The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

8 Lastly, It is the height of this sin, when you also cherish the gulosity and excess of others. When for the Pride of great house-keeping, you cause others to waste Gods creatures and their time; and waste your estates to satisfy their luxury, and to procure their vain applause, Hab. 2.15. Woe to him that giveth his neighbour drink; that puttest thy bottle to him, and makeest him drunken also. This is the Fullness which is forbidden of God.

8 Lastly, It is the height of this sin, when you also cherish the gulosity and excess of others. When for the Pride of great house-keeping, you cause others to waste Gods creatures and their time; and waste your estates to satisfie their luxury, and to procure their vain applause, Hab. 2.15. Wo to him that giveth his neighbour drink; that puttest thy bottle to him, and makeest him drunken also. This is the Fulness which is forbidden of God.

Object. But is it not said that Christ came eating and drinking, and the Pharisees quarrelled with him and his Disciples, because they did not fast as John and his Disciples did; and they called him a gluttonous person, and a wine-bibber, a friend of Publicans and sinners.

Answ. 1. John lived in a wilderness, upon locusts and wild honey: and because Christ lived not such an austere eremitical life, the quarrelsome Pharisees did thus calumniate him. But Christ never lived in the least excess. Mark that part of his life which they thus accused, and you will find it such as the sensual will be loth to imitate. 2. Christ was by office to converse with Publicans and sinners for their cure: And this gave occasion to the calumnies of malice. 3. There was a difference of Reasons for John's austerity, and Christs. But when he, the Bridegroom was taken away, he foretelleth that his followers should fast. 4. Christ fasted forty days at once, and drank water, and lived in perfect temperance: Imitate him, and we will not blame you for excess: His example preached poverty in spirit.