Tropes and Figures, Treatise 1 · Head 8 · Part 31 · Subpart 2
Wicked Men Sluggards.
Prov. 6.9. How long wilt thou ſleep, O Sluggard? when wilt thou ariſe out of thy Sleep?
HOw long wilt thou ſleep? Sleep is taken variouſly in the holy Scripture.
1. For the binding or cloſing up the Senſes, to give the Body Reſt: The ſame Night Peter was ſleeping between two Souldiers, Acts 12.26. This is a natural Sleep.
2. 'Tis taken Metaphorically,
(1.) For Death. Hence 'tis ſaid, David, after he had ſerved his Generation according to the Will of God, he fell aſleep. For now ſhall I ſleep in the Duſt, and thou ſhalt ſeek me in the Morning, &c. Job 7.21. This is a mortal Sleep.
(2.) For a dead or ſenſeleſs State in Sin, i. e. Sin ruling and over-ruling in Mens Hearts before Converſion. Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and ariſe from the Dead, and Chriſt ſhall give thee Life. Eph. 5.14. This is a ſpiritual Sleep.
(3.) For a drouzy and ſlothful Frame of Heart, which often attends the Godly: I ſleep, but my Heart waketh. Cant. 5.2.
(Thou Sluggard,) or ſlothful Perſon. There is a threefold Sluggard:
1. One that is idle, loving Eaſe and bodily Reſt, neglecting his worldly Concerns. I went by the Field of the Slothful, &c. Prov. 24.30.
2. One that is ſpiritually idle, wholly careleſs and negligent of his Soul, and the great Concernments thereof: The Sluggard ſaith, there is a Lion in the Way.
3. One that hath been formerly awakened in a ſpiritual Sence, and is fallen into a cold, drouzy, and negligent State again.
I ſhall run the Parallel with reſpect had principally to that Deſcription Solomon gives of a Sluggard.
| Simile. | Parallel. |
| A Sluggard is a Perſon that makes Excuſes: The ſlothful Man ſaith, Prov. 22.13. There is a Lion without, I ſhall be ſlain in the Street. | SO the Sinner, or ſpiritual Sluggard, hath many Excuſes; If I ſhould ariſe, ſaith he, and follow Chriſt, I ſhall ſuffer in my Name, be reproached, ſuffer in my Eſtate; nay, it may come to paſs, ſaith he, that ſuch as are religious indeed may be put to Death. There are many Romiſh Lions without, perſecuting and devouring Beaſts of Prey, that I fear will flie upon me in the Street; and hence he reſolves to keep himſelf in a whole Skin. |
| II. A Sluggard (Solomon ſaith) is like a Door that turneth upon its Hinges:Prov. 26.14. As a Door turneth upon its Hinges; ſo doth the ſlothful Man upon his Bed. | II. So a Sinner, or ſpiritual Sluggard, ſeems to move this way, and that way: He reads God's Word, and hears Sermons, and perhaps prays too, but ſtill is where he was; he is not renewed in his inward Man, no Change hath paſſed upon him; he is one that loveth his Luſts: this and the other Sin, and is not taken off of his old Hinges; he is ſtill in the State of fallen Man, not taken off of the old Root, and tranſplanted into Chriſt. |
| III. The Sluggard is a Man of Deſires, but not of Endeavours. The Sluggard deſireth, Prov. 13.4 and hath nothing; but the Soul of the Diligent ſhall be made fat; compared with Prov. 22.25. The Deſire of the Sluggard killeth him, becauſe his Hands refuſe to work. | III. So the Wicked Man, or ſpiritual Sluggard, is full of Deſires; he with Balaam deſires to die the Death of the Righteous, he deſires to be ſaved,Numb. 23.10. and hath many faint Deſires to be forgiven; he cries out ſometimes (when Conſcience flies in his Face, and rebukes him) God forgive me, the Lord help me, &c. but never ſtrives with all his Might againſt his Sin, and the Temptations of the Devll: hence his Deſires are ſaid to ſlay him. Deſires without Endeavours will deceive the Soul, nay, eternally ruin and damn the Soul. What avails it a Man that is hungry, to wiſh for Bread, when he never labours for it?Prov. 10.… 2 Pet. 1.5, 10. The Promiſe runs to the diligent and induſtrious Perſon; he ſhall be fed, but the Sluggard ſhall ſuffer Hunger, and pine away. |
