Holy living in which are described the means and instruments of obtaining every virute, and the remedies against every vice, and considerations serving to the resisting all temptations : together with prayers containing the whole duty of a Christian, and the parts of devotion occasians [sic], and furnished for all necessities / by Jer. Taylor.

Measures of temperance in Eating.

1. Eat not before the time, unlesse necessi∣ty, or charity, or any intervening accident, which may make it reasonable and prudent should happen. Remember it had almost cost Jonathan his life because he tasted a little honey before the sun went downe, contrary to the Kings commandment, and although a great need which he had, excused him from the sin of gluttony, yet it is inexcusable when thou eatest before the usual time, and thrust∣est thy hand into the dish unseasonabely, out of greediness of the pleasure, and impatience of the delay.

2. Eat not hastily and impatiently, but with such decent and timely action, that your eat∣ing be a humane act, subject to deliberation and choice, and that you may consider in the eating: whereas he that eats hastily, can∣not consider particularly of the circumstan∣ces, degrees, and little accidents and chan∣ces that happen in his meal; but may con∣tract many little undecencies, and be sudden∣ly surprised.

3. Eat not delicately, or nicely, that is, be not troublesome to thy self or others in the choice of thy meats, or the delicacy of thy sauces. It was imputed as a sin to the sons of Israel, that they loathed Manna and longed for flesh: the quails stuck in their nostrils, and the wrath of God fell upon them. And for the manner of dressing, the sōs of Eli were noted of indiscreet curiosity: they would not have the flesh boiled, but raw, that they might rost it with fire. Not that it was a sin to eat it, or

desire meat rosted; but that when it was ap∣pointed to be boiled, they refused it; which declared an intemperate and a nice palate. It is lawful in all senses to comply with a weak and a nice stomach: but not with a nice and curious palate. When our health requires it, that ought to be provided for; but not so, our sensuality and intemperate longings. Whatsoever is set before you, eat; if it be pro∣vided for you▪ you may eat it, be it never so delicate, and be it plaine and common, so it be wholsome and fit for you, it must not be refused upon curiosity; for every degree of that,* 1.1 is a degree of intemperance. Happy and in∣nocent were the ages of our fore∣fathers, who eat herbs and parched corn, and drank the pure stream, and broke their fast with nuts and roots; and when they were permitted flesh, eat it only dressed with hun∣ger end fire; and the fiirst sauce they had was bitter herbs, and sometimes bread dipt in vinegar. But in this circumstance moderation is to be reckoned in proportion to the pre∣sent customs, to the company, to education, and the judstment of honest and wise per∣sons, and the necessities of nature.

4. Eat not too much: load neither thy sto∣mach nor thy understanding. If thou sit at •• bountiful table be not greedy upon it, and say not there is much meat on it Remember that a wicked Eye is an evil thing: and what is crea••ed more wicked then an eye? Therefore it weepeth upon every occasion. Strech not thy hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust i••

not with him into the dish. A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fetcheth not his winde short upon his bed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Foelix initium prior aetas conteina dulcibus arvis,Facité ••ue sera solebat jejunia 〈…〉〈…〉,.Boeth: l 1. de consol.Arbuteos faeius, m••nian••que fragra legebam.