Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.   Preached on Sunday afternoon 14 September 1767 This maxim is general acknowledged and verified in temporal things. It is equally true though less regarded in spirituals. This character is frequent where the Gospel is know – here is mention made of desires, which imply a certain kind and measure of knowledge. The preaching of the Gospel awakens desires – but in too many desires that languish – sufficient to give pain, to disturb them, but too faint to press forward to the accomplishment.   The slothful may desire: 1. Pardon of sin For sin appears to be a dreadful thing, and keeps many in bondage for they know they are concerned. 2. Communion with God The privilege of this may appear, from what is said of it – and from what is observed of his people who are favoured with it. 3. Heaven As a state of happiness, yea as a state of holiness, it may raise desires in some who are sadly slack. What pity such desires should be ineffectual – but if slothful they are so.   The Lord who has appointed us to eat bread with labour, has commanded us to work out our salvation. An indolent spirit is much to be feared.   It shows itself in: 1. a love of ease – Proverbs 6:10 [1] 2. a fear of difficulty – Proverbs 22:13 [2] 3. vain excuses – Matthew 25:16[18?] [3]   And the effects are: 1. neglect of the means 2. or formality in their use 3. a want of watchfulness 4. a sinking into the cares and spirit of the world   Hence he desireth and hath nothing. 1. His present state described Proverbs 24:30 [4]   1.1 the fence broken down   1.2 the garden full of weeds 2. the future state – Proverbs 20:4. [5] There is beside present privilege, a harvest to come. Alas shall any miss both through sloth.   But for your encouragement – It is said The soul of the diligent shall be made fat. See that you use the right means, continue in them – and you shall find frequent and everlasting blessings. Endnotes:    [1] Proverbs 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: [2] Proverbs 22:13  The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. [3] Matthew 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. [vv24-25 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.] [4] Proverbs 24:30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; [v31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.] [5] Proverbs 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. Acknowledgements: Cowper & Newton Museum, John Newton's sermon notebook No. 43