Dissuasive from Tavern Haunting and Excessive Drinking, Essay

Dissuasive from Tavern Haunting and Excessive Drinking · Essay

An Eſſay to do GOOD. By a diſſwaſive from Tavern-haunting, and Exceſſive Drinking.

By Benjamin Wadſworth, Paſtor of a Church of Chriſt in Boſton; together with a Lecture SERMON, by the ſame Author.

TIS ſaid of our glorious Redeemer, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that he went about doing good. Act 10.38. All his Diſciples, ſhould walk as he alſo walked, 1 Joh. 2.6. They ſhould imitate him in doing good, as much as poſſibly they can; to be ſure Ministers of the Goſpel ſhould do ſo. And it muſt needs be reckon'd a good work, not only to mortifie our own luſts and corruptions (which we ſhould chiefly and conſtantly endeavour to do) but alſo to prevent and ſuppreſs Sin in others, as much as poſſibly we can. Tis Brotherly, Neighbourly kindneſs, to reprove others for and caution them againſt Sin, Lev. 19 17. We ſhould eſpecially witneſs againſt, and endeavour to put a ſtop to, growing threatning Evils; and among Sundry ſuch evils in our Land; I reckon Exceſſive Drinking to be one. I therefore thought it proper and ſeaſonable, to bear ſome Teſtimony againſt this growing wickedneſs; p. 2by offering ſome few conſiderations, to thoſe who needleſly frequent Taverns; and alſo to Tavern-keepers, or to thoſe who Retail Drink, whether they are Innholders or not Yet leſt I ſhould be miſ-interpreted, or be thought to run into extreams; I'll readily grant,

1. That the keeping of Taverns, or Houſes of Entertainment, is not only lawful, but alſo very uſeful and convenient. The proper end and uſe of Taverns, Inns Ale-houſes, Victualing-houſes, or Houſes of Entertainment, in general, is, the accommodating of Strangers and Travellers. If Perſons had no occaſion to be far from home, there would be no occaſion ordinarily for Taverns. But the neceſſary buſineſs of many (yea of moſt at one time or other) calls them to be abroad, Journeying or Trading far from home. Now when Perſons are thus diſtant from home, Houſes of Entertainment are needful, to accommodate them with Victuals, Drink, Lodgings, &c. I grant,

2. That Town-dwellers who are nigh home, may ſometimes, have proper occaſions to go into Taverns, and ſtay a while there. No doubt but ſuch Town-dwellers (eſpecially thoſe who have moſt buſineſs with Strangers and Travellers) may ſometimes have real buſineſs at Taverns, and ſo have proper occaſion to go thither for the doing of it. And no doubt but when their buſineſs calls them there, they may allowably buy and uſe, what drink is proper and needful for their Refreſhment.

I grant,

3 That the uſe of Strong Drink, yea of Strong Spirits, is not only Lawful, but in ſome caſes convenient. I verily believe, that various ſorts of Strong Drink are greatly abus'd in this Land, and Rum eſpecially. But tho' many abuſe theſe things, it does p. 3not thence follow that 'tis unlawful to uſe them. I grant that even Distill'd Spirits may do good, when taken only in a moderate quantity, and only at ſuch times or ſeaſons, when there is proper occaſion for them. But tho' I readily grant theſe three things but now mention'd, yet I verily believe, that multitudes of Perſons in this Land, are very criminal and blame-worthy; for their needleſs haunting of Drinking-houſes, and ſpending their Time and Money there. Now out of hearty regard to the glory of God, the good of the Publick, and the benefit of ſuch faulty Perſons; I would Intreat, Exhort and Urge, thoſe who are thus blame-worthy, to reform ſuch their ill practices. Don't frequent Taverns (or any Drinking houſes, be they call'd by what name they will) don't ſpend your time, nor Money there, unleſs there be ſome real occaſion, ſome real buſineſs that calls you ſo to do. The Exhortation is, Don't needleſsly Spend your Time nor Money, at Drinking-houſes.

