it, and cherish the good seed, which we want it to produce. Thus also must the Christian exert liimself in order to bring forth the fruits of righteousness. His heart is proHfic in what is evil, but barren in what is good : he must therefore daily counteract its natural propensities, and foster the holy desires that have been sown in it. The same work of repentance and faith must be continually renewed, till the Lord himself shall come to gather in his harvest.]
Yet are we ever ready to neglect our work on fri- volous pretences —
[A regard to temporal interest will often overcome men's natural sloth, and excite them to diligence in their several voca- tions. Yet are there many instances, where the indulgence of sloth makes men blind to their own happiness, and deaf to the cries of their distressed families. With respect to spiritual concerns, an indisposition to labour universally prevails. The work of the soul is irksome and difficult ; and eveiy one either deems it altogether unnecessary, or desires to defer it as long as possible. But it is observable that the sluggard does not absolutely say, " I hate my work, and therefore will not do it ;" much less does he say, " I am determined never to plough at all:" but he finds some excuse for neglecting what he is averse to perform ; and fixes on some plea, which, in certain circumstances and to a certain extent, might be sufficient. Thus the Christian does not say, " I hate repentance and faith in Christ; much less does he resolve never to repent and be- lieve : but he always has some reason at hand for deferring this unpleasant work, and promises himself a more convenient season, before the time for ploughing be entirely passed away. He has the cares of a family, or a pressure of business, or some- thing that serves him for an excuse : but, upon examination, it will either be found a mere excuse, or a reason, on which he lays a very improper stress ; making use of it to justify a total and habitual neglect, when, at the most, it would only account for a partial and occasional omission. But as a husbandman who should yield to such a disposition, is denominated by God himself, " a sluggard," so we are sure, that he, who on such frivolous pretexts intermits his Christian duties, will receive no better appeUation at the day of judgment than that of a " wicked and slothful servant."]
But in whomsoever such conduct is found, he will at last have reason to deplore,
II. The consequences of it —
As industry and wealth, so idleness and want, are very closely connected —