t1Ó CIHRISTIAN DILIGENCE, ts$RM. Viii. .s- haste to the practice of it. -Upon the first conviction of sin let us apply ourselves inntnediately to God for par- dòuing and sanctifying grace : Let us return to Our duty With early diligence' like David, " As soon as thou saidst, Seek ye my face, my heart replied; Thy face will I seek. I made haste and delayed not to keep thy com- niandments;" Ps. xxvii. 8. and cxix. 60. 3. " Diligence implies activity and vigour, in opposi- tion to sloth and laziness; langóur and indifference." It is not lazy wishes that will performwork or obtain a bles- sing. The sluggard desireth and bath nothing; Prov>. xüí. 4. therefore the wise man advises ; Ec. ix. 10. " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to dö, do it with all thy might:" Then it is likely to be finished in properSeason; but the slothful s-vretch makes no riddance Of his work, he moves heavily in his business, just as he cloth upon his bed, " like a door upon its hinges," and never gets forwards ; Prov. xxvi. 14. A beautiful simile indeed, nor is the description of the sluggard less- elegant; versé 15. " When he hath hid his hand in his bosom, it grieves him to bring it. tohis mouth." And what poor work Both a Christian make Who i4 Cold, indifferent; slothful and lazy in the things which concern his soul and salvation ? He makes a pretence to religion, but how poorly dotli he proceed in it who hath no activity, no vigour, no fervency therein? Where he was last year, there he is now, or else gone farther back- ward: I-lis sins are still as unmortified, his temptations still as powerful and prevailing, his hopes still as lòw, and his holiness as much interrupted- as in years past : He was not to appear before God then, and he is no fitter now : He was then in terror at the thoughts of- dying, and he is still in the same terror. The slothful Christian upon examination finds his faith hath scarce Unproved one grain, he is no nearer salvation than when at first he believed. Is this the obedience we owe to the command of Christ ? Luke xiii. 24. " Strive to enter in at the strait gate, labour for the meat that en- dures to everlasting life;" John vi. 27. Regard the ad vice of the blessed apostle; Rom. xii. 11. " I3e ye not £lothfhl in business, but fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Permit me to ask the lazy Christians of our pre - dent age, `! Is this an imitation of ancient saints, who
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