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OUr Bodies being in a continual, though insensible Consumpti∣on, would in a short time decay, were it not that Reparation is made by the use of Meats and Drinks; By the first the Solid Parts are refected, by the last the Humid: For the better perform∣ance whereof, God hath endowed every Creature with an Appe∣tetive Faculty, distin∣guisht according to the Objects forementioned into Hunger and Thirst.
* 1.1Hunger is caused by a sharp and Fermenting juyce remaining in the Stomack, especially in the upper Orifice, the most sensitive part thereof, by the pene∣trative Quality where∣of the Meat ingested is also digested, fer∣mented, and concoct∣ed, and so made fit for separation and Di∣stribution. When this juyce, (a visible Speci∣men whereof is the Runnet in a Calfs Sto∣mack) is either wasted, as after very long Fast∣ings, or is dulled by Re∣pletion, or intermixture
with other Humors, so that the force thereof cannot be felt, or when the Mind is over-intent and distracted, so that it can give no ear to its Impulsions: Then does the Appetite flagg and decay; as on the contra∣ry, when this juyce is over-abundant, and ex∣treamly acide, there fol∣lows a continual Im∣portunity from the Sto∣mack, an unsatisfiable Appetite, which being most eminent in Dogs, is therefore called Ap∣petitus Caninus, the Dog∣like Appetite; but ap∣pears sometimes in
Men, as every one can Instance.
* 1.2Thirst is a Desire of that which is Cold and Moist, for though many Stomacks are satisfied with Hot Drink, yet is it through a Customary aberration from Na∣ture, inasmuch as we see that all Creatures ex∣cept Man are desirous of, and use that Drink only which is cold; and in man the use of Hot Drinks is not so much attributable to his Na∣tural Appetite, as to his having been indulged therein by his Physiti∣an, or himself, in respect
of some other Weaknes and Infirmity of his Bo∣dy. This Thirst doth vanish when the Mouth of the Stomack is be∣dewed with Humors that are Phlegmatick, Watery, or Insipide: As it is increased when those Humors are con∣sumed, and the Stomack dry and parcht, either through its own or any of its Neighbours In∣disposition, or yet when the Coats thereof are lin'd with a Salt, Hot, or sharp Humor. These Things premised, of which I shall make use hereafter; I return to the
Considerations of those things that are Aliment (viz.) which being eaten or drunk are alte∣red by our Naturall Heat, and so prepared by the several Parts destined thereunto, as at length to be Converted into the Habit of the Body it Self.
In Meats and Drinks there are six particulars to be considered, viz.
For the two first, I
purpose not to insist up∣on them, viz. their Sub∣stance and Quality, what yield Good, what Bad juyce and apt to putre∣faction, which are easy, & which hard to be di∣gested; what are Hot, Cold, Moyst, Dry, Causing or Freeing from obstructions: nei∣ther intend I to treat of every Meat and Drink particularly, both of these having been al∣ready performed in En∣glish by Dr. Venner in his Via Recta ad Vitam longam, from whence those that are inquisi∣tive that way, may re∣ceive
satisfaction: Un∣willing I am now to ex∣spaciate in so large a Field, which I shall rather reserve to a time-of more Leasure: My Intention being at pre∣sent to consider only these Particulars rela∣ting to Meats & Drinks, viz. The Quantity, Time, Order and Custom. The greatest and most dangerous Errors being committed with Re∣ference hereunto.
* 1.3First then for Quanti∣ty, or how much ought to be eaten: Here there is not so much need to prescribe the Bounds,
and shew what are the Limits of Temperance: as effectually to per∣swade to the obser∣vance of those Limits: * 1.4A word therefore first as to that, and what Argument can be more efficatious then an Enu∣meration of the Bene∣fits that ariseth from Sobriety and Tempe∣rance: and of the dis∣commodities that are the Natural Effects of the contrary. I shall reckon them up in two ranks, and then let e∣very man make his choise.
