The nastiness of that Nation, and sluttish course of life hath much promoted the opinion, occasioned by their servile condition at first, and inferiour ways of parsimony ever since; as is delivered by Mr. _Sandys_. They are generally fat, saith he, and rank of the savours which attend upon sluttish corpulency. The _Epithetes_ assigned them by ancient times, have also advanced the same; for _Ammianus Marcellinus_ describeth them in such language; and _Martial_ more ancient, in such a relative expression sets forth unsavoury _Bassa_. _Quod jejunia Sabbatoriorum. Mallem, quam quod oles, olere Bassa._ From whence notwithstanding we cannot infer an inward imperfection in the temper of that Nation; it being but an effect in the breath from outward observation, in their strict and tedious fasting; and was a common effect in the breaths of other Nations, became a Proverb [SN: Νηστείας ὄζειν. Iejunia olere.] among the _Greeks_, and the reason thereof begot a Problem in _Aristotle_. Lastly, If all were true, and were this savour conceded, yet are the reasons alleadged for it no way satisfactory. _Hucherius_[SN: De sterilitate], and after him _Alsarius Crucius_[SN: Cruc. Med. Epist.], imputes this effect unto their abstinence from salt or salt meats; which how to make good in the present diet of the _Jews_, we know not; nor shall we conceive it was observed of old, if we consider they seasoned every Sacrifice, and all oblations whatsoever; whereof we cannot deny a great part was eaten by the Priests. And if the offering were of flesh, it was salted no less than thrice, that is, once in the common chamber of salt, at the foot-step of the Altar, and upon the top thereof, as is at large delivered by _Maimonides_. Nor if they refrained all salt, is the illation very urgent; for many there are, not noted for ill odours, which eat no salt at all; as all carnivorous Animals, most Children, many whole Nations, and probably our Fathers after the Creation; there being indeed in every thing we eat, a natural and concealed salt, which is separated by digestions, as doth appear in our tears, sweat and urines, although we refrain all salt, or what doth seem to contain it.