18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;



Ver. 18. And be not drunk with wine] Nothing so opposite to an accurate life as drunkenness; which therefore is not specially prohibited in any one of the Ten Commandments (saith a divine) because it is not the single breach of any one, but in effect the violation of all and every one; it is no one, but all sins, the inlet and sluice to all other sins, and by them to the devil. Behemoth lieth in the fens, Job_40:21, he finds no rest in dry places, sober souls, Luk_11:24. Oh that our carousers were persuaded (as Mahomet told his followers) that in every grape there dwelt a devil.



Wherein is excess] Excessive drinking then is drunkenness; when as swine do their bellies, so men break their heads with filthy quaffing; and are besotted in their very parts, as a snuff of a candle in the socket, drowned in the tallow; a stench, but little or no light remains. Such a deep drunkard was Diotimus, surnamed Tundish, and young Cicero, surnamed Tricongius; and such are not a few in this day among us, to the great shame of our nation.



But be filled with the Spirit] Call for flagons of this holy wine, Son_2:5, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak, Son_7:9. This is called by Luther, Crapula sacra, a spiritual surquedry {a} or surfeit.



{a} Arrogance, haughty pride, presumption. ŒD