Wise. Their Judgement is therefore so much the greater, because thereto is added blindness of Mind, and hardness of Heart in a wicked way. They are turned up to the way of Death, but must not see to what place they are going: They must go as the Ox to the slaughter, and as the Fool to the Correction of the Stocks, {48a} till a Dart strikes through their Liver, not knowing that it is for their life. This, I say, makes their Judgement double, they are given up of God, for a while to sport themselves with that which will assuredly make them mourn at last, when their flesh and their body is consumed. {48b} These are those that Peter {48c} speaks of, that shall utterly perish in their own corruptions; these, I say, who count it pleasure to ryot in the day-time, and that sport themselves with their own deceivings, are, as natural bruit beasts, made to be taken and destroyed.
Atten. Well, but I pray now concerning these three Villains that were young Badmans companions: Tell me more particularly how he carried it then.
Wise. How he carried it! why, he did as they. I intimated so much before, when I said, they made him an arch, a chief one in their ways.
First, He became a Frequenter of {48d} Taverns and Tippling-houses, and would stay there untill he was even as drunk as a Beast. And if it was so, that he could not get out by day, he would, be sure, get out by night. Yea, he became so common a Drunkard, at last, that he was taken notice of to be a Drunkard even by all.
Atten. This was Swinish, for Drunkenness, is so beastly a sin, a sin so much against Nature, that I wonder that any that have but the appearance of Men, can give up themselves to so beastly (yea, worse than beastly) a thing.
Wise. It is a Swinish vanity indeed. I will tell you another Story. {48f} [Picture: Take note symbol] There was a Gentleman that had a Drunkard to be his Groom, and coming home one night very much abused with Beer, his Master saw it. Well (quoth his Master within himself,) I will let thee alone to night, but to morrow morning I will convince thee that thou art worse than a Beast, by the behaviour of my Horse. So when morning was come, he bids his man goe and water his Horse, and so he did; but coming up to his Master, he commands him to water him again; so the fellow rid into the water the second time, but his masters horse would now drink no more, so the fellow came up and told his Master. Then said his Master, Thou drunken sot, thou art far worse than my Horse, he will drink but to satisfie nature, but thou wilt drink to the abuse of nature; he will drink but to refresh himself, but thou to thy hurt and dammage; He will drink, that he may be more serviceable to his Master, but thou, till thou art uncapable of serving either God or Man. O thou Beast, how much art thou worse than the horse that thou ridest on.
Atten. Truly I think that his Master served him right; for in doing as he did, he shewed him plainly, as he said, that he had not so much government of himself as his horse had of himself, and consequently that his beast did live more according to the Law of his nature by far, than did his man. But pray go on with what you have further to say.
Wise. Why, I say, that there are {49a} four things, which if they were well considered, would make drunkenness to be abhorred in the thoughts of the Children of men.
1. It greatly tendeth to impoverish and beggar a man. The Drunkard, says Solomon, shall come to poverty. {49b} Many that have begun the world with Plenty, have gone out of it in Rags; through drunkenness. Yea, many Children that have been born to good Estates, have yet been brought to a Flail & a Rake, through this beastly sin of their Parents.
2. This sin of Drunkenness, it bringeth upon the Body, many, great, and incurable Diseases, by which Men do in little time come to their end, and none can help them. So, because they are overmuch wicked, therefore they dye before their time. {49c}
3. Drunkenness, is a sin that is often times attended with abundance of other evils. Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contention? Who hath babblings? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of the eyes? They that tarry long at the Wine, they that go to seek mixt wine. {49d} That is, the Drunkard.
4. By Drunkenness, Men do often times shorten their dayes; goe out of the Ale-house drunk, and break their Necks before they come home. Instances not a few might be given of this, but this is so manifest, a man need say nothing.
Atten. But {50a} {50b} that which is worse than all is, it also prepares men for everlasting burnings.