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…

2. There is your tippling, though ye drink not drunk, your four hours (as ye call them) this drinking, as ordinarily used, is certainly not for strength, and therefore as is clear, Eccles. 10.16, 17. by the opposition there, it must be for drunkenness. If many men were put to search in this particular, it would be found that there is more expended on these in the year, then is bestowed in charitable uses; more time taken up in them, then in religiou • duties, and more inclination to attend them, then to hear sermons; men cannot come abroad for this end, they cannot shift their business without hurt, but for their company they can do both: Prov. 23.29, 30. Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine. Here you see who are the persons that have a woe and Gods curse on them, and other inconveniences; are they not the tipplers, even they that tarry long at the strong drink? drink how much or how little they vvill; Isa. 5.22. Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink. Certainly God hath made man, and given him time for another end then that, and hath not for that end given his creatures to men to be thus abused, this cannot be eating or drinking in due season, and I am persuaded it is not for ne•••sity, for our own health, for the edification of others, or for the glory of God.

2. There is your tipling, though ye drink not drunk, your four hours (as ye call them) this drinking, as ordinarily used, is certainly not for strength, and therefore as is clear, Eccles. 10.16, 17. by the opposition there, it must be for drunkenness. If many men vvere put to search in this particular, it vvould be found that there is more expended on these in the year, then is bestovved in charitable uses; more time taken up in them, then in religiou • duties, and more inclination to attend them, then to hear sermons; men cannot come abroad for this end, they cannot shift their business vvithout hurt, but for their company they can do both: