But did this spirit exist only in times past? Blessed be God, it is now restrained, it does not break out; but the traces thereof are still easy to be found. For whence springs this continual _speaking evil of dignities_? Of all who are at the helm of public affairs? Whence this _speaking evil of the ruler of our people_, so common among all orders of men. I do not include those whose province it is to inspect all the public administrations. But is not almost every private gentleman in the land, every clergyman, every tradesman; yea every man and woman that has a tongue, a politician, a settler of the state? Is not every carman and porter abundantly more knowing than the king, lords and commons together? Able to tell you all their foibles, to point out their faults and mistakes, and how they ought to proceed, if they will save the nation? Now all this has a natural, undeniable tendency to mutiny and rebellion. O what need have we above any nation upon earth, of his continual care and protection, who alone is able to _rule the raging of the sea, and still the madness of the people_! 17. But to proceed. Were there _drunkards_ in _Ephraim, mighty to drink wine, men of strength to mingle strong drink_? And are there not in _England_? Are they not the growth of every county, city and town therein? ♦These do not indeed, or not often _rise up early, that they may follow strong drink_; and so _continue till night, till wine inflame them_. They have found a readier way! namely, to begin at night, and continue following their wine or strong drink till the morning. And what numbers are there of these throughout the land? Lost to reason and humanity, as well as to religion: so that no wonder _they regard not the works of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands_. ♦ “Those” replaced with “These” per Errata * Nor indeed have _our_ drunkards need to continue from morning _to night, until_ wine _inflame them_: seeing _they_ have found a far more compendious method of casting aside all sense and reason, and disincumbering themselves of all remains, either of conscience or understanding. So that whatever work of darkness is speedily to be done, and that without any danger of being interrupted, either by fear, compassion or remorse, they may be in a few moments, by one draught as effectually qualified for it, as if they could swallow a legion of devils. Or, (if that be all their concern) they may, at a moderate expence, destroy their own body as well as soul, and plunge through this _liquid fire_, into that _prepared for the devil and his angels_.