Against Idleness
Homily Against Idleness
Forasmuch as man, being not borne to ease and rest, but to labour and travail, is by corruption of nature through sin, so far degenerated and grown out of kind, that he taketh idleness to be no evil at all, but rather a commendable thing, seemly for those that be wealthy...
...and therefore is greedily embraced of most part of men, as agreeable to their sensual affection, and all labour and travail is diligently avoided, as a thing painful and repugnant to the pleasure of the flesh: It is necessary to be declared unto you, that by the ordinance of God, which he hath set in the nature of man, every one ought, in his lawful vocation and calling, to give himself to labour: and that idleness, being repugnant to the same ordinance, is a grievous sin, and also, for the great inconveniences and mischiefs which spring thereof, an intolerable evil: to the intent that when ye understand the same, ye may diligently flee from it, and on the other part earnestly apply yourselves, every man in his vocation, to honest labour and business, which as it is enjoined unto man by God’s appointment, so it wanteth not his manifold blessings and sundry benefits.
Almighty God, after that he had created man, put him into Paradise, that he might dress and keep it: But when he had transgressed God’s commandment, eating the fruit of the tree which was forbidden him, Almighty God forthwith did cast him out of Paradise into this woeful vale of misery, enjoining him to labour the ground (Gen 3) that he was taken out of, and to eat his bread in the sweat of his face all the days of his life. It is the appointment and will of God, that everyman, during the time of this mortal and transitory life, should give himself to such honest and godly exercise and labour, and every one follow his own business, & to walk uprightly in his own calling. Man (saith Job) is borne to labour (Job 5). And we are commanded by Jesus ben Sirach (Ecclus 7), not to hate painful works, neither husbandry, or other such mysteries of travail, which the Highest hath created. The wise man also exhorteth us to drink the waters of our own cistern (Prov 5), and of the rivers that run out of the midst of our own well: meaning thereby, that we should live of our own labours, and not devour the labours of other. St. Paul hearing that among the Thessalonians (2 Thess 3), there were certain that lived dissolutely and out of order, that is to say, which did not work, but were busybodies: not getting their own living with their own travail, but eating other men’s bread of free cost, did command the said Thessalonians, not only to withdraw themselves, and abstain from the familiar company of such inordinate persons, but also that if there were any such among them that would not labour, the same should not eat, nor have any living at other men’s hands. Which doctrine of Saint Paul (no doubt) is grounded upon the general ordinance of God, which is, that every man should labour; And therefore it is to be obeyed of all men, and no man can justly exempt himself from the same.
But when it is said, all men should labour: it is not so straitly meant, that all men should use handy labour. But as there be divers sorts of labours, some of the mind, and some of the body, and some of both: So every one (except by reason of age, debility of body, or want of health, he be unapt to labour at all) ought both for the getting of his own living honestly, and for to profit others, in some kind of labour to exercise himself, according as the vocation whereunto God hath called him shall require. So that whosoever doeth good to the common wealth and society of men with his industry and labour, whether it be by governing the common weal publicly, or by bearing public office or ministry, or by doing any common necessary affaires of his country, or by giving counsel, or by teaching and instructing others, or by what other means soever he be occupied, so that a profit and benefit redound thereof unto others, the same person is not to be accounted idle, though he work no bodily labour, nor is to be denied his living (if he attend his vocation) though he work not with his hands. Bodily labour is not required of them which by reason of their vocation and office are occupied in the labour of the mind, to the succour and help of others.
Saint Paul exhorteth Timothy (1 Tim 5) to eschew and refuse idle widows, which go about from house to house, because they are not only idle, but prattlers also, and busybodies, speaking things which are not comely. The Prophet Ezekiel (Ezek 16) declaring what the sins of the city of Sodom were, reckoneth idleness to be one of the principal. The sins (saith he) of Sodom were these, Pride, fullness of meat, abundance, and idleness: These things had Sodom and her daughters, meaning the cities subject to her. The horrible and strange kind of destruction of that city, and all the country about the same, (which was fire and brimstone raining from heaven) most manifestly declareth, what a grievous sin Idleness is, and ought to admonish us to flee from the same, and embrace honest and godly labour. But if we give ourselves to Idleness and sloth, to lurking and loitering, to wilful wandering, and wasteful spending, never settling our selves to honest labour, but living like drone bees by the labours of other men, then do we break the Lords Commandment, we go astray from our vocation, and incur the danger of God’s wrath and heavy displeasure, to our endless destruction, except by repentance we turn again unfeignedly unto God.