| IV. The Sluggard neglects his Vineyard, and lets his Field run all over with Nettles and Weeds. I went by the Field of the Slothful, P…ov. 24.30, 31. by the Vineyard of the Man void of Ʋnderstanding, and lo, it was all grown over with Thorns, and Nettles had covered the Face thereof, and the Stone Wall thereof was broken down. | IV. So the Sinner, or ſpiritual Sluggard, neglects his Soul, and the Souls of his Family: tho he provides for the Body, and takes care what he and his ſhall have to eat, and what to put on; yet his Soul, and the Souls of ſuch as are about him, are neglected; nothing but Weeds and Corruption grow there; Sin and filthy Luſt predominate, Pride, Paſſion,Jam. 3.16. Covetouſneſs, and every evil Work. |
| V. The Way of the Sluggard ſeems to be barr'd or hedg'd up, that he cannot go on, he cannot find the Path.Prov. 15.19. The Way of the ſlothful Man is a Hedg of Thorns; but the Way of the Righteous is plain. | V. So the Sinner's Way, is as it were, hedged up: For like as a Hedg obſtructs or hinders a Man ſometimes in his Way, that he cannot paſs along; ſo the Wicked by one Temptation, Obſtruction, or another, are hindred from going on in the Ways of God. Perhaps the Snares that attend their Trade, are as a Hedg to them; or the Fear of diſpleaſing a Father, or Uncle, or ſome other Relation, leſt they ſhould be left out of their Will, or diſpoſſeſſed of an Eſtate; or a Landlord, or ſome great Man or Neighbour, by whom they may poſſibly have their Livelihood, may be as a Hedg or Bar to obſtruct them in their following of Chriſt; and by this means is the ſpiritual Sluggard diſcouraged. |
| VI. The Sluggard doth not enjoy the Good that is in his hand: The ſlothful Man roaſteth not that which he took in hunting; Prov. 12.27. that is, when he hath got Food, he doth not prepare it, nor make it meet to be received, nor feed upon it. | VI. So the ſpiritual Sluggard doth not enjoy the heavenly good Things that ſeem to be in his hand:Prov. 17.16 Wherefore is there a Price in the hand of a Fool to get Wiſdom, ſeeing he hath no Heart to it? Some Men hunt (as it were) after Knowledg; go from one Place to another, will hear this worthy Miniſter, and that worthy Miniſter, and at laſt when they have found the Veniſon, (I mean, come to underſtand the Will of God) they do not ſubject to it: they know what the Threatning is, but fear it not; and know what the Precept is, but obey it not; and know what the Promiſe is, and yet believe and apply it not. And thus they roaſt not that which they have taken in hunting; they feed not upon the Word; they are forgetful Hearers, and not Doers of the Word, Jam 1.22. and thereby deceive their own Souls. |
| VII. The Sluggard is one that loves not to encounter with Difficulties; he cannot abide to think of enduring a little Hardſhip. The Sluggard will not plow by reaſon of the Cold. Prov. 20 4 | VII. The Spiritual Sluggard loves his Eaſe. If Religion cannot be owned, profeſſed, and ſtuck to, unleſs a Man offer ſome Force (as it were) unto himſelf, and expoſe the Fleſh to ſome Hardſhips, he preſently grows weary of it. He cannot in the Morning go to Prayer, becauſe his worldly Buſineſs calls for him, or perhaps 'tis cold, or he is indiſpoſed, &c. And perhaps he cannot pray at Night, becauſe it doth not agree with the Fleſh; the Body is weary, and would fain go to Bed. And he cannot go to Church to hear the Word of God, becauſe the Wind blows, or it rains; or he hath wearied himſelf the day before, and ſo cannot riſe early enough; or it is a great Way, and the Ways are bad, &c. Yet he knows in his Conſcience, that if there were but a good Bargain to be bought, or ſome worldly Advantage to be had, tho it were not above the Value of half Five Pound, all theſe Obſtructions would be nothing. But perhaps ſome Sluggards may get over theſe things; and yet if there lie other Difficulties in the Way, they cannot hold the Plough of the Goſpel; if there is a Blaſt of Perſecution feared, he knows not how to encounter with that. And thus the Sluggard diſcourages himſelf. |
