dressel strangely prefers the reading “Faustinus.” in future, said:  “There is nothing, therefore, to prevent her being baptized.”  And Peter, smiling, replied:  “But that is not a baptismal fast which has not taken place on account of the baptism itself.”  And Faustinus answered:  “Perhaps God, not wishing to separate our mother a single day after our recognition from our table, has arranged beforehand the fast.  For as she was chaste in the times of her ignorance, doing what the true religion inculcated,^11751175    Lit., “doing what was becoming to the truth.” so even now perhaps God has arranged that she should fast one day before for the sake of the true baptism, that, from the first day of her recognising us, she might take her meals along with us.”