Gods Judgments Upon Drunkards Swearers and Sabbath Breakers, Part 1 – Title page 1

Gods Judgments Upon Drunkards Swearers and Sabbath Breakers · Part 1 – Title page 1

p. 1OF DRUNKENNESSE, AND GODS JUDGEMENTS UPON DRUNKARDS:

THe ſin of Drunkeneſſe being the womb of all others, I chuſe firſt to ſpeak of; by ſhewing, What a loathſome creature a Drunkard is; how it's condemned by the lawes of Nature, as well as Nations; the ſad conſequences of it, to ſoul, to body; by ſetting a full point to his life, when nature hath not yet made a Comma: Ruining his family and relations, leaving himſelf at laſt a prey to neceſſity, and ſcorne to fooles. The Aggravation of this ſin to the Gentry, p. 2who by their Birth, Eſtates, Parts, &c. are ſeated above the reach of ſuch vulgar rudeneſſe; and therefore ſhould ſoare ſo high with a Noble mind, as to ſcorne to prey upon ſuch garbage, as is only fit to feed ſwine with. The threatnings of God againſt this ſin, with his Judgements for it. Firſt then,

A Drunkard may be called a Monſter; ſuch as entred not into the Ark; unleſſe you account Noah one, who fell through temptation; he made no practice of it, yet ſmarted for his pregnant curioſity, to make an aſſay upon the unruly ſpirit of wine; but let's more ſtrictly viſit him, it's charity to viſit the ſick. I take him to be no man; God indeed made him one, but that ſtamp and ſuperſcription of God ſet upon him to diſtinguiſh him from other creatures is ſo defaced, that if all other of Gods creatures had done the like, who could have traced in the ſearch of the knowledge o… God in his creatures? If then he be n… man, he is no beaſt; for in this ſence they are ſober, content with the liberty of Natures choyce; if neither Man, nor Beaſt, then ſure God never made him; his ſoul is drowned, ſo n… p. 3man; his ſence is loſt, ſo no beaſt; If we grant he have a rational being, it is like thoſe Idols mentioned, that have eyes and ſee not, eares and hear not, neither do they perceive any thing▪ the man is turned out of poſſeſſion; here lies the Cabinet, the jewel's loſt. He is Antipode to all other creatures, nay to God himſelf; if you will have him a Beaſt, he muſt be a beaſt of Prey, whoſe belly is the very Sepulcher of Gods Creatures, as if his life were but poteſtas vivendi ut velis; Like him that mourned, becauſe his ſences were not incorporated into that one of taſting; which pleaſure he wiſhed had been ſpread over all his body, whereby he might have ranged over all the ſweets of nature, with a prolonged delight. Hannah gives the fitteſt name to him, in her Anſwer to Eli, Count not thine handmaid a daughter of BELIAL. In a word, he is a poor dead creature, a Lazarus, whom God in mercy raiſe to life again; that out of this Chaos of inſenſible beſtiality, God would pleaſe to ſpeak a word of power, another Fiat, even a voyce ſaying; Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and ariſe from the dead, and Chriſt will give thee light.

p. 4Let's now ſee how much this ſinne contributes to the breach of Natures Lawes, and how much condemned and rooted out by Heathens. Temperance and Sobriety, thoſe juſt Stewards are diſmantled of their Authority, whilſt this ſin with Schollars, ſhut the door againſt their Maſter when they rebell; it forces Nature to run the Gant-lope, which without violence would beſt provide for her ſelf, if ſhe could but ſpread her own table; Go to the Crib you that are given up to Ebriety, who cares for no more than what juſtly relieves the urgency of Nature: I am too much afraid that it may juſtly be ſaid of us, as it was once of Philoſophy; That it was taught at Athens, but practiſed in Sparta. Temperance and ſobriety is taught in England, but practiſed in Turkie; Alphonſus King of Aragon, alwayes tempered his wine with water, leaſt it ſhould flie above his underſtanding, and betray his reaſon. It was a Chriſtian reply of Alcamen to his frugal reprovers; ſaying, That Gods bleſſings ſhould prompt us to live up unto reaſon, and moderation, not of …uſt, by turning Gods mercies to a wanton p. 5liberty of exceſſe: The wicked man, ſayes Plutarch, liveth to eat and drink, but the good man, eateth and drinketh to live: And Saluſt ſaid, Nothing can be more abject and hurtful than to be a ſlave to thy mouth and belly: Gorgius being demanded how he came to live in health, to ſo great an Age; Anſwered, By forbearing to eat or drink through pleaſure.

There is a breach of this temperance, A power to drink to a greater exceſſe in meaſure, and abuſe of Gods creatures, than many a weaker conſtitution can endure, without being drunk with the fourth part of other's riot: to drown and force Nature beyond her due proportion, is a drunkenneſſe before God, though thou beeſt never overtaken with the power of it to the ſight of the Law. If a Heathen could ſay, It becomes not a King to extinguiſh that by exceſſe of drink, which ſuports the name of an Emperour: How much ought a Chriſtian to value his profeſſion at a higher rate? How ſweet and comely a thing is it for men to live ſoberly, wiſely, and temperately, by mixing our enjoyments with an equal proportion and p. 6meaſure of ſobriety? The oppoſite was that which ſtained the glory of Great Alexander.

The Lawes of Heathens and former Nations, condemn our impunity and cheapneſſe of this ſin: we do as it were ſell drunkenneſſe; for where forfeitures bite not above the pleaſure of it, men will be content to pay for it.

The Ancient Romans baniſhed all Epicures out of their Cities, accounting them the plagues of youth. Romulus made a Law to puniſh drunkenneſſe in women with death. Minos King of Creet, ſuffered none to drink one to another unto drunkenneſſe, without the cenſure of the Law. Severer Lawes are not in the World againſt this ſin, than in Turkie; A ſtory whereof I remember of one, that at a Feſtival time, had been too liberal with his cups,Turkiſh Hiſt. and being carried before the Grand Vizier, had lead poured into his mouth and eares, and ſo died: not that one act needed ſuch ſeverity, ſo much as to ſuppreſſe the growth and progreſſe of ſin: The Law rather intends Reformation than Puniſhment, if the one might be without the other; for Lex non Iraſcitur.

p. 7Let's ſee the ſpiritual evils of this ſin; A Drunkard wounds his own ſoul, his heart is like mare mortuum, where no grace can live, he drowns the voice of Nature, and Conſcience, the two great lights which God ſets up in every man; He ſells himſelf with Ahab, to work wickedneſſe: Tell him of God, he replies as the Cyclops in the Tragedy to Ʋlyſſes; I know no other God but my belly: Or like that Monk mentioned, who upon the news that all Abbies were voted down, and yet his maintenance continued for life, ſtroaked his belly with theſe words, Modo hic, ſit bene; his care was paſt, ſo long as his camp was victualled: with Solomons fool, Come let's drinks, for to morrow we ſhall die; but Remember, Poſt mortem nulla voluptas.

