16. It is once mentioned in the prophets, _In thee_ (Jerusalem) _they have set light by father and mother_. But frequent mention is made of their setting light by their civil parents, of their murmurings and rebellions against their governors. Yet surely _our_ boasting against them is excluded, even in this respect. For do not all our histories witness such a series of mutinies, seditions, factions and rebellions, as are scarce to be paralleled in any other kingdom, since the world began? And has not the wild, turbulent, ungovernable spirit of our countrymen, been continually acknowledged and lamented, (as abundance of their writings testify to this day) by the cool, rational part of the nation? Terrible effects whereof have been seen and felt, more or less, in every generation.
But did this spirit exist only in times past? Blessed be God, it is now restrained, it does not break out; but the traces thereof are still easy to be found. For whence springs this continual _speaking evil of dignities_? Of all who are at the helm of public affairs? Whence this _speaking evil of the ruler of our people_, so common among all orders of men. I do not include those whose province it is to inspect all the public administrations. But is not almost every private gentleman in the land, every clergyman, every tradesman; yea every man and woman that has a tongue, a politician, a settler of the state? Is not every carman and porter abundantly more knowing than the king, lords and commons together? Able to tell you all their foibles, to point out their faults and mistakes, and how they ought to proceed, if they will save the nation? Now all this has a natural, undeniable tendency to mutiny and rebellion. O what need have we above any nation upon earth, of his continual care and protection, who alone is able to _rule the raging of the sea, and still the madness of the people_!
17. But to proceed. Were there _drunkards_ in _Ephraim, mighty to drink wine, men of strength to mingle strong drink_? And are there not in _England_? Are they not the growth of every county, city and town therein? ♦These do not indeed, or not often _rise up early, that they may follow strong drink_; and so _continue till night, till wine inflame them_. They have found a readier way! namely, to begin at night, and continue following their wine or strong drink till the morning. And what numbers are there of these throughout the land? Lost to reason and humanity, as well as to religion: so that no wonder _they regard not the works of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands_.
♦ “Those” replaced with “These” per Errata
* Nor indeed have _our_ drunkards need to continue from morning _to night, until_ wine _inflame them_: seeing _they_ have found a far more compendious method of casting aside all sense and reason, and disincumbering themselves of all remains, either of conscience or understanding. So that whatever work of darkness is speedily to be done, and that without any danger of being interrupted, either by fear, compassion or remorse, they may be in a few moments, by one draught as effectually qualified for it, as if they could swallow a legion of devils. Or, (if that be all their concern) they may, at a moderate expence, destroy their own body as well as soul, and plunge through this _liquid fire_, into that _prepared for the devil and his angels_.
* Friend! Stop! You have the form of a man still. And perhaps some remains of understanding. O may the merciful God lay hold of that! Unto him all things are possible. Think a little for once. What is it you are doing? Why should you destroy yourself? I could not use the _worst enemy_ I have in the world, as you use _yourself_. Why should you murder yourself inch by inch? Why should you burn yourself alive? O spare your own body at least, if you have no pity for your soul! But have you a soul then? Do you really believe it? What, a soul that must live forever! O spare thy soul! Do not destroy _thy own_ soul with an ♦everlasting destruction! It was made for God. Do not give it into the hands of that old murderer of men! Thou canst not stupify it long. When it leaves the body it will awake and sleep no more. Yet a little while, and it launches out into the great deep, to live, and think, and feel for ever. And what will chear thy spirit there, if thou hast not _a drop of water to cool thy tongue_? But the die is not yet cast. Now cry to God, and _iniquity shall not be thy ruin_.
♦ “eversting” replaced with “everlasting” per Errata