the Fruits of Wifdom: r5g gent maketh rich ; and, in his account, dill- S E R M. gence is a part of wifdom. He infifteth a VI. great deal in this book on the evil of floth, and particularly fheweth its tendency to po- verty ; which indeed is too plain both from reafon and experience to need any illuftra- tion; but at the fame time reprefenteth floth as folly, as in itfelf very finful, and direly contrary to what virtue would incline men to. It is the reproach of a reafonable na- ture, a neglett of the talents, the attive powers and opportunities God hath given, for our improvement of which we are ac- countable to him, and upbraided even by the brute kinds, which in their narrow? fpheres are induflrious to anfwer their pro- per ends of life. idly, Confidering men as in civil fociety, and having traffick and commerce with one another, mutual confidence is of great ad- vantage for their getting riches. As indu- ftry and the diligent improvement of the fubflance one bath in his hands, or his abi- lity, of whatever kind it is, is the only or- dinary means of becoming rich ; he who is tufted hath the advantage of improving up- on another's flock as if it were his own ; but what is it that procureth fuch credit i' Certainly the reputation of virtue, of juflice, honefty.
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