The B. of Salisbury.The B. of Sarisburie.

The B. of Salisbury.

The B. of Sarisburie.

I thought, M. Harding had known a difference between Fasting, and Abstinence, or choice of meats. True Fasting is a Religious work, ordained to testify our humility, & to make the Flesh the more obedient unto the Sprite, that we may be the quicker to Prayer, & to all good Works. But Abstinence from this or that meat with opinion of Holiness, Superstitious it may easily make a man, but Holy it can not.¹ S. Paul saith, Cibus nos non commendat Deo: it is not meat that maketh us acceptable unto God. Again, It is good to confirm the heart with Grace, and not with meats: Wherein they that have walked, have found no profit. The meat serveth for the Belly, ²and the Belly for the meat: The Lord will destroy them both. And again, The Kingdom of God is not Meat, and Drink. Likewise Christ saith, The thing that entereth into the mouth, defileth not the man.

I thought, M. Hardinge had knowen a difference bitwéene Fastinge, and Abstinence, or choise of meates. True Fastinge is a Religiouse woorke, ordeined to testifie our humilitie, & to make the Fleashe the more obedient vnto the Sprite, that wée maye be the quicker to Praier, & to al good Woorkes. But Abstinence from this or that meate with opinion of Holinesse, Superstitious it maye easily make a man, but Holy it can not.¹ S. Paule saithe, Cibus nos non commendat Deo: it is not meate that maketh vs acceptable vnto God. Againe, It is good to confirme the harte with Grace, and not with meates: Wherein they that haue walked, haue founde no profite. The meate serueth for the Belly, ²and the Belly for the meate: The Lorde wil destroye them bothe. And againe, The Kingedome of God is not Meate, and Drinke. Likewise Christe saithe, The thinge that entreth into the mouthe, defileth not the man.