That the pot is no sooner from their lips , but they are melancholy , and th●● hearts as heavie , as if a milstone lay upon it . Or father they are vexed lik● Saul with an evil-spirit , which nothing will drive away but drink and Tobacco . They so wound their consciences with all kinde of prodigious wickednesse , and so exceedingly provoke God , that they are rackt in conscience , and tortured with the very flashes of hell-fire . That they drink to the end onely , that they may forget God , his threats and judgments ; that they may drown conscience , and put off all thoughts of death , & hell ; and to hearten and harden themselves against all the messages of God , and threats of the Law : which is no other in mitigating the pangs of conscience , then as a saddle of gold to a galled-horse , or a draught of poison to quench a man's thirst . That if they might have their wills , none should refuse to be drunk unpunished , or be drunk unrewarded at the common charge . As how will they boast what they drank , and how many they conquer'd at such a meeting , making it their onely glory ▪ That the utmost of a Drunkards honestie is good-fellowship : that temperance and sobrietie with them is nothing but humour and singularitie ; and that they drink not for strength , or need , but for lust and pride ; to shew how full of Satan they are , and how near to swine .

That though these swinish swill-bouls make their gullet their god , and sacrifice more to their god-bellie , then those Babyloni●●● did to their god Bell , Bell & the Dragon , ver. 3. yet they will say , yea swear , that they drink not for love of drink ; though they love it above health , wealth , credit , childe , wife , life , heaven , salvation , all ▪ They no more care for wine , then Esau did for his pottage , for which he sold his birth-right , Isa. 56.12 .

5. Br. That Drunkards are the Divels captives , at his command , and ready to do his will ; and that he rules over , and workes in them his pleasure , 2 Tim. 2.26 . Eph. 2.2 . that he enters into them , and puts it into their hearts what he will have them to do , John 13.2 . Acts 5.3 . 1 Chron. 21.1 . opens their mouths , speaks in and by them , Gen. 3.1 , to 6. stretcheth out their hands , and they act as he will have them , Acts 12.1 , 2. Rev. ● . 10 . he being their father , Gen. 3.15 . John 8.44 . their king , John 12.31 . & 14.30 . and their god , 2 Cor. 4.4 . Eph. 2.2 . And which is worst of all , that drunkennesse not onely dulls and dams up the head and spirits with mud , but it beastiates the heart , and ( being worse then the sting of an Aspe ) poisoneth the very soul and reason of a man , whereby the faculties and organs of repentance and resolution are so corrupted and captivated , that it makes men utterly uncapable of returning , unlesse God should work a greater miracle upon them , then was the creating of the whole world . Whence Austin compares it to the very pit of hell , out of which ( when a man is once fallen into ) there is no hope of redemption .

That Drunkennesse is like some desperate plague , which knowes no cure . As what saies Bafil , Shall we speak to drunkards ? we had as good speak to livelesse-stones , or sencelesse plants , or witlesse beasts , as to them ; for they no more believe the threats of Gods Word , then it some Imposter had spoken them . They will fear nothing , till they be in hell-fire ; resembling the Sodomites , who would take no warning , though they were all struck blinde : but 〈◊〉 in their course , untill they felt fire and brimstone about their 〈◊〉 That there is no washing these Blackmores white , no charming these dea●e Adders ; blind men never blush , fools are never troubled in conscience , neither are beasts ever ashamed of their deeds .

That a man shall never hear of an habituated , insatuated , incorrigible , cauterized Drunkard , that is reclaimed with age .

6. Br. That as at first , and before custome in sin hath hardened these Drunkards , they suffer themselves to be transformed from men into swine ; as Elpenor was transformed by Circes into a hogge ; so by degrees they are of swine transformed again into Divels , as Cadmus and his wife were into serpents , as palpably appears by their tempting to sin , and drawing to perdition .

