A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

First that abstinence is mans rising, as Intemperance was his fall. We that have lapsed from the joys of Paradise by meat, let us recover it again so well as we can by abstinence, Gregory. I speak not here for fasting only; though that have the due use, the due place. It hath a time and place in the midst of sorrow: for Repentance comes not before God with a full belly, and meat between the teeth. The use of it, is to prepare the soul for goodness, not to merit by it. The Papists hold it not Tanquam adminiculum, as a help of piety; but an immediate part of Gods worship; to be satisfactory. But I commend in abstinence three rules. 1. That it be not too much, for it is better to abstain every day a little, than some days wholly. They are moderate showers that make the ground fruitful. And easy shaking roots the young plant faster; an hard shaking roots it up. 2. Remember the poor in your abstinence.^h Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest it not? complain the hypocrites: God answers, because in your fasts ye exact your debts; you show no mercy to the poore Jejunium quod te affligit, alterum laetificet. Let the abstinence that makes thee look pale, beget blood in another's cheeks: let thy fast be the poor's feast, Am. 6.4. They eat the Lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the stall: that's sometime bad enough, but Verse 6. they forget the affliction of Joseph; that's worse; this enhanceth their damnation. Your tables abound with dishes, their bowels sound like shawmes: take away here, and bestow it there. Bate a mess at thy table, and send it to the poor's table. Nehemiah allowed some liberty to the rich, so it were joined with liberality to the poorⁱ Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet: but be sure to send portions to them, for whom nothing is prepared. Think it is CHRIST that hungers, while thou riotest. Godfrey of Boulogne would not be Crowned with Gold in that place, where his Master had been Crowned with thorns. Do not thou pamper thy self, when CHRIST starves. CHRIST is hungry, and he must satisfy you: It is CHRIST that begs of you, and he must give you: it is Christ that lies at your gates, and he must let you into the gates of heaven. Advocatus pauperum, qui Judex divitum. True feasts of charity are not only Convivia, but Sacrificia; with ^ksuch sacrifices God is well pleased. 3.