The greatness of the sin of gluttony!

(Richard Baxter, "Directions against Gluttony")

1. Gluttony is a sin exceedingly contrary to the love of God-it is idolatry!
What an odious, swinish, damning sin it is-for a man's heart to be set upon his belly!

2. Gluttony is self-murder! Though it does not kill suddenly-it kills surely!

3. Gluttony is a deadly enemy to the mind, and to all the noble employments of reason.

4. Gluttony dulls the body as well as the mind. It makes men heavy, and drowsy and slothful.

5. Gluttony is the immediate effect of a carnal mind, and of the damnable sin of flesh-pleasing.

6. Gluttony is the breeder and feeder of all other lusts.

7. Gluttony is a base and beastly kind of sin.

8. Gluttony is a wasteful consumer and devourer of the creatures of God.

9. Gluttony is a most unthankful sin-it takes God's mercies, and spews them as it were in His face!

10. Gluttony is a sin which turns your own mercies, and wealth, and food-into your snare and deadly ruin. You please your throat-and poison your soul!

11. Gluttony is a thief that robs you of your estates, and devours that which is given you for better uses, and for which you must give account to God.

12. Gluttony is a sin so much the greater-by how much the more delight you have in the committing of it. The sweetest, most voluntary and beloved sin-is the greatest sin. Few sins are more pleasant and beloved than gluttony.

13. Gluttony is the greater sin, because it is so frequently committed. Men live in it as their daily practice and delight. They live for it, and make it the end of other sins. Being turned into beasts-they live like beasts continually!