The Bibles Abstract and Epitome, Part 68 – Part 69
Gods Justice Idlenesse punished.
IDlenesse may be called the Lethargie of the Soul, being a lazie dejecture of the whole man, from the laudable exercise of Vertue, for that in a manner he becomes sencelesse, but in truth altogether unprofitable: From which sinne, there springeth prot…action, remission, negligence, improvidence, indevotion, sluggishnesse, pusillani…itie, irresolution, misprision, and desperation with omission, &c. It being the n…st and root of many vices, as we may see by the example of David, 2 Sā. 11. & 12. Syr. …2. 2.who first by that sin espied Bathsheba, afterwards thereby was moved to make Ʋriah her husband drunke, and so proceeded till he had caused him to be murthered.
Through Idlenesse
Eutichus, forgetting himself being asleep, fell down dead.Act. 20. 9.
Hevah, spending time with the serpent, was deceived.Gen. 3.
Adam, hearkning to Hevahs perswasion, condescended.
Dinah, wandring among the Shech…mites, was ravished.Gen. 34.
David beholding Bathsheba, his concupiscence was kindled.2 Sam. 11.
Iudah wandring in the fields, lay with Thamar unadvisedly.Gen. 38.
Iobs children banquetting together, were with the fall of a house slain.Iob 1.
Ishmael deriding Isaac, was cast out from Abraham.Gen. 21.
Lots daughters made their father drunke, and lay with him.Gen. 19.
Jerusalem became desolate that said in the pride of her heart, I am.Zeph. 2. 15.
Michal b…holding David dancing before the Ark, mocked him.2 Sam. 6.
The man receiving one talent of his Master hid the same.Matth. 2….
The old world seeing mens daughters faire, took of what liked them.Gen. 6.
The people of Laish being secure, were by the Danites overcome.Iudg. 18.
Potiphars wife tempted Ioseph again and again to folly.Gen. 3….
The Prodigall consuming his estate, was punished with penury.Luk. 15.
The rich man bid his soul take ease, that night it was taken from him.Luk. 1….
Samson lay with Delilab at his eyes and lifes loosing.Iudg. 16.
Reuben lay with his fathers Concubine, thereby lost his dignitie.Gen. 49.
The Sodomites were haughtie, till they were with fire consumed.Gen. 19.
Tares were sowen by the enemie (saith Christ) in the field.Matth. 13.
Virgins five of ten had forgotten to take oile with them.Matth. 25.
Women go about from house to house (saith Paul) pratling.1 Tim. 5. 1….
The World Was found by the Angel of God to be at rest, for which theJudg. …8. …. Sidonians.
The World Lord was angry with thē, who being but a little angry for the
The World carelesnesse of them, they helped forward their own affliction▪Zech. 1. 1…, 15.
Salomon took himself wives of many outlandish women.1 King. 11.
Idlenesse
Slayeth the foolish▪ and maketh poore: for where no oxen are, the crib isProv. 1. 32. emp…ie▪ that bringeth under tribute, decayeth buildings, so as the houseChap. 23. 21. droppeth thorow: Impoverisheth both soul and body, the soul of spirituallChap. …0. 4. Graces, the body of externall goods: captivating and bringingChap. 10. 4, 18. under the tyrannies of worldly and spirituall enemies: Wo… then isChap. 12. …4. to him that is at ease (saith the Prophet Amos.)Amos 6. 1.
The idle Person
Is destitute of understanding, being wise in his own conceit, andProv. 12. therefore shall be under tribute: he lusteth, and hath not enough:Prov. 26. 16. His desire killeth him: he eateth his own flesh, his soule suffers hunger▪Eccl. 4. 5. his way is a hedge of thornes, his clothes are rags. A lion, saithCha. 19. 15. …e, is in the way, he shall be slain. A little sleepe, and a little slumberCha. 23. 21. (saith he) so his povertie cometh on, that he shall beg in Summer.Pro. 1…. 19. & 22. 12 & 24. 31. & 20. 4. He is the brother of a waster: His hands refuse to labour: whereby his fields are growne with thornes and nettles, so that he slayethCha 19. 9. himselfe (as the wise man saith;) And is the authour of his owneChap. 21. 25. death, being a Felon de se.Eccl. 4. 5.
To avoide Idlenesse:
1. Goe to the Ant, consider her wayes and be wise, who having no guide, overseer,Prov. 6. 6. or ruler, provideth her meat in the Summer, and gathereth her food in the time of Harvest.Chap. 14. 4.
2. Remember that much encrease is by the strength of an Oxe, and that the kingEccl. 5. 9. himself is served by the field, in that by tilling the land, there is plentie of bread.Prov. …8. 19.
3. Forget not Saint Pauls saying, that he that would not work should not eat: and2 Thes. 3. 10. to move thee to work, think on Christs saying, It is more blessed to give, then to Act. 20. 35.receive.