To move you to a compliance with this Exhortation▪ conſider, by thus doing,

1. You Sinfully Spend your TIME, which you muſt give an account to God for. 'Tis in God you live, move and have your being; he holds your Souls in Life, and preſerves your Spirits; every breath you draw, is a renew'd Inſtance of Divine Mercy. God who thus lengthens out your Time, requires that the whole of it ſhould be ſo Imploy'd, as to bring glory to his Name. God ſaid of Iſrael, Deut. 4.10. I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to FEAR ME ALL THE DAYS THAT THEY SHALL LIVE UPON THE EARTH. You ſhould Fear, Serve and Glorifie p. 4God, all the time of your Life upon Earth And God will call you to an account, How you ſpend your Time, and for what you do upon Earth. 2 Cor. 5.10. For we muſt all appear before the Judgment Seat of Chriſt, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Well, and what account can you give to God, of the Time needleſly (and therefore Sinfully) ſpent in Taverns? Oh how doleful will your account be, if ſpeedy hearty Repentance does not prevent? If that Time you needleſly ſpent in Taverns, had been ſpent in Reading Gods Word, in holy Meditâtion, in earneſt Prayer to God for Spiritual Bleſſings; how much would it have been, for the good of your precious Immortal Souls, and for your Joyful account in the day of Judgment? Such needleſs ſpending of Time and Money,

2. Wrongs your Outward Estates. All Chriſtians, ſhould be diligent in ſome lawful buſineſs. Idleneſs it ſelf is a great Sin, and leads to many Sins. You ſhould be, Not ſlothful in buſineſs, Rom. 12.11. The Slothful, is called the Wicked, Servant; in our Lords Parable, Mat 25 26. The Inſpired Apoſtle ſays, 1 Theſ 4 11, 12 — Study to be quiet, and to do your own buſineſs, and to work with your hands as we commanded you — that ye may have lack of nothing. Eph. 4 …8. — Let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Theſe plain commands of God you break, by needleſs frequenting of Taverns. You not only neglect diligent proper means, honeſtly to Increaſe your Outward Eſtate (which might render you more Serviceable and Uſeful) but you alſo diminiſh and leſſen what you have. And if you Eſtates can bear ſuch expences at preſent; p. 5yet the courſe you follow, tends to Poverty: Prov. 23.21. The Drunkard and the Glutton ſhall come to Poverty; and drowſineſs ſhall clothe a man with rags. Tis eaſy to give many Inſtances, of Perſons who had competent Eſtates, good Buſineſs, good Reputation, and in likely way to thrive honeſtly in the World; who by frequenting of Taverns, have been brought to Poverty. And if your ill courſe in frequenting Taverns, brings you into low, ſtrait, impoveriſh'd circumſtances; then theſe (among other) miſchiefs are like to follow.

1. You will be unable to pay your juſt Debts to thoſe you deal with. Gods command is, Rom. 13 8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. The Prophet ſaid to the Widow, 2 King 4 7. Pay thy Debt, Pſal. 37.21. The wicked borroweth and payeth not again. Men are wicked, if they dont do their utmoſt to Pay their juſt Debts; but your ill courſe renders you unable to pay ſuch Debts, therefore your wicked courſe puts you on further wickedneſs. You imploy that to Serve the Devil, and gratifie your luſts; which ſhould go to ſatisfie your Creditors. This is miſchievous wickedneſs.

2. You can't do what you ſhould, to Support the State and Government. Rom. 13.7 Render therefore to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, cuſtom to whom cuſtom, &c. Thoſe who Serve the Publick, ſhould be paid by the Publick; Rates and Taxes are neceſſary to be paid, for the Publick Service, and to Support the State. But your Poverty procur'd by your wickedneſs, renders you unable to do your part in this Duty.

3 You can't do what you ſhould, to Maintain Gods Publick Worſhip. The divine command is, Gal. 6.6. Let him that is taught in the word, communicate to him that teacheth in all good things. Prov. 3.9. Honour p. 6the Lord with thy Subſtance. Tis the undeniable Duty of Chriſtians, to pay out of their Eſtates what's needful, for the honourable Support of Gods Worſhip and Miniſtry. But your Sinful ſpending what you have, renders you unable to do this Duty. By wickedly ſpending what you have, you Serve the Devil inſtead of Honouring the Lord, with your Subſtance. The Poverty which your Sin procures, not only makes you defraud Men but alſo rob God; you are guilty of Sacriledge, Mal. 3.8— 10. Poſſibly I may be Scoff'd and Mock'd at for this, by the Intemperate and Profane; but if I am, I'le indeavour to bear it.

