because they might not, both for their own, and the Good of others, and the Publick; but because they will not; Custom, and a prodigious [104]Sloth accompanying it; which renders it so far from Penance, and the Mortification pretended, that they know not how to live, or spend their Time otherwise.  This, as I have often consider’d, so was I glad to find it justly perstring’d, and taken notice of by a [105]Learned Person, amongst others of his useful Remarks abroad.

’These, says he, willingly renouncing the innocent Comforts of Life, plainly shew it to proceed more from a chagrin and morose Humour, than from any true and serious Principle of sound Religion; which teaches Men to be useful in their Generations, sociable and communicative, unaffected, and by no means singular and fantastic in Garb and Habit, as are these (forsooth) Fathers (as they affect to be call’d) spending their Days in idle and fruitless Forms, and tedious Repetitions; and thereby thinking to merit the Reward of those Ancient, and truly pious Solitaries, who, God knows, were driven from their Countries and Repose, by the Incursions of barbarous Nations (whilst these have no such Cause) and compell’d to Austerities, not of their own chusing and making, but the publick Calamity; and to labour with their Hands for their own, and others necessary Support, as well as with with their Prayers and holy Lives, Examples to all the World:  And some of these indeed (bessides the Solitaries of the Thebaid, who wrought for abundance of poor Christians, sick, and in Captivity) I might bring in, as such who deserv’d to have their Names preserv’d; not for their rigorous Fare, and uncouth Disguises; but for teaching that the Grace of Temperance and other Vertues, consisted in a cheerful, innocent, and profitable Conversation.

And now to recapitulate what other Prerogatives the Hortulan Provision has been celebrated for, bessides its Antiquity, Health and Longaevity of the Antediluvians; that Temperance, Frugality, Leisure, Ease, and innumerable other Vertues and Advantages, which accompany it, are no less attributable to it.  Let us hear our excellent Botanist [106]Mr. Ray.

’The Use of Plants (says he) is all our Life long of that universal Importance and Concern, that we can neither live nor subsist in any Plenty with Decency, or Conveniency or be said to live indeed at all without them:  whatsoever Food is necessary to sustain us, whatsoever contributes to delight and refresh us, are supply’d and brought forth out of that plentiful and abundant store:  and ah, how much more innocent, sweet and healthful, is a Table cover’d with these, than with all the reeking Flesh of butcher’d and slaughter’d Animals:  Certainly Man by Nature was never made to be a Carnivorous Creature; nor is he arm’d at all for Prey and Rapin, with gag’d and pointed Teeth and crooked Claws, sharp’ned to rend and tear:  But with gentle Hands to gather Fruit and Vegetables, and with Teeth to chew and eat them:  Nor do we so much as read the Use of Flesh for Food, was at all permitted him, till after the Universal Deluge, _&c._