The inconveniences and mischief that come of idleness, as well to mans body, as to his soul, are more then can in short time be well rehearsed. Some we shall declare and open unto you, that by considering them, ye may the better with your selves gather the rest.
An idle hand (saith Solomon) maketh poor, but a quick labouring hand maketh rich (Prov 10). Again, he that tilleth his land, shall have plenteousness of bread, but he that floweth in idleness is a very fool, and shall have poverty enough (Prov 11.28). Again, A slothful body will not go to plough for cold of the winter, therefore shall he go a begging in summer, and have nothing (Prov 10). But what shall we need to stand much about the proving of this, that poverty followeth idleness? We have too much experience thereof (the thing is the more to be lamented) in this Realm. For a great part of the beggary that is among the poor, can be imputed to nothing so much, as to idleness, and to the negligence of parents, which do not bring up their children, either in good learning, honest labour, or some commendable occupation or trade, whereby when they come to age, they might get their living. Daily experience also teacheth, that nothing is more enemy or pernicious to the health of mans body, then is idleness, too much ease and sleep, and want of exercise.
But these and such like incommodities, albeit they be great and noisome, yet because they concern chiefly the body and external goods, they are not to be compared with the mischief and inconveniences, which through idleness happen to the soul, whereof we will recite some. Idleness is never alone, but hath always a long tail of other vices hanging on, which corrupt and infect the whole man, after such sort, that he is made at length nothing else but a lump of sin. Idleness (saith Jesus ben Sirach) bringeth much evil and mischief (Ecclus 33). Saint Bernard calleth it the mother of all evils, and step dame of all virtues, adding moreover, that it doeth prepare and (as it were) tread the way to hell fire. Where idleness is once received, there the devil is ready to set in his foot, and to plant all kind of wickedness and sin, to the everlasting destruction of mans soul. Which thing to be most true, we are plainly taught in the 13th chapter of Matthew, where it is said, that the enemy came while men were asleep, and sowed naughty tares among the good wheat. In very deed the best time that the devil can have to work his feat, is when men be asleep, that is to say, idle: Then is he most busy in his work, then doeth he soonest catch men in the snare of perdition, then doeth he fill them with all iniquity, to bring them (without God’s special favour) unto utter destruction. Hereof we have two notable examples, most lively set before our eyes. The one in king David, who tarrying at home idly (as the Scripture saith) at such times as other Kings go forth to battle, was quickly seduced of Satan to forsake the Lord his God, and to commit two grievous and abominable sins in his sight: adultery, and murder (2 Sam 6).
