The duty of self-denial briefly opened and urged. By Thomas Watson, minister of the…

CHAP. V. A check to Epicures, and Sensualists.

This justly indites 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. Eccles. 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 lye upon beds of Ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, that chant to the sound of the vial, that drink wine in bowls, &c^*. Pleasure, like Circe, enchants mens 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 ⟨p. 50⟩who consume their hours in Plays and Stews? As if God had made them like the Leviathan, To play in the water, Psal. 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 dye 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