1818 Feb y 2

Not Paul

III. Doctrine

Ch. Motives to Doctrine

Asceticism I. Table

Under the Mosaic law, to the pleasures of the table asceticism applied itself in two

ways: by the main branch by the pretended interdiction of blood, it prevented

/inhibited/ its votaries from being partakers at any table at which flesh of any

kind, that of fish as well as fowl included, slaughtered in any other way or by any

other hand that of an observer of the Mosaic law in that respect /particular/, was

served up; by so many particular branches it interdicted as well at /not less at/

their own as /than/ at other tables the use of sundry kinds of flesh in no small

variety, and amongst these several the loss of /abstinence from/ which would either

on the account of sensual gratification, or on the account of economy /cheapness/ be

no inconsiderable loss. (1)

To fasting however—to a temporary abstinence from the pleasure, this [...?], to this

abstinence—coupled with a proportionable and reasonable sufferance of the

corresponding pains, he has not objection—to an exercise of this kind—provided it

have a good object and a good probably issue he has no objection. Of this object and

the care that belongs to it a view may be had under the next succeeding head. It is

that the exercise may have had for its cause and have for its effect, those

meditations of which he himself will be /have been/ the subject, and by which the

purposes of his ambition will be served. For the purpose of this exercise we shall

see him inviting the wife /wives/ to separate herself /themselves/ from her husband

at bed as well as board.†

† I. Cor. vii. [7.]

MS ‘6.’ Defraud not one the other’ (i.e. husbands and wives in respect of

conjugal rights) ‘except { it be} wuth consent for a time, that

ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;’

Note (a)

(1)  Enumerate them.