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 pow'rs 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 opprest,
Would yield to death to be releas'd.

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 med'cines could effect the cure
So quick, so easy, or so sure;
The deadly sentence God repeals,
He sends his sov'reign word and heals.

6 O may the sons of men record
The wond'rous goodness of the Lord!
And let their thankful off'rings prove
How they adore their Maker's love