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I. THE PERMISSION.

1. Pleasure is a necessity of our nature.

(1) A necessity of its complex constitution. We are made to enjoy. We have capacity for

(a)  Animal pleasure;

(b)  intellectual pleasure;

(c)  moral pleasure;

(d)  religious pleasure;

(e)  social pleasure.

(2) A necessity of its instinctive desires. We have an intense craving for enjoyment. "Who will show us any good?" This yearning for enjoyment, found alike amid the refinements of civilisation as amid the rudeness of barbarism, alike in the mansion of the rich as in the cottage of the poor, alike by the learned philosopher as by the illiterate peasant.

(3) A necessity of its perfect development.

2. Pleasure is a possibility of our condition. God, the all-wise and all-kind, has not only made us for pleasure and given us a strong desire for it, but has also bountifully surrounded us with its sources.

(1) For the animal faculties. There is light for the eye, music for the ear, fragrance for the smell.

(2) For the intellectual. The universe is a problem for our study.

(3) For the moral. The true and good are around us, in the character of God, the actions of the good, etc.

(4) For the religious. God in Christ is revealed as the Object of worship.

(5) For the social. There is society, with its varied life.

3. Pleasure is an element of our religion. Christianity is not a morbid, ascetic system. "Rejoice in the Lord alway."

II. THE LIMITATION: "Eat so much as is sufficient for thee." Pleasure is not to be indulged indiscriminately and unlimitedly. We must indulge in such pleasures only as are —

1. Dignified in their nature. We must remember the spirituality of our nature and the immortality of our being. We are not animals. Let us not make the mistake of the rich fool. We are made in God's image, and are capable of high and noble joys.

2. Beneficial in their influence. Pleasure must not be sought and indulged in on its own account, but as a means toward the attainment of a higher end. The objects of pleasure are — to recreate the body; to refresh the mind; to cheer the heart; to fit us for the work of life.

3. Christian in their sanction.

4. Proportionate in their degree. Pleasure must not be the end of life. It must not be pastime. Time is too valuable to be frittered away.

(Thomas Baron.)

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KJV: Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

WEB: Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.