A Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practically resolvedA Continuation of morning-exercise questions and cases of conscience practicaly resolved

But now when we consider the unreasonable cravings of a carnal Mind, and how impossible to be satisfied, and when most satisfied, soonest cloyed, wearisome to the flesh that is most gratified, and infamous in their Eyes whose esteem we value: most of our carnal pleasures are the same with Brutes, only they have the better relish of them in the use, and no after-claps when past; they eat, and drink, and frisk, and sleep, without any disturbing cares, or subsequent Reflections: you cannot force 'em to excess in the use, nor impose upon them any corroding remembrances. e. g. Let but a voracious Glutton be bound to sit at a well-furnished Table, but two hours after he hath filled his Paunch, he would account it an intolerable Penance. Let but the Crop-sick Drunkard be forced to drink on with those that drink him down, how is he a burden to himself, and a scorn to his fellow Drunkards! and for those that glory of their conquest in out-drinking others, how are their best Friends ashamed of them, as glorying in their shame! Let but a lazy Sluggard be confined three days to his Bed, and how weary will he be of his Bed of Down! how is the Idle Person more weary of his Idleness than another is of Work! I am loth to blot Paper with Naming the loathsome rottenness of filthy Persons, the unpitied Poverty of Huffing Gamesters, and in a word, the unpleasant Exit of most Pleasure-mongers; and for those that escape these common effects, they as commonly contract a carnal Security, which is as bad as the worst of these. And for those pleasures that are above sensual, I'll say no more at present but this, the better the Objects of our delights are on this side God, and the pleasing of God, the more our carnal Wisdom is fortified against the true method to real happiness. Upon the whole matter then, Pleasures are a kind of dangerous fruit, which if not well corrected, are Poison, we can scarce taste without danger of surfeiting.

But now when we consider the unreasonable cravings of a carnal Mind, and how impossible to be satisfied, and when most satisfied, soonest cloyed, wearisome to the flesh that is most gratified, and infamous in their Eyes whose esteem we value: most of our carnal pleasures are the same with Brutes, only they have the better relish of them in the use, and no after-claps when past; they eat, and drink, and frisk, and sleep, without any disturbing cares, or subsequent Reflections: you cannot force 'em to excess in the use, nor impose upon them any corroding remembrances. e. g. Let but a voracious Glutton be bound to sit at a well-furnish'd Table, but two hours after he hath fill'd his Paunch, he would account it an intolerable Penance. Let but the Crop-sick Drunkard be forc't to drink on with those that drink him down, how is he a burden to himself, and a scorn to his fellow Drunkards! and for those that glory of their conquest in out-drinking others, how are their best Friends ashamed of them, as glorying in their shame! Let but a lazy Sluggard be confin'd three dayes to his Bed, and how weary will he be of his Bed of Down! how is the Idle Person more weary of his Idleness than another is of Work! I am loth to blot Paper with Naming the loathsome rottenness of filthy Persons, the unpitied Poverty of Huffing Gamesters, and in a word, the unpleasant Exit of most Pleasure-mongers; and for those that escape these common effects, they as commonly contract a carnal Security, which is as bad as the worst of these. And for those pleasures that are above sensual, I'le say no more at present but this, the better the Objects of our delights are on this side God, and the pleasing of God, the more our carnal Wisdom is fortified against the true method to real happiness. Upon the whole matter then, Pleasures are a kind of dangerous fruit, which if not well corrected, are Poyson, we can scarce taste without danger of surfeiting.