These experimental Events who can deny? since almost every man carries about him, and within him a convince∣ing argument thereof. Whence is the Multi∣tude of Physicians, but from the frequency and Multitude of Diseases? and whence that fre∣quency and Multitude, but from Excess? This is generally confessed, but the practice still continued; the under∣standing assents, but the Affections over-rule;
the present delight we take in those delicious Cates, Condiments and in∣ticing Sawces that are before us, over-sways our judgments; In this case, Venter non habet Aures, the Belly hath no Eares, All our Senses are at a stand, save that of our Tast, so earnest are we in digging our Graves with our Teeth; so greedy after Disea∣ses, which by excess insensibly steal upon us, and then in the midst of our Aches and Intempe∣rance we repent, and call to mind the unhap∣py cause thereof.
* 1.5I shall desire therefore that before hand, be∣sides the former, these 2 Arguments be con∣ed: 1. That Nourish∣ment and Growth con∣sists not in the Abun∣dance we eat, but in the due competency: A man may hinder his Nourish∣ment and prevent his Growth, as well by eat∣ing too much, as by eat∣ing too little: for Nu∣trition and Augmenta∣tion consists principally in good Digestion, and perfit Distribution: A∣bundance of Meat and Drinks hinders first Di∣gestion.
1.* 1.6 In that it suffers not the Stomack to close, but leaves the up∣per Orifice open; by which its heat exhales and so languishes, & the inconveniences thence arising are almost innu∣merable: for then Va∣pors ascend, and fill the Brain, there they thick∣en and cause Defluxions into the Eyes, the Gums, and Teeth, the Stomack, the Lungs, the Spine of the Back, the Kidnies, the Joynts, the Veins, Nerves, and Arteries, according as they can insinuate them∣selves, and the openness
of Passages affords them way.
2. When the Sto∣mack is over-charged, it is extended, its Pleits and Duplications un∣folded, and consequent∣ly both its own heat is diminished, & the Parts surrounding, which are very great Assistants, if not principalls in con∣coction, cannot afford their due Heat and effi∣cacy, in that they are not able to compass the Stomack as it is then extended: Thence ari∣ses Crudities, Putrifacti∣ons, Worms, Putrid, Ma∣lignant and Pestilentiall
Feavers, with many other Diseases.
2.* 1.7 For Distribution, how can that be per∣formed when the Pas∣sages are choakt up through the abundance of Meats? how can each part have its pro∣portionable share by Wise and Equal Nature allotted, when we raise Banks and Dambs to hinder that Distributi∣on: On the contrary when a due competency is taken into the Sto∣mack, it presently closes and aptly surrounds it, and is fitly embraced by its assistant parts;
So is Digestion perfect∣ed, the Meat made pas∣sable, the Excrement orderly descends, the Nourishing juyce takes its Course to the Liver, and after Sanguification is distributed, and assi∣milated into the Habit of the Body it self. So that since we eat to be Nourished, and since by a due competency that is best performed, and excess is a manifest Impediment thereunto, how vain are we if we alter not our Course, and take that way that is effectual for produ∣cing of our Ends?
* 1.8The 2d Argument is taken from the greater Pleasure that Temperance brings with it then Ex∣cess: And this Argu∣ment sure will do, for why is it that we indulg our Bellies so much, but because of the supposed pleasure we reap there∣from? Now if it can be made appear, that Temperance brings more, we cannot then choose sure but follow her tract and Prescript.
1. Then, that pleasure is greatest, which is most Natural and unforc't, such is the Temperate man's: His Appetite
only is his Sawce, which by spare feeding, and due Abstinence is kept alwaies fresh, vivid, and Importunate, so that he tasts to the last, and to the very end of his Temperate Meal his Appetite continues, and consequently his De∣light; Whereas the ex∣cessive man eats not from desire, but Cu∣stom, and generally finds no Appetite na∣turally, but is fain to force it by artificiall Helps, whilst to the o∣ther, ordinary Fare doth Equal in Sweetness the greatest Dainties.
