A Christian Library, Postscript 1 – Imprimatur 4
POSTSCRIPT.
COnsidering the premises, if there were any love of God, any hatred of sin, any zeal, any courage, any conscience of an Oath in most of our Iustices of the Peace, they would rather put down and purge out of their Parishes and Liberties, this viperous brood of vice-breeders, and soul-murtherers (I mean Ale-house keepers) then increase them as they do, when any Common Drunkard, Cheat, or Witch may procure a Licence to sell drink, if they will but bribe some one of their Clerks. But if it be left to them (if his Highness himself do not by some other way redresse it, as blessed be God he hath already begun the work in some Counties) I look never to see it mended, untill Christ comes in the clouds.
OnelyOnly it is much to be feared, that as we turn the sanctuary of life into the shambles of death: so God may send a famine after such a satietie, and pestilence after famine. Or rather that our Land, which hath been so long sick of this disease, and so often surfeted of this sin, should spue us all out, who are the Inhabitants.
Or in case God be pleased to dispence with the Nation, the wickednesse that is done by these drunkards and drink-sellers, shall be reckoned, unto those that are the permitters, for their own. For Governors make themselves guiltie of those sins they may redresse and will not. But I know to whom I speak, and my hopes are depending.
In the mean time, it is sad to consider, how many Drunkards will hear this Charge, for one that will applie it to himself. For confident I am that fifteen of twenty, all this Citie over, are Drunkards; yea, seducing Drunkards, in the dialect of Sc…ipture, and by the Law of God, which extends even to the heart and affections, Mat. 5.21, 22, 28. Perhaps by the Laws of the Land, a man is not taken for drunk, except his cies stare, his tongue stutter, and his leggs staggers; but by God's Law he is one that goes often to the drink, or that tarrieth long at it, Prov. 23.30, 31. He that will be drawn to the Tavern or Alehouse by every idle soliciter, and there be deteined to drink, when he hath neither need of it, or minde to it; to the spending of his money, wasting of his pretious time, neglect of his calling, abusing of the creatures (which thousands want) discredit of the Gospel, the stumbling of weak ones, the incouraging of indifferent ones, the hardning of his associates, and all the truths enemies that know or hear of it. Briefly, he that drinks more for lust, or pride, or covetousnesse, or fear, or good fellowship, or to drive away time, or to still conscience, then for thirst, is a Drunkard in Solomon's esteem, Prov. 23.30, 31. Perhaps thou doest not think so, but can you produce that holy man of God, that will not deem him a drunkard, who can neither buy, nor sell, nor meet any friend or customer, but he must to go the Tavern, or Ale-house, perhaps six times in a day; and who constantly clubs it, first for his mornings draught, secondly at Exchange time, thirdly at night when shops are shut in; as is the common, but base custome of most Tradesmen; yea, and the Divel so blindes them, that they will plead a necessitie of it; and that it is for their profit.
Nor can it bee denied, but in cases of this nature, things are rather measured by the intention and affection of the doer, then of the issue, and event. And why should not a man bee deemed a drunkard for his immoderate and inordinate affection to drink, or drunken company? as well as another, an Adulterer, for the like affection to his neighbours wife, Mat. 5.21, 22, 28. Yet these men are in their own, and other mens esteem, not onelyonly good and civil men, but good Ch…istians forsooth. Certainly the more light we have, the more blinde men are, or else this could not be; For I would gladly aske such, Are you Christian? in what part of the Word finde you a warrant for it? Where finde …ou, that this custome was ever used, by any one of the Saints in former ages? Well may you (with Agrippa) be almost Christian, but sure enough, you are not with Saint Paul, altogether such: and then what will become of you? For almost a son is a bastard, almost sweet is unsavorie, almost hot is lukewarm; and those that are lukewarm will God spue out of his mouth, Rev. 3.15, 16.
A Christian almost, is like a woman that dieth in travel, almost she brought forth a son; but that almost killed the mother, and the son too. If thou believ'st almost, thou shalt be saved almost; as we may say of a Thief that hath a pardon brought him whiles he is upon the gallows, he was almost saved, but he was hanged; and his paroon did him no good. To be almost a Christian, is to be like the foolish Virgins, that had Lamps, but without oyle in them; for which they were shut out of heaven, though they came to the very door, Matth. 25.10, 11, 12. Can the door which is but almost shut, keep out the Thief? Can the ship that is but almost tite, keep out the water? The souldier that does but almost fight is a coward. And therefore if thou lovest thy self, look to it, and that in time, least hereafter you most dolefully rue it: For know this, that you shall once given an account for every idle penie and hour you spend, and for every cup of drink you shall spoil, or waste; and for every one that is incouraged to do the like by you example. For which see Matth. 12.36. Luke 16.2. Rom. 14.12. 1 Pet. 4.5. Rev. 20.13. and 22.12.
That (by the blessing of God) our children, and childrens children may loath drunkennesse, and love sobrietie; let this bee fixed to some place convenient in everyhouse, for all to read. The Persians, Parthians, Spartans, and Lacedemonians did the like, and found it exceeding efficacious: And Anacharsis holds in the most effectual means to that end.
Imprimatur
EDMUND CALAMIE.
FINIS.
Offer of Help to Drowning-Men.
Imprimatur,
THO. GATAKER