THE BREWERS PLEA.  
Or, a VINDICATION of Strong-Beere and Ale.  
Wherein is declared, 

The wonderful bounty and patience of God.  
The wicked and monstruous unthankfulness of man.  
The unregarded injuries done to those creatures, groaning, as it were, to be delivered from the abuses proceeding,  
From disdainful aspersions of ignorant Man.  
From the intemperance of sinful Man.    1 COR. 12. 
19 If they were all one member where would the body be.  
20. But now are they many Members, yet but one Body.  
21, The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  juven. Sat. 
Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas.  
LONDON, Printed for I. C. 1647.   

Lectori candido et benevolo. S. P. D.  
COurteous and Judicious reader, to thy view chiefly to Jexpose these my ensuing lines, being urged thereunto by the loud cry of two horrible wrath provoking sins, now reigning amongst us. viz. Vnthankefullnes towards God, and uncharitableness towards man, these two like unseperable companions always go together, both dishonouring the Creator; some unthankfully vilifying, and others intemperately abusing the creature, to reform which lies only in the Magistrate, yet blame and aspersions are cast upon those, who suffer most (by such lewd and prodigal offenders) I mean the distressed company of Brewers, whose sad condition groans for speedy relief, a Company very needful & also profitable to this City & Suburbs, yet looked upon with an unkind aspect, but occasioned by those who may be well affected, but being mistaken in their judgement can give no true and solid reason for it. But according to that of the Poet,  
Non amo te Volusi, nec possum dicere, quare,  
Hoc tantum possum dicere, non amo te.   

The Brewer's Plea, or a Vindication of strong-beere and Ale.  
What a vineyard in England? hath God been pleased to warm this western climate with a Temporal Blessing of so excellent a nature for the Sustaining, yea for the reviving of the poor wearied Labouring men, and not only foe, but also for the cheering up of the drooping Spirits and the gladding of the hearts, of the Sorrowful and afflicted? This is no small favour which hath so long been bestowed upon us in this occidental part of the world; but it is a wonder, that for so great a blessing, we should return so little thanks unto the Almighty? yea, many amongst us take not so much notice of it as to account it for a blessing, and othersome more ungrateful (little knowing what the want thereof would produce) seem to loathe it in their thoughts, by their disdainful expressions, and aspersions cast upon those creatures, without which this Kingdom especially near London were in a sad condition, as I shall show more plainly hereafter. And here is manifestly seen not only the great bounty of God, but also his exceeding wonderful patience, that notwithstanding such murmur he hath yet continued this blessing amongst us, though sometimes threatened a dearth thereof. Thus God dealt with his Israel in the wilderness, although some murmured at Manna, yet he withdrew not that favour from them. But our disdainers will say, it is their zeal against drunkenness, I may as well say, O sinful zeal! staggering and wavering no less through ignorance, than the drunkard through his intemperance. Because some do abuse the good creature of God by that detestable sin of drunkenness, shall others therefore (such as would be thought to be religious) expose it to disdain? Nay cry it down as a thing to be extinguished? Let such ingeniously confess which they hold to be the greater sin, to abuse or to extinguish, any of God's creatures, the abuse (by punishment duly inflicted) may be reform; but to extinguish or diminish the virtue of any of the crea●ures, is to deprive not o●ely the offenders, but also the innocent of the full fruition of those creatures which God hath appointed for the comfort of mankind.  
