which a man vseth, but in the moderate vse of meat, and in exercising, chastising, and bringing vnder the vnrulie flesh before god: and chiefelie the matter consisteth in the spirit and in the heart, to wit, how, for what cause, with what in∣tent and purpose a man doth faste, and how, and by what meane the godlie maie exercise a wholsome and acceptable faste vnto God: and on the other side, to know when they should not faste, but rather take heede that they do not faste, it is expressed in the Prophet, and manifestlie taught of Christ himselfe.
What is to be thought of the choise and difference of meates, euerie man ought to learne out of the doctrine of Christ, that by this meane what doubt soeuer is in this pointe, it maie be taken awaie, and decided. Then Christ called the multitude vnto him, and said: Heare, and vnderstand. That which goeth into the mouth defileth not the man, but that which commeth out of the mouth, that defileth the man, that is, maketh him guiltie. Also, out of the doctrine of the Apostle, whose wordes are thus: I am perswaded through the Lord Iesus, that no∣thing is vncleane of it selfe, but vnto him, that iudgeth anie thing to be vncleane, to him it is vncleane. But if thy brother be grieued for the meat, now walkest not thou charitablie: Destroy not him with thy meat, for whome Christ died. For the kingdome of God is not meate nor drinke, but righteousnes, and peace, and ioy in the holie Ghost. Christians indeed are not tyed to anie law in this case, yet so, that they be not an offence to the weaker sorte: therefore the Apostle addeth: All things indeed are pure, but it is euill for the man which eateth with offence: And in another place he writeth: Meat doth not make men acceptable to God: for neither if we eate, haue we the more; neither if we eate not, haue we the lesse.