126 CHRISTIAN DILICFENCr. he moves heavily in his business, just as he doth upon his bed; like adoor upon its hinges, never gets forwards ; Prov. xxvi. 24. A beautiful simile indeed, nor is the description of the sluggard less elegant ; verse 2:. "When he bath hid his hand in his bosom, it grieves him to bring it to his mouth." And what poor work doth a christian make who is cold, indifferent, slothful and lazy inthe thingswhich concern his soul and salvation ? He makes a pretence to religion, but how poorly doth he proceed in it who bath no activity, no vigour no fervency therein ? Where he was last year, there he is now, or else gone farther backward : His sins are still as unmortified, his temptations still as powerful and prevailing, his hopes still as low, and his holiness as much interrupted as in years past : He was not fit 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 hi's faith bath scarce improved 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 neat that endures to everlasting life ; John vi. 27. Regard the advice of the blessed apostle ; Rom. xii. 11. Be ye not slothful in business, butfervent in spirit serv- ing the Lord. Permit me to ask the lazychristians ofour present age, " Is this an imitation ofancient saints, who laboured night and day to get nearer to heaven, and as it were took the king- dom of heaven by a holy violence ?" Let us bestir ourselves then and shake.off this lethargy of soul, this dull humour, let us call up all our natural and christian powers into exercise, and be no longer slothful, but followers of them who throughfaith and patience inherit thepromises ; Heb. vi. 11. 4. « True diligence implies also watchfulness, in opposition to a drowsy heedless temper, a thoughtless security of soul." We must be awake to seize all advantages for our work, as well as to guard against surprises and dangers. How dreadfully is the sluggard exposed to loss and ruin ? If the sailors sleep in their voyage, they run upon sands and rocks, and lose theirship and their lives. If a centinel sleep in his watch tower,the enemy gains considerable advantage, and seizes some post of import- ance, or enters the gates of the city. How often hath a whole army been surprised and routed, who lay secure in their camp, andkept no due watch ? We christians are soldiers under the banner of Christ, our enemies are many within and without ; our great adversary thedevil ismalicious and busy ; ifwe indulge secu- rity and drowsiness, he seizes every unguarded hour to wound, and defile, and distress our souls. Therefore the apostle Peter demands our watchfulness ; 1 Pet. v. S. Be sober, be vigilant; or
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