[426] A sensualist craving to be admitted of Cato among his familiars, Cato answered him, I cannot live with one whose palate is wiser than his brain. Eras.
[427] The old fashion in countrymen's houses was not amiss, where the story of this rich glutton and Lazarus was wont to be painted over their tables on their walls.
[428] 1 Cor. viii. 9; Lev. xix. 14; Rom. xiv. 13; xi. 9; Rev. ii. 14.
[429] See 1 Cor. vi. 13. Qui Christum desiderat, et illo pane vescitur, non curat magnopere quàm de pretiosis cibis stercus conficiat. Hieron. Epist. ad Paul.
[430] Nihil tam æque tibi proderit ad temperantiam, quam frequens cogitatio brevis ævi, et incerti: Quicquid facis respice mortem. Senec.
[431] Luke vi. 25, "Woe to you that are full! for ye shall hunger."
[432] Temperantiam exigit philosophia, non pœnam. Senec.
[433] Et non solum hæc seculares viri, sed et ipse grex Domini ejusque pastores, qui exemplo esse omni plebi debuerint, ebrietate quam plurimi quasi vino madidi torpebant resoluti, et animositatum tumore, jurgiorum contentione, invidiæ rapacibus ungulis, indiscreto boni malique judicio carpebantur. Gildas.
[434] Why Gregory set up wakes, and church-ales, and meetings on holidays in England, you may see lib. x. Regist. Ep. 71. in policy to win the heathens: Qui boves solent multos in sacrificio dæmonum occidere, debet his etiam de hac re aliqua solemnitas immutari, ut die dedicationis vel natalitiis martyrum, tabernacula sibi circa easdem ecclesias, quæ ex fanis commutatæ sunt, de ramis arborum faciant, et religiosis conviviis solennitatem celebrent. Nec diabolo jam animalia immolent, sed ad laudem Dei in usu suo animalia occidant, et donatori omnium de satietate sua gratias agant, &c. But do christians need this as heathens did, when we see the sad effects of such riotings? Lege Acost. 1. iii. c. 34.
[435] Prov. xiii. 23; xiv. 21; xxi. 13; xxx. 14; xxii. 9; xxviii. 27.