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

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.

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 hainous Thievery.