Is it not a ſad thing, to ſee men drown body and ſoul together? men may play with their eternal eſtates, and dance about the flames, and never ſee their danger till irrecoverable. How many like Amnon, die drunk, carry their own condemnation with them;Wilſon. K. Ja. That as Sir Gerviſe Elloway ſaid; His own hand which he took p. 8ſuch a pride in, appeared to his condemnation, when nothing elſe could have wrought it: and ſuch judgements are heavy, ſeeming as if the execution were alike intended againſt the ſoul, as well as the body; They ſpend their dayes in Mirth, and ſuddenly they go down to Hell, Job 31.13.

What art thou guilty of that occaſions this ſin? which is accompanied with ſo great tokens of Gods ſore diſpleaſure? thou that in company forceſt down drink, or takeſt pleaſure in thy ſad profit, by ſuffering them in thy houſe: read the Prophet, Wo to him that giveth his neighbour drink, that putteth the bottle to him, and maketh him drunken alſo.

It ſwells greater yet, as its the fountain of other ſins; As Nero wiſhed the people of Rome had but one neck, that with one ſtroke, he might cut it off: ſo the Devil, makes up all his compounds of this one ſin; this he makes the onelyonly rode to the breach of all Gods Commandments at once: as one well ſaid; Prove a man ungrateful, and he is every thing that is evil: So let a man be a Drunkard, and Ile ſecure, he ſhall not ſtick at the vileſt p. 9Murther, Rape, or whatever miſchief come in his way. This ſin is without a guard, and though it be the King of other ſins, yet it hath not ſo much as a life-guard: for ſome kill their deareſt friend, who when ſober, account him according to that wiſe ſtandard of Solomons, friendſhip; better than a Brother: others their Father, Siſter, and the Wife of their boſom. Cyrillus was ſlaine by his drunken ſon, who not content with his Fathers blood, ſends his Mother with child to another world, in a bloody winding-ſheet; wounds one of his Siſters, and deflowers another. Uncleanneſſe eſcapes not this beaſtly ſin, any more than Murder, an example whereof is recorded of one, that tempted to Adultery, Murder, or Drunkenneſſe, choſe the laſt, as the leaſt, but proved the greateſt; it was all of them: for now drunk, he commits Adultery with one, whoſe Husband at the ſame time coming in, he murders: the ſin of uncleanneſſe is the channel wherein Drunkenneſſe runneth: Nunquam ego ebrium caſtum putabo, ſayes one: I will never believe that chaſtity lodgeth in the Drunkards bed: As its ſaid of p. 10Pumming-ſtones amongſt the Mediterranean Iſlands, that they are produced of the ſcum of thoſe Seas; ſo I may ſay of uncleanneſſe, that it is the froth of drunkenneſſe. Wine is to moſt men the milk of Venus; he can never have a pure ſoul in a chaſt body, that ſucks at theſe breaſts, that frequents the ſociety of this Baude of luſt. It is the furnace of luſt, the forge on which the devil frames all other ſins upon.

As in Nature all things ſpring from the Root, ſo all ſins are incorporated into this one of drunkenneſſe; As our natures contain the ſeeds of all impiety, and there lie for mintage: ſo when once a man is drunk, he is ready to coine any miſchief, and ſet the devils ſtampe on every action. I pray God keep every man from this ſin.

The outward evils are not few▪ thy Eſtate, Family, Relations, ſmart for thy drunken exceſſe; and when thou art under the extremity, what thinkeſt thou is the greateſt ſmart, but to conſider, that thy diſtraction is of thy ſelf? If a ſeverer judgement prevent not, this miſery of want and need p. 11…n old age, will be the inſeparable ghoſt of this ſin.

A Drunkard makes himſelf the living tomb of his Anceſtors, travelling from luxury to neceſſity, never till now writes an omnia vanit as upon his extravagancies. This ſin, ſayes one, is like gun-powder, which blowes up many a faire fortune. And, no doubt, that which cuts ſore, is, To conſider, not onelyonly my own miſery and poverty, but that my poor and innocent relations, ſhould come to miſery, thorough the road of my ſin; that thorough want, they ſhould be put upon ſuch rocks of ſin and temptation, as poſt them out of the World with lamentation and woes, againſt ſuch courſes, the guilt whereof lyeth at my door. This is the vinegar, and gall.

