A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster

1. Slothfulness doth contradict the very end of our creation and preservation, and the frame of our nature; and so provoketh God to cut us off and cast us as useless into the fire. Who dare so wrong the wisdom of God, as to say or think that he made us to do nothing! If a man make an house, it is to dwell in; if he make a watch, it is to tell him the hour of the day, and every thing is for its proper use: And is man made to be idle? what man, that is the noblest inferior creature, and an active creature, fitted for work, and the highest work! shall he be idle? Justly may God then hew him down as a dead and withered tree, and suffer him no more to cumber his ground.

2. Slothfulness is a sin that loseth the precious gifts of God. Our faculties and our members are his gifts and talents, which he hath committed to us to use for his service; so are our goods and all that we have: and shall we hide them in a napkin, or idly neglect to use them? O what abundance of excellent mercies lie useless and idle, because you are idle that should use them? Every hour that you lose in idleness, what noble faculties, and large provisions are all laid by? As much as in you lieth, you make the whole creation to be, and work in vain. Why should the Sun shine an hour or minute for you in vain? Why should the Earth bear you an hour in vain? why should the springs and rivers run for you an hour in vain? why should the air refresh you an hour in vain? why should your pulse beat one stroke in vain? or your lungs once breathe a breath in vain? shall all be at work for you ⟨p. 184⟩to further your work, and will you think that idleness is no sin?

3. Moreover, Laziness and sloth is a sin that loseth you much precious time. All the time is lost that you are idle in. Yea when you are at work, if you do it slothfully, you are losing much of your time. A diligent person will go further, and do more in an hour than the lazy flesh-pleaser will do in two. When the slothful is praying, or reading, and working in his calling, he is but losing half his time, which diligence would redeem. And is our time so ort and precious, and yet is idleness an excusable sin? what, loiter so near night! so near eternity, when we have but a little time to work! O work while it is day, for the night is coming when none can work. Were it but for this, that sloth doth steal so much of our time, I must think it no better than an heinous Thievery.