A61391:414
The husbandmans calling showing the excellencies, temptations, graces, duties &c. of the Christian husbandmanThe husbandmans calling shewing the excellencies, temptations, graces, duties &c. of the Christian husbandman
The husbandmans calling showing the excellencies, temptations, graces, duties &c. of the Christian husbandman : being the substance of XII sermons preached to a country congregation / by Richard Steele.The husbandmans calling shewing the excellencies, temptations, graces, duties &c. of the Christian husbandman : being the substance of XII sermons preached to a country congregation / by Richard Steele.
London: printed by M.S., 1668
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
O let this instance teach the Husbandman, never to abuse his Calling thus by drunkenness and Gluttony, I mean immoderate eating and drinking; when men eat or drink more than doth good, not only when it is too much for their heads or stomachs, but when it is too much for their time, or too much for their estate; which God will account Drunkenness at the last day. Though there be degrees of it, and some worse than other, and it is worse in some men than in others, and beseems an Husbandman as ill, as ⟨p. 207⟩most others in the world. And yet he is prone to think, there is no Recreation but an Alehouse; no way to quench his Cares, but by strong drink; no exercise on a Festival, but quaffing and smoking.
O let this instance teach the Husbandman, never to abuse his Calling thus by drunkenness and Gluttony, I mean immoderate eating and drinking; when men eat or drink more than doth good, not onely when it is too much for their heads or stomacks, but when it is too much for their time, or too much for their estate; which God will account Drunkenness at the last day. Though there be degrees of it, and some worse than other, and it is worse in some men than in others, and beseems an Husbandman as ill, as ⟨p. 207⟩most others in the world. And yet he is prone to think, there is no Recreation but an Alehouse; no way to quench his Cares, but by strong drink; no exercise on a Festival, but quaffing and smoaking.
But this is a fearful Abuse in thy Calling. Thy hard labour will never excuse thy hard drinking; thy field groans that bears the grain, which thou thus abusest. Why, this is a beastly, and deadly sin. Other sins, 'tis true in their nature are many of them worse than this, but few beyond it, considering the inseparable effects of it; namely, the rendering the man, or rather the beast liable to all sins. A sin that by degrees will steal all the money out of thy purse, all the comforts out of thy house, all thy credit, and all thy conscience, and leave thee nothing but stinging sorrow.