Proverbs 14:13
“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful;
and the end of that mirth is heaviness!”
We are apt to imagine that whatever is sanctioned by the approbation and practice of the world at large, must be right; but we cannot have a more erroneous standard than popular opinion! This is sufficiently evident from the estimation in which mirth and laughter are generally held; they are supposed to constitute the chief happiness of man; whereas they are far from producing any solid happiness at all. To this mistake Solomon refers, in the words preceding the text; and in the text itself he confirms the truth of his own position.
I. We shall demonstrate the vanity of carnal mirth.
We do not mean to condemn all kinds and degrees of mirth; there certainly is a measure of it that is conducive to good, rather than to evil, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,” and “does good like a medicine.”
But carnal mirth is distinct from cheerfulness of disposition; inasmuch as carnal mirth argues a light frivolous state of mind, and indisposes us for serious and heavenly contemplations.
1. We affirm that carnal mirth is empty.
Let us examine the mirth which we have at any time experienced; let us weigh it in a balance; let us compare it with that sobriety of mind which results from scenes of woe, and with that tenderness of spirit which is the offspring of sympathy and compassion—and we shall confess, with Solomon, that “it is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting! Ecclesiastes 7:1-3;” yes, the more we examine it, the more shall we be constrained, like him, to “say of laughter. It is mad! and of mirth, What does it accomplish? Ecclesiastes 2:1-2.” It may be justly called, “a filling of our belly with the east wind! Job 15:2.”
2. We affirm that carnal mirth is fictitious.
The gaiety which is exhibited in worldly company is often pretended, for the purpose of concealing the real feelings of the heart. They who appear so delighted to see each other, have frequently no mutual affection. Even the nearest relatives, who seem to participate in each other’s joys, have so little real cordiality at home, that they can scarcely endure each other’s conversation; and would be heartily glad, if the knot which binds them together could be dissolved.
Truly “in their laughter their heart is sorrowful;” their pride, their envy, their jealousy, their private arguments, their domestic troubles, or their worldly cares—make them inwardly sigh, so that they can with difficulty prevent the discovery of the imposture which they are practicing. The very emptiness of their pleasure fills them often with disgust; and they are constrained to acknowledge that “they are feeding on ashes, and that they have a lie in their right hand! Isaiah 44:20.”
3. We affirm that carnal mirth is transient.
Suppose it to have been far more substantial than it has—yet how speedily has it vanished away! What trace of it remains?
It is like a dream when one awakes; in our dream we thought of satisfaction; but when we awoke, we found ourselves as unsatisfied as ever! Isaiah 29:8. If we thought by repeated participation to protract the pleasure, we weakened the zest with which we had partaken of it; and thus diminished, rather than increased, the sum of our enjoyment.
4. We affirm that carnal mirth is delusive.
We hoped that the ultimate effect of all our mirth would be a comfortable frame of mind; but has it always been so? Has not the very reverse been often experienced by us? Has not “the end of our mirth been heaviness?” An excessive elevation of spirit is naturally calculated to produce depression. Besides, we cannot always shake off reflection; and the thought of having so foolishly wasted our time, instead of improving it in preparation for eternity—will sometimes produce very uneasy sensations. Such warnings as Solomon in Ecclesiastes 11:9, and our Lord in Luke 6:25, have given us—will frequently obtrude themselves upon us, and make us almost weary of life, while at the same time we are afraid of death; so justly is this mirth compared to “the crackling of thorns under a pot! Ecclesiastes 7:6;” the one, after an unprofitable blaze, terminating in smoke and darkness, the other, after a senseless noise, expiring in depression. In fact, there are no people more subject to depression of spirit, than those who spend their time in vanity and dissipation!
What will be “the end of their mirth” when they come into the eternal world, is inexpressibly awful to consider. Fearful indeed will be the contrast between the festivities of their present, and the wailings of their eternal state, Amos 6:1-6. Would to God that man would learn this from a parable, Luke 16:19; Luke 16:24-25. But, if they will not, they must realize it in their own eternal experience.
That we may not appear as if we would deprive you of all happiness:
II. We shall now show how we may attain more solid joy.
There is evidently a contrast intended in the text; for when it is said that “the end of that mirth is heaviness,” it is implied, that there is another species of mirth that shall end in a very different manner.
The Gospel is a source of joy to all who embrace it.
The Gospel is called “glad tidings of great joy to all people.” It proclaims salvation to a ruined world; nor can it fail of creating the liveliest emotions of joy wherever it is received, Isaiah 51:3; Isaiah 51:11; Isaiah 65:18 and Jeremiah 31:4 with Acts 8:8; Acts 8:39.
The joy resulting from the Gospel is the very reverse of carnal mirth.
Gospel joy is solid. Behold the change wrought in the first converts! see them turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God! See them enjoying peace with God and in their own consciences! See them filled with love to each other, and with admiring and adoring thoughts of their beloved Savior! Can we wonder that they ate their bread with gladness and singleness of heart, blessing and praising God?
Yet precisely the same grounds of joy has every one that truly believes in Christ, Jeremiah 31:11-14. The Prodigal imagined that he was in the road to joy, when he was wasting his substance in riotous living; but he never tasted real happiness until he returned to his father’s house; then “he began to eat, and drink, and be merry.”
Gospel joy is permanent. It will consist with trials and tribulations; yes, it will even arise out of them! Romans 5:3. James 1:2. We may be “sorrowful—yet always rejoicing 2 Corinthians 6:10.” And, as Gospel joy is not interrupted by the occurrences of life, so neither will it be terminated by death; it will then be augmented a thousand-fold; and continue without interruption to all eternity!
ADDRESS.
1. The young and carnally mirthful.
Follow your career of pleasure as long as you will, you will be constrained to say at last, with Solomon, not only that it was all “vanity,” but also “vexation of spirit.” Yet think not, that in dissuading you from these lying vanities, we would deprive you of all happiness. We only wish that you should exchange that which is empty and delusive, for that which will afford you present and eternal satisfaction! Isaiah 55:2. Even your past experience may suffice to show you, that “in the fullness of your sufficiency you have been in straits, Job 20:22.” Try now what the service and enjoyment of God can do for you; and you shall find that God’s “ways are indeed ways of pleasantness and peace.”
2. Those who profess godliness.
In avoiding carnal mirth, you must be careful not to give occasion to the world to represent the gospel as sour and morose. There is a cheerfulness which recommends the gospel, and which it is both your duty and privilege to maintain.
Yet, on the other hand, beware of levity. Live near to God, and you will easily find the proper medium. “God has certainly given you all things richly to enjoy! 1 Timothy 6:17;” yet it is in himself alone, and in the light of his countenance, that you must seek your chief happiness. There you are sure to find it, Psalm 4:6-7; and while you find it in him, you will shine as lights in a dark world, and recommend the Gospel to all around you.
Charles Simeon