2. That Delight is best, which is most last∣ing, such is the Tempe∣rate mans, His all the year long continues; Whilst the other, for his Deliciousness to day, is fain to lie by it to morrow: nay, is distracted amidst his Pleasure, by the fore∣knowledge of what will follow: And how can that be termed delight, which is intermixt with an expectation of Sor∣row. There will bee Qualms and Surfets, a necessity of frequent Purgations, Vomitings, Bleeding, making Is∣sues;
And then the for∣mer Surfets are called to mind, and repented of; then we condemn our selves for preferring a sickly and momenta∣ny Pleasure before a sound and lasting: The Athenians by one of their Senatours were told, that they never Treated of Peace but in their black Robes, af∣ter the loss of their dearest Friends & Kins∣folks:* 1.9 So are we, re∣gardless of a sober Di∣et, till we are cauterised, and have Cataplasmes and Plaisters about us. Till then we blame, one
while the Aire, another while the place we live in, as unwholsome, at∣tribute the fault to our being out of our Native Country, or some such trifle, but never think of the true cause, our In∣temperance. But I shall not need further to pur∣sue this Point, for to such as have the Com∣mand of themselves, their longings and de∣sires, here is sufficient; Such as have not, will run their course, till Sickness, and an inabi∣lity of being Intempe∣rate restrain them. I come now to the Thing
it self, The Determina∣tion of the Bounds and Limits of Temperance; In doing whereof I cannot approve of that Arithmeticall Proporti∣on,* 1.10 or Dieta Statica, the allotment of a certain Weight and Measure of Meat and Drink, not upon any tearms to be ex∣ceeded.
I cannot I say ap∣prove it, as to generall practice, for how should the same shoo fit every foot; how can it be, but that where there is difference in Constituti∣on, Age, Sex, &c. and so diversities of Heat,
and ability to Concoct and Digest, a different proportion should be also requisite: That Quantity surely which is but sufficient for a young man in his Heat and Growth, is by much too much for an aged man, whose Nu∣tritive Faculties are lan∣guide, whose Transpi∣ration being litle, stands in need also of but litle Repaire; Leaving there∣fore the strictness of Lessius and Cornaro to Speculative and Mona∣stick men, as somewhat above us, and besides us: My purpose is only
to prescribe two gene∣rall Rules of Tempe∣rance, which may easi∣ly be made practicable by all sorts of Men and Women; and likewise to suggest some Helps to such as finding the inconveniencies of Cu∣stomary large feeding, are desirous to reclaim themselves, and observe such a Diet as is most advantagious to their Healths.
* 1.11The first Rule is that of Hippocratis, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. They that study their Health, must not be satisfied with meat, but as Avicen otherwise
expresses it, must rise from the Table cum Fa∣mis reliquiis, with the re∣mainder of their Hunger: by this means the Sto∣mack will well over∣come and digest what it hath received, & the remainder of thy Ap∣petite will be better im∣ployed in perfecting thy Digestion.
2.* 1.12 That thou so feed, as after it to be neither unfit for the labor of the Body, nor the employ∣ments of thy Mind: For he that finds an op∣pressive Dulness, and slothfull Weariness af∣ter his Meal, may know
for certain that he hath exceeded the Bounds of Temperance, and perverted the end of Feeding, which is not to oppress, but to recre∣ate the Spirits, and re∣new the strength and powers of the body, to make them more cheer∣full and vigorous, that by abstinence or labor were impayred: If therefore thou trans∣gressest in this point, let thy Abstinence be the greater, and thy care & circumspection dou∣bled at thy following Meals.
* 1.13Many, as Lessius well
observes, run into an extream mistake in this point, for finding them∣selves more faint and unweldy after Meals then before, they pre∣sently attribute the cause thereof to their not having eaten e∣nough, or conceive that their Meats were not sufficiently Nutritive, and thereupon are very solicitous to find out Meats of better nourish∣ment; which when they have done, and fed largely thereupon, do yet alas find the same Lassitude and in∣disposition of Body re∣maining:
the true cause whereof is the ill Juyce and Moisture, the Reliques of their former Sur∣charge, as their much spitting, their frequent Catarrhs, and the swel∣ling of their Bellies do eminently demonstrate: This Moysture likewise remains in the Joynts, the Brain, and Nerves, and so renders both the Limbs unable to per∣form their severall offi∣ces, and hinders like∣wise the Conveyance of a due and competent proportion of Spirit thereunto: And hence comes that Dulness,
and Lumpishness of the Limbs and Senses, so generally complained of amongst men.