4. You can't Support and Maintain your own Families. Many Families are greatly impoveriſh'd, brought into neceſſitous pinching circumſtances; becauſe the heads of them haunt Taverns, live Idly, ſpend their Time and Money in Drinking, Gaming and other vicious practices. What ſhall I ſay to you that are thus guilty? I ſay! Nay hear what God ſays, 1 Tim. 5.8. But if any provide not for his own, and ſpecially for thoſe of his own houſe; he hath denyed the faith, and is worſe than an Infidel. It may be you would be vex'd with me, if I ſhould call you Heathens and Infidels; but God ſays, you are worſe than ſuch For many Heathen carefully provide for their Families, but you wickedly neglect yours. IF Gods Word may be regarded (and ſurely it ſhould) you don't deſerve to be call'd Chriſtians, but to be call'd worſe than Infidels. Nay, the Sea monſters draw out the breast, they give ſuck to their young ones, Lam 4.3. Birds and Beaſts will feed their Young Ones; therefore you act much worſe than they, if you ſuffer your Wives and Families, your poor Children, to want what's needful, while you wickedly ſpend your Time and Money at Drinking-Houſes.

p. 75. You become burdenſome to your honeſt Neighbours. When by your wicked Impoveriſhing courſes, you come to be very low, have nothing before hand, and it may be much in debt too; if God ſhould now ſend Sickneſs on you and your Families, why you muſt periſh if your charitable Neighbours did not help you. Thoſe that were Sweating while you were Drinking; diligently Working while you were Idling, and Playing; thoſe who were Frugal, Diligent and Prudent, while you acted like Prodigals; muſt now Support you and yours, elſe you would periſh. And what a ſhame is it, that you ſhould be thus burdenſome? Theſe few hints ſhow, that the courſe you take, tends to deſtroy your Outward Eſtates, and ſo it brings many miſchiefs.

Again, the courſe you take,

3. Hurts your Reputation. It's probable that your own Idle companions that are as bad as your ſelves, won't diſlike you for your ill courſes; but all Perſons of true worth and virtue, will diſeſteem you and think meanly of you, for them. Tis part of a good mans character, Pſal. 15.4. In whoſe eyes a vile Perſon is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. Now I'm ſure 'tis Vile and Sinful, for Perſons needleſly to ſpend their Time and Money at Taverns. And if ſuch a courſe brings them (as it has done many) to be groſs common Drunkards; then they muſt needs be Contemptable, even in the eyes of Sober Heathens, as well as of good Chriſtians. To ſee a Perſon thro' exceſs of Drink, …, Staggering, Yawning, Slavering, Wallowing in his Vomit; or ſo Stupify'd that he can't move any more than a log; what a contemptable loathſome object is it? They that have any virtue, will ſurely contemn thoſe that are thus vicious. p. 8A Drunken Sot, deſerves to be contemned. Solomon tells us, Prov. 3.35. Shame ſhall be the promotion of Fools. The ill courſe you follow,

4. Is hurtful to your BODIES. God ſays, Exod. 21.13. Thou ſhalt not Kill. When the Jaylor would have kill'd himſelf. Paul cry'd out, Act. 16.28. Do thy ſelf no harm. You ſhould give heed to theſe things. Self-Murder, is an hainous and crying Iniquity; I believe many Tavern-haunters are guilty of it. No doubt but many kill themſelves as Surely, tho' not ſo Suddenly, by Intemperance, as if they ſhould run themſelves thro' with a Sword. Prov. 23.32. At the laſt it biteth like a Serpent, and ſtingeth like an Adder. Exceſs, Poyſons them; it brings many Diſtempers, and at laſt kills them. I think 'tis eaſy to obſerve, that many who haunt Taverns, and habituate themſelves to intemperate Drinking; do gradually loſe their Stomachs, their Appetite is gone, they can eat little or nothing; they are Bloated, Weak, they become in a great meaſure benum'd, doz'd, liſtleſs, and ſo not fit for any buſineſs of Body or Mind, and ſo languiſh till they drop into the Grave. According to the different Age, Constitution and Imployment of Tiplers, ſome thus deſtroy and murder themſelves in a ſhorter, and ſome in a longer time. I ſuppoſe twould be eaſy to give inſtances of Perſons (and to Name them if it would not look Invidious) that by exceſſive drinking of Rum, have been brought into Languiſhing Circumſtances; yet they have ſo crav'd Rum, that they could not be without it. It may be every quarter of an hour (or very frequently) they muſt have it, they are fainting and gaſping without it, and yet the taking it kills them. I have heard ſundry Skilful Phyſitians ſay, that the Cuſtomary or frequent uſe of Rum, Brandy, or indeed p. 9any distill'd Spirits, hinders the digeſtion of Food, ſpoils the Appetite, begets a vicious craving, after Spirits; and yet to gratify this craving, is very hurtful to the body, deſtroy natural Heat, and tends directly to destroy Life Oh, how many have thus Murder'd themſelves! Thoſe who deſtroy their Eſtates, or Reputation, or Lives, by Intemperance, are ſo far the Devils Martyrs. They ſuffer theſe things in his Service, and for his cauſe. Satans ſervice is coſtly to them in this World, beſides what's coming in the Other. But beſides this gradual way of killing by Intemperance, Drunkards wofully expoſe themſelves to many fearful Accidents. That ſaying, That Drunkards get no harm, is the Devils Proverb, 'tis falſe, 'tis a lye. Inſpired Solomon in his Proverbs ſays, Prov. 23.29, 30, 34. Who hath We? who hath Sorrow? who hath Contentions? who hath Babling? who hath wounds without cauſe? who hath redneſs of Eyes? They that tarry long at the Wine, they that go to ſeek mix'd Wine— Yea thou ſhalt be as he that lyeth down in the midſt of the Sea, or as he that lyeth on the top of a Maſt. How many Inſtances might be given, of thoſe who when Drunken have met with Falls, Wounds, Bruiſes, broken Bones? Have not ſome ſlept abroad in their Drunken fits, got Cold, Sicken'd and dy'd upon it? How many have been found Dead abroad, when a dark Night, cold Seaſon, or ſore Storm has met with them in their Drunken fits? Many have dy'd in Drink, and where do you think their Souls are? But again, by the courſe you take,