The next evil is, the miſerable eſtate of their bodies; ſome mens ſins run before to judgement, and ſome come after: This ſin, I think, is foremoſt in every thing; for whereas God ſayes, I will deſtroy both the meat, and the belly; he cries, No, no, I will not ſtay ſo long, Ile deſtroy my ſelf by Rhumes, Dropſies, Gouts, Inflammations, p. 12Apoplexies; who ſees no… complexions altered, countenanc… changed? how many deſtroyed by … violent death? infinite numbers drowned, ſome broken in pieces by falling into pits, fall off horſe-back dead… fareing with them as it is ſaid of tha… Pope whom the Devill carried away with him in the very act of Adultery Intemperance is a root proper to every diſeaſe; ſayes Plato: and ſickneſſe is the chaſtiſement of Intemperance. Seneca Who hath woe? Who hath ſorrow… who hath contention? who wound without cure?Prov. 23.29.Prov 23:29 thoſe that ſtay long a… the wine, ſaith the Royall Phyloſopher. He is next a ſhame to his relations, his ſervants ſcorn and ſlight him ſo cheaply doth he part with his honour, and authority, that his groom i… his Maſter; Is any thing in the world ſo much the ſubject of folly and laughter, to the meaneſt perſons, even to the boyes in the ſtreet? As once at a meeting,R. Junius. a company of perſons having a tempeſt in their heads, by reaſon of a Sea o… drink, verily thought the houſe a Pinnace at Sea, and the ſtorm ſo vehement, that they unladed the veſſel, throwing all they could get hold of, out of the p. 13windowes, inſtead of over-board, cal…ng the Conſtable Neptune; ſome got under the Tables, as under the Hatches, Another holds a great pot for the Maſt, …hinking that that which once threw him down, might now hold him up; all of them crying out, what pitty it was …o many brave Gentleman ſhould be …ſt, and founderd at Sea! that could not find the way home by land; not …uch unlike a Gentleman of no mean …rts, attending a funerall in the …hurch, pulled out his keyes, and …hockt at the pue door, calling of the …awer for a reckoning: or him that …ught his horſe in every Inne, when he …me on foot to the Town. The moſt remarkable ſtory I find recorded, is of one …hom the Duke of Burgundy found dead …unk, and carried to the Pallace; diſ…bed of his own apparell, and equiped … the Court mode; as ſoon as he a…aked, the Dukes attendants wait upon …m, perſwade him he is ſome great …ince: They ſerve up dinner with …e ſame ſtate as to the Duke himſelf, …t a word ſpoke, all in ſilence, to the …eat aſtoniſhment of the poor man, and … ſmall recreation of the Duke and …dies: after ſupper they began to revell p. 14it in his preſence, the muſick play and dances begin, with a great ſhew … much ſplendor, according to the cuſto… of the Court; which done, they fill b… belly as full of drink, as his head w… empty of wit and reaſon, ſo convey… him to the place where he was foun… putting on his own apparell; The m… when recovered, when inveſted wi… reaſon, made better ſport with his ow… imagination; the jeſt being all the ear… eſt of his confuſed conceptions, w… now had his underſtanding as farre… ſeek in purſuit of his own information as when he was drunk; hardly believin… but that now he was drunk, if … thought it any thing above a pleaſa… and delightful dream; this he reſolve… that a viſion he had ſeen, and could n… by any means be diſſwaded from i… Thus are the ſences beſotted, the m… mory that Noble Recorder loſt, an… reaſon it ſelfe more ſtupified, then … any capacity to uſe it. This is the evi… of it, that let him do the greateſt evil… he remembers it not.

He knowes not what a ſecret i… though it concern his own life or … ſtate; and this is the reaſon that i… ſome Courts they tempt Embaſſado… p. 15to ebriety, knowing that he will then be as leaky at the mouth, as an old ſhip at Sea; all he knowes, comes up with as much eaſe, as his drink went down; It is juſt with a Drunkard, as it is ſaid of a Spaniard, and a Frenchman; That all the drugges in Egypt, is not able to purge a ſecret out of the former, which is a ſickneſſe and puniſhment for the latter to retain.

I could have ſaid much more of the evill effects of this ſin, but I affect brevity, though I fear to be tedious. We ſee it is a wofull, doleful ſinne; damnes the ſoul without repentance, deſtroyes Body, Eſtate, Reputation of a good name; In a word, undoes in this life, and that which is eternall. Me thinks I ſee the whole Nation reel under the depreſſion of this ſin, as in that though often cut, yet like quick hedges grow again; Hydra-like, increaſes by his wounds; but if once cut at the Root the Cedars as well as the Shrubs would fall to the ground; So long as the tall Okes ſtand to ſhelter the ſtorms of Authority from the Brambles; lets never expect a hopefull Reformation of this Abuſe. For as Gondamar ſaid at a Councel at Madrid, Never let's expect p. 16good from the Netherlands, ſo long as England feeds the Humours; let's begin at the cauſe, and the effects will follow; ſo I ſay if exhortations, threatenings, nor civility, will ſerve to find out common ingenuity from the great ones, let a handle be cut out of the Bowels of greatneſſe it ſelf, to lop of theſe exuberant branches of wickedneſſe, which hinder the buddings o… vertue, and promote the worſt of vices; but becauſe I account my ſelf ſtrictly related to wiſh them well, give m… leave to treat civilly with the Gentry.

And oh that I could perſwade ſom… Gentlemen from this fooliſh ſordid and unmanly trade of Drinking! ſome few there are, and I hope but few, tha… think it an honour to be drunk, ſwear and roar with debaucht company; Many there are in theſe Counties as wel… as other, which bear the remarks of exemplary piety; perſons, who for their vertues, are the Honour of their country, whoſe converſations alone ſet a brand upon debauchedneſs; of ſuch I be… the honour to honour them: but ſuch as are addicted to this ſin, I would diſtill better perſwaſions into their minds▪ p. 17eſpecially to ſuch as in all points ſave this, are extreamely ingenuous; and ſuch as through their too much ingenuity cannot reſiſt temptations, I pity their eaſie natures, and wiſh their temperatures had been more ſteril and moroſe! Oh that I could reach the moſt inward part, and there plant the force of perſwaſion if it were but to a Moral and Philoſophical kind of life! that in the ſight of this debauched and beaſtly cuſtom of exceſſe, and riot, they might live like ſober and diſcreet men, rather glorying in their ſobriety like Chriſtians, than …mpiety like beaſts. Mirth, chearfulneſſe, and ſobriety, may be nouriſhed without the fooliſh cuſtom of Drinking healths, on purpoſe to be drunk. As Lord Bacon in his Speech in Star-Chamber, upon the conſideration of …hat cruelty acted againſt Sir Tho. …verbury, by impriſonment ſaid; Its …are in the Iſland of Brittain, its neither of our Country, nor Church; In …ome and Italy there is a Religion for …; if it ſhould come amongſt us, it were …tter living in a VVilderneſſe, than a court. May I not wiſh, that Drunken…eſſe were a ſin rare in the Iſland of p. 18Britain? This, I ſay, Let other Nations have a Religion to be debauched and drunk, let it be to other Nations as their natures; but let England account it ſelf a Wilderneſſe o… wild beaſts, when this ſin reigns: le… us ſay, Its better to live amongſt Salvages, than ſuch beaſts as Adam never found, nor God never created.