* 1.14Another generall mi∣stake in this particular is, That Men and Wo∣men finding this Heavi∣ness and Indisposition in the Mornings, judge it to proceed from Fa∣sting, and therefore, as for prevention thereof, carefully provide good Breakfasts; from which they may happily for the present find some alteration, by the pre∣sent Warmth and Spirit of their new Feeding; which being in present
motion in their Bodies, takes away not the Cause, but the sensibility of their former Lassitude: but that being gone, which continues but for a very short time, their Wearisomness returns again, with the addition of new Crudities, till at last an accumulation is made, to that degree and quantity, as doth both very much dis∣pose them to the Gout, and also begets other Diseases. The preven∣tive Remedy whereof, is to spend those ill Juyces and Superfluities by Abstinence, with
the assistance of an Ex∣iccative Medicine, or as the Crudities and ex∣cess may have been, of Vomit or Purgation. And this is the way to restore the Lightsome∣ness and Agility of the Body.
* 1.15My first Caution is, that we Enure our selves what may be to a simple Diet, as most health∣ful, as the best Remedy against Intemperance; so prescribes Nature, & we see those Crea∣tures in whom Nature is least perverted, and who are not distracted from their Course by
the Lust and Tyranny of Man, do strictly and with excellent success observe this Rule; In this Simplicity there is not that entisement to the Appetite, whereas Diversity of Meats and Drinks do extend it, ultra famen & sitim, as Socrates was wont to say,* 1.16 beyond hunger and thirst. In this our English Feastings are exceed∣ingly blamable, in wch no Art or Charge is wanting, to furnish us with Diseases; There are all the Curiosities that can be invented to provoke us to Intempe∣rance,
Diversities of Courses and Services, each of which is much more then sufficient; and all to renew decay∣ed Appetite, and entise it to subvert it self, and its yielding Master: the next daies Nauceous∣ness tells us as much: The Pleasure of Feast∣ing consists not in the daintiness,* 1.17 and curiosity of Fare, and Multitude of Dishes, but in the So∣ciety of Feeding, not in our Eating much, but in our Eating together; it is poverty of Spirit, and below a man to place felicity in Meats
and Drinks, 'tis an argu∣ment, that in us the sen∣sual exceeds the Ratio∣nal, that our Desires are our Masters & our Bellies Soveraign to our Brains. A great Feast is indeed a handsome opportuni∣ty to exercise our Tem∣perance, for they are most truly such who can resist the Entise∣ment, and abstain when delicate cates are be∣fore them; but since few there are of us (though some I know) that are arrived to such a degree of Vertue, 'tis best to decline the Field, not being able to en∣dure
the Combate; Next to Resisting a Temptation, is the a∣voiding it; nay in some sense 'tis to be prefer∣ed, in that it avoids the hazard of being over∣come thereby: Though the first shews most Fortitude, this shews greater Prudence.
2.* 1.18 Provoke not Hunger, (if the Body want not Nourishment) by Sawces or Vomit; but Rather by Exercise and Absti∣nence. These are the Natural ways of least disturbance to the Bo∣dy, and are most effica∣cious to the begetting of Appetite.
2. In the Quantity of Meats, respect is to be had to three particu∣lars.
1. To the Nature of the Meat. 2. The Consti∣tion of the Person, and his maner of life. 3. To the Season of the year.
* 1.19Meats that are tough, Viscid, Dry, of hard Digestion, must be eat∣en in lesser quantity: Such also as are most in∣grate to the palate, for that the Stomack upon their Ingestion, doth not firmly close, but with some kind of Re∣luctation: Meats also
that are uncustomary, unless they be very pleasant and of easy di∣gestion, must very sparely be fed upon.
These following do re∣quire a larger proportion of Meat:* 1.20
1. They that have Hot Stomacks, and so both wast much, and have greatest Heat and ability to Digest; with whom likewise solid Meats, and somewhat of hard Digestion do best agree.
