A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

2. When Persons are generally uncompliant with such outward means as they cannot but acknowledge do contain warning from this, and Invitation unto another frame. So the Spouse acknowledgeth, that it was the Voice of her beloved that knocked, saying, Open to me my Spouse, my Love, my Dove, my undefiled, for my Head is filled with with dew, and my Locks with the drops of the night, Can. 5. 2. Both the Voice, and the Love, and the long waiting of Christ were manifest unto her, and she complies not with him but makes her excuses, ver. 2, 3. And the sloth of Persons will be reckoned in proportion unto the means of diligence which they do enjoy. Some may not be sleepy, worldly, careless, slothful at as cheap a rate of Guilt as others, though it be great in all.

3. When Persons are as it were glad of such occasions as may justify and satisfy their minds in the omissions of Duties or opportunities for them. This casts off the Duty prescribed unto us, Heb. 12. 1. which yet is indispensably necessary unto the ⟨p. 125⟩attaining of the end of our Faith. When men will not only readily embrace occasions offered unto them to divert them from Duty, but will be apt to seek out and invent shifts, whereby they may, as they suppose, be excused from it, which corrupt nature is exceedingly prone unto, they are under the power of this vicious habit. Especially is this so, when men are apt to approve of such Reasons to this end, which being examined by the Rules of Duty, with the tenders of the Love of Christ, are lighter than vanity. So it is added of the slothful Person, who hides his hand in his bosom; that he is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason, Prov. 26 15, 16. He pleaseth himself with his foolish pretences for his sloth, above all the reasons that can be given him to the contrary. And such is the reason pleaded by the Spouse when overtaken with this frame for a season,