That these Agents for the Divel , Drunkards , practise nothing but the Art of debauching men ; that to turne others into beasts , they will make themselves divels , wherein they have a notable dexteritie , as it is admirable how they will winde men in , and draw men on by drinking first a health to such a man , then to such a woman my mistris , then to every ones mistris ; then to some Lord or Ladie ; their master , their magistrate , their Captain , Commander , &c. and never cease , until their brains , their wits , their tongues , their eies , their feet , their sences & all their members fail them : that they will drink until they vomitup their shame again , like a filthie dog , or lie wallowing in their beastlinesse like a bruitish swine . That they think nothing too much either to do or spend , that they may make a sober man a drunkard , or to drink another drunkard under the table ; which is to brag how far they are become the divels children : that in case they can make a sober and religious man exceed his bounds , they will sing and rejoice as in the division of a spoil ; and boast that they have drenched sobrietie , and blinded the light ; and ever after be a snuffing of this taper , Psal. 13.4 . But what a barharous , gracelesse , and unchristian-like practice is this , to make it their glory , pastime and delight , to see God dishonored , his Spirit grieved , his Name blasphemed , his creatures abused , themselves and their friends souls damned . Doubtlesse such men have climbed the highest step o● the ladder of wickednesse ; as thinking their own sins will not presse them deep enough into hell , except they load themselvs with other mens ; which is Divel-like indeed ! whose aime it hath ever been , seeing he must of necessitie be wretched , not to be wretched alone .

That as they make these healths serve as a pulley , or shooing-horn to draw men on to drinke more , then else they would or should do : so a health being once begun , they will be sure that every one present shall pledge the same , in the same manner and measure , be they thirstie , or not thirstie , willing , or not willing , able , or unable : be it against their stomachs , healths , natures , judgments , hearts and consciences , which do utterly abhor , and secretly condemne the same . That in case a man will not for company , grievously sin against God , wrong his own bodie , destroy his soul , and wilfully leap into hell-fire with them ; they wil hate him worse then the hangman : and will sooner adventure their blood in the field , upon refusing , or crossing their healths then in the cause and quarrel of their Countrie .

7. Br. How they are so pernicious , that to damne their own souls is the least part of their mischief ; and that they draw vengeance upon thousands , by seducing some , and giving ill example to others ▪ That one Drunk●●● 〈◊〉 a multitude ; being like the Bramble , Judg. 9.15 . which first set it self on fire and then fired all the Wood. Or like a malicious man , sick of the plague , that runs into the throng to disperse his infection ; whose mischief out weigh's all penaltie . And this shews , that they not onely partake of the Divels nature , but that they are very divels in the likenesse of men : and that the very wickednesse of one that feareth God , is far better then the good intreaty of a Drunkard .

That with sweet words they will tole men on to destruction , as we tole beasts with fodder to the slaughter-house ; And that to take away all suspition , they will so mollifie the stiffnesse of a man's prejudice , so temper and fit him to their own mould ; that once to suspect them , requires the spirit of discerning . And that withall they so confirme the profession of their love with oaths , protestations and promises , that you would think Jonathan's love to David nothing to it . That these pernicious seducers , divels in the shape of men , have learned to handle a man so sweetly , that one would think it a pleasure to bee seduced .

But little do they think ! how they advance their own damnations : when the blood of so many souls as they have drawn away , will be required at their hands . For know this thou tempter , that thou doest not more increase other mens wickednesse on earth , ( whether by perswasion , or provocation , or example ) then their wickedness shall increase thy damnation in hell , Luk. 16.27.28 . Non fratres dilexit , sed seipsum respexit . And this let me say to the horror of their consciences , that make merchandise of souls ; that it is a question when such an one coms to hell , whether Judas himself would change torments with him .

8. Br. That the Drunkard is so pleasing a murtherer , that he tickles a man to death , and makes him ( like Solomons fool ) die laughing . Whence it is , that many who hate their other enemies ( yea , and their friends too ) imbrace this enemy , because he kisseth when he betraieth . And indeed what fence ? for a pistol charged with the bullet of friendship . Hence it is also , that thousands have confest at the Gallowes , I had never come to this but for such and such a Drunkard . For commonly the Drunkards progresse is , from luxury to beggerie , from beggerie to thieverie , from the Taverne to Tyborne , from the Ale-house to the Gallows . Briefly ; That these Bawds and Panders of vice breath nothing but infection , and studie nothing but their own , and other mens destruction . That the Drunkard is like Julian , who never did a man a good turn , but it was to damne his soul . That his proffers are like the fowlers shrape , when he casts meat to birds , which is not out of pitie to relieve , but out of treacherie to insnare them . Or like traps we set for vermine , seeming charitable , when they intend to kill , Jer. 5.26 . And thou maist answer these cursed tempters , who delight in the murther of souls , as the woman of Endor did Saul , 1 Sam. 28. Wherefore seekst thou to take me in a snare , to cause me to die , Vers. 9.

