CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

First, Idleness, Negligence, or Security; He that is idle in his outward Calling can never expect to increase in his Wealth, Poverty comes like an armed man upon such, and thus it is with him that is lazy in his spiritual Calling: As Solomon observeth of the Sluggard, He passed by and saw his Field full of Thorns and Briars; Thus it is with every one that liveth negligently, his whole life will immediately be filled with all kind of vice and folly. Want of Exercise doth breed Diseases in the body, and so neglect of spiritual Exercise doth consume the Soul, Idleness and further Sanctification can be no more consistent then light and darkness together.

First, Idlenesse, Negligence, or Security; He that is idle in his outward Calling can never expect to encrease in his Wealth, Poverty comes like an armed man upon such, and thus it is with him that is lazy in his spiritual Calling: As Solomon observeth of the Sluggard, He passed by and saw his Field full of Thorns and Briars; Thus it is with every one that liveth negligently, his whole life will immediatly be filled with all kinde of vice and folly. Want of Exercise doth breed Diseases in the body, and so neglect of spirituall Exercise doth consume the Soul, Idlenesse and further Sanctification can be no more consistent then light and darknesse together.

Secondly, Barrenness, This is the fruit of Idleness: As the Apostle saith, He that doth not work let him not eat, Let him starve if he will; This is also true here, He that will not labour in a spiritual manner, he shall not eat, he shall neither have more Grace, or more comfort, Barrenness in one that looketh to Heaven is a very heinous sin, Heb. 6.7. The Earth which drinketh in much rain, and yet is barren, is nigh to cursing; Did not our Saviour say to the Fig-Tree that had no fruit on it, Never fruit grow on thee more, Matth. 21.12. So that God punisheth barrenness with barrenness: It's thy sin to bear no fruit, and it shall be thy Curse; How severely was that unprofitable Servant dealt with, who though he did not embezzle his Masters Talent, yet because he hid it in a Napkin, and did not improve it, Therefore he is commanded to be cast into utter darkness,