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L, Listen; T, to my Text. The Allegorical, that is when one thing is spoke of, and another thing meant. Now the thing spoken of is Malt; but the thing meant is the oil of Malt, or what is vulgarly called strong beer; which ye drunkards make, M, Meat; A, Apparel; L Liberty; T, Treasure The Literal is according to the Letter, M, Much; A, Ale; L, Little; T, Thrift. Much ale, little thrist The Theological is according to the effects it produceth; which I find in my text to be of two kinds: first in this world; secondly, in the world to come. First, in this world, the effects are, in some, M, Murder; in others, A, Adultery; in all, L, Looseness of Life; and, in many, T, Treason. Secondly, in the world to come, the effects are, in some, M, Misery; in others, A, Anguish; in some, L, Lamentation; and, in all, T, Torment.
Wherefore, my first use shall be exhortation, I say, M, my Masters; A, All of you; L, Leave off your, T, Tipling; or, secondly, by way of denunciation, I say, M, my Masters; A, All of you; L, Look for; T, Torment So much for this time on my text, only by way of conviction, take this: all drunkards are the annoyance of modesty, the trouble of civility, the pests of society, the spoil of wealth, the destruction of reason, the brewer’s agents, the alehouse’s benefactors, their wives’ sorrow, their children’s shame, the beggar’s companions the constable’s trouble, their neighbour’s laughing stock, walking swill-tubs, the devil’s vassals, pictures of beasts, and monsters of men.
Say well and do well, ends both with a letter,
Say well is good, but do well is better.
FINIS.
