GOD
that it will not rest in a breast where other comfort is. So delicious
is the liking in Him, that with no other liking can it accord. Whoso
yearns after other comfort to glad himself with, witnesses against
himself that he withstands GOD'S grace: unless it be honest comfort
betimes that he may thereby glad his nature with, and better serve GOD.
After thou hast spent thy time in prayers, and holy thoughts and good
works, in GOD'S holy dread, prepare thyself for food to strengthen thy
nature which would else fail. And to this intent shall every Christian
man clothe and feed his body; that it may the better serve his Lord, in
whatsoever he does. In the morning, thou shalt go to thy meat, with
soberness and measure; care for thy self in thy meat-time; and after
meat, make thou praising to thy Lord that He has fed thee, and also
before meat, and for all the good deeds that He has done to thee. First,
or ever thou goest to meat, thou shalt mourn as holy Job did, who thus
says, "Before I eat I sigh," because my nature is made weak and feeble
for Adam's sin; and every day needs bodily meat to uphold the nature
that else would fail in a little time. And, as it tells in the life of
the holy Fathers; Isidore that holy man, when he ate, he wept sore and
said, "I am ashamed of myself for I live by beastly meat as other beasts
do that have no reason by nature; and I, GOD'S reasonable creature, made
like to Himself, that should have dwelt in Paradise, and there have been
fed with heavenly food." When thou findest delight or savour in meat and
drink, think on the heavenly Saints whom all likings pass by, and we be
never satisfied till we feel thereof. Men of religion hear lessons of
holy men's lives at their meat, so that as the body is fed with bodily
food, so the soul be fed with holy words. Man's body is as a burning
furnace, and specially in the young; and delicious and hot meats and
drinks make that fire to burn hotter: therefore says S. John:--"Plenty
in time of youth is double fire." Therefore all that kindles sin in the
flesh is to be fled from. The wise man says, "If thou wilt abate the
flame, abate the brands." And S. John; "Flesh-meat and wine are kindling
of fleshly stirrings." And S. Austin; "the flesh is as a wild colt,
which is to be tamed with bridle and hunger." And Solomon; "Rod and
burden fall to the ass," that betokens our flesh. Wisely should a man
consider the meat that comes before him, and take of them in suc