The law unsealed

We suppose that a kindly motion towards a person that is present when one drinketh to him, may be differenced from this yea, and taking occasion also to remember others that are absent; for our eating and drinking together, being that wherein our familiarity and freedom one with another venteth it self, to have some signs or occasions of testifying our kindness to, and remembrance of, those whom we respect, will not be unsuitable,

5. There is your drinking at the birth of children, and that not only, or so much, at their Christening or Baptism (whereat as appeareth by the example of Circumcision, somewhat may be allowed in Christian hilarity) as in after visits, so long as the woman is in Child▪bed, or doth lye in, so that none can see her though it were many in one day, but she and they must now drink, and then again drink; O what a debauched time is i• to many? that while they are lying▪ and while God calleth them to be otherwayes▪ employed, they should be entertained with tippling; and it is a sad matter• that though it be both a burden to the receiver▪ and expense to the giver yet neither of them will stand in the way of it▪ but both will concur: Indeed, where women in that condition are in strait we would allow in that case to give them some drink, or rather to furnish them with money to provide ⟨p. 236⟩it, but when there is no want, but rather superfluity to add more, what is that but to keep up a fashion or our own supposed credit? This is not the end for which these creatures are given, nor is this the fellowship that Christians ought to have one with another seeing therefore there is in this custom both sin in abuse of time, and of meat and drink in a high degree; and seeing there is in it also shame, that men and women shall let others furnish them as though they were poor, or do them a favour in buying drink for them (when their necessity is provided) as though they loved to drink and tipple: and seeing withal there is often damage here, and much money foolishly spent, &c. to the hurt of many, we would entreat you to for bear this also and except such of you as are poor and stand in need of drink, we would have none of you suffer any stranger, or other then your selves to bring in drink to your houses, but rather set your selves to be christians in your fellowship; and I suppose also, that fewer visits in that case would suit better, and would be much more comfortable and advantageous to the sick party.