God's curse is in the habitation of the wicked. 1. Sometimes the curse enters into their hearts, and prevents them from enjoying comfort in their estates, and perplexes them with fears and cares about their possessions.[1] 2. At other times it wastes and consumes them like a moth, or suddenly devours them by fire and sword. 3. In some existences they are suddenly and unexpectedly snatched away from their enjoyments by death.[2]--_Macculloch, Lectures on Isaiah,_ i. 275. FOOTNOTES: [1] The covetous man pines in plenty, like Tantalus, up to the chin.--_Adams,_ 1693. I doubt not many covetous men take a great deal of pleasure in ruminating upon their wealth, and in recounting what they have; but they have a great deal of tormenting care and fear about it; and if they had not, it is very hard to understand where the reasonable pleasure and happiness lies of having things to no end. It is, at the best, like that of some foolish birds, which, they say, take pleasure in stealing money, that they may hide it; as if it were worth the while for men to take pains to dig silver out of the earth, for no other purpose but to melt it down and stamp it, and bury it there again.--_Tillotson,_ 1630-1694. [2] What can be more miserable, than for a man to toil and labour his whole life, and to have no power to enjoy any fruit of his labours? to bear like an ass a golden burden all the day, and, without any further use of it, at night, to have it taken away, reserving nothing to himself but a galled conscience?--_Downame,_ 1644. THE MISERIES OF THE DRUNKARD. v. 11. _Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, &c._ The miseries of the drunkard. +I. Personal,+ ungodly companionship, eclipse of intellect, demoralisation of nature,[1] retribution, here and hereafter. +II. Domestic,+ poverty,[2] dissension, vice, misery.--_J. Lyth, D.D._ FOOTNOTES: [1] Not in the day of thy drunkenness only dost thou undergo the harm of drunkenness, but also after that day. And as when a fever is passed by, the mischievous consequences of the fever remain, so also when drunkenness is passed, the disturbance of intoxication is whirling round both soul and body. And while the wretched body lies paralysed, like the hull of a vessel after a shipwreck, the soul yet more miserable than it, even when this is ended, stirs up the storm, and kindles desire; and when one seems to be sober, then most of all is he mad, imagining to himself wine and casks, cups and goblets.