66 A PE R s u A s i v E to 



calls it, not feeding to fatiety, nor of the 

 mod delicate Viands. This ought to be 

 our daily practice ; and there is a more free 

 and liberal ufe of them in feajtmg^ which is 

 alfo allowed us upon occaiions of Joy ; and 

 on Days of Thankfgiving ; as Marriages , 

 Chriflenings, Victory over.publick Enemies, 

 Commemorations of great Mercies to Man- 

 kind in general, our own Nation, or our 

 felves in particular : Such are the Feltivals 

 of our Saviour's Nativity, Refurredion, Af- 

 cenfion, Million of the Holy Ghoft, &c. 

 Our Saviour himfelf was pleafed to honour 

 a Marriage-feaft with his prefence: And he 

 accepted of a great Feaft from Matthew at 

 his calling, Litke^.i^ But to fpeak in 

 general , the Apoftle faith , God giveth us 

 all things richly to enjoy. And the Wife- 

 man, Ecclef.$.i%. It is good and comely for 

 one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good 

 of all his labor that he taketh under the 

 Sun^ all the days of his Ufe, which God gi- 

 . <veth him ; for it is his fortion : And in the 

 next Verfe he faith, It is the gift of God. 

 The fame we have, Chap. 3.13, So we fee 

 God allows us a free ufe, and cheerful en- 

 joyment of thefe outward Bleffings- We 

 are to ferve God with joyfulftefs and glad- 

 nefs of heart, for the abundance of all 



things, 