| VIII. The Sluggard, tho he is ſo ſlothful, as to hide his hand in his Boſom, and is grieved to bring it again to his Mouth, yet he is wiſe in his own Eyes.Prov. 26.16. The Sluggard is wiſer in his own Conceit, than ſeven Men that can render a Reaſon. | VIII. So the ſpiritual Sluggard, tho he is monſtrous idle, prays as if he prayed not, and reads as if it were a Burthen to him, and hears the Word with no delight, his Heart is aſleep, and perhaps his Eyes too; yet he is very wiſe in his own Conceit. Notwithſtanding he is ſuch a poor, carnal, worldly Wretch, he hath high Thoughts of himſelf, and cries out, when reproved, I know as much as you; mind your own Matters; every Tub ſhall ſtand upon its own Bottom; why do you trouble your ſelf with me? Thus every Man is right in his own Eyes, but the Lord pondereth the Heart. Prov. 21.2 |
| IX. The Sluggard is a Man that ſeems to deſire but a little time, and then he will awake: Yet a little Sleep, yet a little Slumber, yet a little folding of the hands to ſleep, &c. As much as if he ſhould ſay, Let me alone yet a little, I will ſleep but a little longer; let me have a little more Sleep, &c. | IX. So the ſpiritual Sluggard ſeems alſo to deſire but a little time to gratify his Fleſh, and pleaſe his ſenſual Appetite, to walk in ways of Vanity, and ſin againſt God. I will (ſaith an ungodly Perſon) repent, or 'tis my purpoſe to reform my Ways; but let me alone a little longer, 'tis time enough yet. 'Tis a great while to Day, ſaith the Sluggard, when one comes to awake him early in the Morning: ſo ſaith the Sinner, 'Tis a great while before Chriſt will come, or before old Age and Death will come; in his Heart therefore he is reſolved to continue in his evil and ungodly Courſes a little longer: Yet a little Sleep, yet a little Slumber, yet a little folding of the Hands to ſleep. Pray obſerve, how ſweet Sleep ſeems to be to a Sluggard; ſo the Ways of Sin and Vanity ſeem ſweet to an unconverted Man: And as hard Labour is grievous to ſuch a Perſon; ſo is Godlineſs (I mean ſtrict and real Godlineſs, Godlineſs in the Power of it) to an unſanctified Heart. |
| X. Laſtly; A Sluggard cannot abide to be diſturbed: O let me lie, let me ſleep; what ado you make! is the Voice of a ſlothful Man. | X. A Sinner, or ſpiritual Sluggard, cannot endure to be diſturbed; the Thoughts of Death are to him like the Hand-writing on the Wall;Dan. 5. he loves not that Conſcience ſhould call upon him to awake him, nor Miniſters; nor any Friends he hath; nay, ſuch as would, or do ſtrive to rouſe a Sinner, are the unwelcomeſt People in the World to him. Repent! repent! what ado is here, ſaith the graceleſs Soul, can you not let me alone? pray do not trouble me. You know who ſent away Paul, being unwilling to hear any more at that time. |
Inferences.
THis ſhews what a ſad and dangerous Condition Sinners are in; they are not only aſleep, but in a dead Sleep, and know not how near eternal Ruine they are.
II. We ſhall endeavour therefore to awaken the Sinner out of his deep Sleep.
1. Sinner, God calls aloud upon thee: Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and ariſe from the Dead. How long wilt thou ſleep, O Sluggard?