This ſin formerly was practiſe onelyonly by Tinkers, Beggars, &c. it wa… a ſhame to a Gentleman to be drunk but alas! how many now glory i… their ſhame, inſtead of being (b… their moderation, knowledge, and ſobriety) a glory to their Country▪ Would but ſhame attend this ſin, … would ſoon be left, but this boaſtin… of ſuch a dayes meeting, wipes off … ſhame; ſo that men grow hardned … their iniquity. He that tempts me … paſſe the bounds of moderation, a … ſobriety, does but civilly invite … to a fever, or ſome ruinous diſtemp… Ile Drink my own health, L. Bacon.ſayes a w… man,D. Taylor. and pray for the Kings. Wh… intollerable madneſſe… ſayes a Learn… Divine, hath ſeized upon great porti… of mankind, that this folly ſhould poſſ… the greateſt ſpirits, the wittieſt men! … p. 19beſt company! the moſt ſenſible of the word Honour! the moſt jealous of looſing the ſhadow, but throw away the thing! Thou hadſt better give away thy eſtate, than ſay thy belly was the grave of thy Patrimony. Is it not a horrid thing, that a Wiſe, Learned, or Noble Perſon, ſhould loſe his honours, become an Apellative of ſcorn, a Scene of abuſes, a diſhonour to that party for which he with …thers have ſuffered? That which I …eplore, ſayes he, is, that moſt men pre…er a cauſe before their life, and by one Drunken meeting, ſet it further backward in its hopes, and bleſſings, than a whole year of counſells and arms can …epair.

Indeed the Nation would hardly …luſh, if onelyonly the ſcum and froth of …t were tainted; but for this diſeaſe …o fall upon the vitals, its a dye in …rain, a ruine to honour without a …emedy. I hope there are ſparkes of …ngenuity yet remaining in ſome, as well as this ſin, which if once they take …re, from the conſideration, either of …hreatnings, judgements, reaſon, honour, …eputation, or a good name, this de…auchedneſſe would ſoon be blown …nto the aire; and if once the Gentry p. 20left it, then it would become a ſhame indeed in the very Nation: But I fear the habit and cuſtom of this ſin, will force us at laſt to the ſordid practiſe of ſome Nations, where its not accounted friendly entertainment, if men be not drunk before they part; I wiſh it may not be found a practiſe in ſome Gentlemens houſes in this Nation!

Let me conclude with lamenting, and perſwading; Is it not a great pity, that men of the greateſt Honour, and expectations of the Nation for Gentility, Breeding, Learning, &c. ſhould ſuffer the ſhipwrack of every thing that can be called good! That ſuch ſhould be ſo ſadly ruined in this ſe… of drunkenneſſe! which like a Hericane, ſpareth none, but ſuch as feel a leſſe puniſhment than ruine it ſelf. A… one ſaid, he could willingly loſe half his learning, to redeem his health; ſo many may lament and wiſh half their knowledge and learning which once they had! May I perſwade you, let me tell you, its as much below Gentility, as a Gentleman is above other by birth, and that which ſhould diſtinguiſh him from other more peaſantly p. 21deportments. Can there be no medium in your mirth and chearfull repaſts, below this ſinne of Diſhonour, Beaſtly, and Debaucht behaviour? Let me beg you to hate it, and remember that nothing more ennobles a Gentlemans name, or blazons forth his Honour and Reputation, but ſtudying an Aptitude for his Countries ſervice, purchaſed not by drunkenneſſe, and beaſtlineſſe; but by Learning, Parts, Knowledge, Wiſdom, Sobriety, Temperance, Ʋrbanity, and all which, this ſin deſtroyes, if you eſcape with the ſhipwrack of a good conſcience: Let Solomons inſtruction be remembred; My ſon, be not among the wine bibbers, for the Drunkard and the Glutton ſhall come to poverty.

If perſwaſions built upon the prin…iples of Reaſon, the ſad fruits of it, …ame, diſhonour, &c. Gods threatning muſt nextly have place, which indeed are not ſmall, and yet will but …ake way for his more ſevere diſpenſations in his Judgements.

Wo to the Drunkards of Ephraim; Eſay 28.1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 19.Isa 28:1Isa 28:2Isa 28:3Isa 28:7Isa 28:8Isa 28:19…he Lord as a mighty and ſtrong one, which as a tempeſt of haile, and a detroying ſtorme, as a flood of mighty waters p. 22and overflowing, ſhall pull down the pride of the Drunkard; for with wine they have erred, and with ſtrong drink have gone out of the way: thy are ſwallowed up of wine; for all Tables are full of vomit, and filthineſſe: for which the overflowing ſcourge is threatned, as a juſt reward for ſo great a ſin; together with famine, which ſaith the Prophet in the laſt verſe, cometh forth from the Lord of Hoſts. Chap. 22.12, 13, 14.And again, the Lord calleth for weeping, howling, and lamentation, which ſhall come upon Gluttony and Drunkenneſſe; and the Lord of Hoſts, ſaith the Prophet, hath revealed it in mine eare, that this iniquity ſhall not be purged from you, Chap. 5.22.till y… die.

In another place. VVo to them tha… are mighty to drink wine, and men o… ſtrength to mingle ſtrong drink; for … the fire devoureth the ſtubble, and th… flame conſumeth the chaff, ſo their root ſhall be rottenneſſe, and the bloſſom ſhall go … as duſt; therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled, and hath ſmitten them and the Hills did tremble, and their carcaſes torn in the midſt of the ſtreets If theſe denunciations were deliberately weighed, how would the ver… p. 23joynts of ſinners tremble, and ſmite one againſt another, as Beltſhazars, when he ſaw the hand-writing upon the wall. Hear the Prophet Joel. Joel 1.5.Joel 1:5Awake ye Drunkards, and weep and howle all ye Drinkers of wine. God oft comes when we are aſleep, and many poor ſouls have never awakened from their Drunkenneſſe, till in Hell with Dives; this is a ſad awakening. Go to, weep and howl, ſayes St. James, ye have lived in pleaſure and wantonneſſe, and nouriſhed your hearts as in a day of ſlaughter.

If yet all will not warne, what muſt Gods appearances then be when he comes in terrour and wrath, by his viſible examples of judgement, which I have collected from Scripture, Hiſtory, and Modern experience.