5. You are in danger of being led into OTHER SINS. One Sin often leads to others, and ſmaller offences make way for greater. It may be tho' you needleſly frequent Drinking-houſes, yet at preſent you are reckon'd Sober Perſons; you are p. 10no Swearers, you are no Drunkards ſo as to Reel, Stagger, Spew as the common Sots do; well if it be ſo, yet you are in an ill courſe, and there's apparent danger of your growing much worſe. If you are not Profane Swearers, yet poſſibly at Taverns, you may meet with ſome Sons of Belial, ſome children of the Devil Curſing, Swearing, Damning, as if they were dating God to deſtroy them. And by your needleſly coming into ſuch Company, and hearing ſuch helliſh abominable words; who knows how far you may be left to Imitate them? And if you are not Staggering Drunken Sots already, 'tis to be fear'd the courſe you take, will bring you to it. It may be when you have been Sitting and Drinking a while, and are about to go home; then there comes in ſome other Neighbour, and ſo you'll ſtay ſome-what longer, to have a Pot, or Pint, or Jill with him, and thus you gradually proceed from bad to worſe. And poſſibly in a little time, you'll come to be really buz'd, really overcome with Drink, really Drunk. And what a figure will you make then? what are you good for, or fit for, in your drunken fit? why, for no good to be ſure. You are not fit for any Service for God or Man; you're only fit to Serve the Devil. If Children are Gluttons and Drunkards, no wonder if they are Stubborn and Rebellious, Deut. 21.20. Drunkenneſs has various effects on men; ſome in their Drunkenneſs, act like Fawning, Flattering, Slavering Fools, they ſeem mighty Loving and Good humour'd. Others in their Drunken fits, are much for Diſcourſing and diſputing about Religious things, and it may be will Weep and ſeem much affected with them. I believe the Devil prompts them very much to this, that if poſſible, he may render Religion Ridiculous and Odious, and Prejudice p. 11others againſt it. Some in their Drunken fits, are like raving mad Dogs, are ready to quarrel and fight with any they meet with. To ſuch an one we might well apply, Prov. 17.12. Let a Bear robbed of her Whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. When men are drunk, how often do they Quarrel, Fight, Wound, Bruiſe, Maim one another; and hurt Sober Perſons that come in their way? Nay, ſometimes they'll cruelly beat their own Wives, Children, or beſt Friends. Yea very many Murders have been committed, by Perſons in their Drunken fits. A few Months ago, Two men were Executed at Briſtol, for being guilty of Murder in their Drunkenneſs. One in the County of Middle-ſex, was laſt Summer try'd for his Life, for Killing a Man, (even a Kinſman too) when both they and others had been Intemperately Drinking together. 'Twould be eaſy to give many inſtances, of Murders committed by men in Drink. Alas, when men are depriv'd of Reaſon by Exceſs of Drink, what wickedneſs are they afraid or aſham'd of? They'll ſometimes Curſe, Swear, be Unclean, Fight, &c. There's ſcarce any wickedneſs that they'll ſcruple, or boggle at. Nabal in his Drunken fit, did Rail at David and his Meſſengers, 1 Sam. 25.10, 11, 14, 37. David ſays, Pſal. 69 12. I was the ſong of the Drunkard. Drunken Sots, wont ſcruple to rail at and revile, the beſt Perſons, and the beſt Things. Lot was a good Man, yet his Daughters wickedly and purpoſely made him Drunk; and when he was Drunk, he did commit Inceſt with both of them, Gen. 19.32—38 Oh dreadful, Oh horrible wickedneſs committed thro' Drunkenneſs! Be aſtoniſh'd O Heavens, at ſuch things as theſe. I was lately told ſome Expreſſions, which a Church-Member, Spake in a Drunken ſot; the expreſſions p. 12were (to ſay the leaſt) very Profane; yea I think they might be truly call'd Blaſphemous; when he became Sober (I was told) he was Reprov'd and Confeſs'd his fault. I mention this, for the cautioning and warning of Church-Members, as well as others. Tis very criminal and wicked, to revile Church-Members in general (as too many are apt to do) for the groſs faults committed by ſome. Yet as to particular Perſons, if they indulge themſelves in Drunkenneſs and ſo fall into other Scandals; therein they act more like Heathen or Brutes, than as becomes the Members of our Holy Lord Jeſus. Surely any one that thinks, and will take the pains to conſider, will readily grant, that Drunkenneſs leads to other Sins. I ſhall therefore add no more on this head, but only Subjoyn part of the Confeſſion made by a man, who was executed above twenty years ago in this place, for a Murder he committed when he was in drink: The Confeſſion was Printed, with a Sermon Preach'd by the Reverend Mr. Increaſe Mather on that occaſion. The Confeſſion runs thus,

