The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…

5. Meditate, how that thy Master Jesus Christ did never eat any food, but first he blessed the Creatures, and gave^a thanks to his heavenly Father for the same. And after his last Supper, we read that he sung a ^bPsalm. For this was the Commandment of God,^c When thou hast eaten and filled thy self, thou shalt bless the Lord thy God, &c. This was the Practice of the Prophets: For^d people would not eat at their feast, till Samuel came to bless their meat. And saith Joel to God's people: ^eYe shall eat and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the Lord your God. This also ⟨p. 211⟩was the practice of the^f Apostles. For St. Paul in the ship, gave thanks before meat, in the presence of all the people that were therein. Imitate thou therefore in so holy an action, so blessed a Master, and so many worthy Precedents that have followed him, and gone before thee. It may be because thou hast never used to give thanks at meals, therefore thou art now ashamed to begin. Think it no shame to do what Christ did; but be rather ashamed that thou hast so long neglected so Christian a duty.⁷ And if the Son of God gave his Father such great thanks for a dinner of barley bread, and broiled fish; what thanks should such a sinful man as thou art, render unto God, for such variety of good and dainty cheer? How many a true Christian would be glad to fill his belly with the morsels which thou refusest; and do lack that which thou leavest? How hardly do others labour for that which they eat, and thou hast thy food provided for thee, without either care or labour? To conclude, if Pagan Idolaters at their Feasts were accustomed to praise their false Gods; ⁸