That he is another Absalom , who made a feast for Amnon whom he meant to kill . And there is no subtlety like that which deceives a man , and hath thanks for the labour . For as our Saviour saith , Blessed is the man that is not with their wiles . For herein alone consists the difference , He whom the Lor● loves , shall be delivered from their meretricious allurements . Eccles. 7.26 . And he whom the Lord abhors , shall fall into their snares , Prov. 22.14 .

9. Br. That Taverns and Tap-houses are the drinking schools where they learne this their skill , and are trained up in this trade of tempting . For Satan does not work them to this heighth of impietie all at once , but by degrees : When custome of sin hath deaded all remorse for sin ; as it is admirable how the soul that takes delight in lewdnesse , is gained upon by custome . They grow up in sin , as worldlings grow in wealth and honour . They waxe worse and worse , saies the Apostle , 2 Tim. 3.13 . they go first over shoo 's , then over hoots , then over shoulders ; and at length over head and ears in sin , as some do in debt . Now these Tap-houses are their meeting-places , where they hear the Divels lectures read ; the shops and markets where Satan drives his trade ; the s●hools where they take their degrees : these are the Guild-halls where all sorts of sinners gather together , as the humours do into the stomach before an Ague sit , and where is projected all the wickednesse that breaks forth in the Nation , as our reverend Judges do finde in their several Circuits .

That these Taverns and Ale-houses ( or rather hell-houses ) are the fountains and well-heads from whence spring all our miseries and mischiefs : these are the Nurseries af all riot , excesse and idlenesse , making our Land another Sodom , and furnishing yearly our Jayls and Gallowses . Here they sit all day in troops , doing that in earnest which we have seen boies do in sport ; stand on their heads , and shake their heels against heaven ; where , even to hear how the Name of the Lord Jesus is pearced , and God's Name blasphemed , would make a dumbe-man speak , a dead-man almost to quake .

10. Br. That it were endless to repeat their vain babling , scurrilous jesting , wicked talking , impious swearing and cursing : that when the drink that once bit them , and set their tongues at libertie , their hearts come up as easily as some of their drink ; yea , their limitlesse tongues do then clatter like so many windows loose in the winde , and you may assoon perswade a stone to speak , as them to be silent ; it faring with their clappers as with a sick-mans pulse , which alwaies beats , but ever out of order . That one Drunkard hath tongue enough for twentie men ; for let but three of them be in a room , they will make a noise , as if all the thirtie bells in Antwerpe steeple were rung at once : or do but passe by the door , you would think your self in the Land of Parrats . That it is the propertie of a drunkard to disgorge his bosome with his stomach , to emptie his minde with his maw : His tongue resembles Bacchus his Liber pater , and goes like the sayle of a Winde-mill : For as a great gale of winde whirleth the sayls about , so abundance of drink whirleth his tongue about , and keeps it in continual motion . Now he rayls , now he scoffs now he lies , now he slanders , now he seduces , talks bawdy , swears , bans , foams , and cannot be quiet , till his tongue be wormed . So that from the beginning to the end , he belcheth forth nothing , but what is as far from tru●● pietie , reason , modestie ; as that the Moon came down from heaven to vi●●● Mahomet : As oh ! the beastlinesse which burns in their unchaste and in ●ure mindes , that smokes out at their polluted mouthes ! A man would th●●● his mouth run over with falshoods against both Magistrates , Ministers , and Christians ▪ what speaks he lesse then whoredoms , adulteries , incests at every word ; yea , hear two or three of them talke , you would change the Lycaonians lang●●●e , and say , Divels are come up in the likenesse of Men.