The plagues that ensued these offences were horrible and grievous, as it may easily appear to them that will read the story. Another example of Sampson (Jdg 16), who so long as he warred with the Philistines, enemies to the people of God, could never be taken or overcome: But after that he gave himself to ease and idleness, he not only committed fornication with the strumpet Delilah, but also was taken of his enemies, and had his eyes miserably put out, was put in prison, and compelled to grind in a Mill, and at length was made the laughing stock of his enemies. If these two, who were so excellent men, so well beloved of God, so endued with singular and divine gifts, the one namely of prophesy, and the other of strength, and such men as never could by vexation, labour, or trouble, be overcome, were overthrown and fell into grievous sins, by giving themselves for a short time to ease and idleness, and so consequently incurred miserable plagues at the hands of God: what sin, what mischief, what inconvenience and plague is not to be feared, of them which all their life long give themselves wholly to idleness and ease? Let us not deceive our selves, thinking little hurt to come of doing nothing: For it is a true saying, When one doeth nothing, he learneth to doe evil. Let us therefore always be doing of some honest work, that the devil may find us occupied. He himself is ever occupied, never idle, but walketh continually seeking to devour us. Let us resist him with our diligent watching, in labour, and in well doing. For he that diligently exerciseth himself in honest business, is not easily caught in the devil’s snare. When man through idleness, or for default of some honest occupation or trade to live upon, is brought to poverty, and want of things necessary, we see how easily such a man is induced for his gain, to lie, to practise how he may deceive his neighbour, to forswear himself, to bear false witness, and oftentimes to steal and murder, or to use some other ungodly mean to live withal. Whereby not only his good name, honest reputation, and a good conscience, yea his life is utterly lost, but also the great displeasure and wrath of God, with divers and sundry grievous plagues, are procured. Lo here the end of the idle and sluggish bodies, whose hands cannot away with honest labour: loss of name, fame, reputation, and life, here in this world, and without the great mercy of God, the purchasing of everlasting destruction in the world to come. Have not all men then good cause to beware and take heed of idleness, seeing they that embrace and follow it, have commonly of their pleasant idleness, sharp and sour displeasures? Doubtless good and godly men, weighing the great and manifold harms that come by idleness to a Commonwealth, have from time to time provided with all diligence, that sharp and severe laws might be made for the correction and amendment of this evil. The Egyptians had a law, that every man should weekly bring his name to the chief rulers of the Province, and there withal declare what trade of life he used, to the intent that idleness might be worthily punished, and diligent labour duly rewarded (Herodotus). The Athenians did chastise sluggish and slothful people, no less then they did heinous and grievous offenders, considering (as the truth is) that idleness causeth much mischief. The Areopagites called every man to a strait account how he lived: And if they found any loiterers that did not profit the commonwealth by one means or other, they were driven out, and banished, as unprofitable members, that did only hurt and corrupt the body. And in this Realm of England, good and godly laws have been divers times made, that no idle vagabonds and loitering renegades, should be suffered to go from Town to Town, from Place to Place, without punishment, which neither serve God nor their Prince, but devour the sweet fruits of other men’s labour, being common liars, drunkards, swearers, thieves, whore masters, and murderers, refusing all honest labour, and give themselves to nothing else, but to invent and do mischief, whereof they are more desirous and greedy, then is any lion of his pray. To remedy this inconvenience, let all parents and others, which have the care and governance of youth so bring them up either in good learning, labour, or some honest occupation or trade, whereby they may be able in time to come, not only to sustain themselves competently, but also to relieve and supply the necessity and want of others. And Saint Paul saith, Let him that hath stolen, steal no more, and he that hath deceived others, or used unlawful ways to get his living, leave off the same, and labour rather, working with his hands that thing which is good, that he may have that which is necessary for himself, and also be able to give unto others that stand in need of his help (Eph 4). The Prophet David thinketh him happy that liveth upon his labour, saying (Ps 128), When thou eatest the labours of thine hands, happy art thou, and well is thee. This happiness or blessing consisteth in these and suchlike points.
