1 Vain man on foolish pleasures bent,
Prepares for his own punishment;
What pains, what loathsome maladies,
From luxury and lust arise!

2 The drunkard feels his vitals waste,
Yet drowns his health to please his taste;
Till all his active powers are lost,
And fainting life draws near the dust.

3 The glutton groans, and loathes to eat,
His soul abhors delicious meat;
Nature, with heavy loads oppressed,
Would yield to death to be released.

4 Then how the frighted sinners fly,
To God for help with earnest cry!
He hears their groans, prolongs their breath,
And saves them from approaching death.

5 No medicines could effect the cure
So quick, so easy, or so sure:
The deadly sentence God repeals,
He sends His sovereign Word and heals.

6 O may the sons of men record
The wondrous goodness of the Lord!
And let their thankful offerings prove
How they adore their maker’s love.