alth, and unfit ourselves for his service. 3. But, I
suppose the apostle had in his mind chiefly the idea of _acknowledging
God_, when we partake of his bounty, and of _honoring him_ by doing
everything _in obedience to his commands_. Strict and intelligent regard
to these two points would generally direct us aright in the matter of
eating and drinking.

Do not, by any means, think this subject beneath your attention. The
greatest and best of men have made it a matter of practical study. Those
who have given us the brightest specimens of intellectual effort have
been remarkable for rigorous attention to their diet. Among them may be
mentioned Sir Isaac Newton, John Locke, and President Edwards.
_Temperance_ is one of the fruits of the spirit. It is therefore the
duty of every Christian, to know the bounds of moderation in all things,
and to practise accordingly.

7. _As much as possible avoid taking medicine._ The practice of
resorting to _remedies_ for every unpleasant feeling cannot be too
strongly reprobated. Medicine should be regarded as a choice of two
evils. It may throw off a violent attack of disease, and save life; but
it must inevitably, in a greater or less degree, impair the
constitution. Medicine is unfriendly to the human system. Its very
effect, which is to disturb the regular operation of the animal
functions, proves this. But, when violent disease is seated upon any
part, this may be necessary; and the injury received from the medicine
may not bear any comparison with the consequences which would follow, if
the disease were left to take its course. In such cases, the physician
should be called immediately, as delay may be fatal. But the great
secret lies in avoiding such attacks, by a scrupulous attention to the
laws of nature. Such attacks may generally be traced either to violent
colds, or the interruption of some of the regular functions of the body.
The most important of these may, with proper attention, be brought
almost entirely under the control of _habit_; and all of them may
generally be preserved in healthy action, by proper attention to diet
and exercise. But careless and negligent habits, in these respects, will
ruin the most hardy constitution, and bring on a train of disorders
equally detrimental to mind and body. But, in most cases of moderate,
protracted disease, a return to the regular system of living _according
to nature_ will gradually restore lost health. Or, in other words, a
st