And here might we attest the Patriarchal World, nay, and many Persons since; who living very temperately came not much short of the Post-Diluvians themselves, counting from Abraham to this Day; and some exceeding them, who liv’d in pure Air, a constant, tho’ course and simple Diet; wholsome and uncompounded Drink; that never tasted Brandy or Exotic Spirits; but us’d moderate Exercise, and observ’d good Hours:  For such a one a curious Missionary tells us of in Persia; who had attain’d the Age of four hundred Years, (a full Century beyond the famous Johannes de Temporibus) and was living Anno 1636, and so may be still for ought we know.  But, to our Sallet.

Certain it is, Almighty God ordaining [84]_Herbs_ and Fruit for the Food of Men, speaks not a Word concerning Flesh for two thousand Years.  And when after, by the Mosaic Constitution, there were Distinctions and Prohibitions about the legal Uncleanness of Animals; Plants, of what kind soever, were left free and indifferent for every one to choose what best he lik’d.  And what if it was held undecent and unbecoming the Excellency of Man’s Nature, before Sin entred, and grew enormously wicked, that any Creature should be put to Death and Pain for him who had such infinite store of the most delicious and nourishing Fruit to delight, and the Tree of Life to sustain him?  Doubtless there was no need of it.  Infants sought the Mother’s Nipple as soon as born; and when grown, and able to feed themselves, run naturally to Fruit, and still will choose to eat it rather than Flesh and certainly might so persist to do, did not Custom prevail, even against the very Dictates of Nature:  Nor, question I, but that what the Heathen [85]_Poets_ recount of the Happiness of the Golden Age, sprung from some Tradition they had received of the Paradisian Fare, their innocent and healthful Lives in that delightful Garden.  Let it suffice, that Adam, and his yet innocent Spouse, fed on Vegetables and other Hortulan Productions before the fatal Lapse; which, by the way, many Learned Men will hardly allow to have fallen out so soon as those imagine who scarcely grant them a single Day; nay, nor half a one, for their Continuance in the State of Original Perfection; whilst the sending him into the Garden; Instructions how he should keep and cultivate it; Edict, and Prohibition concerning the Sacramental Trees; the Imposition of [86]Names, so apposite to the Nature of such an Infinity of Living Creatures (requiring deep Inspection) the Formation of Eve, a meet Companion to relieve his Solitude; the Solemnity of their Marriage; the Dialogues and Success of the crafty Tempter, whom we cannot reasonably think made but one Assault:  And that they should so quickly forget the Injunction of their Maker and Benefactor; break their Faith and Fast, and all other their Obligations in so few Moments.  I say, all these Particulars consider’d; Can it be supposed they were so soon transacted as those do fancy, who take their Measure from the Summary Moses gives us, who did not write to gratifie Mens Curiosity, but to transmit what was necessary and sufficient for us to know.