Elah, King of Iſrael, was murdered by Zimri, in the midſt of his cups,1 King. 16.9, 10.1 Kgs 16:91 Kgs 16:10 as a judgement of God upon his exceſſe. Ammon, when his heart was merry with wine, was murdered by Abſoloms ſervants. Righteous Lot, 2 Sam 13.28.2 Sam 13:28by this ſin commits inceſt with his own daughters; and as one well obſerves,Gen. 9.21.Gen 9:21 made a Sodom of his own Family.

The heavy curſe, that to this day p. 24lieth upon Noah's ſon, Cham's Poſterity, was through this ſin, whereby he diſcovered his own ſhame. Holofernes, having too much exceeded in wine, loſt both wit and head at once.

Alexanders ſorrow after his ſin, will tell us the ſad fruits of it; for ſeldom ſome or other of his dear friends eſcaped his fury when he was drunk.

Cleomena, King of Lacedemonia, at a time being drunk, was never ſober after;Peards. Theatre. but as a judgement of the Lord, he loſt his ſenſes for not having judgement to keep them. Another is as juſtly rewarded with the fruit of the vine, Anacreon, that grand engulpher of wine, was choaked with an empty grape.

The Earl of Aſpermont drained his eſtate ſo dry by his exceſſe in this ſin, as he juſtly died in miſery; for at a meeting, he drunk ſo deep, as he could never riſe again; for he died with it.

Non ut vivat fed ut bibat.The Emperour Bonoſius, through his cuſtom in this ſin, was ſaid, not to be born ſo much to live, as to drink. This was he that would force drink into Ambaſſadours, the better to pump up their ſecrets: He was ſhamefully p. 25hanged with this Epitaph. This is a Tun, and no man.

Zeno, Emperour of the Eaſt, became ſo hateful by his intemperance, that none could endure to ſee him; his wife Ariadne one day when he lay ſenſeleſſe (as he oft did) caſt him into a Tomb, and buried him alive, as a juſt reward of his drunkenneſſe.

Auguſt 18. 1629.Mr. Nealſon, Miniſter, his Letter to Mr. Taylor in Theatre of Gods Judgements. Tho. VVilſon labourer, a known Blaſphemer, and Curſer, by oathes, &c. was alſo given up to this beaſtly ſin of Drunkenneſſe; who through the juſtice of God, againſt both ſins, in an angry paſſion ſtab'd himſelf with his own knife, and ſo died in the midſt of many neighbours.

May 10. 1629. John Bone of Ely, Coachman to Mr. Balnum of Beenham, was a very vild Swearer, and Drunkard; who on a Sabbath day, in Sermon-time, being drunk, and not able to ſit in the Coach-box, fell under the horſes feet, and was troden to death. You Sabbath-breakers, and Swearers, hearken to this doleful example of Gods immediate hand.

Nov. 16. 1618. one Tho. Alred of p. 26Godmancheſter Butcher, being very prophane, and given to this ſin, was deſired by a neighbour to unpitch a load of hay, and being drunk, let his pitchfork fall, and ſtooping to reach it, ſtanding with the forks upwards, fell upon it, that it run into his body, and ſo fell down dead, as a warning to others.

July 16. 1628. One John Vintner of Godmancheſter, being a known drunkard, and given (eſpecially in his drink) to ſcoff at Religion and godly people, fell from the top of a Peare-tree, and broke his neck, and ſo died under the hand of juſtice: an example for all prophane drunkards, and ſcoffers of God and his people.

A Gentleman of good reputation, and demeanour, being not addicted to this ſin, was through temptation overtaken with this ſnare;Mr. Ward, his Wo to Drunkards. but lo, juſtice will be ſatisfied on ſome, to be an example and terrour to others; for riding home, his horſe threw him, and beat out his brains: He being void of reaſon, and ſo not capable of advice, would follow no way but his own, which led to deſtruction; for without fear or ſenſe, he ſpurred his horſe p. 27over all ſorts of croſſe and deſperate wayes, till he thus fell under the ſtroak of Divine wrath.

About the year 1630. nigh Maldon, five or ſix notorious Drunkards had plotted a meeting, and laid in beer for their prophane drinking healths: But (Divine Juſtice that can with his breath blaſt all our undertakings) did ſo juſtly give them up to exceſſe in this ſin and meeting, as they never met more, but all yielded up their ſpirits to the Juſtice of that God, whom they abuſed by his creatures.

A man coming home drunk, would needs ſwim in a Mill dam, which his ſervants and wife diſſwaded him from, becauſe he could not ſwim, and once got him out after he was in, but he gets in again, and by the juſt hand of God there periſhed. I was, ſays my Authour, at the houſe to enquire of the truth thereof, and found it too ſadly true. And one of Aliſham in Norfolk, a notorious drunkard, was drowned in a ſhallow brook, with his horſe ſtanding by him.

A Butcher in Haſlingfield, ſcoffing at the Preacher for his reproving of this ſin, was in the inſtant of his railing, p. 28choaked by ſomewhat that ſtuck in his throat, which could by no means be got up or down; but ſtrangled him. Oh the Divine Juſtice! how Righteous and Juſt is the Lord in all his wayes! how are his judgements paſt finding out!

At Tillingham in Eſſex, 3 young men meeting to drink, one fell down dead, and never roſe again; the other two eſcaped through mercy (by the gates of much ſickneſſe) that they might repent, and if not, to be the leſſe excuſable, if God followed them by the like ſeverity.

At Bungey in Norforlk, three drunken companions coming out of an Ale-houſ in a dark evening, ſwore they thought hell was not darker; but obſerve the end of Juſtice; one fell over a Bridge, and was drowned; the ſecond ſlain with a fall from his horſe: a third ſleeping by the River ſide, was found frozen to death.

At Hedly, a Bayliffe being drunk, got upon his Mare, ſaying, ſhe would carry him to the Devill; ſhe indeed caſts him off, and broke his neck. This Juſtice was the more remarkable, being upon the Lords day.

p. 29A company meeting in an Ale-houſe in Harwich at night, over againſt Mr. Ruſſels houſe, was once or twice deſired to depart and avoyd ſuch wickedneſſe; but they would not: he comes to the place himſelf, and apprehends one of them, and offering to carry him to priſon, he drawes his knife, and made his eſcape; But oh the Juſtice of the Lord! the ſtrange and wonderfull wayes of his Providence! this man was not heard of for three dayes, and at laſt was taken out of the Sea with his knife in his hand, juſtified by Mr. Ruſſell himſelf, who was the Mayor of the place.

