2. Idleness. This good ground lies not dead and barren: nor returns all heavens rain with a naked and neutral acceptation: it brings forth. You read, Luke 19.1 of a Servant, to whom when his Lord had entrusted a Talent, he hid it in the ground, as an Usurer his money, to keep it safe. And at his Lords return, Domine ecce tuum: he answered his account with, Lord behold thine own. I knew that thou wert severus Magister, a hard Master: therefore I thought it my securest course, to make good thine own again. But the Lord replyed, Ex ore tuo: Oh evil servant, out of thy own mouth I condemn thee. Thou shouldst then have answered my austerity, with thy laborious care of my advantage. Therefore hear his doom.2 Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer ⟨p. 41⟩darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. He did not evil with his talent: no, it was enough to condemn him, he did nothing. There is abundance of this dead ground in the world, which brings forth nothing. Idle wretches, that sleep out time and admonition: but their damnation sleepeth not. 3It was never said, Samson hath lost his strength, till he slept in the lap of Delilah. Idleness doth neither get nor save: there is nothing more empty of good fruits, nor more abundantly pregnant with evil. That man doth ill, that doth nothing; and he looseth, whiles he gains not. Many beholding with cowardly and carnal eyes, what a long and troublesome journey it is to heaven, sit them down and fall fast asleep. O barren grounds! will ye bring forth nothing? Is difficulty made your hindrance, that should be a spur to your more eager contention? Know you not, that the violent shall get the kingdom of heaven? Some can follow their dogs all day in the field: others hunt Mammon dry-foot in their shops year after year, and never complain of weariness. Only an hour or two in the Church puts an ache into our bones; as if nothing wearied us so soon as well-doing. Is it fear of too much labour, that keeps you from God? why doth not the same reason debtor you from serving the devil? His laws are true burdens, and his service drudgery.4 But Christs yoke is easy, and his burden light.
2. Idlenesse. This good ground lyes not dead and barren: nor returnes all heauens raine with a naked and neutrall acceptation: it brings forth. You read, Luke 19.1 of a Seruant, to whom when his Lord had intrusted a Talent, he hidde it in the ground, as an Vsurer his money, to keepe it safe. And at his Lords returne, Domine ecce tuum: hee answered his account with, Lord behold thine own. I knew that thou wert seuerus Magister, a hard Master: therfore I thought it my securest course, to make good thine owne againe. But the Lord replyed, Ex ore tuo: Oh euill seruant, out of thy owne mouth I condemne thee. Thou shouldst then haue answered my austeritie, with thy laborious care of my aduantage. Therefore heare his doome.2 Cast ye the vnprofitable seruant into outer ⟨p. 41⟩darknesse: there shall bee weeping and gnashing of teeth. Hee did not euill with his talent: no, it was enough to condemne him, he did nothing. There is abundance of this dead ground in the world, which brings forth nothing. Idle wretches, that sleepe out time and admonition: but their damnation sleepeth not. 3It was neuer sayd, Samson hath lost his strength, till hee slept in the lappe of Dalila. Idlenesse doth neither get nor saue: there is nothing more emptie of good fruits, nor more abundantly pregnant with euill. That man doth ill, that doth nothing; and he looseth, whiles hee gaines not. Many beholding with cowardly and carnall eyes, what a long and t•oublesome iourney it is to heauen, sit them downe and fall fast asleepe. O barren grounds! will ye bring forth nothing? Is difficulty made your hindrance, that should bee a spurre to your more eager contention? Know you not, that the violent shall get the kingdome of heauen? Some can follow their dogges all day in the fielde: others hunt Mammon dry-foote in their shoppes yeare after yeare, and neuer complaine of wearinesse. Only an houre or two in the Church puts an ach into our bones; as if nothing wearyed vs so soone as well-doing. Is it feare of too much labour, that keepes you from God? why doth not the same reason deterre you from seruing the diuell? His lawes are true burdens, and his seruice drudgerie.4 But Christs yoke is easie, and his burden light.
- 1Luke 19.
- 2Mat. 25. 30.
- 32. Pet. 2. 3.
- 4Mat. 11. 30.