2. They that are in their growth.
3. They that Labor or Exercise much.
On the other side, a lesser proportion is suffici∣ent, for,
1. Those that have Cold Stomacks.
2. That are in their full age, or declining.
3. For those that lead a sedantary Life, and use no Labor or Exercise.
4. For those that are indisposed in their Bodies, newly recovering their Healths, or falling into Sickness. But as well these later as the for∣mer must observe the two Rules of Health formerly prescribed.
* 1.21In Winter & Spring our Stomacks are hot∣est,
and our Sleeps long∣est, and therefore a larg∣er proportion may be allowed in those Sea∣sons, of Meat, but not of Drink, for that the Body is then moist, both because the Sea∣sons are such, and also because the Cold hin∣ders the egression of Va∣pors, which being clo∣sed in, turn into Hu∣mors.
In Summer, what is wanting in Meat, may be taken in Drink, for then the Body is dry, and the inward heat and Vapors are extracted by the external.
Autumn is more Va∣riable, and so not capa∣ble of Rule: in it self much like Spring; and must be respected as it partakes of the prece∣dent and Subsequent Season.
* 1.22The next Circum∣stance to be considered in Meats and Drinks, is the Time of Feeding;* 1.23 And therein, the best Guide is Hunger: that before the next Meal, the former Meat be well digested, and per∣fectly distributed; then will Hunger follow, the Richest Sawce, without which we may con∣clude
(the body being in Health) that the Sto∣mack hath a part of its former work to do; and therefore ought not yet to be charged with new employment. This rule truly observed, would exceedingly conduce to the Conservation of Health: for it would keep the Stomack and Bowels clean, much better then purgati∣ons, and all artificial Helps, it would keep its strength Fresh and Vi∣gorous, prevent Crudi∣ties, Nauceousness, fil∣thy and unsavory Eru∣ctations, and that Ca∣tholick
Source of most Diseases, Obstructions. This, as to the general, to be observed by all.
The particular Con∣siderations for often feeding, are much the same, as for much feed∣ing: Children must eate little and often. Little, because their Stomacks are as yet streight, & not enlarged. Often, because little, because their Sto∣macks are hot and able to concoct. And lastly, be∣cause they are in their Growth. Young men pro∣portionably may, to the Frequency, be allowed Larger Quantities. Very
Old men are to be fed like Children, because they are not able to di∣gest much: But being not in the extremity of Age, they can best of all endure Hunger. The Hot and Cholerick endure not Hunger: The Cold and Moist can bear with long Abstinence. The Lean and Hot, whose Transpiration & vvast∣ing is much, must have Large Reparations. To the Fat, who have narrow Pores, Abstincnce is good and easily endured. Much Labor and Exer∣cise, as they spend much, so do they require Large
and Frequent Supplies, otherwise the body is soon enfeebled; But they who Lead a Seden∣tary life, which is the unhappiness of most Women, must seldom and sparingly feed: yea very seldom and sparing∣ly, otherwise they will have need of continual Physick and Evacuati∣on, to spend and drive those Humors, that in other are consumed by Labor or Exercise. Cu∣stom is here of very great Moment also; which if not very bad, must be indulged; but if so, it must be altered
by degrees, and insen∣sible Gradations.
The usual Custom in England is to eat thrice a day;* 1.24 a Break-fast, Din∣ner, and Supper: the young and very health∣ful may be allowed it, eating not to fulness; But forasmuch as the generality of People are infirm, and since most diseases proceed from Crudities, and Indi∣gestion, I judg it bet∣ter to omit the Break-fast, that so by Abstinence the Stomack may be cleansed, and its super∣fluous Moistures consu∣med: I mean those
that labor not, and who have crude Stomacks, their mouths being con∣stantly bedewed with Phlegmatick moisture, & who seldom eat from the instigation of Hun∣ger, but Custom.