At Tenby in Pembrokeſhire, A common and frequent Drunkard, in the midſt of this ſin, fell from a high Rock, and was broke in pieces; and four other inſtances, my Authour ſayes he could relate wallowing and tumbling in their drink, ſlain by Carts, &c. But being the common wayes of Gods Juſtice, he forbeares them in the midſt of ſo many extraordinary and remarkable paſſages of Gods Juſtice and power, and indeed innumerable might be ſuch inſtances, which the experience of every place p. 30prevents in this. A Glaſier in Chancery Lane London, having ſome ſparks of profeſſion, but falling from them, fell into this ſin; who being often reproved by his Chriſtian friends, and no better: God hardened his heart againſt them, and once being drunk, by the violence of vomiting, broke a vein, continued two dayes in extremity of Anguiſh and torment, not without great conflicts and diſtreſſe of mind, his conſcience being awakened, and God in much mercy breathing ſome comfort to his diſtreſſed ſoul, he yielded up his ſoul to God, as he had done his body to Sathan, atteſted by a kinſman of his own to my Authour. O that, if it had been Gods will, all examples of juſtice were accompanied with ſuch ſweetneſſe and mercy, as to give any hope of the ſafety of the ſoule, when the body in the act of ſin is deſtroyed.

A Knight given to this wicked ſin of Drunkenneſſe, did ſometimes order pailes of drink into the fields to make people drunk. On a time drinking with company, a certain woman comes in, and giveth him a Ring with this poſie; Drink and die; which he accepted p. 31of and wore; and in ſix dayes died through exceſſe of drink, juſtified by a Miniſter dwelling within a mile of the place.

Two children my Authour ſayes, he hath known to murther their Mother in drink; and another that attempted to kill his Father, of which being fruſtrated, he ſet fire of his barn, and afterward came to the Gallowes.

In Broad-ſtreet London, Many Gentlemen drinking healths to their ſole Lords on whom they depended, one wicked wretch takes up a Pottle pot of Sack, ſweares a deep oath, ſaying, will none drink a health to my Noble Lord and Maſter? and without any more words he begunne himſelfe, and drank up the pot full to the bottome, and ſuddenly fell as if dead, ſnorting, but not ſpeaking; he is layd by as one overcome, and covered with cloathes, till they drink as large a proportion, as their inſatiate appetites would take in; when done, expecting their friend ſhould riſe, they found him dead indeed. Oh ſad to go to Eternity ſwearing and drunk! who would not dread the Iſſue?

p. 32At Barnwell nigh Cambridge, a young man and a woman, with a hundred more in company, met at the ſign of the Plough, agreeing to drink off a Barrell of Beer, which they did; but will not examples of others warn us? then let's expect to be monuments to others; three of them died in twenty four houres, the fourth eſcaped with great ſickneſſe, and by the gates of death had life given him, witneſſed by a Juſtice of Peace of the County near by.

D.T. Taylor.Two ſervants of a Brewers in Ipſwich, whilſt I was Miniſter there, ſaid my Authour, drinking for a Rump of a Turky, in their drink they ſtrugled for it, and both fell into a ſcalding Caldron, the one died preſently, the other in Torment and Anguiſh pined away.

Mr. Beadles Diary.At a Tavern in Eſſex, a Conſtable was threatned by a drunken Serving-man, to be forced out of the houſe by his oathes and curſes, if he would not be gone, and in his drink purſuing one of his company to force him to drink off a pint of Sack, he fell down ſtairs, and immediately fell under the ſtroke of divine vengeance; oh! you ſwearers p. 33and curſers, remember theſe examples of God! let them be examples to you; will not the wrath of God revealed ſtand in our way, and encompaſſe us about with terrour and fear? Oh be not proud of your ſtrength, to devour and engroſſe the creatures of God to ſatisfy your luſts! It is recorded of a Noble-man coming to Ipſwich to viſit his Kinſman in that Univerſity, that demanded how he profited in his ſtudies, to whom they reply very well, and that amongſt one thouſand five hundred, he had the garland given him for the ableſt drinker. Gods Judgements will find us ſooner or later.

In Salisbury, Mr. Clerks Examplesone in the midſt of his drink began a health to the devill, ſaying, if he would not pledge him, he would not believe there was either God or devill, his aſſociates being terrified at his words, with fear runne away; the Vintner hearing a hideous noyſe, and ſmelling, and unuſual and noyſom ſavour, ran up to the chamber, but his gueſt was gone, & the windows broken, the Iron barres of the windows bended and bloody; and the poor wretch never more heard of. Theſe are ſad inſtances of Gods diſpleaſure, p. 34if he would pleaſe in mercy to ſet them home upon ſome poor ſinners.

In the year 1551. in Bohemia, five drunkards were met together to drink, who ſeeing a picture painted upon the wall, for the devill, drank healths to him; the next night they were all found dead with their necks broken, and their bodies cruſht in pieces, blood running out of their mouthes, noſtrils, ears, &c.

In the County of Cavan in Ireland, a Gentleman of Caſtle-terra, was much given to delight in drunken company, wherein healths went down ſwiftly, and glaſſes broke againſt the walls at every health; by this ſin he was ſo much addicted to wickedneſſe and impenitency, as his ſport was to repeat the Miniſters Sermons in ſcorn, and deriſion, eſpecially at one time having heard a Sermon upon faith, demanded of the Miniſter if he could remove mountaines, elſe he would not believe he had faith. This Gentleman is by Gods hand ſtruck with the ſmall pox, which gets into his throat, in ſuch extremity, that he could not ſwallow any meat or drink to cool and refreſh the violence of his internall p. 35heat; that throat that had been the gutter and channel of many a pounds worth of drink, could not now, in torment like Dives, ſuffer one drop to refreſh him. In this ſad and bitter conflict, he breaks out into theſe expreſſions to an honeſt man ſtanding by. Oh Thomas, would I could now receive one of thoſe glaſſes of drink, which formerly I profuſely and profanely have thrown againſt the walls! And growing worſe and worſe, without hopes of life, perceiving no remedy but death for all his ſoares, he breaks out again in his agony and torment; oh that now I had but as much faith as a grain of Muſtard-ſeed, and ſo expired the 57. year of his Age. I pray, and cordially deſire, that ſuch ſinners as parallel this example, may not be reacht with the like Juſtice! Many there are in this Nation grown up to a height of Malice, and Rage againſt Gods Miniſters, and ſome in this place boyled up to a proportion of envy, ready to break; The Lord break their hearts, and humble their ſoules, under that two-edged ſword of his word, that they may be ſaved in the day of the Lord.