I James Morgan, being condemned to dye, muſt needs own to the glory of God, that he is righteous, and that I have by my Sins provoked him to deſtroy me before my time. I have been a great Sinner, guilty of Sabbath-breaking, of Lying, and of Uncleaneſs; but there are eſpecially two Sins, whereby I have offended the Great God; one is, the Sin of Drunkenneſs, which has cauſed me to p. 13commit many other Sins. For when in drink, I have been often guilty of Curſing and Swearing, & quarrelling, and ſtriking others. But the Sin that lies moſt heavy upon my Conſcience is, That I have deſpiſed the Word of God, and many a time refuſed to bear it Preached. For theſe things, I believe God has left me to that, which has brought me to a ſhameful & miſerable Death. I do therefore beſeech and warn all Perſons, Young men eſpecially to take heed of theſe Sins, leſt they provoke the Lord to do to them as He has juſtly done by me.

To proceed, the courſe you take,

6. Will very much hurt your Families. I don't here refer to your Impoveriſhing of them, (I ſpake to that before) but to the want of good Order, Inſtruction, Diſcipline, Religious Worſhip among them. Some who haunt Taverns, do ſtay out very late at Night; this diſorders the Family. It may be when you come from the Tavern very late, the moſt part of your Family are gone to bed; or if not, yet they're ſo Sleepy and Drouzy, they can ſcarce keep Awake to attend Family Prayer. But in truth, I doubt, that thoſe who needleſly haunt Taverns, have little (if any) regard, to Instruct their Families in Religion, to Read Gods Word to them, and to Pray in their Families Morning and Evening. But very great is your wickedneſs, if you neglect theſe plain neceſſary duties. Yet how unfit are you for theſe duties, when you have p. 14been with Idle Companions, chatting where you had no call nor buſineſs, and Drinking (to ſay the leaſt) more than you had need of? Nay it may be, if you ſtay out late, when you come home, Inſtead of Praying with your Families, there's Vexing, Fretting, Scolding, if not Fighting too; occaſion'd by your baſe irregular practices. I pity thoſe poor Wives, Children, Servants; who dwell in ſuch woful Families. What's like to become of thoſe poor Young Ones, who have ſuch Vile Examples ſet before them, and are brought up in ſuch diſorderly Families? Such vile diſorders, tend to breed up a Generation fit for no good. If the head of the Family is abroad very unſeaſonably, very late, if he's Intemperate, if he will call ill Names, ſpeak vile Words, Curſe and Swear Profanely; is he likely (do you think) rightly to Reprove or Reform what's amiſs, in his Children or Servants? Nay if perſons don't frequent Taverns, but do in Private Houſes ſtay out unſeaſonably; ſpending all or moſt part of the Night, in Gaming, Tipling and other wicked practices, tis much the ſame thing, as to the Hurting and Diſordering their Families.

