The devils banquet described in four sermons [brace], 1. The banquet propounded, begun, 2.…The deuills banket described in foure sermons [brace], 1. The banket propounded, begunne, 2.…

4. Others say of this Balm, that it is the best solution to the obstructions of the Liver. I have heard the ⟨p. 304⟩Liver in the body, compared with zeal in the soul. The Liver (according to Physicians) is the third principal member, wherein rest the animal spirits. In the soul two graces precede Zeal, Faith and Repentance. I say not this in thesi but in hypothesi, not simply, but in respect; and that rather of order, then of time. For a man is begotten of immortal seed, by the Spirit at once. Now as the Liver calefies the stomach, (like fire under the Pot) and thence succours digestion: so doth zeal heat a mans works, with an holy fervour; which are without that, a cold sacrifice to God. A soul without zeal doth as hardly live, as a body without a Liver. Haly calls the Liver the Well of Moisture: we may say of zeal; it is the very Cistern, whence all other graces, as living there do issue forth into our lives. The Liver is called Hepar and Jecur, because it draweth juice to it self, turneth it into blood, & by veins serveth the body, as the water-house doth a City by pipes. Nay, it ministereth a surging heat to the brain, to the eyes, to the wits, saith Isidore. The Pagan Nigromancers, sacrificed only Livers on the altar of their God Phoebus, before his oraculous answers were given. In the soul other graces, as Faith, Hope, Charity, Repentance, did first rather breed zeal; but zeal being once enkindled doth minister nutrimental heat to all these; and is indeed the best sacrifice that we can offer to God. Without zeal all are like the oblation of Cain.

4. Others say of this Balme, that it is the best solution to the obstructions of the Liuer. I haue heard the ⟨p. 304⟩Liuer in the body, compared with zeale in the soule. The Liuer (according to Phisitians) is the third principall member, wherein rest the animall spirits. In the soule two graces precede Zeale, Faith and Repentance. I say not this in thesi but in hypothesi, not simply, but in respect; and that rather of order, then of time. For a man is begotten of immortall seed, by the Spirit at once. Now as the Liuer calefies the stomach, (like fire vnder the Pot) and thence succours digestion: so doth zeale heate a mans workes, with an holy feruour; which are without that, a cold sacrifice to God. A soule without zeale doth as hardly liue, as a body without a Liuer. Haly calles the Liuer the Well of Moisture: wee may say of zeale; it is the very Cisterne, whence all other graces, as liuing there doe issue forth into our liues. The Liuer is called Hepar and Iecur, because it draweth iuyce to it selfe, turneth it into blood, & by vaines serueth the body, as the water-house doth a Citie by pipes. Nay, it ministreth a surging heate to the braine, to the eyes, to the wits, sait Isidore. The Pagan Nigromancers, sacrificed onely Liuers on the alar of their God Phaebus, before his oraculous answeres were giuen. In the soule other graces, as Faith, Hope, Charitie, Repentance, did first rather breede zeale; but zeale being once inkindled doth minister nutrimentall heate to all these; and is indeede the best sacrifice that wee can offer to God. Without zeale all are like the oblation of Caine.