A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

Finally, let us consider the manifold benefits wherewith God hath promised to bless our labours, if we be painful and diligent in the duties of our callings. And contrariwise, how much he abhorreth and condemneth sloth and idleness, punishing them that live in it, with innumerable evils which he hath justly caused to attend upon it. Concerning the former, it may be a strong inducement to make us diligent in our callings, if we consider the benefits which accrue upon it. For whereas every one is ready to ask, Who will show us any good? and is easily drawn to any course by the ¹golden chain of gain and advantage, the Wise man telleth us first generally, that in all labour there is profit, whereas idle talking with the lips tendeth ²only to penury. And in many other places he setteth forth more particularly the manifold benefits that do accompany it. For it exalteth to honour and authority, according to that, The hand of the diligent shall bear ³rule, but the slothful shall be under tribute. And again, Seest thou a man diligent ⁴in his business? he shall stand before Kings, he shall not stand before mean men. It buildeth the house, and maketh and erecteth mansion places for themselves and their posterity. So saith Solomon, Prepare thy work without, ⁵