Again Conſider,

7. The courſe you take, may prove, very Injurious to your Neighbours round about you. Ill examples, are very Influential and pernicious. A little Leaven, leaveneth the whole Lump, 1 Cor. 5.6. Leſt any root of bitterneſs ſpringing up, trouble you, and thereby MANY BE DEFILED, Heb. 12.15. One ill example, may defile and hurt many. Solomon ſays, Eccleſ. 9 18. One Sinner destroyeth much good. Drunkenneſs is a great Sin, it pulls down Divine Judgments; God threatens Woes to thoſe that are guilty of it. Iſai. 5.11. Wo unto them that riſe up early in the Morning, that they may follow Strong p. 15Drink, that continue untill Night, till wine Inflame them. Iſai 28.1. Wo to the crown of Pride, to the Drunkards of Ephraim. Well, when you needleſly haunt Taverns and become Intemperate, by this your Vile Example you Practically ſay, That others may do ſo too. And if they ſhould follow your wicked Example, what would become of us? Why we ſhould ſoon be a Land of Tiplers, Sots, Drunkards, Extreamly wicked and utterly miſerable. The Lord be Merciful to us, ſhall this be the Doom of Poor New-England? God forbid. Well then, Don't Set ill Examples before others. If you are not groſs Drunkards already, yet your needleſs haunting of Taverns, may be unſpeakably pernicious to others. I have heard of ſundry Younger Perſons, who being blam'd for being needleſly and unſeaſonably at Taverns; did alledge for their Vindication, the Example of ſuch and ſuch Perſons of ſome note and figure, either for their Age, Office, Church-Memberſhip, Sobriety, &c. How ſorrowful is it, that the Example of any ſuch ſhould hurt others▪ I therefore earneſtly Intreat and Beſeech thoſe (high or low, rich or poor) who make any conſiderable Figure, or are of any Tolerable Note on Character, for Age, Office, Church Memberſhip, Sobriety, &c. that they would as much as with any Conveniency they may, avoid Tavern-haunting; leſt Younger, Looſer, Inconſiderate Perſons, ſhould by their Example be led into the Snares of the Deſtroyer. To thoſe who needleſly frequent Taverns, I would ſay Once more,

8. The courſe you take, tends to the Eternal Ruin of your Precious Immortal Souls. If you are not groſs Drunkards already, yet the courſe you take leads to it. Therefore hearken, to our Holy Compaſſionate Redeemer's Words, Luk. 21.34. p. 16Take heed to your ſelves, leſt AT ANY TIME your hearts be over-charged with Surfeiting and Drunkenneſs. Verily you ſhould take heed. 1 Theſ. 5.6. — Watch and be Sober. Eph. 5.18. Be not Drunk with Wine, wherein is exceſs▪ but be filled with the Spirit. Exceſs of Wine or other Strong Drink, provokes the Holy Spirit of God. And if that Holy Spirit, ſhould no more Strive with and help you, you are undone for ever. Conſider, Drunkards are numbred among thoſe, who ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6.10. If you won't take warning and turn from Sin while you may; you'll pay dear for it afterwards. As for one that hears Gods curſe, yet bleſſeth himſelf, Saying he ſhall have Peace, and walks in the Imagination of his heart, to add Drunkenneſs to Thirſt; what's like to become of him? Why, Moſes tells us, The Lord will not ſpare him, but then the anger of the Lord, and his Jealouſy ſhall ſmoke againſt that man, and all the curſes that are written in this book ſhall lie upon him, and the Lord ſhall … out his Name from under Heaven, Deut. 29.19, 20. Oh tremble, at theſe dreadful threatenings of the great God; break off your ill courſes before 'tis to late. If Drink (or any other Sin.) brings you to Hell you can't there have One drop of Water to feel your Scartched Tongues. Oh Repent and Reform ſpeedily. Drunkards, are not abſolutely beyond the reach of Divine Mercy. Some have Repented and been Saved. 1 Cor. 6.10, 11. But alas, how few Inſtances have we, of Drunkards … 'Tis no eaſy thing for them to do good, who are … to do Evil, Jer. 13.23. The … and Intreated, no longer to … in any ill … whatſoever. … coming, JUDGMENT is p. 17coming; Oh think, ETERNITY, ETERNITY, ETERNITY will be upon you very Quickly. Oh prepare for Eternity, by forſaking all Sin, by heartily accepting of Jeſus Chriſt, and Sincerely Walking in his Ways. If you would be Saved, you muſt live as the Goſpel directs; and that is Soberly, Righteouſly, Godlily, Tit. 2.12.

I would now proceed.

