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…

What sort of persons it doth worst become, is not easy to determine, it being unbecoming to every person, yea even beastly and against nature, men being by it not only put for a time from the exercise of their reason (as it is in sleep) but incapacitate to act it, and put in a contrary beastly fury. How unbecoming is it for old men, that should be examples to others in sobriety? How unbecoming is it to young men, whose youth should be otherwise exercised? How unbecoming for mean men, who ought to be sober? and how especially unbecoming is it for men of place and reputation? upon whom this sin bringeth disgrace, and particularly it is most unsuitable for Ministers to be given to drink, or to their appetite, to whom the Lord 1 Tim. 3. and Tit. 1. hath given special rules and directions in this matter; but most of all in women it is abominable, and was and is so even amongst Heathens; In sum, whoredom, wine, and new wine, Hosea 4.11. take away the heart; and men are unmanned and made effeminate by them, as was said; yea, are transformed as it were into beasts; of old, men were so ashamed of drunkenness, that such as were given to it, be took themselves ordinarily to the night (though ⟨p. 386⟩some indeed did rise early in the morning to follow strong drink, Isa. 5.11.) And when folks will not keep at distance at the beginning from this sin of drunkenness, but will needs take a liberty and be cheerful in it, it prevaileth sadly over them, and maketh them enslaved beasts ere long to it, and they become bewitched with it, so that they can hardly be got free from the fascinations and inveiglements of it, Prov. 23. v. last.

What sort of persons it doth worst become, is not easie to determine, it being unbecoming to every person, yea even beastly and against nature, men being by it not only put for a time from the exercise of their reason (as it is in sleep) but incapacitate to act it, and put in a contrary beastly fury. How unbecoming is it for old men, that should be examples to others in sobriety? How unbecoming is it to young men, whose youth should be otherwayes exercised? How unbecoming for mean men, who ought to be sober? and how especially unbecoming is it for men of place and reputation? upon whom this sin bringeth disgrace, and particularly it is most unsutable for Ministers to be given to drink, or to their appetite, to whom the Lord