Chapter 5: A Check to Epicures and Sensualists

Chapter 5. A check to Epicures, and Sensualists.

This justly indicts those who live in a contradiction to the Text, who instead of denying themselves, let loose the reins, and give themselves up to all manner of pleasure and licentiousness. Ecclesiastes 7:4, The heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Such the Prophet deciphers, who do not mortify, but gratify the flesh. Amos 6:4, 5, That lie upon beds of Ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, that chant to the sound of the vial, that drink wine in bowls, etc. Pleasure, like Circe, enchants men's minds, and transforms them into beasts. There is a place in Africa, called Tombutium, where the inhabitants spend all their time in piping and dancing. And have not we many who consume their hours in plays and stews? As if God had made them like the Leviathan, To play in the water, Psalm 104:26. How will their countenances be changed, when God shall say, Give an account of your stewardship! These frolic sensualists live as if there were no world to come. They pamper their bodies, but starve their souls. As if one should feed his slave, but starve his wife. Do Epicures deny themselves? Indeed in one sense they do, for the enjoying their lusts, they deny themselves a part in Heaven. In the country of Sardinia, there is an herb like Balm, that if a man eat much of it, he shall die laughing. Such an herb is pleasure, if one feeds immoderately on it, he will go laughing to Hell. Esau lost the blessing while he was hunting. O! How many while they are hunting after worldly pleasures lose blessedness? There is a sad cup brewing, which will spoil the sinners' mirth. Psalm 75:8, In the hand of the Lord there is a cup, the wine is red, it is full of mixture. This wine is the wrath of God, and it is mixed, the worm and the fire, help to mix the cup. The Lord will proportion a sinner's torment to his pleasure. Revelation 18:7, How much she has lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her.

Chapter 5. A Rebuke to Pleasure-Seekers and Indulgent People.

This rightly convicts those who live in direct contradiction to the text -- who, instead of denying themselves, throw off all restraint and give themselves over to every kind of pleasure and loose living. Ecclesiastes 7:4, The heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. The prophet describes those who do not put to death their sinful desires but instead feed them. Amos 6:4, 5, That lie upon beds of Ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, that sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, that drink wine in bowls, etc. Pleasure, like Circe, enchants people's minds and turns them into beasts. There is a place in Africa called Tombutium where the inhabitants spend all their time piping and dancing. Do we not have many who waste their hours the same way -- in entertainment and vice? As if God had made them like the Leviathan, to play in the water, Psalm 104:26. How will their faces change when God says, Give an account of your stewardship! These carefree pleasure-seekers live as though there were no world to come. They pamper their bodies but starve their souls. It is as if someone fed his slave while starving his wife. Do these indulgent people deny themselves? In one sense they do -- for by chasing their sinful desires, they deny themselves a place in Heaven. In the country of Sardinia there is an herb like balm that, if eaten in large amounts, causes a person to die laughing. Pleasure is such an herb. If someone feeds on it without restraint, he will go laughing all the way to Hell. Esau lost his blessing while he was out hunting. How many people, while hunting after worldly pleasures, lose true blessedness! There is a bitter cup being prepared that will spoil the sinner's celebration. Psalm 75:8, In the hand of the Lord there is a cup, the wine is red, it is full of mixture. This wine is the wrath of God, and it is mixed -- the worm and the fire help to mix the cup. The Lord will measure the sinner's torment to match his pleasure. Revelation 18:7, How much she has lived in luxury, so much torment and sorrow give her.