4. Call to minde Adam, who in his innocencie was commanded to dresse theGen. …. garden: So likewise Cain the heire of the whole world was commanded to tillChap. 4. the ground: yea, Salomon a rich king, yet commanded by David to be doing:2 Chron. 22. 16. And Christ being both God and man, was brought up with a Carpenter, labouring being subject to him.
5. Remember Salomons saying, Wealth gotten by vanitie shall be diminished: but he Prov. 13. 11.that gathereth by labour, shall increase.
Use.
Let every man hereby learn to live in some Calling, which all godly ones have done.
Reade Prov. 14. 23 Chap. 18. 9. Ezek. 34. 1. 1 Tim 5. 13 Zech. 1. 11. 2 Pet. 1. 8.
Labour in Callings is an enemie to Idlenesse.
EVery man is bound to live in a lawfull Calling, and that in a two-fold Calling:Prov. 10. 4. The one generall, the other a particular:Chap. 20. 7.
1. The generall is that whereby we are called to be Christians, and in thisChap. 21. 5. 1 Cor. 7. 17. & 10. …. Phil. 1. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 5. C…lling we are to doe good to all men by teaching, admonishing, exhorting, and by Godly life, walking in Faith, Hope, and Repentance, with newnesse of life, &c.
2. The particular is that whereby men are called to some estate of life in theLev. 10. 35. Familie, Church, or Common-weale, in which according to their severall conditions1 Thes. 4. 16. of Calling, every man must doe the best good he can in his place, avoidingProv. 3. 19. slothfulnesse, unfaithfulnesse, …ashnesse, perturbation, temptations of worldlinesse,Zech. 7. 10. &c. and so live honestly without scandall, justly without deceit, and peaceablyHeb. 12. 4. without strife.
Adam Was A Tiller of the groundGen. 3.
Abel Was A Keeper of sheep.Gen. 4.
Abraham Was A Prophet.Gen. …0.
Aaron Was A High Priest.Exod▪ 40.
Amos Was A Herdsman.Amos 1.
Anna Was A Prophetesse.Luk. ….
Andrew Was A Fisherman.Matth. 9.
Aquila Was A Tent-maker.Act. 18.
Aholiab Was A Workers inExo. 38. 23
…ezaleel Was A gold & silver.Exod. …5.
Cornelius Was A C…ntu…ion.Act. 10.
Daniel Was A Prince of PrincesDan. 6.
Esau Was A Hunter.Gen. 25.
The Eunuch Was A Lord Treasurer.Act. 8.
Elisha Was A Flow-man.… Kin. 19.
Gideon Was A Th…esher.Iudg. 6.
Iacob Was A Servant to LabanGen. 30.
Ioseph Was A Ruler in Egypt.Gen. 41.
Ioshua Was A C…ptain.Iosh. 1.
Iabal Was A Tent-maker.Gen. 4.
Iu…al Was A Player on the Harp.Gen. 4. …0.
Ishmael Was A Archer.Gen. 21.
Ioseph Was A Carpenter.Matth. 13.
Iames Was A Fisherman.Matth. 9.
Iohn Was A Fisherman.Luk. 15.
Kain Was A Tiller of the ground.Gen. 4.
Lydia Was A Seller of Purple.Act. …6.
Moses Was A Statesman.Exod. 18.
Miriam Was A Prophetesse.Exod. 15.
M…tthew Was A Customer.Matth. 9.
Noab Was A Husbandman.Gen. 9.
Nehemiah Was A Magistrate.Nehem. 1.
Nich…demus Was A Ruler in Israel.Iohn 3.
Obad…ah Was A Governour.1 King. 18.
Paul Was A Tent-maker.Act. 18.
Peter Was A Fisherman.Matth. 4.
Rachel Was A Keeper of sheep.Gen. …9.
Ruth Was A Gleaner of corn.…uth ….
Samson Was A Nazarite.Iudg▪ 13.
Simeon Was A Devout man.Luk. ….
T…bal-Cain Was A Worker in brasseGen. 4.
David & Was A Kings and2 Sam. 1.
Salomon Was A Prophets.1 King▪ 11.
Patri…rchs Was A Keepers of sheep.Gen. …7.
Heb. women Was A Spinsters.Exod. 35.
Sarah & Naomi Was A Nurses of theirGen. 21. own children.Ruth 4.
Let every man abide in the same Vocation wherein he is called: Let himEph. 4. 1, 2. that hath an Office wait on his office, that teacheth on teaching: Let him that1 Cor. 7. 17, 20. ruleth doe it with diligence: Let servants obey in all things, not with eye-service,Col. 3. 22. but in singlenesse of heart, &c.
Abhorre that which is evill in all thy actions, doe that which is good.Rom. 12. 9.