John Trapp on Proverbs 22:13

Verſ. 13. The ſloathful man ſaith, There is a Lion, &c.] The Lion is not ſo fiere as is painted, ſaith the Spaniſh Proverb; much leſs this ſluggards Lion, a meer fiction of his own brain to cover and colour over his idleneſs. Hee pretends two Lions for failing; firſt, Leo eſt Foris, There is a Lion abroad, or in the field (where his work lyes, Pſal. 104.23.) and another in the ſtreets: A likely matter, Lions haunt not in ſtreets, but in Woods and Wilderneſſes. Here is no talk of Satan that roaring Lion, that lyes couchant in the ſluggards bed with him, and prompts him to theſe ſenſeleſs excuſes. Not yet of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, who will one day ſend out ſummons for ſleepers, and tearing the very caul of their hearts in ſunder, ſend them packing to their place in hell, Matth. 10. But to hell never came any yet that had not ſome pretence for their coming thither. The fleſh never wants excuſes. Corrupt nature needs not bee taught to tell her own tale. Sin and ſhifting came into the world together; and as there is no wool ſo coarſe, but will take ſome colour: ſo no ſin ſo groſs, but admits of a defence. Sin and Satan are alike in this, they cannot abide to appear in their own likeneſs. Some deal with their ſouls as others deal with their bodies; when their beauty is decayed, they deſire to hide it from themſelves by falſe glaſſes, and from others by painting; ſo their ſins from themſelves by falſe gloſſes, and from others by idle excuſes.