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…

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 all •owed 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 it to many? that while they are lying, and while God calleth them to be otherwise 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 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 this 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 forbear 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 christian in your fellowship; ⟨p. 393⟩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.

5. There is your drinking at the birth of children, and that not only, or so much, at their Christning or Baptism (whereat as appeareth by the example of Circumcision, somewhat may be al •owed 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 it to many? that while they are lying, and while God calleth them to be otherwayes imployed, they should be entertained with tippling; and it is a sad matter, that though it be both a burthen to the receiver, and expence 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 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 custome both sin in abuse of time, and of meat and drink in a high degree; and seeing there is in it also this 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 mony foolishly spent, &c. to the hurt of many, we would intreat you to forbear 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 christian in your fellowship;