p. 36Mr. Young.A Gentleman of Quality being drunk, and riſing to urine, evacuating that into the fire, that prepared fuell for himſelf, he fell into the fire, and not being able to riſe again, his belly was gathered together like a piece of Lether, the chamberlain coming in, helped in, that could not pity or help himſelf, and though in great torture and pain, through the piercing anguiſh of Gods Judgement, yet he called for, and drank off two and twenty double Jugs of Beer, and ſo in this ſad and lamentable eſtate, died; Roaring, and Crying, that he was damned for breaking his vow of Reformation, Oh that the Lord would work a Reformation indeed! that poor creatures may not thus fall under divine Juſtice, too much to be feared, as well to ſoul as body.

Mr. Stubs Anatomy of abuſesRemarkable is the example of that tragical ſtory of two Drunkards, who the fourth of July, 1580. at Nekerſhofew in Almain, came into an Inne, called for bread and wine, and drinking to an infinite exceſſe; at laſt, one of them drinks a health to God, demanding what wine God would pledg him in? and reaching forth his arm with p. 37a cup full ſayes, God I know not what wine thou likeſt beſt, but this I think is too good for thee, unleſſe thou hadſt ſent better; but ſuch as it is I give thee, take it, pledge me preſently, and carouſe it off every drop, as I have done to thee, or thou doſt me wrong.

Here's a piece of blaſphemy, which I am confident the moſt wretched creature in the world, durſt not ſpeak ſober; Oh this ſad ſin! we little know what the fruits of one drunken hour may produce. This vile wretch, no ſooner ended his helliſh courteſie, but that juſt and wiſe God (who muſt be provoked before he will execute his ſevere Judgements) whom he had blaſphemed, pledged him with a witneſſe, for he left him as a pledge to the world of his wrath, and diſpleaſure againſt this ſin. His arme which he ſtretched out, was never able to be pulled in again; his body ſtupified as well as his ſenſes, not able to ſtirre from the place, continuing a long time, in this ſad condition, his eyes rolling to and fro in a terrible manner, his breath and ſpeech loſt, yet ſeemed to all alive; The people flock in droves to ſee this ſad ſpectacle of p. 38fury and vengeance, ſome offer to remove him, but could not; horſes are tied to him, but could not ſtir him: they put fire to him, which would not take hold: ſo perſwaded God had ſet him there as a warning to Drunkards, they left him ſo, and to this day, ſayes my Author, he ſtands as a Pillar and Mark, to bid others avoid the like wickedneſſe, leaſt they participate of Gods wrath, which though it moves a ſlow pace, will in the end light heavier, in as much as Gods patience provoked, turns to the moſt irreſiſtable puniſhment.

His companion who had eſcaped the imediate hand of God, fell into the hands of Juſtice alſo; for as the other died a terrible, ſo this a ſhamefull death, being hanged by the common people before the door of the houſe where the ſin was committed. O that you would conſider this, ye that forget God, leaſt he teare you in pieces, and there be none to help!

Mr. Young.At one of Alexanders great meetings, appointed for his Officers and Favourits, no leſſe died with exceſſe of drink, than 41. and after many a health, Promachus, at the bottom of p. 39four gallons of wine found the prize and jewel appointed for the Conquerour.

Another time he ended his own health and life, by drinking a health out of Hercules Cup, which to effect, 35. drunk their laſt alſo. Theſe are direful and pregnant teſtimonies of Gods Judgements upon this impious cuſtom of drinking healths. Againſt that good law of the Spartans: Ʋt bibat abitrio pocula quiſque ſuo. Every man to his own liberty: Or that of the Goths, where it was death to drink or force a health.

Its placed in the Records of time, that Popelus, ſecond King of Poland, doubting the fruits of his male-government to be the peoples depoſing him; by his Queens counſel, faines himſelf ſick, ſends for twenty of the Elective Princes out of Pomerania, intreating their viſit, (who as well now as at other times) came, and for their juſt reward and puniſhment of their great exceſſe in drink, and cuſtom of healths, they now drunk their laſt, without being drunk at all. The King makes a Speech, intreates his Son may be elected Heir to the p. 40Crown, after his departure, which they promiſe, if the Nobility conſented to their reſolves; The Queen to ſeal the bargaine, brings a cup of poiſoned liquor, intreating to drink his Majeſties recovery: they had been ſo often uſed to this ſinful cuſtom, as it would have ſeemed ridiculous to refuſe it; but the Kings health coſt them all theirs, to the utter ruine of the Polonian Race. But this Juſtice of God upon Health-drinkers, ceaſes not in their deaths; but after alſo, for (to admiring of Juſtice) from theſe poiſoned bodies, ſuch infinite troopes and ſwarmes of Rats and Mice proceed, as purſued the King, Queen, and Family, from place to place, from land to ſea, and from ſea to the ſtrong Caſtle of Cracovia, where they were forced to flie, and nevertheleſſe al… arts were uſed, all oppoſition made, by Guards and Garriſons, Water-works and Fire-works, yet were they eaten up, and deſtroyed by theſe Rats and Mice. The Lord I hope will awaken ſome to ſee the evil of ſin, by that o… puniſhment.

Doctor Beards Theatre.At Keſgrave nigh Ipſwich, three Serving-men taking their leave, the p. 41woman of the houſe would needs perſwade them to drink wit, money, and her Ale out; but oh! that this wonderful example of Gods Judgement upon her, may warn all people, not to ſuffer, much leſſe to provoke, any to this ſin under their roofe; for this woman ſtands with Lots Wife, a Pillar and Statue of Gods wrath: ſhe no ſooner approaches with the pot in her hand, but was ſuddenly deprived of her ſpeech; her tongue (that ſmooth oratour of the Devil to perſwade to ſin and wickedneſſe) ſwells in her mouth, and without a word more died. Sir Anthony Felton Juſtice, and others, ſayes my Author, related it to me, as a thing they were eye-witneſſes of:

And within theſe few years, ſayes he, upon mine own knowledge, three being drunk nigh Huntington, were all undone and deſtroyed by a water, which paſſing, they were forced into the ſtream and drowned; leaving behind them the remarks of Gods Righteous Judgements.

On November 14. 1650. ſaith a Divine of this Nation,Mr. Trapp. a company of odious drunkards met at a houſe, and p. 42one coming home was drowned in a ſhallow ditch, his body not yet buried; concluding, oh! thoſe Ale-houſes the peſt of the Nation!

M. L.Another as ſad, from a Reverend Divine alſo, of the ſame County, who at my requeſt, gave it me under his hand, which he could have done many others of falling off Horſeback; into Rivers, &c. but I onelyonly aime at ſuch as are moſt remarkable, knowing that the ſad experience of moſt places, gives intelligence ſufficient of ſuch examples, which indeed are ſad enough though the commonneſſe take away the ſenſe of them.

The example thus. About the year 1621. There dwelt in Houghton on the Spring, in the County of Durham, one Chriſtopher Hull, a Taylor who kept an Ale-houſe in the ſaid Town, and at Weſt Herrington in the ſame Pariſh, lived one Mr. Punſhon, a moſt infamous and notorious Drunkard, and every way moſt wretchedly prophane; He being a frequent haunter of Hulls houſe, did one day fall out with him, and coming out of the door ſaid, If ever I come within theſe doors, the Devil ſhall bring me in: ſome few p. 43dayes after, Punſhon, going up the ſtreet of Houghton, Hull ſtood at the door, and ſaid to him, Will you not come in? No, ſaid he, for I have ſworn the Devil, &c. Then ſaid Hull, I will be the Devil for this time; ſo taking Punſhon on his back, carried him in, where they drank one another drunk, and quareling, Hull ſtab'd Punſhon in the throat, who immediately died: Hull was cleared at Durham Aſſizes by the favour of his Clergy, but ſoon after died, and, as its reported, very penitent.

In the year 1624. a Blackſmith in Oxford, being a very frequent drunkard, after he had continued ſo ſome dayes together, did in a deſperate manner, cut his own throat, yet lived ſome dayes, during which time, ſome Schollars and others, came to viſit him; he often thruſt his hand into the wound, and pulling out handfuls of blood, did ſpread it before the company, crying out, See here Gentlemen the fruits of Drunkenneſſe. This was affirmed by a Gentleman of the County of Durham, who ſaw and heard it.

In the year 1649. James Fairburne, p. 44in the Town of Mellerſton, nigh the River Tweed, died in a moſt miſerable, and roaring condition, through exceſſe of drink.

On Eaſter Monday, 1656. One Tho. Foſter, Carrier of Carliſle, being drunk, rode out of Town, and had not rode above a quarter of a mile from the Town, but in the very High road, fell off his horſe, and in a water, not above a quarter of a yard deep, he miſerably periſhed.

In the year 1651. James Bouch of Cockermouth, being a moſt notorious Drunkard and Swearer, being drunk at Roſley Faire, did quarrel with two Troopers, who there killed him, as a judgement of God upon his former and preſent drunkenneſſe and ſwearing.

Robert Copeland, a Butcher in Carliſle, being a common Drunkard, and prophaner of Gods Name, by curſed oathes, being drunk, did in the year 1651. break his neck in a ſtable hard by the Caſtle.

1632. John Emerſton of Dalſton, in Cumberland, was a very notorious Drunkard for many years, and one time in an Ale-houſe, died ſuddenly p. 45with a cup of drink in his hand.

In the year 1656. One Mr. Herridge, who formerly was a Linnen-Draper in Colcheſter, now living in this place, being too often found in the ſin of drunkenneſſe, was at laſt overtaken with Juſtice; for coming on horſeback from Sunderland, full of drink, he fell off his horſe; and there died, without ſpeaking one word. God will be glorified in his Judgements, where mercy and patience will not perſwade and allure.

Anno 1654. One John Coultred of Orton Pariſh nigh Carliſle, coming drunk out of an Ale-houſe from Thursby, fell from his horſe, not far from the Ale-houſe, and died immediately.

1650. VVilliam Howe, who kept an Ale-houſe in Carliſle, one time was drunk with two of his gueſts that were borderers, and going to convey them over the bridge, did all three fall into the River Caud; the two gueſts were drowned, Howe eſcaped by means of ſome buſhes, and was taken up alive: which may be as a warning to ſuch as keep drink, to beware of other mens blood; I would p. 46be loath to be ſo guilty, though I might eſcape with my life: its a ſad thing to be a means of any mans outward ruine, but to have a hand in mens dying in their ſins, its much more to be accounted for.

Theſe are ſad examples of Gods Severity and Juſtice, Who can ſtand before a conſuming fire? when once his anger is but a little kindled, bleſſed are all they that truſt in him. Our Judges find in their Circuit, few that are arraigned, which are not brought to it by this ſin, like ſlaves to the Judgement-ſeat; and are ſent quick, from their ſins to judgement, forcing charity it ſelf to cenſure their eternal eſtates; the eccho of whoſe ſins, reſounds in their puniſhments with vengeance from heaven.

Were I to preſcribe prophilacticks, I would intreat thee to bleſſe thy ſelf from this ſin: none knows whither the wind of a diſtempered brain will hurry thee, or whither this ſpirit of Bacchus will drive thee: if once thou put thy foot into the ſtirrup to mount his ſaddle, when thou art up, thou muſt needs run when the Devil drives p. 47thee. Play not with healths; if thou loveſt thy own, drink not other mens: flie evil ſociety; they are the Devils Trapanners: be afraid with the Fuller in the Fable, who for fear of infection, durſt not entertain the Collier, leſt he ſhould make that black, which he made white. Be in this like the River Danube, that will not mixe it ſelf with the muddy ſtreams of Sava. Evil fruit grows in bad company; they have no Autumn: wickedneſſe withers not; the miſchiefs attending them are like the Spaniſh Indies, which the Ambaſſadour told the Venetian, had no bottom.

Epheſ. 5.16. Be not drunk with wine wherein is exceſſe.

OF BLASPHEMING THE NAME of GOD, By Curſed OATHES. With the Judgements of God upon … ƲRSERS & SWEARERS.