Here is an argument against a voluptuous luxurious life, taken from the
ruin it brings upon men's temporal interests. Here is 1. The
description of an epicure: He loves pleasure. God allows us to use the
delights of sense soberly and temperately, wine to make glad the heart
and put vigour into the spirits, and oil to make the face to shine and
beautify the countenance; but he that loves these, that sets his heart
upon them, covets them earnestly, is solicitous to have all the
delights of sense wound up to the height of pleasurableness, is
impatient of every thing that crosses him in his pleasures, relishes
these as the best pleasures, and has his mouth by them put out of taste
for spiritual delights, he is an epicure, 2 Tim. iii. 4. 2. The
punishment of an epicure in this world: He shall be a poor man; for the
lusts of sensuality are not maintained but at great expense, and there
are instances of those who want necessaries, and live upon alms, who
once could not live without dainties and varieties. Many a beau becomes
a beggar.