SERM. VIII.) WITH THE $LESSINLS DP IT. 121 'miah's builders on the walls of Jerusalem," with a wea- ,.pon in one hand, while they laboured with the other ;" Neh. iv. 17. and thus their work went on with good .suc- cess and safety. 4. Diligence is always making a progress towards its designed end, but the slothful man is in great danger of going backward. The gardener who neglects his daily work, will find the ground which he hath cultivated over-run with weeds again in a little time. If .a water- man who rows against the stream be slothful and drowsy, his vessel will make no progress, hut be carriêd backward continually : So if a labourer hearkens to the inticements of drowsy nature, and learns this slothful language, " A little moresleep, a little more slumber, poverty will. conic upon him as an awned man ;" Prov. xxiv. 33, 34. and rob him of all his gains. Negligent, and unwatchful and lazy christians, will for the most part lose what they have gained in the things of religion too : Tito apostle John in his second epistle, ver. 8. guards against it. Take heed that ye lose not the things which,ye. have wrought, hut that ye receive a full reward." How many..have lost -their first zeal, their first love, and their early joys. in re- ligion, by a sinful security of soul, and for want of a. due concern togrow in grace. It is growth in religion that -evidences the truth of it, and secures the cornforts of it. 5. The diligent christian is a most useful person in the world, he does the most. good himself, and becomes an excellent example toll that are round about him. Ho lays the 'sluggard under continual conviction, and puts him to daily shame, if he have any of his senses awake to see, or feel, or take notice. Such a christian animates -and encourages all that are near him to the same dili- gence, as firekindles fire, and spreads the blaze far an.d near. Active and lively christians make one anóther's hearts warm in religion, and help :to ,diffuse the sacred fire röúrd about. The zealous ; servants of the blessed God, give credit .!arid honour to their profession but what a shameful thing is it, toseesome christians idle and careless in the duties . of their daily calling, and. slothful and lazy in their practice of religion too ? The truth is, they do not make religion their practice, but a mere mat- ter of talk and-'soùncl ; ;rid- while they refuse to labour in the station where God has placed them, . they disgraço
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=