October 22 — Prescriptions against Intemperance

Consider, first, that, in order to overcome the vice of intemperance, one of the first and most necessary prescriptions is to fiy the occasions of it, and to keep, as much as possible, at a distance from the danger, which is always at hand in the revellings or drinking-bouts of worldlings, and ought always to be apprehended in such places and companies where excess is promoted and encouraged by common practice and example. Let not him that has already experienced his own weakness, by falling into sin in such occasions, venture himself any more there. The burnt child ought to dread the fire. Much less should he, that has unhappily contracted a habit of intemperance, expose himself to such places or companies, whatever the consequences of the refusal may be; he will never get the better of that pernicious habit, as long as he frequents such places and such company. Let no man here deceive himself with pretexts of civility or necessity: his soul is at stake; eternity is a.t stake. O, let ns him not risk his all, for fear of displeasing drunken companions, the plague is amongst them; let him fly far away from the infection. Tlie devil is amongst them: there is death in their cups; a mortal poison that reaches even to the soul. Hell is following them close at the heels; let him keep off from them, lest he also be involved in their destruction.

Consider, secondly, that the arms which are to be employed against the vice of intemperance, are particularly -jwflyer and Mortification, Fervent prayer frequently repeated, draws down the powerful assistance of God’s grace, without which, this evil, which is too natural to our corruption, is not to be overcome And mortification disarms the enemy, by restraining the sensual appetite, and bringing it into due order and subjection. Every Christian, as such, ought to aim at leading a mortified life, in quality of a disciple of a crucified God; he must endeavour to walk in the narrow way by a general self-denial if he expects to arrive at true life, and would be acknowledged by his Lord and Master for one of his. How much more is every sinner, if he hopes to secure to himself the remission of his sins, by being a penitent indeed, obliged to expiate them by fasting, and other mortifications and penitential exercises. Now, the putting in practice this mortification and penance, which is so general a duty, will effectually deliver us from the tyranny of intemperance, and even cut off all the approaches of this enemy. O, let us embrace, then, this happy means of gaining a complete victory over this mortal evil and all its wretched train of sins.

Consider, thirdly, that the most sovereign means of all for subduing intemperance, and indeed all other vices, is a daily application of the soul to the study of true wisdom, by the exercise of recollection and mental prayer, and the contemplation of heavenly truths. This helps the soul to another kind of appetite, which will grow daily upon her, for the things of God, and gives her a loathing and disgust for all sensual and carnal satisfactions. The relish of truth, the sweet savour of the heavenly manna, found in the conversation with God in our interior; the consideration and meditation on his eternal feast, where he shall inebriate his guests with the never-failing plenty of his house, and make them dHnk of the torrent of his pleasure, at the very head of the fountain of life, which is with him, is abundantly sufficient to wean the soul that accustoms herself to this kind of diet, from all sensual affections, and to give her an effectual and eternal abhorrence for all those husks of swine, that keep earthly-minded Christians both from the table and from the kingdom of their heavenly Father.

Conclude to follow these prescriptions, if thou wouldst efli'.ctually be preserved from, or cured of, this mortal disease ol m i79 temperance. Even in thy ordinary meals and necessaiy refreslh ments, let not sensuality hurry thee away to indulge thyself i» eating and drinking merely for the pleasure of it, but take thai necessary support of nature, with a pure intention, in obedience to the will of God, as a medicine for the preserving of thy health and season it with the remembrance of the gall and vinegar ol thy Saviour.