4. And by this means we rob our selves. We might be getting some good all the time that we are idle; or doubly advantage our selves, if sloth did not keep us company in our work. The slothful is brother to him that is a great waster, Pro. 18. 9. slothfulness is self-murdering; men die while they lie still and wish. It's a sin that famisheth soul and body, Prov. 21. 25. The desire of the slothful killeth him, because his hands refuse to labour. It's the common cause of beggary and want: and what comfort can you have under such afflictions which you bring upon your selves? If you want food or raiment, if your wives and children are in want, how can you think that God should take care of you and afford you relief, when you bring this on your selves by pleasing your flesh which is his enemy? If a Soldier get hurt by trucking with the enemy, he may rather look that his General should hang him than relieve him. And how should good men be moved to compassionate ⟨p. 185⟩you? If God do improveri•h you, and you come to want by innocency or a righteous cause, they must needs be ready to relieve you: But if Sloth, or Pride, or Gluttony, or Drunkenness bring you to it, till you repent, I see not how they should relieve you, at least any further than to keep you alive. For if you are set to please your flesh by idleness, must I join with you to please it by such supplies as shall cheri•• you in your sin? No, one flesh-pleaser is enough for one man! If you will please it either by Idleness or by Luxury your selves, expect not that others should please it by your relief, and make provision for your sin▪ If I may not make provision for my own flesh to satisfy its lusts, neither must I do it for another.
4. And by this means we rob our selves. We might be getting some good all the time that we are idle; or doubly advantage our selves, if sloth did not keep us company in our work. The slothful is brother to him that is a great waster, Pro. 18. 9. slothfulness is self-murdering; men die while they lie still and wish. It's a sin that famisheth soul and body, Prov. 21. 25. The desire of the slothful killeth him, because his hands refuse to labour. It's the common cause of beggery and want: and what comfort can you have under such afflictions which you bring upon your selves? If you want food or rayment, if your wives and children are in want, how can you think that God should take care of you and afford you relief, when you bring this on your selves by pleasing your flesh which is his enemy? If a Souldier get hurt by trucking with the enemy, he may rather look that his General should hang him than relieve him. And how should good men be moved to compassionate ⟨p. 185⟩you? If God do improveri•h you, and you come to want by innocency or a righteous cause, they must needs be ready to relieve you: But if Sloth, or Pride, or Gluttony, or Drunkenness bring you to it, till you repent, I see not how they should relieve you, at least any further than to keep you alive. For if you are set toplease your flesh by idleness, must I joyn with you to please it by such supplies as shall cheri•• you in your sin? No, one flesh-pleaser is enough for one man! If you will please it either by Idleness or by Luxury your selves, expect not that others should please it by your relief, and make provision for your sin▪ If I may not make provision for my own flesh to satisfie its lusts, neither must I do it for another.
