A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

6. We may consider these sins as in the act, or as in the effects; the act is excessive use of meat and drink in it self, whether evil effects follow or not; the effects are these which follow, either in distempering the man in himself, or making him fall out with others, the sin is properly in the act, (though the sinfulness of the effects be not so diminished by their following on drunkenness as many suppose) and there may be a sinful act, when there is no visible sinful effect in the mans carriage or distemper. Hence Isa. 5.22. there is a woe denounced against those who are strong to mingle or drink strong drink; the fault is not that they are strong, that is a property of nature; nor is it that they were drunken, but that being strong to bear much without being distempered, they took on more, lippening or trusting to that, and so abusing their ⟨p. 381⟩strength beyond the right end of it, and drinking more because they were strong, then they durst have done if they had been weaker.

7. Consider eating and drinking in their circumstances, and so sometimes meat and drink somewhat beyond ordinary, and cheerfulness in the use of them, are allowable: Sometimes again abstinence is called for, and though no particular time be set for abstaining from meat and drink, or for fasting, but God hath left that to mens prudence; yet it cannot be denied but when one will at no time want dinner nor supper, that he may have the more time, and be in a better frame for praying, furthering of mortification, sympathy with Josephs affliction, &c. there is no doubt but he will be found guilty of this sin: See Isaiah 22.13, 14. where some are cursed for killing oxen and sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine; for certainly sometimes God calleth for a restraint upon the (at other times lawful) use of creature-enjoyments.