11. Br. ●hat at these places men learn to contemne Authority , as boies grown ta●l and stubborn , contemne the rod : Here it is that they utter swelling and proud words against such as are in Dignitie , as Saint Peter , and Saint Jude have it . They set their mouthes against heaven , and their tongues walk through the earth , Psal. 73.9 . So that many a good Minister and Christian may say with holy David , I became a song of the drunkards , Psal 69.12 . And in case any of them have wit , here they will shew it in scoffing at Religion , and flowting at holinesse . From whence it is , that we have so many Atheists , and so few Christians amongst us ( notwithstanding our so much means of grace ) ; and that the Magistracie & Ministrie are so wofully contemned by all sorts of people .

That these tippling Tap-houses are the common Quagmires of all filthinesse , where too many drawing their patrimonies through their throats , exhaust and lavish out their substance , and lay plots and devices how to get more . For hence they fall , either to open courses of violence , or secret mischief , till at last the Jayle prepares them for the Gibbet ; for lightly they sing through a red Lattise , before they crie through a Grate .

12 Br. I speak not of all , I know the calling to be good , and that there are good of that calling , ( and these will thank me , because what I have said , makes for their honour and profit too ) but sure I am , too many of these drinking-houses are the very dens and shops , yea the thrones of Satan ; very sinks of sin , which like so many Common-shores , refuse not to welcome and incourage any , in the most loathsome pollutions they are able to invent , and put in practice . As did you but hear , and see , and smell , and know what is done in these Taverns and Ale-houses , you would wonder that the earth could bear the howses , or the Sun indure to look upon them . That least they should not in all this do homage enough to Satan , they not seldom drink their healths upon their knees , as the Heathen Witches and Sorcerers ( of whom these have learned it ) used to do , when they offered drink-offerings to Beebzebub the prince of Divels , and other their Devil-gods .

That these godlesse Ale drapers , and other sellers of drink , in entertaining into their houses , and complying with those traiters against God , and in suffering so much impietie to rest within their walls , do make themselves guiltie of all , by suffering the same ; and that a fearful curse hangs over their heads , so long as they remain such . For if one sin of theft , or perjurie is enough to not the rafters , to grinde the stones , to level the walls and roof of any house with the ground ; as it is Zech. 5.4 . What are the oathes , the lies , the thefts , the whoredoms , the murthers , the damnable drunkennesse , the numberlesse , and namelesse abominations that are committed there . For these Ale-house keepers are accessarie to the drunkards sin , and have a fearful account to give for their tollerating such , since they might , and ought to redresse it : so that their gain is most unjust , and all they have is by the sins of the people ; as Diogenes said of the strumpet Phrine .

〈…〉 of all seducing drunkards these Drink-sellers are the chief ; their wh●le ●●e being nought else but a vicissitude of devouring and venting , and th●● whole studie how to toule in customers , and then egg them on to drink ; 〈◊〉 as if drinking and tempting were their trade : they are alwaies guzling wit● in doors , or else tempting at the door , where they spend their vacant hou● ▪ watching for a companion , as a spider would watch for a poor flie ; or a● the whorish woman in the Proverbs laid wait for the young novice , unt● with her great craft , and flattertng lips , she had caused him to yeeld , Prov. 7.6 . to 24. Though when he sees a drunka●d , if hee but hold up his finger , the other follows him into his burrough , just like a fool to the stocks , and as an O●● to the slaughter-house , having no power to withstand the temptation . So i● hee goes , and there continues as one bewitch'd , or conjur'd with a spell ; out of which hee returns not , untill he hath emptied his purse of money , and his head of reason : while in the mean time his poor wife , children and servants want bread .

That did sellers of drinkaime at the glory of God , & good of others , as they ought , 1 Cor. 10.31 . there would not bee an hundreth part of the drunkards , beggars , brawls , and famished-families there are : whereas now thousands do in sheer drink , spend all the cloathes on their beds and backs . As be they poor labouring men , that must dearly earne it before they have it , these Ale-house keepers , these vice-breeders , these soul-murtherers will make them drink away as much in a day , as they can get in a week ; spend twelve pence , sooner then earne two-pence , as S. Ambrose observs .

