Two sermons, of Jonahs punishmentTwo sermons, of Ionahs punishment

This is worthy to be noted too, that GOD did not so regard his husbandry, but that he had an eye to his drunkenness, and speaks of his fault as well as his virtue, whereby we are warned, that though God bless us now while we remember him, yet he will chasten us so soon as we forget him: though we be in a good name now, infamy will rise in an hour: though we be rich at this present, poverty may come presently though we be whole while we be here, yet we may fall sick before night, even as Noah is praised in one verse, and dispraised in another: even now God commends him for his lowliness, and now discommends him for his drunkenness: as though he had forgot all his righteousness, so soon as he had sinned, and would call in his praise again.

This is worthy to bee noted too, that GOD did not so regard his husbandrie, but that hee had an eye to his drunkennesse, and speakes of his faulte as well as his vertue, whereby wee are warned, that though God blesse vs now while wee remember him, yet hee will chasten vs so soone as wee forget him: though wee bee in a good name now, infamy will rise in an houre: though wee bee rich at this present, pouertie may come presently though wee bee whole while we bee heere, yet we may fall sicke before night, euen as Noah is praised in one verse, and dispraised in another: euen now God commends him for his lowlinesse, and now discommends him for his drunkennesse: as though hee had forgot all his righteousnes, so soone as hee had sinned, and would call in his praise againe.

This was to show, that Noah was not saved from the flood because he deserved to be saved, but because God had a favour unto him: for he which was not drowned with water, was after drowned with Wine. As the Pharisees when they had done well, were proud of it, and lost their reward: so when Noah had done a good work, he spotted it with sin, and was dispraised where he was praised, as though God had repented him that he commended him. He planted well, but he drunk not well: therefore that which was good, did him no hurt: then seeing he was trapped with a good work, whatsoever we do, we may remember how easy it is to sin, if we miss in the matter, or in the manner, or time, or place, or the measure, as Noah did. He which planteth the vineyard, is worthy to taste of the grape: but if thou have found honey (saith Solomon) eat not to much, least thou surfeit. So if thou hast found wine, drink not too much, least thou surfeit. A little wine is better then a great deal, and if thou wilt follow the Apostles counsel, thou must drink it but for thy stomachs sake, least that happen to thee, which thou shalt hear of this noble Patriarch.