I went by the Field of the Slothful, 1by the Vineyard of the Man void of Understanding, and lo, it was all grown over with Thorns, and Nettles had covered the Face thereof, and the Stone Wall thereof was broken down. | IV. So the Sinner, or spiritual Sluggard, neglects his Soul, and the Souls of his Family: tho he provides for the Body, and takes care what he and his shall have to eat, and what to put on; yet his Soul, and the Souls of such as are about him, are neglected; nothing but Weeds and Corruption grow there; Sin and filthy Lust predominate, Pride, Passion,2 Covetousness, and every evil Work.
V. The Way of the Sluggard seems to be barred or hedged up, that he cannot go on, he cannot find the Path.3 The Way of the slothful Man is a Hedge of Thorns; but the Way of the Righteous is plain. | V. So the Sinner's Way, is as it were, hedged up: For like as a Hedge obstructs or hinders a Man sometimes in his Way, that he cannot pass along; so the Wicked by one Temptation, Obstruction, or another, are hindered from going on in the Ways of God. Perhaps the Snares that attend their Trade, are as a Hedge to them; or the Fear of displeasing a Father, or Uncle, or some other Relation, lest they should be left out of their Will, or dispossessed of an Estate; or a Landlord, or some great Man or Neighbour, by whom they may possibly have their Livelihood, may be as a Hedge or Bar to obstruct them in their following of Christ; and by this means is the spiritual Sluggard discouraged.
VI. The Sluggard doth not enjoy the Good that is in his hand: The slothful Man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; 4that is, when he hath got Food, he doth not prepare it, nor make it meet to be received, nor feed upon it. | VI. So the spiritual Sluggard doth not enjoy the heavenly good Things that seem to be in his hand:5 Wherefore is there a Price in the hand of a Fool to get Wisdom, seeing he hath no Heart to it? Some Men hunt (as it were) after Knowledge; go from one Place to another, will hear this worthy Minister, and that worthy Minister, and at last when they have found the Venison, (I mean, come to understand the Will of God) they do not subject to it: they know what the Threatening is, but fear it not; and know what the Precept is, but obey it not; and know what the Promise is, and yet believe and apply it not. And thus they roast not that which they have taken in hunting;
I went by the Field of the Slothful, 1by the Vineyard of the Man void of Ʋnderstanding, and lo, it was all grown over with Thorns, and Nettles had covered the Face thereof, and the Stone Wall thereof was broken down. | IV. So the Sinner, or spiritual Sluggard, neglects his Soul, and the Souls of his Family: tho he provides for the Body, and takes care what he and his shall have to eat, and what to put on; yet his Soul, and the Souls of such as are about him, are neglected; nothing but Weeds and Corruption grow there; Sin and filthy Lust predominate, Pride, Passion,2 Covetousness, and every evil Work.
V. The Way of the Sluggard seems to be barr'd or hedg'd up, that he cannot go on, he cannot find the Path.3 The Way of the slothful Man is a Hedg of Thorns; but the Way of the Righteous is plain. | V. So the Sinner's Way, is as it were, hedged up: For like as a Hedg obstructs or hinders a Man sometimes in his Way, that he cannot pass along; so the Wicked by one Temptation, Obstruction, or another, are hindred from going on in the Ways of God. Perhaps the Snares that attend their Trade, are as a Hedg to them; or the Fear of displeasing a Father, or Uncle, or some other Relation, lest they should be left out of their Will, or dispossessed of an Estate; or a Landlord, or some great Man or Neighbour, by whom they may possibly have their Livelihood, may be as a Hedg or Bar to obstruct them in their following of Christ; and by this means is the spiritual Sluggard discouraged.
VI. The Sluggard doth not enjoy the Good that is in his hand: The slothful Man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; 4that is, when he hath got Food, he doth not prepare it, nor make it meet to be received, nor feed upon it. | VI. So the spiritual Sluggard doth not enjoy the heavenly good Things that seem to be in his hand:5 Wherefore is there a Price in the hand of a Fool to get Wisdom, seeing he hath no Heart to it? Some Men hunt (as it were) after Knowledg; go from one Place to another, will hear this worthy Minister, and that worthy Minister, and at last when they have found the Venison, (I mean, come to understand the Will of God) they do not subject to it: they know what the Threatning is, but fear it not; and know what the Precept is, but obey it not; and know what the Promise is, and yet believe and apply it not. And thus they roast not that which they have taken in hunting;
- 1Prov. 24.30, 31.P•ov. 24.30, 31.
- 2Jam. 3.16.
- 3Prov. 15.19.
- 4Prov. 12.27.
- 5Prov. 17.16
