The plain mans path-way to heaven

Antil. What, I pray you, do you make it so great a matter if a man be a little overtaken with drink now and then? There is no man but he hath his faults: and the best of •s all may be amended. ⟨p. 183⟩If neighbours meet together now and then at the Ale-house, and play a game at Maw for a pot of Ale, meaning no hurt: I take it to be good fellowship, and a good means to increase love amongst neighbours; and not so heinous a thing as you make it.

Antil. What, I pray you, do you make it so great a matter if a man be a little o•ertaken with drinke now and then? There is no man but he hath his faults: and the best of •s all may be amended. ⟨p. 183⟩If neighbours meete together now and then at the Ale-house, and play a game at Maw for a pot of Ale, meaning no hurt: I take it to be good fellowship, and a good meanes to increase love amongst neighbours; and not so hainous a thing as you make it.

Theol. I see you would fain make fair weather of it, and smooth over the matter with sweet words; as though there were no such great evil in it. But howsoever you mince it, and blanch it over, yet the Apostle saith stately,¹ That Drunkards shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. I think this one sentence is enough to amaze and strike through the hearts of all drunkards in the world: for it is as much in effect, as if the Apostle had said, All drunkards are notorious reprobates and hell-hounds; branded of Satan, and devoted to perpetual destruction and damnation. But you say you mean no hurt. I answer, whatsoever you mean, your actions are naught, and your fellowship as bad. For what good meaning can you have, or what good fellowship call you it, for poor labouring men, artificers, and such like to sit idle all the day long in Taverns, and Ale-houses, mis-spending their time, and their money in gaming, rioting, swearing, staring, swilling, boozing, bibbing,