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…

Now put what hath been said to trial, and ye will find that it is not only he who by surcharging himself staggereth, vomiteth, or hath no use of reason, who in Scripture is accounted guilty of these evils; but many more, as will be sadly evident when the Lord cometh to count with them; and if he should call many to this reckoning at the time of their eating or drinking, it would be a terrible surprisal to them: It is marked (Matth. 24.39.) as an evidence of the sensuality and security of the old world, that they continued eating and drinking, and knew not till the flood came; and it is more terrible and sad what the Lord saith afterward, So shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man. O! fear and think seriously of this when ye are at your cups, and after them, and do not imagine that you are never guilty, but when you are like to beasts ⟨p. 385⟩void of reason; for the Scripture condemning drunkenness, comprehendeth under it all excess in drinking, and that which may indispose for going about what we are called to, though the exercise of our reason be not always disturbed. Neither to constitute drunkenness is it needful, that the person willingly and purposely intend drunkenness, it is enough that he willingly drink (and his will cannot be simply forced) although he be not desirous that these effects should follow; for it is the act and not the effect which is properly the sin, as is said: If there were any thing of the fear of God, or sense of duty, or shame of dishonesty, there would not need many motives to dissuade from these evils; by committing of which most holy men have brought sad things on themselves, and occasioned sad curses to their children, as in Noah and Lot is clear; and therefore their examples and falls are so far from being to be imitated, or made use of to diminish from the account men ought to have of the greatness of the guilt, as they often alas are, that they are set up as beacons to scare and fright from them.

Now put what hath been said to tryal, and ye will find that it is not only he who by surcharging himself staggereth, vomiteth, or hath no use of reason, who in Scripture is accounted guilty of these evils; but many more, as will be sadly evident when the Lord cometh to count with them; and if he should call many to this reckoning at the time of their eating or drinking, it would be a terrible surprisal to them: It is marked (