A Golden Chain

Sobriety is a virtue, which concerneth the usage of our diet in holiness. For the better observation thereof, these rules may serve: I. The chiefest at the ⟨p. 87⟩banquet, let him consecrate the meats to God, by saying grace. 1. Sam. 9.13. The people will not eat, till he (that is, Samuel) came, because he will bless the sacrifice: and then eat they, that be bidden to the feast. Mark. 6.39. He commanded them to make them all sit down by companies upon the grass, &c. 41. And he took the five loaves and two fishes, and looked up to heaven, and gave thanks. Act. 27.35. When he had thus said, he (that is, Paul) gave thanks in the presence of them all, & when he had broken bread, he began to eat. II. It is lawful to furnish a table with store of dishes not only for necessity, but also for the good entertainment of a friend, and for delight. Luk. 5. 29. Levi made him (that is, Jesus) a great feast in his own house, where there was a great company of Publicans, and of other that sate at table with him. Psal. 104.15. He giveth wine that maketh glad the heart of man, & oil to make the face shine, & bread that strengtheneth mans heart. Joh. 12.2. There they made him a supper, and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of them that sate at table with him. 3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of Spikenard, very costly, and anointed Jesus feet. III. Choose the lower room at a banquet, and rather then be troublesome, sit as the master of the feast assigneth thee. Luk. 14.7. He spake a parable to the guests, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms, and said, 8. When thou shalt be bidden of any man to a wedding, set not thy self down in the chiefest place, least a more honourable man then thou be bidden of him. 9. And he that bade both him and thee, come and say, Give this man room. 10. But go and sit down in the lowest room, that when he that bade thee, cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, sit up higher.