Eu. Now sit down, and let every Man take his Friend next him:  The first Place is yours, Timothy, in Right of your Grey Hairs.

Ti. The only Thing in the World that gives a Title to it.

Eu. We can only judge of what we see, and must leave the rest to God. Sophronius, keep you close to your Principal. Theophilus and Eulalius, do you take the right Side of the Table; Chrysoglottus and Theodidactus they shall have the left. Uranius and Nephalius must make a Shift with what is left.  I’ll keep this Corner.

Ti. This must not be, the Master of the House ought to take the first Place.

Eu. The House is as much yours as mine, Gentlemen; however, if I may rule within my own Jurisdiction, I’ll sit where I please, and I have made my Choice already.  Now may Christ, the Enlivener of all, and without whom nothing can be pleasant, vouchsafe to be with us, and exhilarate our Minds by his Presence.

Ti. I hope he will be pleased so to do; but where shall he sit, for the Places are all taken up?

Eu. I would have him in every Morsel and Drop that we eat and drink; but especially, in our Minds.  And the better to fit us for the Reception of so divine a Guest, if you will, you shall have some Portion of Scripture read in the Interim; but so that you shall not let that hinder you from eating your Dinner heartily.

Ti. We will eat heartily, and attend diligently.

Eu. This Entertainment pleases me so much the better, because it diverts vain and frivolous Discourse, and affords Matter of profitable Conversation:  I am not of their Mind, who think no Entertainment diverting, that does not abound with foolish wanton Stories, and bawdy Songs.  There is pure Joy springs from a clear and pure Conscience; and those are the happy Conversations, where such Things are mentioned, that we can reflect upon afterwards with Satisfaction and Delight; and not such as we shall afterwards be ashamed of, and have Occasion to repent of.

Ti. It were well if we were all as careful to consider those Things as we are sure they are true.

Eu. And besides, these Things have not only a certain and valuable Profit in them, but one Month’s Use of them, would make them become pleasant too.

Ti. And therefore it is the best Course we can take to accustom ourselves to that which is best.

Eu. Read us something, Boy, and speak out distinctly.

Boy. Prov. xxi. The King’s Heart is in the Hand of the Lord; as the Rivers of Waters, he turneth it whither soever he will.  Every Man is right in his own Eyes, but the Lord pondereth the Hearts.  To do Justice and Judgment, is more acceptable to the Lord than Sacrifice, ver. 1, 2, 3.

Eu. Hold there, that’s enough; for it is better to take down a little with an Appetite, than to devour more than a Man can digest.