The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

I. Be moderate in the use of Meats and Drinks. Feed for the satisfying thy hunger, and strengthening thy body for the service of God, and not merely for the pleasing thy fleshly appetite. I deny not but the Lord sometimes gives us liberty to eat and drink, not only for necessity, but also for delight. And I grant it is a blessing from God promised unto the faithful, Joel 2. 26. That they shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied; but it is, that they may take occasion thereby to praise the Name of the Lord for his bounty and goodness. But wilt thou therefore eat to Gluttony, and allow thy self in such intemperance, as will make thee as ready to curse God, as to bless and praise him?

I. Be moderate in the use of Meats and Drinks. Feed for the satisfying thy hunger, and strengthning thy body for the service of God, and not meerly for the pleasing thy fleshly appetite. I deny not but the Lord sometimes gives us liberty to eat and drink, not only for necessity, but also for delight. And I grant it is a blessing from God promised unto the faithful, Joel 2. 26. That they shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied; but it is, that they may take occasion thereby to praise the Name of the Lord for his bounty and goodness. But wilt thou therefore eat to Gluttony, and allow thy self in such intemperance, as will make thee as ready to curse God, as to bless and praise him?

Our Saviour warns his own Disciples, Luke 21. 34. Take heed to your selves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness. It is observable how he adviseth us to be as watchful against Gluttony, as Drunkenness. Many look upon Drunkenness as an heinous sin; but as for Gluttony, they make no sin of it at all, not considering that a man may offend, and make a Beast of himself by excessive Eating, as by excessive Drinking. The Rich Glutton went to Hell, not for any Drunkenness that we read of, but for Gluttony,