Before their coming out of _Egypt_, they began their year in the moneth of _Tisri_,[242] and thus they continued it always after, for civil affairs, for their date of buying, selling, their _Sabbatical years_, years of _Jubile_, _&c._ After their coming out of _Egypt_, they began their year in the moneth _Nisan_, and so continued it for the computation of their greatest Feasts.
[242] _Ἐν μηνὶ δευτέρῳ Δὶῳ μὲν ὑπὸ Μακεδόνων λεγομένῳ Μαρσουάνῃ δὲ ὑπὸ Ἑβραίων, οὕτω γὰρ Αἰγύπτιοι τὸν ἐνίαυτον ἦσαν διατεταχότες. Μωυσῆς δὲ τὸν Νισὰν, ὅς ἐστι ξανθικὸς, μήνα πρῶτον ἐπὶ ταῖς ἑορταῖς ὥρισεν. Joseph. Antiq. l. 1. c. 4. Mendose ponitur Μαρσουάνη pro αρχασουὰν qui mensis erat olim secundus apud Hebræos, sicut et Dius apud Macedones._
Before we descend to their particular _Feasts_; First we will see their manner of Feasting in general. Their ordinary meals, as they were not many in a day, so neither were they costly. They were called _Arucoth_,[243] which word signifieth properly, such fare as Travellers and Way-faring men use on their journeys. The word is used, _Jer. 40. 5._ _So the chief Steward gave him victuals, and a reward, and let him go._ Likewise, _Pro. 15. 17._ _Better is a dinner of green herbs where love is_. The extroardinary and more liberal kind of entertainment, by way of Feasting, was commonly called _Mischte_,[244] from their liberal drinking at such meetings. There was also another kind of feasting, wherein they made merry together, eating the remainders of their Sacrifices; this they termed _Chag_.[245] From this custom of having a feast at the end of their Sacrifices, the _Christians_ of the _Primitive Church_ instituted their _Love-feasts_ to succeed the _Lords Supper_:[246] In both these greater and more solemn _Feasts_, there were some Ceremonies used by them, as _preparatory to the Feast_, others in their giving thanks, others in _their gesture at Table_.
[243] _ab ארח ארוחות Iter facere, significat viaticum._
[244] _משתה Convivium, compotatio dicitur à potendo sive bibendo, ut Græcè συμπόσιον, ab altera ejus parte._
[245] _חג, Festum, celebris solemnitas à radice חגג, Festum celebravit._
[246] _Chrysostom. 1 Cor. 11. Hoc autem præcipio._
The _Ceremonies preparatory_ were principally these three: 1. _Salutations._ 2. _Washing the feet of the guests._ 3. _Pouring Oyl on them._