[b]A house of fools!
(Thomas Brooks, "The Crown and Glory of Christianity,
or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness", 1662)
"The heart of fools is in the house of pleasure."
Ecclesiastes 7:4
A fool prefers toys and trifles--above things of greatest
worth. Just so, wicked and ungodly men prefer their lusts
before the Lord. Upon choice, they prefer the honors, the
riches and glory of the world--above their own souls and
the great concerns of eternity.
I have read of the foolish people of Ceylon, who preferred
a consecrated ape's tooth--above an incredible mass of
treasure. Such fools are all unholy people, who prefer the
toys, the trifles of this world--above the pleasures and
treasures which are at God's right hand. The world is
full of such fools.
Says one--"If you behold the lives of men, you will judge
the whole world to be a house of fools!" Ah, friends!
What folly can be compared to that of men's spending
their time, their strength, their lives, their souls--in getting
the great things of this world, and neglecting that one thing
necessary--the salvation of their souls! Oh, what vanity is
it to prefer . . .
a smoke of honor,
a blast of fame,
a dream of pleasure,
a wedge of gold,
a Babylonish garment,
and such like transitory trifles and trash
--before a blessed eternity!