After Noah had offended, and suffered reproach by his cursed son, did he to manifest his detestation against that sin, give order to destroy that vineyard which he had so painfully planted, had not this error been greater than the former? For he that will serve God aright, must neither turn to the right hand nor to the left; but must walk before him in a strait path with an upright heart, to diminish or detract from the excellency of the creature, is to dishonour the Creature. And it is a punishment from God upon a people when a people degenerateth from its natural virtue, or is deprived of its proper excellency, as appeareth by the expression of the Prophet, bewailing the sad condition of Israel, (saith he) Your silver is become dross, your wine is mixed with water. Isa. 1.22. And our Saviour who came to repair our ruins and to purchase for us a better Paradise then that which Adam lost, made it his first miracle to make water wine, and that of the best, (john 29.) whilst some of us would turn our native wine into water, I mean our Strong-beere into Beer of the least nourishment & meanest condition. For brevity's sake let these two witnesses suffice, although the holy Scriptures are full of expressions tending to the commendations of those creatures most (I speak concerning temporal blessings) which are most cherishing to the vital spirits, and most preservative to the health and well being of weak mankind. The same holy spirit that pronounceth woes against gluttons and drunkards commendeth Canaan, because it flowed with milk and honey, and corn and wine and oil, Deut. 11.9 14. ver. And although England hath not naturally the wine of the vine yet it enjoyeth the plentiful fruition thereof; yea in such an abundant manner that many English prodigals, though vast estates have been left to divers of them, yet have complained more of the want of money, then of the want of wine. But grant that these foreign plantations should fail us, or that we should be disappointed, yea almost destitute of wine by some unexpected means proceeding from providence, either divine or humane, or that those ships that ventured, 〈◊〉 those commodities transported for wine, should be otherwise employed, or improved to the enriching of the Kingdom, that wine thereby should be scarce amongst us, yet hath England whereat to rejoice within itself. For of hopps and Malt our native commodites (and therefore the more agreeable to the constitutions of our native inhabitants) may be made such Strong-beere being well boiled and hopped, and kept its full time, as that it may serve instead of sack if authority shall think fit, whereby they also may know experimentally the virtue of those creatures at their full height, which Beer being well brewed of a low pure amber colour clear and sparkling, Noble men and the Gentry may be pleased to have [English Sack] in their wine-sellers, and Taverns also to sell to those who are not willing, or cannot conveniently lay it into their own houses, which may be a means greatly to increase and improve the tillage of England, and also the profitable plantations of hop-grounds, thereby enabling the industrious Farmers to pay their rents, and also to improve the revenues of the Nobility and Gentry, and so much the more, may they be pleased to add some of those places (w●ch as yet are receptacles for wild beasts [Parks & Forests] ●n which may be erected fair and profitable farms, and so become comfortable habitations, for laborious and painful husban●dmen with no small profit to the owners thereof, and also to the general good of the whole nation, should part of those commodities transported for wine be more advantageously disposed of, and our own vineyard at home be better husbanded and manured. And at lesser rates such good strong beer as shall be most cherishing to poor labouring people without which they cannot well subsist, their food being for the most part of such things as afford little or bad nourishment nay sometimes dangerous, and would infect them with many sicknesses and diseases were they not preserved (as with an Antidote) with good beer, whose virtues and effectual operations by help of the hop well boiled in it, are more powerful to expel poisonous infections than is yet publicly known, or taken notice of.  
And should the Almighty, (being provoked by our sins) afflict these parts with the infection of the plague, in what a deplorable condition, would the poor of this City and Suburbs be, if they should be deprived of comfortable fruition of good strong beer and ale, for the providing whereof the licenced well governed victualler is to be encouraged by suppressing of unlicensed Ale houses, which are the only receptacles of drunkards, and by severe punishing those lewd livers who frequent those disordered houses, which only dare harbour them because having no licences they are in no danger of the loss thereof, and being accustomed to their evil courses both they that keep such houses and they that frequent them, regardless of their reputation by reason of continual impunity, grown impudent and fearless either of God or the Magistrate, which causes scandalous aspersions to be cast on those which offend not: But the licenced victuallers keeping good houses & good orders, paying taxes according to their degrees are no less necessary for the poor, neighbouring inhabitants (and also for strangers as occasion may require) than any other retailing trade, for as the Brewer is the poor man's treasurer, so the victualler is the yeoman of the poor man's wine-cellar, providing and preparing for present use, such sound well ripened beer, as the