But to come to the purpose, the punishments which are ⟨p. 108⟩inflicted for the sin of drunkenness,1 are many, and grievous, and that both in this life, and also the life to come; in this life it subjecteth a man to bear the intolerable weight of Gods wrath and fearful vengeance, and maketh him liable to Gods curse,2 and heavy woe denounced, Esa. 5.11. Woe unto them that rise up early to follow drunkenness, &c. More especially the Lord punisheth the drunkard,3 both in his nature, state, and person. His name is branded with infamy and reproach, and his glory is turned into shame, for the Lord layeth open his filthiness, and discovereth his ugly nakedness, to be scorned and derided, not only of enemies and strangers, but also of his familiar acquaintance, of his own servants, yea sometimes of the children of his own body, and of his wife who lieth in his bosom. So when Noah fell into this sin he discovered his nakedness, and was derided by his own son: the which as it was a fearful sin in Ham against his father, and in Noah against himself, so was it a just judgement of God upon his drunkenness. Thus Abigail, 4though at other times a good and dutiful wife, yet because in the time of his drunkenness her husband gave a foolish and churlish answer unto Davids messengers, she falleth to descant upon his name, Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; as though she should have said, his name and nature are well fitted in an evil suitableness; for a fool he is called, and a fool he showeth himself in all actions. And yet this was spoken by a good wife, when her purpose was to make for him the best apology she could to mitigate his offence; what therefore would a bad wife have spoken in the like case, desiring to unburden her spleen, and to aggravate his fault? If folly were the best ornament to cover his faults; what could be expected to be under this cover but beastly filthiness and ugly wickedness? This heavy judgement the Lord denounced against the drunkards of Judah, Habac. 2.16.5 Thou art filled with shame for glory; drink thou also and be made naked, or discover thy filthiness, the cup of the Lords right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be for thy glory.
But to come to the purpose, the punishments which are ⟨p. 108⟩inflicted for the sinne of drunkennesse,1 are many, and grieuous, and that both in this life, and also the life to come; in this life it subiecteth a man to beare the intolerable waight of Gods wrath and fearefull vengeance, and maketh him liable to Gods curse,2 and heauie woe denounced, Esa. 5.11. Woe vnto them that rise vp earlie to follow drunkennesse, &c. More especially the Lord punisheth the drunkard,3 both in his nature, state, and person. His name is branded with infamie and reproch, and his glorie is turned into shame, for the Lord layeth open his filthinesse, and discouereth his vglie nakednes, to be scorned and derided, not onely of enemies and strangers, but also of his familiar acquaintance, of his owne seruants, yea sometimes of the children of his owne bodie, and of his wife who lyeth in his bosome. So when Noah fell into this sinne he discouered his nakednesse, and was derided by his owne sonne: the which as it was a fearefull sin in Cham against his father, and in Noah against himselfe, so was it a iust iudgement of God vpon his drunkennes. Thus Abigail, 4though at other times a good and dutifull wife, yet becaufe in the time of his drunkennesse her husband gaue a foolish and churlish answere vnto Dauids messengers, she falleth to descant vpon his name, Nabal is his name, and follie is with him; as though she should haue said, his name and nature are well fitted in an euill sutablenesse; for a foole he is called, and a foole hee sheweth himselfe in all actions. And yet this was spoken by a good wife, when her purpose was to make for him the best apologie she could to mitigate his offence; what therefore would a bad wife haue spoken in the like case, desiring to vnburthen her spleene, and to aggrauate his fault? If follie were the best ornament to couer his faults; what could be expected to be vnder this couer but beastly filthinesse and vglie wickednesse? This heauie iudgement the Lord denounced against the drunkards of Iuda, Habac. 2.16.5 Thou art filled with shame for glorie; drinke thou also and be made naked, or discouer thy filthinesse, the cup of the Lords right hand shall be turned vnto thee, and shamefull spuing shall be for thy glorie.
- 1Drunkenness maketh a man liable to a fearful woe, and heavy curse.Drunkennesse maketh a man liable to a fearfull woe, and heauie curse.
- 2Esa. 5.11.
- 3God punisheth drunkenness by infamy and reproach.God punisheth drunkennesse by infamie and reproch.
- 41. Sam. 25.
- 5Habac. 2.15.