Much benefit they will likewise find from the using of some desic∣cative, to dry up these moistures, such as are Condite-Ginger, Ginger-Bread, the Condite-Roots, or Stalks of Angelica, Rinds of Oranges, Lem∣mons, or Citrons condited: Cakes or conserve of the Flowers of Rosemary: Conserve of Roman
Wormwood, with a little Cream of Tartar, the Roots of Horse-Radish sliced and steeped in Sack: of any of which a small quantity, as half a Dram, a Dram, or two Drams to more Robust Bodies, will dry up Reu∣matick Superfluities, dis∣pel Wind, and prevent those Scorbutick Mala∣dies, to which most People are Inclinable.
From this Rule I ex∣cept those that Labor, Nurses, Growing Per∣sons: who must daily eat thrice at least. And also in Recompence of the others Abstinence,
'tis requisite that they Dine betimes, as about Eleven, and Sup about six: so will there be a sufficient Space interve∣ning for the perfecting of Each Digestion.
Custom pleads for the former, for then our ap∣petite being strong, and we coming with empty bellies, and importunate Hunger to our Dinners, feed largely, having re∣spect only to our pre∣sent Satiety, by which meanes (the space to
Supper time being but short, and consequently our Stomacks not yet empty) our appetite is then weak, so that (at least if we have any re∣gard to Health) we then feed sparingly, other∣wise we must expect a a very turbulent and restless Night.* 1.25 But set∣ting Custom aside, which is alike inclined to that which is bad as good: I conceive the healthfullest way is, to propose the Largest Meal for Supper: the largest I say, not to a Surcharge, or Surfet, for that is at no time good,
but to a competent Sa∣tiety: alwaies provid∣ed that it be somewhat early, as about six, that so a due space may in∣tervene between that and Bed time: That our Dinner be only ad mulcendam famem, to asswage Hunger, not sa∣tisfie it, but take off its Edg and Urgency till Supper. And that Sup∣per be Quasi Laboris & Cogitationum Terminus, and the time after it, till Bed time, be only de∣stined to Mirth and Pastime, pleasant both to the body and the mind.
My Reasons for larger Supper are, 1. Because the time after Supper is fittest for Concoction, as destined to Rest and Sleep, in which the heat & Spirits are not distra∣cted, or otherwise im∣ployed, in the Brain or limbs, as in the day time by Business or Labor but are totally retired, & imployed about Di∣gestion. 2. The Inter∣vening Space between Supper and Dinner, is much larger then be∣tween Dinner and Sup∣per; & the Heat & Spi∣rits have thereby the greater Help and op∣portunity
to perform their office of Digestion.
The strongest Ob∣jection against this that I can find is, in the case of those that are troub∣led with the Head-ach, Vertigo, Catarrhs, or any other infirmities of a weak and moist Brain.
To which I answer, first, that my enquiry was only of what is best for them that are in good state and con∣dition of Health, and that particular Infirmi∣ties require particular Rules.
2. I say, as to the pre∣sent case, that the early
Supping avoids the inconvenience; for that a sufficient space is allotted before sleep∣ing time, for the closure of the Stomack: nor can I but conceive that Motion and Labor, which is usual after Dinner, doth by Agita∣tion and subversion of the Stomack, hinder its Closure, and so more inclines to the Elevati∣on of Vapors, which is the cause of the infir∣mities in the objection mentioned.
To the Common Ar∣gument, of the assistance the Stomack finds by
the additional Heat of the Sun, for its Help to Digestion. I answer, that all external Heats are rather a Hinderance thereunto, then a Fur∣therance, for that they dissipate, and draw forth the Natural Heat, and leave the Inner parts more Cold and Helpless: This they shall soon experiment that sit by a great Fire, or in the Hot Sun after Meals; and the case is clear by our Stomacks, greater inability in the Summer then Winter: So that my assertion to me remains firm, which
therefore I commend to publick considerati∣on.
* 1.26The same Rules as are for Eating, serve al∣so for the times of Drinking, the only mo∣tive whereunto ought to be Thirst: the only ends of Drinking being to Moisten and make passable the Victuals; & therefore Moist Meats require little Drink, and solid require only so much, as well to temper them and prevent ob∣structions: They there∣fore who drink much at Meals, incur a double inconvenience. 1. By
making the Victuals Float in the Stomack, which ought to reside in the Bottom thereof, they hinder Digestion, and by over-much moistning the upper O∣rifice thereof, they keep it open, and so make the Vapors rise. And 2. It makes the Victuals pass too soon out of the Stomack, raw and in∣digested, whence come Fluxes in the Bowels, and putrid Crudities in the Veins and Arteries.
