The Drunkards Character, Title page – Dedication
THE DRUNKARD'S CHARACTER, OR, A TRUE DRUNKARD with such sinnes as raigne in him, viz.
Pride.
Enmity.
Ignorance.
Atheisme.
Idlenesse.
Adultery.
Murther.
with many the like. Lively set forth in their colours.
TOGETHER WITH COMPLEAT ARMOVR AGAINST EVILL SOCIETY. The which may serve also for a Commonplace-booke of the most usuall sinnes.
By R. Iunius.
LONDON, Printed by R. Badger, for George Latham, at the Bishops-head in S. Pauls Cuhrchyard. 1638.
TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, IOSEPH, Lord Bishop of Exceter.
Right Reverend Father,
ANd no lesse honoured Lord. I see many make use of your lines, few acknowledge, none return to give thanks: but no cheating, like the fellony of wit; for hee which theeves that, robs the owner, and coosens all that heare him. Why I presume to make use of your name, is not hard to divine; your interest being so just, and great, both in the man, and matter: it is not my respect onelyonly, but your right; and for encouragement, your own words may serve mee for a sufficient both plea, and protection. It is your Lordships, that presents of love, feare not to be ill taken of strangers. Nor could I more fitly dedicate this Book, which (so much crossing the stream of natur all corruption) may happily provoke some insolent, yea, potent offenders.
I cannot so over esteeme these lines, as to hold them worthy your judicious eyes, much lesse your patronage: yet, as the case standeth with mee, it would bee no lesse then injurious, not to look so high; and I should offend, if I presumed not. Benefits received, are bonds obligatory: and if so, both my duty and thankfulnesse make my best services your debt, and if neither of these, my most endeared affection: VV hether should the Riverreturn, if not to the Occan, from whence it received it's streams? And I have not alone watered my Garden from your Fountain; but a great part of this my Candleslight, took it's being (next the Element of Gods word) from the shining Lamp of your Workes. Many of these are Flowers from your Garden, Sciences from your Orchard, I have taken a great part of my Seed from your Granary: if I shall seeme to saucy, in plucking and taking them, without leave from the owner; I humbly crave, that restitution and acknowledgment may serve for part of amends. If this Posie and new fruit answer your sent and tast, I have obtained my desire: or if the graine of this new Crop chance to differ, impute the fault to the Soyle, and Seeds-man; though it was not my purpose to impaire the quality, by improving the quantity.
Briesly, as the Bee gathers from one Flower, Wax; from another, Honey; from a third, Bee-Glew, and bringeth to her Hive that which is profitable from all: so have I (under correction) filch't from your Lordships worthy Workes, and other Authors, (both divine and humane, whether Ancients or Neotericks) what soever elegant Phrases, pithy Sentences, curious Metaphors, witty Apo… hegmes, sweet Similitudes, or Rhetoricall expressions I could meet withal, pertinent, whole some, and delectable, wherewith to enamell this Tr…atise of mine: so that you may almost say of it, as Apollodorus was wont to say of Chrysippus his Bookes, That if other mens sentences were left out, the Pages would be void: and others cannot but resemble it to Horace his Daw, which was drest and pranked in other Birds feathers, being otherwise naked and bare: nay, my selfe will acknowledge, that to this Nosegay of strange Flowers, I have put little of mine owne, but the Thread to bind them; and that to all this Frame, I have not much more then made the Pins, which fasten the joynts together; for most of the materials were squared and fashioned to my hand, by more judicious workmen: it is but borrowed Mettal …ast into a new mould. Yet pardon me, …e who hath but a Cock boat to sayle in, must not go far from the shore: and such as want a stock of their own, are forced to borrow, and trade with other mens money. Peradventure the Magazine of my memory is better furnished with matter, then the Store-house of my invention; yet each are so meanly, as I am forced both to pity and disdaine my felfe.
Who knoweth not, that the suggestion of one new thought, is harder, and better, then many repeated? wherein your Lordship excelleth some other of my Authors, as the Sunne in brightnesse the rest of the Planets. It is reported of Epicurus, that in three hundred Volumes, which he left behind him, he had not made use of one Allegation: who, in our times, doth resemble him more then your Lordship, lesse then my selfe? yet this I will avouch in mine owne praise, that I love wisdome, and honour learning, as much as they that have them. And for my defence, if in reasons, comparisons, and arguments, I trarsplant any into my Soyle: I am no thiefe in it: since I either say, or am ready to acknowledge of whom I had them. I have so made use of other mens wits, as you may see I do… not steale, but borrow. I desi…e not to conceale their nam…s, as naughty women do the right fathers of their children; though I confesse, many of my Authors names, and places, of what I have …udled up together, are by me so absolutely for gotten; that he which would know of me whence they are taken, and from whom I had them, would greatly …ut me to my shifts: yet have I not beg'd them but at honour able and well known gates; they are all, or almost all, so famous th…t, me thinks, they sutficie…tly name themselves▪ without me; for they are both vich, and they also come from rich and worthy hands; wherein Authority doth concurre with reason. But of all the rest, it is easie for any, that have been conversant in your Lordships Bookes▪ to know by the smell of each Flower, which hath had the aspect of your Sunne.
