N01322:62
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 misery of all that are addicted to it, is discovered from the word of God. / By Increase Mather, D.D.Wo to drunkards. Two sermons testifying against the sin of drunkenness: wherein the wofulness of that evil, and the misery of all that are addicted to it, is discovered from the word of God. / By Increase Mather, D.D.
Boston: printed by Timothy Green, 1712
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.
Drunkenness is like the Basilisk, of whom they say, That if a man do but look upon it, he is thereby Infected, and mortally Poisoned. Therefore it will be your wisdom to keep out of the sight of this Evil, and far away from what ever shall tend, and tempt unto it. One thing more I shall mention, as a great Occasion and Cause of this Sin, which therefore you ought to avoid, Namely, that Heathenish Custom of Health-drinking. It is an Heathenish, nay an Idolatrous Rite; witness those Ceremonies of putting off the Hat, yea, of Kneeling, (a gesture of Adoration) which are Customary amongst profane Health-drinkers. But the Word of God saith, Learn not the way of the Heathen; for the Custom of the [Heathen] People are Vain, Jer. 10.2, 3. And that Christians are Redeemed from ⟨p. 52⟩their vain Conversation received by Tradition from fore-fathers, 1 Pet. 1.18. What should Christians do with the Mysteries and Ceremonies of Bacchus? Do not think that only a few Puritan• or Precisians, have been against this Custom of drinking Healths: For tho' Papists indeed Plead for the Lawfulness of it, yet Protestants generally Condemn it: And the Ancient Doctors in the Church have Thundered against this Practice; and that because it is (as they were wont to Express it) A Shoe-ing-horn to draw on Drunkenness: It is a Bacchean Artifice, which Satan hath devised for that end. The Scripture likewise doth plainly enough Reprove it, when Banquetings are Condemned, 1 Pet. 4.3. The Greek word (Potois,) which is there used, properly noteth a drinking by Number and Measure, as is usual amongst Health-drinkers. But especially when any shall be so Vile, as not only to drink Healths themselves, but to force others to do the like, their Practice is very Sinful and Abominable. Is there any in this Congregation that hath done thus, that hath compelled others to drink Healths, and will you go on to do so still? I testify from the Lord against that man, whoever he be, that an Heathen shall rise up in Judgment against him, and Condemn him at the Last Day: Witness else what is Written, Est. 1.8. It is there said, That the drinking was according to the law, none did compel; ⟨p. 53⟩