N00124:70
Woe to drunkards. Two sermons testifying against the sin of drunkennessWo to drunkards. Two sermons testifying against the sin of drunkenness
Woe to drunkards. Two sermons testifying against the sin of drunkenness: wherein the woefulness of that evil, and the mystery of all that are addicted to it, is discovered from the word of God. / Preached by Increase Mather, teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Ten lines of Scripture texts]Wo to drunkards. Two sermons testifying against the sin of drunkenness: wherein the wofulness of that evil, and the mistery of all that are addicted to it, is discovered from the word of God. / Preached by Increase Mather, teacher of a church in Boston in New-England. ; [Ten lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Marmaduke Johnson. 1673., 1673
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.
1. Take heed of the Occasions and Temptations leading unto ⟨p. 30⟩this Evil. Some there are that will pray against this sin, and yet they will cast themselves upon temptations to it, which is to take Gods Name in vain; even as if a man should put his hand into the fire, and then pray that he might not be burnt: would you not say that such a one did mock the Lord? And what do they do less, who pray that they may not be drunk, and yet will not avoid temptations that lead unto it? e. g. Idleness is a temptation leading unto Drunkenness: when vile persons have nothing else to do, then they must go to the Ordinary, and drink till they be drunken. Idleness and fullness of bread, so Idleness and fullness of drink are wont to go together, Ezek. 16.49. Therefore take heed of Idleness, if you would escape Drunkenness. And take heed of Company-keeping with those that would draw you unto this Evil; My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not: walk not thou in the way with them, refrain thy foot from their path. Take the Counsel which the Holy Ghost giveth by Solomon, Prov. 23. 20. Be not amongst wine-bibbers. Avoid familiar fellowship with Drunkards; Avoid them as you would do men that have the Plague upon them, yea a Plague that will insect, and be the death of your precious immortal Souls. Remember that Scripture. Prov. 13. 20. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. And take heed of being more, then you have any just cause or call to be, in places where a temptation unto this sin is set before you: go not to, tarry not in saverns or Ordinaries, without sufficient reason to bear you out in such a practice. It is a sad thing, that Professors, and Churchmembers should many of them be guilty of scandalizing the world in this respect. A carnal creature excuseth himself, saying, Why should not I go frequently to the Tavern, such an one is a Church-member, and I see him there often, such an one is esteemed a godly man, and yet I have seen him sit for hours together there, and why should not I do so as well as he? Thus doth the abuse of your lawful liberty become a snare, and ruin to many a poor Soul. Doth not the Scripture say, Look not upon the wine?