2. God hath called not only loud, but long upon you. Conſider what Danger you expoſe your Souls unto; you put an Opportunity into the Devil's hands to deſtroy you. How eaſy is it for a weak Enemy to deſtroy a mighty Champion, when he is aſleep? Jael, a Woman, ſoon deſtroyed Siſera when he was aſleep.
3. May I not ſay, Sinner, the Philiſtines are upon thee, and thy Soul is in danger of being made a Prey for ever?
4. Many ways hath God uſed to awaken thee: He hath employed his Miniſters, he hath ſet Conſcience on work, he hath brought forth many dreadful Judgments, and all to awaken thee; and ſhall all Means fail and be inſufficient?
5. Thou loſeſt many choice Bleſſings by lying thus aſleep in thy Sin.
6. There is Grace offered you, Pardon offered you, Peace offered you; and will not this ſtir you up? Nay, more than all, Chriſt is offered you, Heaven offered you, a Kingdom, and Crown of endleſs Glory is offered you: Soul, rouſe up, and look about, conſider the Opportunity that is now in your hands; will not Life and Light, Pardon and Peace, God and Chriſt, Heaven and Happineſs, do you much Good?
Prov. 6 8, 97. 'Tis Harveſt-Time. Go to the Ant, thou Sluggard, conſider her Ways, and be wiſe. She provideth her Meat in the Summer, and gathereth her Food in the Harveſt. And ſhall ſuch a ſmall and contemptible Animal be wiſer than you?
8. The Harveſt will ſoon be gone, the Day of Grace be over, and then it will be too late.Jer. 8.20. The Harveſt is paſt, the Summer ended, and we are not ſaved.
9. If you will not ſow now becauſe it is cold, you are like to begin Harveſt, and have nothing, viz. at the End of the World; and then you will ſay, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he will ſay, Verily, verily I know you not, depart from me, ye Workers of Iniquity.
10. Let me tell thee, thou art juſt ready to drop into Hell, thou ſleepeſt in a dangerous Place; awake, Sinner, or thou art damned. If thy Houſe were all on fire, and thy Neighbours ſhould not cry out to thee to ſave thy ſelf, thou wouldeſt conclude they were without all Bowels of Humanity: Sinner, this is thy Condition, thy Soul is on a flame; ſee what Sin, that evil Spark, hath done; I can do no leſs than cry out, Fire, Fire; wilt thou ſleep, and be burnt for ever? The Lord awaken thee.
III. Let Saints bleſs God they are awakened out of their ſleepy State.
IV. Let not Satan, this World, nor any other Enemy lull you aſleep again. Let us not ſleep, as do others. Chriſtians are ſubject to fall into a ſpiritual Drouzineſs; ſee Mat. 25.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. O cry therefore with David, Lord, open thou mine Eyes, leſt I ſleep the Sleep of Death.
Queſt. Some may ſay, From whence doth it ariſe, that the Saints are ſo ſubject to be overtaken with ſpiritual Drouzineſs?
Anſw. 1. From the Weakneſs and Dulneſs of the Fleſh: The Spirit indeed is willing, but the Fleſh is weak.
2. By being ſlothful, negligent, and out of Employment, when we grow indifferent and careleſs, and neglect our Work, neglect Prayer, Reading and Hearing God's Word,Prov. 19.15. no marvel if we ſoon fall aſleep: Slothfulneſs caſteth into a deep Sleep.
3. By being amongſt ſleepy Folks: This is apt to make a wakeful Perſon in a little time drowſy, and ſubject to nod too; a ſleepy Family, a ſleepy Church, a ſleepy Miniſtry, uſually hath bad effects upon this account upon a Spiritual Chriſtian, therefore prize a Soul-awakening Miniſtry.
4. By means of long watching, Whilſt the Bridegroom tarried, they all ſlumbered and ſlept.
5. A black, dark, and gloomy Day is ſubject to cauſe one to grow drowſy, as moſt men can experience.
6. By an Apprehenſion 'tis a long while to day, time enough, ſaith the Sluggard, to ariſe. Men think of living long, and that it will be a great while before the Lord comes, &c.