A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

We come now to consider how a man is guilty in wronging his own estate (for there is a skill and dexterity in the managing the unrighteous Mammon) which we consider two ways; 1. As he wrongeth and diminisheth his estate by not providently caring for its preservation and increase, or improvement, when he is not frugal, or not so frugal as he ought to be, but lazy and slothful, he becometh guilty of the breach of this Command, because he incapacitateth himself for being useful to others, and putteth himself in hazard of poverty and want, which is the proper snare of this sin of stealing, and disposeth for it, Prov. 30.9. This poverty ⟨p. 411⟩which is so ensnaring, is brought on 1. By sinful spending and debauching away of our estate and time, as the Prodigal did, Luke 15.11. &c. 2. By unnecessary waste in prodigality and lavishness, such as (though unjustly) Judas condemned in the woman, spoken of John 12.5. For much spending must have much to uphold it, and must have many ways to furnish it self according to the Proverb most ordinarily verified, Omnis Prodigus est avarus, every Prodigal man is greedy or covetous, to satisfy one lust he exerciseth another; however, he being but a steward of what he possesseth, he by his prodigality, not only interverteth from the right end what means God hath given him to be otherwise disposed of, but also draweth upon himself poverty. 3. By negligence, laziness, carelessness, &c. in a lawful calling (for they that are given to sleep, or idleness, shall come to poverty, as the Wise man saith) or being without a calling altogether. When God giveth men ability of body or mind, it is sad that they should be useful for nothing, nor active in any thing but to sin, and be snares and reproaches unto Christians and Christian Religion, as all idle persons, bearing the name of Christians, are, whoever they be, whether Gentlemen or others. It is observable, that both before the fall, and after the fall, God put that task of working in mans hand, commanding him to labour: many other such foolish ways there are whereby a man cometh unto poverty, and becometh guilty of not providing for himself, or his family:

We come novv to consider hovv a man is guilty in vvronging his ovvn estate (for there is a skill and dexterity in the managing the unrighteous Mammon) vvhich vve consider tvvo vvayes; 1. As he vvrongeth and diminisheth his estate by not providently caring for its preservation and increase, or improvement, vvhen he is not frugal, or not so frugal as he ought to be, but lazie and sloathful, he becometh guilty of the breach of this Command, because he incapacitateth himself for being useful to others, and putteth himself in hazard of poverty and vvant, vvhich is the proper snare of this sin of stealing, and disposeth for it,