Neither (if I shall speaking enuously) had this Web ever beene, but for the Silke, which I found ready spun from your worthy breasts. I had suff…red sh pwrack on the first shore, but that I was steered by so good a Pilot, as your selfe, by whose Compasse I have securely sailed, and (though sometimes weather-beaten safely arrived at my expected Haven Yea, my Molde was so kindly bedewed with your heavenly co…templat…o…s; when it was Sun-burnt; and so gently thawed by your divine Meditations and other observations, when it was Frost bound▪ that the earth it self would cause me blush, if I should not present yo… with the first, or best fruits.
Not that my ambit on, or hope doth so far transport…me as to think it worthy your serious serveigh, whose houres are taken up with more excellent and heavenly notions: much lesse able to add the least gleame, to what you know: such a fond co…ceit were as absurd, as to light a Taper to the Sun, to teach an Eagle to fly, a Dolphin to swime, or with Phormio the Philosopher, to read a Lecture of Souldiery to Hannibal, the most expert warrier of his time, and I might be worthily laught at for my labour, as he was: I only offer it to your censure and dispose, that it might therather cree… forth, under the safe conduct of your goodnesse, unto the hands and use of others; and even therin feare also, that I have coveted too high, and intruded too much on your Lordships more weighty affaires.
Indeed, to alter a little of what is yours, would interdict mee all Apologie, since that were to use the pensile upon a picture finished by Apelles; or to write the destruction of Troy after Homer, which with ease may be marred, but cannot be mended. Suppose, with Epicurus, you loath to repeate any thing againe, be it never so pleasing, or profitable; as it appeares by your compositions you do: yet far be it from you, to barre others that benefit; when the same God, by whose Spirit your Pen was guided, gave command, that his children should lay up his words in their hearts and souls, bind them upon their hands, and between their eyes, teach them their children, repeat them sitting and walking, lying down, and rising up, yea, write them upon the posts and gates of their houses.
Besides, experience shewes that the oftner these Nayles are hammered, the deeper they pierce; and pierce too deep they cannot; for five words remembred are better then a thousand forgotten; and every help to our devotion, deserves to be precious. It was an envious humour (not befitting your Lordships worth, whose ayme is God's glory, not your owne) which caused Alexander to bee angry with Aristotle, for making his Bookes common: and a peevish condition, which made Aspendius, that cunning Musitian, to play always so softly on his Harpe, that none conld heare but himselfe. Vertue is destributive, and had rather accommodate many with selfe-injury, then bury benefits that might pleasure a multitude; and that which is good of it selfe, is so much the better, by how much the more it is communicated; yea, to conceale goodnesse is a vice.
I need not tel your Lordship, that gray advisements in a fine filed phrase are like …, Fire, Water, the more breathed, the clearer; the more extended, the warmer; the more drawne, the sweeter; or the bright Sun, whose beames are not the worse, for shining in every corner, but the places the better.
If then I detract not from their worth, who may not benefit by their use? in which my care and desire was, with the Bee, to … my selfe and others without prejuaice to any one flower. Put case I have fa…otted and piled one thing upon another independantly, and without forme, or order; precious stones willshine, though set in Lead; and linkes of Gold, have their true value and lustre, though a bungler make the chaine.
Indeed, if in borrowing the matter, I impaire the forme, (as many times it commeth to passe, that sentences translated, or repeated, doe, like silke twise dyed, loose their glosse) if I adulterate, or sophisticate any one peece, let the Author reward me, as Archelaus and Philoxenus did some, which sang their …eeters illfav…uredly and undecently, who either kickt them on the shinns, or broke their potts, using these words, you breake mine, I breake yours; or as learned Musurus Candiot served Marsilius Ficinus, in correcting his translation of Plato, all over with a Sponge, finding it to imitate the copy originall, no more then Cicero the younger did his Father, which was only in name; or take the same course with my Book, which Philoxenus did with a Tragedy, that Dionysius sent him to correct; who finding it not worthy to bee published, tooke a knife and rased it in peeces. For praise, I seeke none, as I have deserved none; and I am so farre from expecting thanks, as that I humbly crave pardon; yea, a conditionall acceptance is all I aske.
Wherefore vouchsafe it your favourable aspect, and let this meane, but faithfull testimony of my humble thankfulnesse, be shrowded under the wings of your learned Patrociny; as was Persius under the wings of Pallas; and Teucer under the Shield of Ajax. And your deserved greatnesse, shall make it more acceptable, and by consequence the more profitable: yea, your name, to which it is consecrate, shall add life to it, as the Sunne to a withered Plant; and your protection will no lesse support it, then bones do the flesh of a mans body, or walls the building of an house.
