An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

First, The Question may be, Is this a mercy much to be reckoned upon, to spend our years in pleasure? saith not the Apostle (1 Tim. 5.6.) The widow that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives? If it be a dead life to live in pleasure, how then is it here promised as a favour, as a mercy, to them that obey and serve God, that they shall spend their years in pleasures?

I answer by distinguishing of pleasure; pleasures are of two sorts. First, lawful and honest delights; of such we read (Gen. 49.20.) where dying Jacob blessing of Asher saith,¹ He shall yield royal dainties, or pleasures for a King; meaning, he shall give, not only honest, but honourable pleasures and contentments, such as befit Kings. Secondly, There are unlawful and dishonest pleasures, which the Apostle calleth (Heb. 11.25.) the pleasures of sin for a season. A woe will be their portion who live in such pleasures. Go to now ye rich men, weep and howl (saith the Apostle James, Chap. 5.1.) why so? among other Reasons this is given for one (vers. 5.) Ye have lived in pleasure, wantonizing, and gluttonizing, and Epicurizing: in such base pleasures you have lived, therefore woe to you. To live in sinful or unlawful pleasures is death and misery, or a life worse than death; but to live a life of lawful and honest pleasure is a mercy, the mercy here promised, and the very life of our lives.

I answer by distinguishing of pleasure; pleasures are of two sorts. First, lawful and honest delights; of such we read (Gen. 49.20.) where dying Jacob blessing of Asher saith,¹ He shall yield royal dainties, or pleasures for a King; meaning, he shall give, not only honest, but honourable pleasures and contentments, such as befit Kings. Secondly, There are unlawful and dishonest pleasures, which the Apostle calleth (