3. Observe, his crime is, ' he went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.' Men dig in the earth to find metals and talents, not to hide them there. Mark, it is not said he did embezzle his talent, as many waste their substance in riotous living, quench brave parts in excess, sin away many precious advantages of ordinances and education, and powerful convictions. No ; he did not embezzle his talent, but hid it. Mark again, he did not misemploy his talent, as some do their wealth, others their wit, to scoff at religion, or to put a varnish on the devil's cause, their power to oppress and crush the good : the precious gifts that many have are like a sword in a mad- man's hand, they use them to hurt and mischief. No ; no such thing is charged upon this evil and naughty servant. It is fault enough to hide our talents, though we do not abuse them. That you may con- ceive of this, I shall show you —
1. His sin, in hiding his lord's money.
2. What may be the cause of it in those that imitate him.
First, It was a sin, partly because it was against the command of his master. In Luke xix. 13, ' He gave them a charge, occupy till I come.' Partly because it was against the end of the distribution of the talents. To keep money unprofitably by us is a loss ; it was made for commerce, so were gifts given us to profit withal ; scattered into several hands to bring in some increase to the Lord and owner. Partly because it was against the example of his fellow-servants, who were industrious and careful to comply with their charge : 2 Cor. ix. 2, ' Your zeal hath provoked very many.' And partly as his obedience and account would have been easier ; as it is more easy to give an account of a small sum than a greater, as there is less trouble, less danger; so his refusal is less excusable. And partly as it was an abuse of his master's patience ; it was long ere he called him to a reckoning. God will bear long with us, in infancy, childhood, and youth, but he will not bear always ; if we do not bethink ourselves at last, our account is hastened, and God will suffer idle servants no longer to have an opportunity of promoting his glory, the good of others, and their own salvation.
Secondly, What may be the causes of such-like unfaithfulness ? Men are taken off from improving their talents —
1. Sometimes by a slothful laziness, and should that hinder us, especially us that are servants to God? What man can endure an idle servant ? Though he should not whore and steal, yet if he do not his work, you put him away. Everything in the world costs diligence, and shall not we be diligent in our master's work ? How will men labour for a small reward in the world, and is not heaven worth our most industrious care ? Shall not we be hard at work ? 1 Cor. xv. 58. The
416 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SlB. XII.
reward is still propounded to the diligent: 1 Cor. iii. 8, 'Every man shall receive his reward according to his own labour;' 2 Cor. ix. 6, ' He that soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly.' Idleness is its own punishment. An idle man is a burden to himself, like a man buried alive. When it is morning, would God it were evening. He contracts distempers ; a key seldom turned rusts in the lock; standing pools are apt to putrify. David, when he was idle, fell into those foul faults. An idle man can think of nothing but the delights of the flesh, and so becometh a ready prey to Satan.
Oh ! then, shake off laziness and the ease of the flesh ! God is at work, John v. 17 ; the creatures are at work ; the sua is always going up and down.
2. Another cause is a foolish modesty and pusillanimity. Oh ! this should not be; we should not, like Saul, hide among the stuff when God calleth us forth to some employment for his glory, 1 Sam. x. 22 ; or, with Moses, draw back when opportunity is offered us to be useful in our generation, Bxod. iv. 20. God can help the stam- mering tongue, and will bless mean gifts when you sincerely obey his call.
3. Self-love : Phil. ii. 21, ' All men seek their own things, not the things of Jesus Christ.' Many care not how it goeth with Christ's matters, if their particular go right : they serve their own worldly ease, profit, credit, pleasure.
4. Distracting businesses, or love to the world; this is digging in the earth, and hiding our talent indeed : 2 Tim. iv. 10, ' Demas hath forsaken me, and embraced the present world/
5. Fear of danger, if publicly active for God. Some are so cowardly that they are browbeaten with a frown ; cannot venture a lesser interest, cannot bear a scoff or a disgraceful word ; therefore sneak, loath to own what they are, or to do for Christ and his despised cause. This is not a Christian frame : Phil. i. 28, ' In nothing terrified by your adversaries, which to them is a token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God/ It looketh like Christ's business ; he speaketh of endeavours to propagate the faith of Christ, and to gain men to embrace the gospel.