Intemperance punished and pardoned. <br /> <br />Vain man, on foolish pleasures bent, <br />Prepares for his own punishment; <br />What pains, what loathsome maladies, <br />From luxury and lust arise! <br /> <br />The drunkard feels his vitals waste, <br />Yet drowns his health to please his taste; <br />Till all his active powers are lost, <br />And fainting life draws near the dust. <br /> <br />The glutton groans, and loathes to eat, <br />His soul abhors delicious meat; <br />Nature, with heavy loads oppressed, <br />Would yield to death to be released. <br /> <br />Then how the frighted sinners fly <br />To God for help with earnest cry! <br />He hears their groans, prolongs their breath, <br />And saves them from approaching death. <br /> <br />No med'cines could effect the cure <br />So quick, so easy, or so sure; <br />The deadly sentence God repeals, <br />He sends his sovereign word, and heals. <br /> <br />O may the sons of men record <br />The wondrous goodness of the Lord! <br />And let their thankful off'rings prove <br />How they adore their Maker's love<br /><br />Isaac Watts<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/psalm-107-part-3/
