The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

Graces at Meat.

Jews.

THat Graces or Benedictions were used at meat among the Jews, is plain, from 1 Sam. 9.13. where it is said, That the people did not eat until he came, because he was to bless the Sacrifice. And al∣so from the Example of our Saviour Christ, Mat. 14.19. He blessed, and brake, &c. Mat. 26.26. Mar. 6.41. Luke 9.16. &c.

Besides, the Essaeans before they eat, always give Thanks, and no Man may eat any Meat till this Prayer be made unto God; likewise when dinner is ended, they pray again; for both before and after, they give Thanks to God, the Giver of all. Joseph. of the Wars of the Jews, Book 2. Chap. 7.

Christians.

If you please, I will rehearse to you a Hymn, which S. Chrysostom sets out with wonderful Praises in a certain Homily; not disdaining also to interpret it.

Bessed God, who feedest me from my Youth, who gives Meat to all Flesh, fill our Hearts with Joy and Gladness, that having plentifully what is sufficient, we may abound in every good Work, thro' Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee, and the Holy Ghost, be Glory, Honour, and Empire, for ever.

Erasm. Conviv. Religios.

A Grace after Meat.

Glory be to thee, O Lord, Glory to thee, O Holy One, Glory to thee, O King; because thou hast given us Meat: fill us with Joy and Glad∣ness in the Holy Ghost, that we may be found ac∣ceptable in thy Sight, and not be ashamed when thou shalt render to every one according to their Works, Amen. Erasmus in Relig. Conv. ex Chrys. in Matt. Hom. 56.

Thou that givest Food to all Flesh, grant that we may receive this Food with thy Blessing; thou, Lord, hast said, that if we drink any thing that is deadly, if we call upon thy Name, it shall not hurt us: Thou therefore, who art Lord of all Power and Glory, turn away all evil and malig∣nant quality from our Food, and what-ever Per∣nicious Influence it may have upon us. Dr. Cave, out of Tertullian.

In Switzerland the Children are obliged to re∣hearse the Lord's Prayer before and after Meat. Conrad Werndly. The French Protestants bless their Meat, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Abissines.

They always read Prayers both before and after Meals; a thing, that some of our Courtiers are in a manner ashamed of; who will hardly tarry to hear a short Grace. Here (in Abissinia) you shall have the whole Psalter repeated at their great Feasts, without any incovenience to the Guests: for he, whose office it is, distributes to every one a part. The King, and they that are accustomed to it, know their proper time; the larger Psalms are divided among more, the short ones to only one; and thus by several the whole Psalter is read, as it were in a Moment; for the Psalter

is made use of by all; neither have they any other Book for daily Prayer. Job Ludolph. l. 2. c. 12.

Armenians.

They were all (the Dishes) set down upon the Ground before the Patriarch, who then prayed, and gave thanks. Mons. Tavernier, l. 1. c. 3.

Mahometans.

They say always before Meat their Bismillah, i. e. In the Name of God. After Meat,—They give thanks by a Handillah, i. e. God be praised; and afterwards they wash their Hands. M. de Thevenot.

Eat nothing which hath not before been blessed. Purchas out of the Alcoran.

Heathens.

In Guinea, and the East-Indies, at their Eating they Consecrate their first bit and draught to their Fetisso, wherewith they besprinkle it. View of the Engl. Acquis. in Guinea, and the East-Indies.

The old Heathens, when their Mensae Secundae were brought in, had their Boni Eventûs, i. e. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, poculum: a Cup by way of Sa∣crifice, or Oblation to their good Genius. Pon∣tanus and Dr. Holyday out of Camerarius.—So in the beginning they had their Libatio.

Persians.

We sat at dinner, (viz. at the King of Persia's Court) about an hour and a half; and then the Cloth being taken away, there was warm Water

brought to wash their Hands; which done, the Lord Chamberlain cried aloud, Suffre Hakine, Scahe douletine, Kasiler Kuwetine, Alla Dielum, i.e. Make us thankful for this repast, prosper the King's Affairs, give his Souldiers, and Servants Courage; this we pray thee, O God, whereto all the rest an∣swer their Alla, Alla. Grace being thus said, they rose up, and went out of the room one af∣ter another, without speaking a word, according to the custom of the Country. Our Mehemander came also to tell us, that we might withdraw when we pleased, as we immediately did, making a low reverence to the King. Duke of Holstein's Embassad. Trav. into Muscovy, &c. p. 204.

Malabar.

The King of Calecut eats no Meat till it be first offered by his Priest to the Idol. Rosse.

Virginia.

The Pagans in Virgina, instead of saying Grace at Meat, used to fling the first bit into the Fire. Idem.

By West-Virginia and Florida, when they eat, drink, or sacrifice, they used to throw up into the Air towards the Sun (their Idol) some part of their Food. Idem. The like is reported of New Spain.

Chinese.

The Chinese burn Amber at the end of their Feasts, by way of Incense. Tavernier, par. 2. l. 3.

The Indians drink of the Water of Ganges out of Devotion, at the end of their Feasts, accounting it sacred. Idem. par. 2. l. 3. c. 14.

Tunquin.

The Tuquinese wash their Hands, their Mouths, their Face, before they sit down. Tavernier's Col∣lect. of Relations, &c.

Ancient Heathens.

(By way of Appendix to what was said before) It was usual for both Ancient Greeks and Romans at every Feast to make their Libations, or Offer∣rings to their Gods, as Lovers to Venus, Soldiers to Mars, &c. and also to Men, especially such as they were obliged by; Princes. &c. So in the times of Augustus his Preferments, it was de∣creed by the Senate, That the People should usu∣ally swear by his Genius, and in all their Banquets should sacrifice for his Safety. Alsted. Encyclop. l. 16. p. 2173.

Lutherans.

Amongst the Lutherans the Woman of the House doth ordinarily say Grace instead of the Men. Dr. Brown's Trav. p. 169.

Magicians and Witches.

Mr. Glanvil tells us from the Confession of some Witches, that at their Night-Meetings, when the Cloth is laid, and the Devil set down at the upper end of the Table, he useth some words before Meat.

Jews.

The Jews spreading their Hands over the Bread, say, Blessed art thou, O Lord God, King of the World, who bringest Bread out of the Earth; then over a Cup of Wine,—Blessed, &c. who hast made the Fruit of the Vine; over Water no Blessing; the 23d Psalm is set before them at Meal time, and they have Multitudes of new Graces, if any better Dainties be set before them. Purchas.