[b]Many dig their graves, with their teeth!
(Thomas Watson, "The Duty of Self-Denial" 1675)
More are hurt by excess in lawful things--than by
meddling with sinful things. More are killed by wine
--than by poison. Many make their belly their god,
Philippians 3:19. And to this god, they pour their
drink offerings!
One writes of a fish whose heart is in his belly.
This is an emblem of epicures--whose heart is
in their belly; they are devoted to their appetite.
Excess in food or drink--
clouds the mind,
chokes holy affections,
provokes lust, and
shortens life!
Many dig their graves, with their teeth!
Seneca could say he was born to higher things--than to
be a slave to his body. What a shame is it--that the soul,
that princely part, which sways the scepter of reason,
should be enslaved to the brutish part! What has God
given conscience for--but to be a golden bridle to check
the inordinacy of the appetite! Deny the sinful cravings
of the flesh!
"I beat my body and make it my slave." 1 Cor. 9:27