I. The command to be diligent is plain. Rom. xii. 11. 2 Thess. iii. 10, 11.

II. See the miserable results of sloth.

1. It leads to tattling. 1 Tim. v. 13.

2. Decay. Eccles. x. 18.

3. Difficulties. Prov. xv. 19.

4. Waste. Prov. xviii. 9.

5. Want. Prov. xx. 4; xxiv. 30, 34.

III. Contrast excellent woman (Prov. xxxi. 27) with the slothful person. Prov. xix. 24; xxiv. 30; x. 26.

IV. Learn a lesson from the ant for yourselves—for your children. Prov. vi. 6, &c.

Give your children something to do.

Remember, they must be set to work, though it is often more trouble to you to teach them to do it, than to do it yourself—yet persevere.V. If not slothful in your temporal affairs, above all be not slothful concerning the salvation of your souls.

Heb. vi. 11, 12. 2 Pet. i. 10.