of the Patriarchs, which was an Emblem of Eternity as it were (after the new Conceſſion) beginning to dwindle to a little Span, a Nothing in Compariſon.
On the other ſide, examine we the preſent Uſages of ſeveral other Heathen Nations; particularly (beſsides the Ægyptian Prieſts of old) the Indian Bramins, Relicts of the ancient Gymnoſophists to this Day, obſerving the Inſtitutions of their Founder. Fleſh, we know was baniſh'd the Platonic Tables, as well as from thoſe of Pythagoras; (See [88]Porphyry and their Diſciples) tho' on different Accounts. Among others of the Philoſophers, from Xenocrates, Polemon, &c. we hear of many. The like we find in [89]Clement Alexand. [90]Euſebius names more. Zeno, Archinomus, Phraartes, Chiron, and others, whom Lærtius reckons up. In ſhort, ſo very many, eſpecially of the Chriſtian Profeſſion, that ſome, even of the ancient [91]Fathers themſelves, have almost thought that the Permiſſion of eating Fleſh to Noah and his Sons, was granted them no otherwiſe than Repudiation of Wives was to the Jews, namely, for the Hardneſs of their Hearts, and to ſatisfie a murmuring Generation that a little after loathed Manna it ſelf, and Bread from Heaven. So difficult a thing it is to ſubdue an unruly Appetite; which notwithſtanding [92]Seneca thinks not ſo hard a Task; where ſpeaking of the Philoſopher Sextius, and Socion's (abhorring Cruelty and Intemperance) he celebrates the Advantages of the Herby and Sallet Diet, as Phyſical, and Natural Advancers of Health and other Bleſſings; whilſt Abſtinence from Fleſh deprives Men of nothing but what Lions, Vultures, Beaſts and birds of Prey, blood and gorge themſelves withal, The whole Epiſtle deſerves the Reading, for the excellent Advice he gives on this and other Subjects; and how from many troubleſome and ſlaviſh Impertinencies, grown into Habit and Cuſtom (old as he was) he had Emancipated and freed himſelf: Be this apply'd to our preſent exceſſive Drinkers of Foreign and Exotic Liquors. And now
I am ſufficiently ſenſible how far, and to how little purpoſe I am gone on this Topic: The Ply is long ſince taken, and our raw Sallet deckt in its beſt Trim, is never like to invite Men who once have taſted Fleſh to quit and abdicate a Cuſtom which has now ſo long obtain'd. Nor truly do I think Conſcience at all concern'd in the Matter, upon any Account of Distinction of Pure and Impure; tho' ſeriouſly conſider'd (as Sextius held) rationi magis congrua, as it regards the cruel Butcheries of ſo many harmleſs Creatures; ſome of which we put to mercileſs and needleſs Torment, to accommodat them for exquiſite and uncommon Epicuriſm. There lies elſe no poſitive Prohibition; Diſcrimination of Meats being [93]Condemn'd as the Doctrine of Devils: Nor do Meats commend us to God. One eats quid vult (of every thing:) another Olera, and of Sallets only: But this is not my Buſineſs, further than to ſhew how poſſible it is by ſo many Inſtances and Examples, to live on wholſome Vegetables, both long and happily: For ſo
[94]The Golden Age, with this Proviſion bleſt,
Such a Grand Sallet made, and was a Feaſt.
The Demi-Gods with Bodies large and ſound,
Commended then the Product of the Ground.
Fraud then, nor Force were known, nor filthy Luſt,
Which Over-heating and Intemp'rance nurſt: