The Rule of Saint Benedict

Everr one hath his proper gift from God, one thus, another thus®1 For this reason the amount of other people’s food cannot be determined without some misgiving. Still, having regard to the weak state ot the sick, we think that a pint of wine a day is sufficient for any one. But let those to whom God gives the gift of abstinence know that they shall receive their proper reward. If either local circumstances, the amount of labour, or the heat of summer require more, it can be allowed at the will of the prior, care being taken in all things that gluttony

and drunkenness creep not in.

THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT 7;

Although we read that * wine is not the drink of monks at all," yet, since in our days they cannot be persuaded of this, let us at least agree not to drink to satiety, but sparingly, Because wine maketh even the wise to fall away 182