poor cannot provide for themselves, neither without it can they go on in their labour, unless beef, pork, and bacon, and such hearty meat could be afforded them at a cheaper rate, but although such meats should prove more scarce and dear, yet may it please God in mercy to send plenty of Corn for bread and beer, we shall not hear the cry of the poor complaining of want, so long as for a sma●l matter they can send for so much good bread and beer as will suffice their whole families, which is not only a sustenance against hunger but a preservative against sickness. But grains if they be taken hot; and put into a vessel fit for that purpose they are an excellent  for itching limbs, also they are good food for the cattles of this City and suburbs, without which hey and other provision would be at a fare dearer rate then usually it is. Thus we see that among the many temporal blessings which the Lord hath bestowed upon us this is none of the meanest, The Lord in mercy grant us thankful hearts. But, Nescio quis teneros oculis mihi fascinat agnos, Beholds a foul monster called ingratitude, with two prodigious heads and scorching eyes have cast such looks upon this our vineyard, as if like Balak and Balaam they were conspiring together to bring a curse thereon though of differing dispositions, yet both dangerously provoking the Almighty to displeasure. The one of these heads is of that sort of people, who out of a fervent zeal to the glory of God the Creator forget to honour him in a right taking notice of him in his mercy and bounty towards us in his creatures but with an austere countenance and supercilious eye, and speeches agreeable thereunto, slight and despise the creature and those that deal therein, because abused by untemperate persons: thus the creature is made the patiented of evil, groaning as it were to be delivered therefrom, and yet is burdened with hard censure, a double injury; zeal without discretion is like heat without moisture every way destructive, let such consider, if at any time afflictions befall them, would they be contented therefore to be evil thought of because they far so ill, nay would not the calamity be the more heavy unto them, when they shall see that it lays them open to uncharitable censure, this is all one as if we should afflict the innocent because they are abused, and let the guilty escape and prosper according to that saying, Faelix ac prosperum scelus virtus vocatur, Optimi corruptio p●ssimo, is a destiny equally fatal to every good creature, and the better the creature is it being corrupted or abused is so much the more dangerous und hurtful, the sweetest ointment being putrified becomes most noisome, And man himself (by creation the most honoured of all the creatures) being degenerated into a condition tending to cruelty and violence, is more unsatiable and avoidable dangerous than any beast. Nay religion itself, which is illa aurea catina that golden chain, whereby God and man (with reverence be it spoken) are so nearly linked together John 17.11, 21. verses, I say religion which is that scala miliarium by which we are directed the right way to ascend the heavenly throne of glory is not free (quis talia fando temperet a lachrymis.) From the foul abuses of audaciously wicked mankind, the Profane Person maketh a mock of it, the hypocrite maketh it his cloak for every occasion but it will prove a mourning one at the last full of lamentations and woes, but this is not a subject now to treat of; wherefore I cease, but I shall not cease to mourn although in silence cura leves loquuntur, ingentes stupent; Igne quid utilius? what more needful than fire? ye-many fair buildings have been destroyed thereby, shall it therefore be forbidden? Then let not those whose better fare maketh them so insensible of poor men's wants, deny them that good beer, which is so needful to their meaner food because that some abuse it. But alas who complaineth of that foul sin of gluttony? which as a Grave unsatiable hath swallowed up many of those good creatures which are appointed for our nourishment and comfort, but by the excessive abuse thereof, many of exce●●● parts, have been much disabled both in body and mind from the free and happy use of those good gifts, which God bestowed upon them to be improved and also employed to his glory and that in their latter days most, which is that age of man which should be most adorned with wisdom by reason of long experience; yet let not any cry out against or lay any blame upon East cheap, plentiful Cheapside or Leaden-Hall, or either Fish-street, or any other of those fair and plenteous markets in and about this City, wherein God's bounty is manifested and ex●ended towards us in so large a manner; but rather in a detestation of our own unworthiness and unthankfulness, let us all cry out and say, Nos, ●o● inquam desumus japeti genus qui praesumus; Primetheus the son of Iaph●t (for the Heathen look no higher but somewhat darkly concerning Noah, who was their two faced janus) [who saw the end of the old world and the beginning of the new.] having (as Poets feigned) stolen fire from Heaven, and brought it amongst the sons of men, it occasioned many new and dangerous diseases, even such is that zeal which is not guided by true knowledge, and limited within the bounds of charity, it fills the mind with many strange and dangerous errors, corrupting the judgement, which are the diseases of the soul, but doubtless those that are truly religious will qualify and cool (I do not mean extinguish) the hot fervency of their zeal, with the sweet dew of discreet and pious charity, knowing that God is a severe