See here the evil of slothfulness and the love of ease. 1. It keeps men
from the most necessary business, from ploughing and sowing when the
season is: The sluggard has ground to occupy, and has ability for it;
he can plough, but he will not; some excuse or other he has to shift it
off, but the true reason is that it is cold weather. Though ploughing
time is not in the depth of winter, it is in the borders of winter,
when he thinks it too cold for him to be abroad. Those are scandalously
sluggish who, in the way of their business, cannot find in their hearts
to undergo so little toil as that of ploughing and so little hardship
as that of a cold blast. Thus careless are many in the affairs of their
souls; a trifling difficulty will frighten them from the most important
duty; but good soldiers must endure hardness. 2. Thereby it deprives
them of the most necessary supports: Those that will not plough in
seed-time cannot expect to reap in harvest; and therefore they must beg
their bread with astonishment when the diligent are bringing home their
sheaves with joy. He that will not submit to the labour of ploughing
must submit to the shame of begging. They shall beg in harvest, and yet
have nothing; no, not then when there is great plenty. Though it may be
charity to relieve sluggards, yet a man may, in justice, not relieve
them; they deserve to be left to starve. Those that would not provide
oil in their vessels begged when the bridegroom came, and were denied.