II. To offer ſome Advice, to all that Keep Houſes of Entertainment, and that Retail Drink. And my Advice and Exhortation is, That you do by no means Incourage or Indulge Intemperance, in any perſon whatſoever. It may be you are deſirous to Sell Drink, for your own Gain; but you ſhould not do this to your Neighbours hurt. You ſhould Love your Neighbours as your ſelves, do as you could (reaſonably) deſire to be done by; you ſhould deſire your Neighbours Profit and Welfare as well as your own, Phil. 2.4. Theſe are plain commanded Duties, therefore you ſhould make Conſcience of doing them. And for this reaſon, you ſhould never Incourage any of your Neighbours or Cuſtomers, needleſly to ſpend their time and money with you. Nay you ſhould not Indulge them in ſo doing. If you Incourage or Indulge their ſin, thereby you become partakers in their guilt. According to God's Law, he that can prevent miſchief and does not, is to be Puniſh'd as if he himſelf did it, Exod. 21.19. God threatens thoſe particularly, who further Drunkenneſs in others, Hab. 2.15. Wo unto him that giveth his Neighbour drink; that putteſt thy Bottle to him & makeſt him Drunken alſo. Remember this the great God denounceth Woe againſt thoſe who make their Neighbours Drunk. And will you for the gaining p. 18of a little Money, expoſe your ſelves to this Woe? What, do you provoke the Lord to Jealouſie? Are you stronger than he? 1 Cor. 10.22. When you incourage or indulge your Neighbours, in the miſpence of time and money with you; as you provoke God and incur his diſpleaſure, ſo you greatly wrong your Neighbours too. If you ſhould Steal a Great or Sixpence from him, this would be a plain breach of the Eighth Commandment; yet this Theft would not ſo much hurt your Neighbour, as your Selling him ſo many Peny-worth of Drink if you be (as doubtleſs you often are) morally ſure, that he'll be Drunk with it. For when your Neighbour thus gets Drunk, he not only has ſpent his Money, but he hurts his Body and Soul too, with what his money paid for. By reading what I have already ſaid to Tavern haunters, you may ſee how ſinful and dangerous their courſe is; therefore if you incourage or connive at ſuch practices in them; you are in a great degree, chargeable with the ſin and miſchief attending them. When you incourage their miſpence of time and money, you then further them, in hurting their Estates, their Credit, their Families, and their Bodies and Souls too; yea in hurting the Publick and that various ways. If when you owe your Neighbours a ſmall matter, you urge them to take it out in your way; that is, to drink it out tho' they have no need of it; this is very wicked in you. They had better loſe their Debt, than get it in ſuch a manner. If when Conſtables come to clear your Houſes, as the Law directs; you hide your wicked Cuſtomers, deny that they are there, and ſo encourage their ſtaying to Tipple, Game, &c. then you do very wickedly; your ſin is greatly Aggravated. You do wickedly, to indulge any ſorts of perſons, whether Heads of Families, Sons or Servants, p. 19needleſly to ſpend their time and money in your Houſes. But it ſeems ſomething of an Aggravation of your ſin, when you ſuffer your Poor Neighbours, Tradeſmen, Labourours, to do ſo; when you know their Poor Families want Neceſſaries. It may be they have ſcarce Victuals to feed them; ſcarce Fire or Cloathes to warm them. Thoſe men who ſpend their money at Taverns, while their Wives, Children or Servants thus ſuffer; are worſe than brutiſh; and you act Inhumanely, Barbarouſly, Cruelly (not to ſay Murderouſly) in indulging them in ſuch Curſed practices. Indeed you are bound in Duty and Conſcience, to oppoſe and hinder as far as you can, any perſons miſpending his time or money in your Houſes. If any would be ſo diſorderly in your Houſes, you ſhould kindly and friendly adviſe them to deſiſt, and be gone; tell them how hurtful their practice is. If ſuch gentle means won't prevail, yet you may refuſe to let them have drink; you may take methods, to hinder their wickedneſs if you will. Poſſibly you'll Object, this is the way to loſe your Cuſtom, you can't Live after this rate. To this, the anſwer is ſhort and plain, You had better loſe your Custom, thou miſchief your own Souls, and the Souls and Bodies of your Neighbours; which you do, if you indulge their wickedneſs. The Gain you get by indulging Sin, is Unrighteous Gain; and that expoſeth to the Wrath and Vengeance of God, whatever you may think of it at preſent. Remember therefore the account you muſt give to God, in the Judgment Day; and let that reſtrain you, from incouraging or indulging Intemperance (or any other ſin) in any perſon whatſoever.