judge against those who passing by themselves, presume to censure others, which is one of those crying sins which the land now mourns. The other head of that wrath provoking monster, (Ingratitude) [Si ingratum dixeris omnia dixeris] is that wretched sort of people, who falling (an infirmity proper to the Drunkard) into the Error of the left hand, are so besotted with the love of the creature, as altogether neglecting their du●y towards the Creator, who is blessed for ever Amen. This brutish sin, drunkenness may be called a sin of sins, the fruitful mother of a numerous brood, hateful even among the Heathen, the Turks amongst whom our English Beer is of more esteem than any other sort of drink, are severe punishers of drunkenness, in Cairo a fair City in Turkey, it is punished with death, among the judians in some part it is so severely punished with death, that they spared not the Magistrate; but gave rewards to them that slew him in the time of his being drunk, such was their cruel zeal, or heathenish severity, permitting no time for repentance as being ignorant what belonged thereunto, nor to set their houses in ord●● for the good of their posterity, but the indulgent levity of our Magistracy to the endangering of many ●oules, hath so provoked the Almighty to take the matter into 〈◊〉 own hands, that sometimes he hath also for a warning to others punished this sin 〈◊〉 death, witness mose untimely ends, some having died immediately in the sin, yea 〈◊〉 the very house where they have so offended, others have broke their necks off their horses, and others going a Shipboard have fallen between the Ship and the Boat, and so have been drowned, a manifest token of God's displeasure against that sin, neither hath he spared the Glutton, though a sin less scandalous, because not so easily discerned, yet no less detestable in the sight of the all-seeing Almighty, witness that rod of many twigs, I mean the many diseases, and divers weaknesses, pains, and infirmities inflicted upon their bodies, and also the unfitness of their intellectual parts to any thing than is good. But now in this time of reformation better things are not only h●ped for, but also expected that the Magistrate may be pleased, for the Glory of God, whose substitute he is, and for the good of the Comm●● Wealth whose welfare is committed to his care, to do his endeavour according to the power and trust committed unto him, to punish according to laws of this Kingdom: those that wilfully offend and continue in those gross 〈◊〉, the foulness whereof are expressed. Deut. 21.20, 21. verses Prov, 23.21. Rom. 1●. ●●. Ephes. 5.18. Those which are drunken are drunken in the night sait● the Apostle. 1 Thes 5, 7. if such modesty were amongst those, who as yet were not converted to the faith, or perhaps as yet had no knowledge of the truth; how great● shame is it 〈…〉 as this where the sound of the Gospel hath been so long heard, to harbour such offenders, yea to let ●hem pass unpunished. The Consideration of which doubtless will m●ve the hearts of the pi●us Magistracy of these times to have a more vigilant eye over those irrigular unlicenced private houses (which hitherto have been the more secure, because so little suspected) that not only the drunkards; but also the places of drunkenness may be punished, whereby the good creatures may be delivered 〈…〉 servile ●ses, or rather freed from those base abuses which they are exposed 〈◊〉 by unworthy intemperate persons. And also whereby those who deal in Those creatures may the more cheerfully go on in their lawful callings, and the more assuredly expect a blessing from th● Almighty upon their careful endeavours, that so the company of ●r●wers may be loo●ed upon as supporters, and releevers of a great p●●● of the poor of this C●ti● and Suburbs, and be had in such respect, and enjoy such privileges as a 〈◊〉 Company and Members of this Cit●e of London, according to that admonition of the Apostle, 1 Cor. ●2 verse 14. The ●ody is not one member but many, &c, and verse 18. God hath set the Members every one of them in the b●dy as it hath pleased him, etc. which holy advice, let ever● one of th●m in the body as it hath pleased him, etc. which holy advice, let every one so observe and follow, that evil speaking may be put away, that envyings and emulations may cease, that we may all according to ●ur-degree, like States in their order fight against Satan (that common enemy to all mankind) who would deprive u● of our spiritual Canaan, as the Stars in their ●rd●r fought against Sise●a who would have depr●ved Israel of th●ir temporal Canaan, that the Lord may be pleased t● shine upon these 3. Kingdoms with the blessings of truth and 〈◊〉, that ●●e affrighting voice of the oppressor may cease; and the cry of the oppressed may be no more heard, that all men may receive their due respect not according to the greatness of their estates, but according ●o manner of their getting those estates, that th● ensuing year may be as it were a jubily; wherein every true Israelite may 〈◊〉 to his own proper inheritance, that the winter storms of wars & rumours 〈…〉 may spr●ng forth like a vine with her clusters of plenty, & the peaceable voice of the Turtle may be heard in our land; in the mean while let every true hearted ●●●istian send forth such sighs & prayers to the Almighty that he may be pleased to frame such hearts in all the 3. Nations; that with speed he may bring people from ●●●tivity, that Iac●b may rejoice and Israel may be glad: which the Lord grant for his mercies sa●e who is that individual trinity and that incomprehensible Unity; to whom 〈…〉 for ever Amen.  
FINIS.