2. Ruinous —
[The ruin of a man who neglects his farm or merchandise is gradual and irresistible : his circumstances become more and more embarrassed ; and at last he is apprehended for debt, immured in a prison, and reduced to utter " poverty and want." What a picture does this exhibit of a man who neglects his soul ! He does not feel the consequences all at once ; but "his poverty comes as one that travelleth :" it proceeds gradually step by step : it is not one hour, or day, that makes a very great difference to a man that is travelling many hundred miles on foot ; but every step in reality brings him nearer to his journey's end : and so it is with the man that indulges spiritual sloth ; his ruin approaches, though imperceptibly, every day and hour : but though it comes insensibly, yet it will seize upon him irresistibly, even " as an armed man." How glad would many be in their dying hours, if a portion of the time which they have wasted, coidd be restored to them ! How glad would they be if they could recover the seasons they have lost ! But death waits not their leisure : when sent, he executes his office, and transmits them, however reluctant, to the tribunal of their Judge. O that we would endeavour to realize these reflections in our minds, that we may not learn the truth and awfulness of them by bitter experience !]
f Prov. xxvi. 13—15.
By way of improving this subject, we will entreat you all,
1. To inquire into the state of your vineyard —
[Look well, and compare your ground with that of others ; not of sluggards like yourselves, but of the Apostles and primi- tive Christians. And do not mistake, as, alas ! too many do, weeds for plants (worldliness for prudence, levity for cheerful- ness, formality for devotion, or pride and hypocrisy for zeal and piety ;) but consult those who are able to instruct you, and be willing to have your vineyard weeded, your plants pruned, your wall reared, and your habits of indolence subdued and rectified.]
2. To cultivate it with speed and diligence —
[Had we improved our past time with diligence, how different would have been the state of our souls ! O think of the time that is irretrievably lost ; and the probable shortness of that which remains ! Let not sloth deceive you any more. There is not one amongst us who may not see in his own soul what advances it has made, and what an increase of work it has occasioned. Let us be thankful that the period for cultivation is not yet ended : and let us henceforth "walk, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."]