nor can it be expected that we should ever prosper in our spi- ritual concerns.
It may also be said of them ivhen they slnin not the occasions of spiritual decay. God has mercifully guarded us against the cares", the pleasures^, the company of the world *^; and
against the indulgence of any secret sin** And it is of
the utmost importance that we attend to these salutary cau- tions. But if we are unmindful of them, we certainly shew a very culpable remissness, and give advantage to our enemies to prevail against us.]
Under such circumstances they will infallibly ** be- come poor" —
[They will lose their joy and confidence. Persons living in habitual watchfulness are often full of the most lively joy ', and can look up to God as their Father'^, to Christ as their Saviour^ and to heaven as their home™. But these divine impressions are tender plants, which, if not duly watered, \vill soon wither and decay" — ]
2. They will also lose their health and strength —
[There is a health of the soul, as well as of the body : and as the one cannot be maintained in strength but by proper food and exercise, so neither can the other. The graces of the soul, if not duly cultivated, will soon languish. The faith
will become weak, the hope faint, the love cold and
whatever good " things remain in us, they will be ready to die." So poor will every one become, who dealeth with a slack hand.]
While the soul is exposed to such evils from re- missness, we are assured, on the contrary, that — II. Diligence will enrich it —
Christian diligence comprehends far more than a mere attention to outward forms, however regular —
[It imports a seasonable attention to all duties. There are some duties which, in comparison of others, are easy : but Christian diligence makes no distinction on this account ; nor does it make the observance of some an excuse for neglecting others ; but endeavours to do every work, whether public or private, civil or religious, in its season".
e Matt. xiii. 22. and vi. 21. <" 1 Thti. v. G. and 2 Tim. iii, 4. g 2 Cor. vi. 14 — 17.
^ Prov. iv. 23. Heb. iii. 12. See the examples of Job, Job xxxi. 1. David, Ps. cxli. 3. and cxxxix. 23, 24.
i 1 Pet. i. 8. 1^ Rom. viii. 15. ' Gal. ii. 20.
'" 2 Cor. v. 1. " Gal. iv. 15. " Ps. i. 3.