And seeing one and the same order of diet doth not promiscuously agree with all men, take your meate in order, as is before said, and [b] sometimes also intermit the vse of meats for a whole day together, because through hunger, the faults of the stomacke which haue beene taken eyther by much drinking or surfetting, or by any other meanes, may be depelled and remoued. By this meanes also your bodies shall be better accustomed to endure and suffer hunger and fasting, eyther in iourneyes or wars. [c] Let your suppers bee more larger then your dinners, vnlesse nightly diseases or some distilations doe afflict you. [Sidenotes: [a] In Winter eat in hot well-aired places. [b] Fast for a day now and then. [c] Eat more at supper than dinner.] [a] After meat taken, neither labour in body nor mind must be vsed, and wash the face and mouth with cold water, clense the teeth either with Iuory, or a Harts horne, or some picker of pure siluer or gold. After your banquets, [b] passe an houre or two in pleasant talkes, or walke yee very gently and soberly, [c] neither vse much watchings long in the night, but the space of two howres goe to your bed; but if honest [* Page 45.] businesse doe require you to watch, then sleepe afterwards so much the longer, that your sleepe may well recompence your former watchings. [d] Before that you go to your bed, [e] gently smooth down your head, armes, and shoulders, the back and all the body, with a gentle and soft rubbing, vnlesse you meane to do it in the morning to mooue distribution, whose time is best to be done in the morning. [Sidenotes: [a] After meals, wash your face, and clean your teeth, [b] chat and walk soberly. [c] Don’t sit up late. [d] Before bed, [e] rub your body gently.] [a] In the Winter, sitting by the fire, put off your garments, and dry your feet by the fire, neuerthelesse auoyd the heat and the smoke, because it is very hurtfull both to the lungs, and the eyes. In the Winter time, [b] warme well your garments at the fire, and warm the linings of the same, for it helpeth concoction, and remoueth all humidity and moysture. But my father did not allow of this custome, warning men of strength, and those that are borne for the Common-wealth, not to accustom themselves to such kind of softnesse, which doe weaken our bodies. Also [c] when you put off your garments to go to bed, then put away all your cogitations, & lay them aside, whether they be publike or priuate, for when all your [* Page 46.] members be free from all cares, you shall then sleep the quieter, concoction and the other naturall actions shall best be performed. But [d] in the morning when you rise againe, resume to your selues your former dayes thoughts and cares; for this precept my Father had often in his mouth, therfore I deliuer it vnto you as the more worthy of your obseruation.