From the Premiſes, I think the following Inferences are plain, viz.

p. 201. That none but Perſons of approv'd Sobriety and good Converſation, ſhould have Licenſes to Retail Drink, eſpecially to be Inn holders. If Vicious Immoral perſons, who have little or no Conſcience, come to be Inn-holders; they will allow of vile Diſorders, Swearing, Gaming, Drunkenneſs▪ they won't care how much they Impoveriſh & Debauch their Neighbours, if they can but Gain by it themſelves. Yea, the Children and Servants in ſuch Houſes, are in great danger of being utterly Ruined I reckon ſuch Inn-holders are very Extenſive Plagues and Miſchiefs to the Publick They are more dangerous to the Publick, than ſo many Indians on the Frontiers, or a Privateer on the Coaſt; for theſe open Enemies can do no more (at worſt) but Kill the Body; but ſuch Inn-holders won't ſcruple, to deſtroy the Estates, Credit, Bodies and Immortal Souls of their Neighbours. Sometimes one baſe Fellow in a Town (tho' in a private Capacity) does a world of Miſchief, by tempting corrupting and debauching his Neighbours, Young Ones eſpecially; but if ſuch an one Keeps Tavern, hee'l probably do more abundant miſchief. Therefore thoſe who have power to Grant Licenſes, as they have any regard to God's Glory and the good of this Land; ſhould Conſcienciouſly take heed, not to grant them to Unſuitable Perſons.

2. The needleſs multiplying of Licenſes to Sell Drink, eſpecially to be Innholders, directly tends to debauch and ruin this People. If a grieved Conſcience (concern'd for the Publick good) might have liberty to Speak; I humbly conceive, that Licenſes are ſo multiplyed (eſpecially in ſome Places) that thoſe who have them can get no tolerable gain by them, unleſs their Neighbours prove Wicked Cuſtomers, in ſpending more Money with p. 21them than they ſhould. When men have Licenſes, they're under a Temptation to Sell what Drink they can; tho' they know their Neighbours do Wickedly, in buying ſo much as they do. And the Poorer thoſe are that have Licenſes, the greater are their Temptations to allow ill practices in others, for their own gain. It may be a Man has met with Loſſes, or his Trade Fails, he's become low and indigent; the next thing is, he ſeeks a Licenſe to Sell Drink; and when he has it, poſſibly many of his Neighbours ruin themſelves, by being his Wicked Cuſtomers. I fear many are made poor, by being Wicked Cuſtomers to others, that were poor before them. If thoſe really poor and low, would Keep good Conſciences; I think they had better follow the hardeſt labour their Bodies can bear, and be content to live very meanly; than to get a Licenſe to Sell Drink: for their Temptations would be very great. How many have reaſon to rue the day, that they got ſuch Licenſes? I doubt Licenſes are ſo Multiplied, that few who have them can get a gain anſwerable to their Charge and Trouble, and Keep good Conſciences too.

3. All that deſire the Glory of God and the good of this People, ſhould do their utmoſt in their ſeveral Capacities to Suppreſs Intemperance. Thoſe in Civil Authority, ſhould Imploy their power againſt this threatening Vice, as well as againſt others; elſe they are not a Terror to Evil doers, Rom. 13.3. I reckon there's great need alſo, that all Ministers thro' the Land, ſhould very Plainly, Publickly and Particularly, bear their Witneſs againſt this growing and threatning Evil. Heads of Familes ſhould watch over their Young Ones, not ſuffer them to haunt Taverns, nor drink to Exceſs. They ſhould not teach their Children, their Boys and Girls to p. 22drink Rum, (as I have heard ſome very Fooliſhly & Sinfully do.) In ſhort, all that are Sober and well-minded, ſhould in love and faithfulneſs Watch over their Neighbours, Exhorting, Reproving, Admoniſhing as their is occaſion; for the Preventing and Suppreſſing of this growing wickedneſs.

4. All that deſire the good of this Land, ſhould earnestly Pray for the Out-pourings of the Spirit of Chriſt. God is various ways contending with us. He has puniſh'd us by a long War, which has coſt us much Treaſure and Blood. The laſt Summer we met with a diſappointment, which was very chargeable and expenſive to us; at the ſame time alſo, God ſorely chaſten'd us with a very Severe Drought. God is come out againſt us in the Way of his Judgments; Surely we ſhould be in Good earnest, to reform what's amiſs among us. We ſhould not only Talk of a Reformation, but diligently & heartily Indeavour it. Therefore we ſhould Earnestly Pray, that God would Pour down his Spirit on us; (tho' we ſhould uſe the beſt means we can, yet) nothing ſhort of that, can work a Real thorow Reformation. If every ſerious Perſon in the Land, would heartily and conſtantly Pray for this great bleſſing, 'twould be a Token for good, Pſal. 85.4 8. Turn us, O God of our Salvation, and cauſe thine anger towards us to ceaſe — I will hear what God the Lord will Speak: for he will Speak Peace unto his People, and to his Saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Read this Eſſay, and Lend it to thy Neighbour.

Boſton, N. E. January, 25th. 1709, 10.