Au. I wish you had kept that Word in, we should have risen from Supper more merrily. You torment us before the Time.
Ch. Why so?
Au. Because I hate Fish worse than I do a Snake.
Ch. You are not alone.
Au. Who brought in this troublesome Custom?
Ch. Who order'd you to take Aloes, Wormwood and Scammony in Physick?
Au. But these Things are given to Folks that are sick.
Ch. So these Things are given to them that are too well. It is better sometimes to be sick, than to be too well.
Au. In my Opinion the Jews themselves did not labour under such a Burden. Indeed I could easily refrain from Eels and Swines Flesh, if I might fill my Belly with Capons and Partridges.
Ch. In a great many Circumstances it is not the Thing, but the Mind that distinguishes us from Jews; they held their Hands from certain Meats, as from unclean Things, that would pollute the Mind; but we, understanding that to the Pure, all Things are pure, yet take away Food from the wanton Flesh, as we do Hay from a pamper'd Horse, that it may be more ready to hearken to the Spirit. We sometimes chastise the immoderate Use of pleasant Things, by the Pain of Abstinence.