Of profit and pleasure.

CHAP. XX. Of profit and pleasure.

Paul dividing the times, 1. Tim. 4 and 2. Tim. 3. into the latter days, and the last days, telleth in the spirit of prophecy of them both, that in the one there should be much superstition, which are gone; and in the other, into which we are fallen, and they are fallen on us, that men shall be lovers of pleasures more than of God, and account gain godliness: so the one esteem our life as a pastime, the other think of it as of a market, to be getting at all hands. Although Martha's part be the worse, and Christ hath said so, because it shall be taken away from her, yet all choose her part, and yet this otherwise hath often a great scourge of God joined unto it. It is the error of the world in these days to think all is well, so we get not our riches by evil means: but I say, though we use no evil means at all to get them, even in loving the bare things themselves too much we offend: For not only things corrupt are impure, but also things mingled with such things as are corrupt, are made unpure: so things impure mingled with the soul corrupt it, because the soul is only for the Lord.