First it is the gift of God (as Salomon saith) when one eateth and drinketh, and receiveth good of his labour (Ecl 3). Secondly, when one liveth of his own labour (so it be honest and good) he liveth of it with a good conscience: and an upright conscience is a treasure inestimable. Thirdly, he ateth his bread not with brawling and chiding, but with peace and quietness: when he quietly laboureth for the same, according to Saint Paul’s admonition. Fourthly, he is no mans bondman for his meat sake, nor needeth not for that, to hang upon the good will of other men: but so liveth of his own, that he is able to give part to others. And to conclude, the labouring man and his family, whiles they are busily occupied in their labour, be free from many temptations and occasions of sin, which they that live in idleness are subject unto. And here ought Artificers and labouring men, who be at wages for their work and labour, to consider their conscience to God, and their duty to their neighbour, lest they abuse their time in idleness, so defrauding them which be at charge both with great wages, and dear commons. They be worse then idle men indeed, for that they seek to have wages for their loitering. It is less danger to God to be idle for no gain, then by idleness to win out to their neighbours purses wages for that which is not deserved. It is true that Almighty God is angry with such as doe defraud the hired man of his wages: the cry of that injury ascendeth up to God’s ear for vengeance. And as true it is, that the hired man, who useth deceit in his labour, is a thief before God. Let no man (saith St. Paul to the Thessalonians ch 4) subtly beguile his brother, let him not defraud him in his business: For the Lord is a revenger of such deceits. Whereupon he that will have a good conscience to God, that labouring man, I say, which dependeth wholly upon God’s benediction, ministering all things sufficient for his living, let him vie his time in a faithful labour, and when his labour by sickness or other misfortune doeth cease, yet let him think for that in his health he served God and his neighbour truly, he shall not want in time of necessity. God upon respect of his fidelity in health, will recompense his indigence, to move the hearts of good men, to relieve such decayed men in sickness. Where otherwise, whatsoever is gotten by idleness shall have no means to help in time of need. Let the labouring man therefore eschew for his part this vice of idleness and deceit, remembering that Saint Paul exhorteth every man (Eph 4) to layaway all deceit, dissimulation and lying, and to use truth and plainness to his neighbour, because (saith he) we be members together in one body, under one head Christ our Saviour. And here might be charged the serving men of this Realm, who spend their time in much idleness of life, nothing regarding the opportunity of their time, forgetting how service is no heritage, how age will creep upon them: where wisdom were they should expend their idle time in some good business, whereby they might increase in knowledge, and so the more worthy to be ready for every man’s service. It is a great rebuke to them, that they study not either to write faire, to keep a book of account, to study the tongues, and so to get wisdom and knowledge in such books and works, as be now plentifully set out in print of all manner of languages, Let young men consider the precious value of their time, and waste it not in idleness, in jollity, in gaming, in banqueting, in ruffians’ company. Youth is but vanity, and must be accounted for before God. How merry and glad soever thou be in thy youth, O young man (saith the Preacher - Ecl 11) how glad soever thy heart be in thy young days, how fast and freely soever thou follow the ways of thine own heart, and the lust of thine own eyes, yet be thou sure that God shall bring thee into judgement for all these things. God of his mercy put it into the hearts and minds of all them that have the sword of punishment in their hands, or have families under their governance, to labour to redress this great enormity, of all such as live idly and unprofitably in the commonwealth, to the great dishonour of God, and the grievous plague of his silly people. To leave sin unpunished, and to neglect the good bringing up of youth, is nothing else but to kindle the Lords wrath against us, and to heap plagues upon our own heads. As long as the adulterous people were suffered to live licentiously without reformation: so long did the plague continue and increase in Israel, as ye may see in the book of Numbers (ch 25).
But when due correction was done upon them, the Lords anger was straight way pacified, and the plague ceased. Let all officers therefore look straitly to their charge. Let all masters of households reform this abuse in their families, let them use the authority that God hath given them, let them not maintain vagabonds and idle persons, but deliver the Realm and their households from such noisome loiterers, that idleness, the mother of all mischief, being clean taken away, Almighty God may turn his dreadful anger away from us, and confirm the covenant of peace upon us, for ever, through the merits of Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour, to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end, AMEN.
In what points the true ornaments of the Church or Temple of God do consist and stand, hath been declared in the two last Homilies, entreating of the right use of the Temple or house of God, and of the due reverence that all true Christian people are bound to give unto the same.
Almighty GOD, to the intent his most holy Name should be had in honour, and evermore be magnified of the people, commandeth that no man should take his Name vainly in his mouth, threatening punishment unto him that irreverently abuseth it by swearing, forswearing, andblasphemy. To the intent therefore that this commandment may be the better known and kept, it shall bee declared unto you, both how it is lawful for Christian people to swear, and also what peril and danger it is vainly to swear, or to be forsworn.
