Atten. Truly I think that his Master served him right; for in doing as he did, he shewed him plainly, as he said, that he had not so much government of himself as his horse had of himself, and consequently that his beast did live more according to the Law of his nature by far, than did his man. But pray go on with what you have further to say.
Wise. Why, I say, that there are [49a] four things, which if they were well considered, would make drunkenness to be abhorred in the thoughts of the Children of men.
1. It greatly tendeth to impoverish and beggar a man. The Drunkard, says Solomon, shall come to poverty. [49b] Many that have begun the world with Plenty, have gone out of it in Rags; through drunkenness. Yea, many Children that have been born to good Estates, have yet been brought to a Flail & a Rake, through this beastly sin of their Parents.
2. This sin of Drunkenness, it bringeth upon the Body, many, great, and incurable Diseases, by which Men do in little time come to their end, and none can help them. So, because they are overmuch wicked, therefore they dye before their time. [49c]
3. Drunkenness, is a sin that is often times attended with abundance of other evils. Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contention? Who hath babblings? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of the eyes? They that tarry long at the Wine, they that go to seek mixt wine. [49d] That is, the Drunkard.
4. By Drunkenness, Men do often times shorten their dayes; goe out of the Ale-house drunk, and break their Necks before they come home. Instances not a few might be given of this, but this is so manifest, a man need say nothing.
Atten. But [50a] [50b] that which is worse than all is, it also prepares men for everlasting burnings.
Wise. Yea, and it so stupifies and besotts the soul, that a man that is far gone in Drunkenness, is hardly ever recovered to God. Tell me, when did you see an old drunkard converted? No, no, such an one will sleep till he dies, though he sleeps on the top of a [50c] Mast, let his dangers be never so great and Death and damnation never so near, he will not be awaked out of his sleep. So that if a man have any respect either to Credit, Health, Life or Salvation, he will not be a drunken man. But the truth is, where this sin gets the upper hand, men are, as I said before, so intoxicated and bewitched with the seeming pleasures, and sweetness thereof; that they have neither heart nor mind to think of that which is better in itself; and would, if imbraced, do them good.
Atten. You said that drunkenness tends to poverty, yet some make themselves rich by drunken bargains.