The best time of Drinking is about the middle of the Meal: for that best moistens
and contemperates the Meat, and so helps Di∣gestion: To Drink be∣fore too much, dissolves the Stomack, unless in those that have a very Currant passage, and then an houre must be allowed between. To drink after is very bad for those that are apt to Rheums and Head-aches. Avoid drink∣ing also at sleeping time, for that also di∣sposes to Vapors and Rheums. Drink also small draughts, for that best prevents fluctuati∣on, when the Drink in∣sensibly, and by little
and little mixes with the Victuals.
For those that Drink much, and frequently, ad Ebrietatem usque, 'tis in vain to prescribe Rules, 'tis better save that labor, that I know before hand will be lost: Only I shall pre∣sent them with a short scheam, at their leasure (if they can spare any from their Potations) to Contemplate upon.
These and many more are the bitter Fruits that grow upon that unhappy Tree: God ha∣ving wisely annexed to every Evil its insepara∣ble Inconvenience: E∣very Vice hath its Sting, and every Vertue its Recompence; two Paths he hath made, the streight and crooked, and given commands that we should walk in the one, and eschew the other; the first leads to Felicity, the last to Mi∣sery, and Man hath
Understanding and Freedom, to know and chuse the best, and con∣sequently himself only too blame, if he prefer the worst.
* 1.27The last Particular to be observed in Meats and Drinks is the Or∣der of Feeding: What is to be eaten first, and what last: wherein two Things are principally, and in most People to be intended. 1. The Avoiding Obstructions. 2. The prevention of the Vapors ascending into the Brain. Obstructions are best avoided, by begin∣ning our Meals with those
things that are loosning, (contrary to our Cu∣stom) whereby the Passages are made slip∣pery, and the Victuals easily passable through the Bowels: Such are Figs, Straw berries, Cherries, Roasted-Ap∣ples, Prunes, &c. On the contrary astringent things are at first to be avoided; as Quinces, Medlers, Services, Bak'd Pears that are gretty, Peaches, Chees, Olives, all wch do close up the Bowels, and are there∣fore to be eaten in small quantities after Meals, as necessary to press
down that which was first eaten, to shut the Stomack and keep the Vapors from fuming in∣to the Head. If Laxa∣tives be eaten last, the Stomack will be apt to Qualms, Belchings, and Regurgitations, and (o∣ther Meats hindering their descention) they will easily corrupt, and will then impart their putrifaction. And this is all I shall say about Order, in which, as it is not convenient we be over-nice, for that the Victuals doth in some sort mix and blend in the Stomack,
yet since it cannot be supposed to be so per∣fectly done, but that the Order in egestion or casting out, is much the same with that of In∣gestion or taking in; so much care is necessary, as to prevent the manifest inconveniences I have mentioned. And so I have done with the second of the Non-Na∣turals, Meat and Drink. I come to the third, which is;
Of Hunger.
Of Thirst▪
Of Quan∣tity in Meats.
Argu∣ments against Intem∣perance.
Much feeding hinders nourish∣ment & growth.
1. Di∣gestion.
2. Growth or Aug∣menta∣tion.
Greatest Pleasure in Tem∣perance.
Plutar. Praecep. Sanit.
The Bounds of Tem∣perance.
1 Rule of Tem∣perance.
2. Rule of Tem∣perance.
Error in Feed∣ing.
2. Error.
1. Cau∣tion.
Of Feasting
True end of Feast∣ing.
2. Cau∣tion.
Respect had to the Na∣ture of Meats.
To the Consti∣tution of the Person.
To the Season.
Times of Feed∣ing.
Best Time when Hungry.
No Break-fasts.
Large Supper best.
Rules for drin∣king.
Order of Feed∣ing.