That thousands of these Labouring men may be found in the very Suburbs of this Citie , that drink the very blood of their wives and children , who are near famished , to satisfie the drunkards throat , or gut , wherein they are worse then Infidels , or Cannibals , 1 Tim. 5.8 . who again are justly met withall : For as if God would pay them in their own coyn , how oft shall yee see vermine sacking the drunkards blood , as fast as he the others .

14. Br. That these Drunkards & Ale-drapers are alwaies laying their heads together , plotting and consulting how to charme and tame their poor wives ( for the Drunkard and his wife agree like the harpe and the harrow ) which if maids did but hear , they would rather make choise of an Ape-carrier , or a Jakes-farmers servant , then of one who will be drawn to the Ale house . For let them take this for a rule , he that is a tame Divel abroad , will bee a roaring Divel at home ; and hee that hath begun to be a Drunkard , will ever be a Drunkard . True , they will promise a maid fair , and binde themselves by an hundred oaths and protestations ; and shee ( when love hath blinded and besotted her ) will believe them ; yea , promise her self the victorie , not doubting but she shall reclaim him from his evil company ; but not one of a thousand , scarce one of ten thousand that ever findes it so , but the contrary . For let Drunkards promise , yea and purpose what they will ; experience shews , that they mend as sowre Ale does in Summer ; or as a dead hedge , which the longer it stands is the rottener . And how should it be other , when they cannot go the length of a street , but they must passe by , perhaps an hundred Alehouses , where they shall be called in . And all the while they are in the drinking-school , they are bound by their law of good fellowship to be powring in at their mouths , or whissing out at their noses : one serving as a shooing-horn to the other ; which makes them like ratsban'd Rats , drink and vent , vent and drink , Sellengers round , and the same again . Oh that a maids fore-wit were but so good as her after-wit ! then the drunkard should never have wise more to make a slave of , nor wives such cause to curse Ale-house keepers , as now they have . And indeed if I may speak my thoughts , or what reason propounds to me ; drunkards , are such children and fools ( to what governors of families ought to be ) that a rod is fitter for them then a wife . But of this by the way onely , that maids may not so miserably cast away themselves : for they had better bee buried alive , then so married , as most poor men's wives can inform them .

15. Br. That to speak to these Demetriuses , that get their wealth by drinking ; yea , by helping to consume their drink , & that live onely by sin , and the sins of the people , were to speed as Paul did at Ephesus , after some one of them had told the rest of their occupation . Yea to expect amendment from such , in a manner were to expect amendment from a Witch , who hath already given her soul to the Divel . That to what hath been spoken of drunkards and drink-sellers , in the particular cases of drinking and tempting , might be added seventie times seven more of the like abominations . For the drunkard is like some putrid grave , the deeper you digg , the fuller you shall finde him both of stench and horrour : Or like Hercules's monster , wherein were fresh heads still arising one after the cutting off of another . But there needs no more then this taste , to make any wise man ( or any that love their own souls ) to detest and beware these Bawds and Pandors of vice , that breath nothing but infection , and studie nothing but their own , and other mens destruction . These Brokers of villany , whose very acquaintance is destruction : as how can they be other then dangerously infectious ? and desperately wicked ? whose very mercies are crueltie .

16. Br. That I have unmasked their faces , is to infatuate their purpose : that I have inveighed and declaimed against drunkennesse , is to keep men sober , For vices true picture , makes us vice detest .

O that I had dehortation answerable to my detestation of it ! Only here is a discovery how drunkards tempt : if you will see directions how to avoid their temptations , read my Sovereign Antidote against the contagion of evil company . Onely take notice for the present , that the best way to avoid evill , is to shun the occasions : Do not onely shun drunkennesse , but the means to come to it : and to avoid hurt , keep thy self out of shot ; come not in drunken company , nor to drinking places : As for their love and friendship , consider but whose Factors they are , and thou wilt surely hate them . Consider what I say , and the Lord give you understanding in all things .