§. Sect. 3 That God blesseth the diligent with many benefits.
Finally, let vs consider the manifold benefits wherewith God hath pro∣mised to blesse our labours, if we be painefull and diligent in the duties of our callings. And contrariwise, how much he abhorreth and condemneth sloth and idlenesse, punishing them that liue in it, with innumerable euils which he hath iustly caused to attend vpon it. Concerning the former, it may be a strong inducement to make vs diligent in our callings, if we con∣sider the benefits which accrew vpon it. For whereas euery one is ready to aske, Who will shew vs any good? and is easily drawne to any course by the * 1.1 golden chaine of gaine and aduantage, the Wiseman telleth vs first gene∣rally, that in all labour there is profit, whereas idle talking with the lips tendeth * 1.2 onely to penurie. And in many other places he setteth foorth more particu∣larly the manifold benefits that doe accompany it. For it exalteth to ho∣nour and authority, according to that, The hand of the diligent shall beare * 1.3 rule, but the slothfull shall be vnder tribute. And againe, Seest thou a man dili∣gent * 1.4 in his businesse? he shall stand before Kings, he shall not stand before meane men. It buildeth the house, and maketh and erecteth mansion places for themselues and their posterity. So saith Salomon, Prepare thy worke without, * 1.5 and make it fit for thy selfe in the field, and afterwards build thy house. Con∣trary to the practice of many in these times, who preferre building, and neglect husbandry, and take care to set vp faire houses, before they haue any land to lay vnto them; building themselues quite out of dores, and like fooles, making houses for wise men to dwell in. It is crowned by the Lord with riches and plenty; For he that tilleth the land, shall be satisfied with * 1.6 bread; and the hand of the diligent maketh rich. And whereas that which commeth lightly, is as idlely spent; that which is gotten by honest labour, is preserued and multiplied; according to the saying of the Wiseman, Wealth gotten by vanity, shall be diminished, but he that gathereth by labour, * 1.7 shall increase. It preserueth the body in health, which languisheth with idlenesse, maketh the meate pleasant by quickning the appetite, and the sleepe sweete; whereas the idle turne vpon the bed, as a dore vpon the * 1.8 hindges, and not being able to rest, because they haue not laboured, toyle themselues with too much ease, and are tired with tumbling, euen vpon their beds of downe, being iustly punished by God, with restlesse tossing and sweating in the night, because they would take no paines to serue him in the day. It affordeth comfortable and liberall meanes, not only for the maintenance of our selues and those that belong vnto vs, but also whereby we may be beneficiall vnto others that neede our helpe, and exercise our charity in the workes of mercy, and in relieuing the poore members of Ie∣sus Christ; which hee will richly reward and crowne with glory and * 1.9 happinesse at the day of Iudgement. For whereas the sluggard, whose hands refuse to labour, getteth nothing for himselfe to satisfie his desire, though hee coueteth greedily all the day long, the righteous that is diligent in the workes of his calling, hath not onely sufficient for his owne vse,