Unto a Christian man, there can be nothing either more necessary or profitable, than the knowledge of Holy Scripture; forasmuch as in it is contained God’s true word, setting forth his glory, and also man’s duty. And there is no truth nor doctrine, necessary for our justification and everlasting salvation, but that is, or may be, drawn out of that fountain and well of truth. Therefore, as many as be desirous to enter into the right and perfect way unto God, must apply their minds to know Holy Scripture; without the which, they can neither sufficiently known God and his will, neither their office and duty. And as drink is pleasant to them that be dry, and meat to them that be hungry; so is the reading, hearing, searching, and studying of Holy Scripture, to them that be desirous to know God, or themselves, and to do his will. And their stomachs only do loathe and abhor the heavenly knowledge and food of God’s word, that be so drowned in worldly vanities, that they neither saviour God, nor any godliness: for that is the cause why they desire such vanities, rather than the true knowledge of God. As they that are sick of an ague, whatsoever they eat and drink, though it be never so pleasant, yet it is as bitter to them as wormwood; not for the bitterness of the meat, but for the corrupt and bitter humour that is in their own tongue and mouth; even is the sweetness of God’s word bitter, not of itself, but only unto them that have their minds corrupted with long custom of sin and love of this world.
Of all things that be good to be taught unto Christian people, there is nothing more necessary to be spoken of, and daily called upon, then charity: as well for that all manner of works of righteousness be contained in it, as also that the decay thereof is the ruin or fall of the world, the banishment of virtue, and the cause of all vice. And for so much as almost every man, maketh and frameth to himself charity after his own appetite, and how detestable soever his life be, both unto God and man, yet he persuadeth himself still that he hath charity: therefore you shall hear now a true and plain description or setting forth of charity, not of men’s imagination, but of the very words and example of our Saviour Jesus Christ. In which description or setting forth, every man (as it were in a glass) may consider himself, and see plainly without error, whether he be in the true charity, or not.
Among all the creatures that God made in the beginning of the world most excellent and wonderful in their kind, there was none (as the Scripture beareth witness) to be compared almost in any point unto man, who as well in body and soul exceeded all other no less, then the Sun in brightness and light exceedeth every small and little star in the firmament. He was made according to the image and similitude of God, he was endued with all kind of heavenly gifts, he had no spot of uncleanness in him, he was found and perfect in all parts, both outwardly and inwardly, his reason was incorrupt, his understanding was pure and good, his will was obedient and godly, he was made altogether like unto God, in righteousness, in holiness, in wisdom, in truth, to be short in all kind of perfection.
In the last Sermon was declared unto you, what the lively and true faith of a Christian man is, that it causeth not a man to be idle, but to be occupied in bringing forth good works, as occasion serveth.
Of our going from God, the wise man saith, that pride was the first beginning: for by it mans heart was turned from God his maker. For pride (saith he) is the fountain of all sin: he that hath it, shall be full of cursings, and at the end it shall overthrow him. (Ecclus 10) And as by pride and sin we go from God, so shall God and all goodness with him go from us. And the Prophet Hosea doth plainly affirm (Hos 5), that they which go a way still from God by vicious living, and yet would go about to pacify him otherwise by sacrifice, and entertain him thereby, they labour in vain. For, notwithstanding all their sacrifice, yet he goeth still away from them. For so much (saith the Prophet) as they do not apply their minds to return to God, although they go about with whole flocks and herds to seek the Lord, yet they shall not find him: for he is gone away from them.
A Sermon of the Misery of all Mankind and of his Condemnation to Death Everlasting, by his own Sin.
Because all men be sinners and offenders against God, and breakers of his law and commandments, therefore can no man by his own acts, works, and deeds (seem they never so good) be justified, and made righteous before God: but every man of necessity is constrained to seek for another righteousness or justification, to be received at God’s own hands, that is to say, the forgiveness of his sins and trespasses, in such things as he hath offended. And this justification or righteousness, which we so receive of God’s mercy and Christ’s merits. embraced by faith, is taken, accepted and allowed of God, for our perfect and full justification.