A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

Drunkenness is produced from the concurrence of many causes. The main is an inordinate desire of drink: the original of all vices is from our selves: there is a harlot within, which commits all these whoredoms a broad; concupiscence. Not he that drinks wine, but he that inordinately loves wine, is the drunkard.^x They count it a pleasure to riot in the day time. Their soul danceth in the cup, and their eye delights in the colour of the wine, Prov. 25.31. now Ubi amor, ibi oculus. Their life is the life of frogs; like flies, suctu vivunt; they live by sucking. As it was said of Bonosus, Non ut vivant, sed ut bibant nati: they are not borne to live, but to drink. They drink not for necessity, but luxury; not for society, but for satiety: indeed not for their friends sake, but for the drinks sake. He is not so much a drunkard, qui de improviso cadit, that is overtaken unawares: as he that loves and frequents it, though he carry it away more strongly. Not he qui potu vincitur, sed qui potibus vincîtur, that is tied to his cups. Therefore, Esa. 5.22. Vae fortibus ad potandam; woe to them that are strong to drink: a strong body without strong grace, is stronger to sin; Fortior in viribus, fortior in vitiis. Thus the strongest is the weakest; strong to commit sin, weak to resist sin. They drink not once against dryness, nor a second time against sadness, but continually for madness. This love of drink is the Beldam, there are also other concomitances. Evil company;^y Come, I will fetch wine, and we will fill our selves with strong drink. They will urge a man with [Greek or Hebrew]: but God dischargeth such men our society. 1 Cor. 5.11. And healths; Accusationis causa est, per adjuratum Caesarem non frequentius bibisse, Jeron. He that will not be drunk for the King, is no friend to the king. Here is a professing from the bottom of his heart, to the bottom of the cup, that such a great mans health shall be pledged, perhaps it must be done on the knees; rank idolatry! wherein men make gods of others, beasts of themselves. For this purpose they have their she-saints, their mistresses, sometimes little better than strumpets. Here's the little difference betwixt a Papist and a drunkard: the one hath his will worship, the other his wine-worship.