For as there is a sinful excess in eating and drinking, so also in sleeping, when as we exceed that which nature requireth; and therefore as it were an ill excuse for gluttony and drunkenness, to say that we sit eating and drinking more then enough, because we have no other business; so is it alike absurd, to spend our precious time in slothful and excessive sleeping, because we want other employment; seeing as one saith, There is no part of our lives 1more desperately perisheth, then that which is deputed to excessive sleep. Which that we may avoid, let us consider, how the holy Ghost disgraceth the sluggard in the Scriptures. For first he maketh him more foolish and brutish then the silly Ant, and therefore (as it were) putteth him to school to learn of her, that he might become wiser; Go to the Ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways & be wise. Secondly, rousing him up from his sleep; How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? he 2bringeth him, like one half drunk, answering in imperfect and broken sentences, and begging for a little more sleep, as the drunkard for more drink, when as already he hath had too much. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. Thirdly, he showeth that he is unprofitable and good for nothing, and ready to pretend frivolous and foolish excuses, when as he is persuaded to any good action, saying, There 3is a Lyon in the way, and that which is more ridiculous, a lion in the streets, as though the City were a Wilderness, and the houses dens for wild beasts. That like the door upon the hinges, he turneth and tumbleth upon his bed, and cannot be drawn from it by any persuasion, no more then the door from the hooks by much pulling and tugging; yea that he is so besotted on his sloth, that he had rather forgo his meat, then take any pains to eat it: for he hideth his hand in his bosom, and it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The which his folly is so much the more desperate, because in all this he applaudeth his own wisdom; for the sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, then seven men that can render a reason. Secondly, let us consider, that the holy Ghost forbiddeth this sluggish sloth; Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober; 4for they that sleep, sleep in the night, &c.
For as there is a sinfull excesse in eating and drinking, so also in sleeping, when as wee exceede that which nature requireth; and therefore as it were an ill excuse for gluttonie and drunkennesse, to say that we sit eating and drinking more then inough, because we haue no other businesse; so is it alike absurd, to spend our precious time in slothfull and excessiue sleeping, because wee want other imploiment; seeing as one saith, There is no part of our liues 1more desperately perisheth, then that which is deputed to excessiue sleepe. Which that wee may auoid, let vs consider, how the holy Ghost disgraceth the sluggard in the Scriptures. For first he maketh him more foolish and brutish then the silly Ant, and therefore (as it were) putteth him to schoole to learne of her, that he might become wiser; Go to the Ant, thou sluggard, consider her waies & be wise. Secondly, rowzing him vp from his sleep; How long wilt thou sleepe, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleepe? hee 2bringeth him, like one halfe drunke, answering in imperfect and broken sentences, and begging for a little more sleepe, as the drunkard for more drinke, when as already hee hath had too much. Yet a little sleepe, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleepe. Thirdly, he sheweth that he is vnprofitable and good for nothing, and ready to pretend friuolous and foolish excuses, when as he is perswaded to any good action, saying, There 3is a Lyon in the way, and that which is more ridiculous, a lyon in the streetes, as though the City were a Wildernesse, and the houses dennes for wilde beasts. That like the doore vpon the hindges, he turneth and tumbleth vpon his bed, and cannot be drawne from it by any perswasion, no more then the doore from the hookes by much pulling and tugging; yea that hee is so besotted on his sloth, that he had rather forgoe his meate, then take any paines to eate it: for hee hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to bring it againe to his mouth. The which his follie is so much the more desperate, because in all this hee applaudeth his owne wisedome; for the sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason. Secondly, let vs consider, that the holy Ghost forbiddeth this sluggish sloth; Therefore let vs not sleepe as doe others, but let vs watch and be sober; 4for they that sleepe, sleepe in the night, &c.
- 1Nihil temporis tam perit de vita nostra, quàm quod somno deputatur. Bern. ad fratres, de monte.
- 2Pro. 6. 6. Vers. 9. 10, 11.Pro. 6. 6. Ʋers. 9. 10, 11.
- 3Pro. 26. 13, 14, 15, 16.
- 41. Thes. 5. 6, 7.
