394 NOVATIAN THE ROMAN PRESBYTER whatever avaricehad heaped together. Nor yet arethere •wanting,among such things,those who, althoughtheyhave claimed to themselves the sound of the Christianname, affordinstancesand teachingsof intemperance; whosevices have come even to that pitch,thatwhilefastingtheydrink in the earlymorning, not thinkingitChristianto drinkafter meat, unless the wine poured into their empty and un occupiedveins should have gone down directlyaftersleep: for they seem to have lessrelishof what they drinkiffood be mingled with the wine. Thus you may see such ina new kind,stillfastingand alreadydrunk, not running tothe tavern,hut carrying the tavern about with them ; andif any one of them offersa salute,he gives not a kiss,bat drinksa health. What can they do aftermeat, whom meat findsintoxicated? Or in what kind of statedoes thesunat hissettingleavethem, whom at his risinghe looksuponas alreadystupidwith wine 1 But thingswhich are detestable are not to be taken as our examples. For thosethingsonly are to be taken by which our soul may be made better;and althoughin the gospel the use of meats is universallygiven to us,yet it is understoodto be given to us only withthe law of frugalityand continence. For these thingsareeven greatlybecoming to the faithful,— towit,thosewho areabout to pray to God and to give Him thanks,not only by day, but by night also; which cannot be if the mind, stupefied by meat and wine,shouldnot prevailto shake offheavysleep and the loadheaped upon the breast. CHAPTER VIL Argument. — Moreover,we must be carefulthatno oneshould thinktliatthislicencemay be carriedtosuchan extent<B thathe may approachtothingsofferedtoidols. But it must be very greatlyguarded againstin the useof food, and we must be warned lestany should thinkthat libertyispermittedto thatdegreethateven he may approach