The Drunkards Character, Section 171 – Title page
§ 171.
NOw why have I unmasked their faces? Written rather to keepe men from drunkennesse, then in hope to reclaime any from it.is it in hope to humble them? no, for I have acknowledged, yea proved, that all the water in the Sea will not wash one of these Black-mores white: and therefore to expect this, were to make my selfe ridiculous, like him that carried his saddle, to shame his horse. Alasse! the flesh, unto them that shall perish, will be stronger then all my reasons. But I have done it for their sakes, who are not yet infected with this drunken good-fellowship, and that the others purpose may be infatuated; for vices true picture makes us vice detest.
I have done my best to increase your detestation of evill company, that you may the rather love and make choice of good company: the end why I declame against drunkennesse, is, but (as the Orator once said) to keepe men sober.
And what though some will mocke a these threatnings, with those Sodo…ites? Gen. 19. 9. 14. haply some one Lot, or other, will follow my counsell. A reproofe, saith Solomon, enters more into him that hath understanding, then an hundred stripes into a foole, Pro. 17. 10. And what though every plant that is watered, proveth not fruitfull? yet if God (who it may be hath bidden me speake) but accompany his word to the hearts of some, if but a few, if but one, even thy selfe, be perswaded insteed of loving this vice, to hate it, the labour is not in vaine; the gaine of one soule is greater then the Indies.
Yea, it shall comfort me, that I have done my best to plucke up this infectious deadly weed; that I have hopefully and administred unto hem, whom I cannot cure; and that I have brought water enough to wash these Ethiopians white, if it were in the power of water to doe it.
Physicians say, if the disease be once knowne, the cure is halfe done: so if we could see corruption in the true forme, we would loath it. But as the conjured Devill appeares not to the Necromancer in hidious and frightfull shapes, but in some familiar representation: so vice ever shrouds and shewes it selfe, in formes most delectable to flesh and blood: whereas here you have drunkennesse (in part) disapparelled of her robes, at least her face is unvailed, to the end, the sight of it may cause a loathing; and that loathing, a forsaking; that thou maist know, abhorre, and beware their allurements, strive againe the sinne, shun all occasions of it, bewaile their cases, that are led captive to it, &c.
And nothing (as Anacharsis holds) will sooner reclaime a man from drunkennesse, then the seeing and remembring of a drunkards odious condition, and beastly behaviour: which made the Spartans ever bring their Slaves (when drunk) before their children, that by beholding them, they might learne to detest the vice.
Yea, the Persians, and Parthians, to this end kept; one, the picture of an Epicure; the other, the picture of a Strumpet, alwayes in their houses; and found by experience, that nothing was so opperative against ebriety and whoredome, as the continuall seeing of those ugly and deformed descriptions; which yet were amiable to this monster, in the judgement of an understanding clarified.
Quest: But thou wilt aske,He the soberest and honestest man, which resembles this drunkard least. how thou shalt use and apply this so soveraigne, a remedy, for thy best advantage.
Answ: VponUpon every occasion examine what the drunkard (here set forth) does, and doe thou the contrary: as Domitian was answered, demanding, how he might rule? to be no lesse loved of the people, then his Predecessors in the Empire were hated: for he is the most sober and honest man, that resembles this Drunkard least: as Demaratus replied to an ill liver, that demanded of him, who was the honestest man in Sparta? he that is most unlike thee.
Doe but conne this lesson, t'is enough. Neverthelesse, least I should imitate those, who kindle a fire under greene wood, and leave it so soone as it but begins to flame; turne over the leafe, you have compleate Armour against evill Society. For considering a vision of the sinne, without a provision against it; a discovery how they tempt, without directions how to avoid their temptations, is not enough: as in the former Treatise, I have shewed what drunkards doe; so in that which followes, I will shew them and others what they should doe.
FINIS.
COMPLEAT ARMOUR AGAINST EVILL SOCIETY.
By R. Iunius.
1 COR. 5. 11. If any man that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one eate not.
LONDON, Printed by R. Badger, for George Latham, at the Bishops-head in S. Pauls Churchyard. 1638.