ne
on this _Topic_: The Ply is long since taken, and our raw _Sallet_ deckt
in its best Trim, is never like to invite Men who once have tasted
_Flesh_ to quit and abdicate a Custom which has now so long obtain'd.
Nor truly do I think Conscience at all concern'd in the Matter, upon any
Account of Distinction of _Pure_ and _Impure_; tho' seriously consider'd
(as _Sextius_ held) _rationi magis congrua_, as it regards the cruel
Butcheries of so many harmless Creatures; some of which we put to
merciless and needless Torment, to accommodat them for exquisite and
uncommon _Epicurism_. There lies else no positive Prohibition;
Discrimination of Meats being [93]Condemn'd as the _Doctrine of Devils_:
Nor do Meats _commend us to God_. One eats _quid vult_ (of every thing:)
another _Olera_, and of _Sallets_ only: But this is not my Business,
further than to shew how possible it is by so many Instances and
Examples, to live on wholsome Vegetables, both long and happily: For so

[94]_The_ Golden Age, _with this Provision blest,_
_Such a_ Grand Sallet _made, and was a Feast._
_The_ Demi-Gods _with Bodies large and sound,_
_Commended then the Product of the Ground._
_Fraud then, nor Force were known, nor filthy Lust_,
_Which Over-heating and Intemp'rance nurst:_
_Be their vile Names in Execration held,_
_Who with foul Glutt'ny first the World defil'd:_
_Parent of Vice, and all Diseases since,_
_With ghastly Death sprung up alone from thence._
_Ah, from such reeking, bloody Tables fly,_
_Which Death for our Destruction does supply._
_In_ Health, _if_ Sallet-Herbs _you can't endure;_
_Sick, you'll desire them; or for_ Food, _or_ Cure.

As to the other part of the Controversie, which concerns us, [Greek:
aimatophagoi], and _Occidental Blood_-Eaters; some Grave and Learn'd
Men of late seem to scruple the present Usage, whilst they see the
Prohibition appearing, and to carry such a Face of _Antiquity_,
[95]_Scripture_, [96]_Councils_, [97]_Canons_, [98]_Fathers_; _Imperial
Constitutions_, and _Universal Practice_, unless it be among us of these
Tracts of _Europe_, whither, with other Barbarities, that of eating
the _Blood_ and _Animal_ Life of Creatures first was brought; and by
our Mixtures with the _Goths_, _Vandals_, and other Spawn of Pagan
_Scythians_; grown a Custom, and since which I am persuaded more Blood
has been shed between _Christians_ than there ever was before the Water
of the Flood covered t