True, Alexander, at first, disdained the Corinthian Embassadors, who offered him the freedome and Burgueship of their City; but when they told him, that Bacchus, and Hercules were likewise in their Registers; he kindly thanked them, and accepted their offer. If there be any thing herein worthy, let it induce your acceptance; if not, it may please you to imitate Caesar, who never rej…yced more, then to heare how they talked of his valiant exploits, in simple Cottages.
Divers doe dedicate their heavenly labours, according to earthly respects; and I have often seene an heavenly Pearle, presentted to the hand of an earthly and sensuall Patron: but such incongruous, and untuneable de dications have ever beene harsh to my judgement: wherefore that I might avoid the like incongruity, I was bold, in nuncupating my Booke, to fixe upon your Lordship; in whom, to the outwa…d gifts of nature, and fortune, are conj…yned the inward endowments of grace; as piety, humility, affability, temperance, justice, wisdome, with maturity of judgement, and the like; which by a rare and happy combination, have met together, as Diamonds set in a border of Gold, or Sapphirs placed in a Cabinet of Ivory: touching which your vertues) for I will not use many words, of your selfe, to your selfe) I shall rather praise God, and pray for the continuance and increase of them, in the secret closet of mine own heart, than make any publike proclamation of the same, in the eares of others; knowing, that your selfe affects no other the ater, for your worth, then your owne conscience. And in regard of others, it were as needlesse, as to lend Spect…cles to Lynceus, an Eye to Argus, or to wast gilding on pure Gold. for who hath heard of your name, that is not driven to admiration and veneration of your singular sufficiencies? Againe, Alexander's victories and vertues, (to which I may fitly resemble them) were not to be drawne in the compasse of a signet; neither did it become any to paint them, but Apelles; to grave them, but Pyrgoteles; to carve them, but Lysippus. Wherefore I will passe over with a dry Pen, that which neither befits the person to write, in regard of his meannesse, nor the place of an Epistle to containe in regard of it's expected briefnesse; though
It is detraction to conceale due praise,
When good related, might more goodnes raise.
True glasses both our deformities and favours tell: and precepts never shine so much, as when they are set in examples; nor examples, as when they are set in curious persons: nor is it easie to finde so fit a person, so meet a patterne for imitation, for incitation.
The which benefit that we may long enjoy, as a set Copy in the Schoole of this our Nation, my prayers, with many other, are hearty and fervent, that your life may be as long, as it is beneficiall; then shall you as much outlive others, as your name you; which will bee so long, as nature hath an eare, or eye, ortongu…; for though you dye, your sweet remembrance shall ever live. Oh that these lines might live but so long, as your fame and known integrity; then I were confident they should never meet a grave in comming ages.
Thus loving rather to say nothing, then too much; I desire your Lordship to accept, as from an affectionate heart, and dutiful hand, in part of payment, by way of restitution, this small Mite; which I bring you, in your owne and other mens coyne, which is not more yours than the Author,
And so I commend it's successe to God, it's Patronage to you, it's use to the World, and your Lordsh…p to the protection, tuition, direct on of the mighty Creator loving Redeemer, comfortable Preserver of all the Elect.
Your Lordships most humbly devoted, and in all service ever to be commanded R. I…nius.
THE DRVNKARD'S CHARACTER, OR, A true Drunkard lively set forth in his colours.
HAVING found out a new Creature which GOD never made in the Creation (as once Anah in the wildernesse,The Introduction. Gen. 36. 24.) I present him to view, first whole and intire, then cut up and anatomized; taking liberty in method and distribution, so to place my divisions, subdivisions, notions, as may best serve for brevity, perspicuity, my purpose, and the Readers benefit.
§ 1.
A Drunkard (and I take him for such that drinkes more for lust, or pride, Drunkards not to be reckoned amongst menor covetousnesse, or feare, or good fellowship, or to drive away time, or to still conscience, then for thirst) being generally considered, is one that was borne a man, lives a beast, and consorts with beasts of his owne kinde; one that through custome of sinne, and a just judgement of GOD upon it, hath his heart changed from mans nature, and a beasts heart given him in the steed, as it fared with Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 4. 16. For what other can wee thinke of him that gives himselfe to this vice; doth not wine rob a man of himselfe and lay a beast in his roome? hee is not himselfe, hee is not his owne man, though a master of others: neither are drunkards to be reckoned amongst men, but beasts, saith Seneca.
Indeed they are humane, or rather inhumane beasts, or as some more favourably admit, reasonable beasts, or sensuall men: but yeeld them the utmost, a drunkard hath but a bestiall heart in a case of humane flesh, and there is little difference between him and a beast, but that he doth exceede a beast in beast…nesse, as Hermes well observes.