10 Lastly, make not an occupation of any recreation. The longest use of pleasure is but short: but the pains of pleasure abused are eternal. Use therefore lawful recreation, so far forth,1 as it makes thee the fitter in body and mind,2 to do more cheerfully the service of God, and the duties of thy calling. 3Thy work is great, thy time is but short. And he who will recompense every man according to his works, standeth at the door. Think how much work is behind, how slow thou hast wrought in the time which is past, and what a reckoning thou shouldest make, if thy Master should call thee this day to thine accounts. ⟨p. 396⟩Be therefore careful hence-forth, to make the most advantage of thy short time that remains, as a man would of an old Lease that were near expiring: and when thou disposest to recreate thy self, remember how small a time is allotted for thy life: and that therefore much of that, is not to be consumed, in idleness, sports, plays, and toyish vanities: seeing the whole is but a short while, though it be all spent in doing the best good that thou canst: for, a man was not created for sports, plays, and recreation: but zealously to serve GOD in Religion, and conscionably to serve his neighbour in his vocation, and by both to ascertain himself ⟨p. 397⟩of eternal salvation. Esteem therefore the loss of *time, one of the greatest losses. Redeem it carefully, to spend it wisely: that when that time cometh, that thou mayest be no longer a steward on earth; thy Master may welcome thee, with an Euge bone serve, and give thee a better in Heaven, where thou shalt joyfully enjoy thy Masters joys for evermore.
10 Lastly, make not an occupation of any recreation. The longest vse of pleasure is but short: but the paines of pleasure abused are eternall. Vse therefore lawfull recreation, so farre forth,1 as it makes thee the fitter in body and minde,2 to doe more chearefully the seruice of God, and the duties of thy calling. 3Thy worke is great, thy time is but short. And hee who will recompence euery man according to his workes, standeth at the doore. Thinke how much worke is behinde, how slow thou hast vvrought in the time which is past, and what a reckoning thou shouldest make, if thy Master should call thee this day to thine accounts. ⟨p. 396⟩Be therefore carefull hence-forth, to make the most aduantage of thy short time that remaines, as a man vvould of an olde Lease that were neere expiring: and when thou disposest to recreate thy selfe, remember how small a time is allotted for thy life: and that therefore much of that, is not to be consumed, in idlenesse, sports, playes, and toyish vanities: seeing the whole is but a short while, though it be all spent in doing the best good that thou canst: for, a man was not created for sports, playes, and recreation: but zealously to serue GOD in Religion, and conscionably to serue his neighbour in his vocation, and by both to acertaine himselfe ⟨p. 397⟩of eternall saluation. Esteeme therefore the losse of *time, one of the greatest losses. Redeeme it carefully, to spend it wisely: that when that time commeth, that thou maiest be no longer a steward on earth; thy Master may welcome thee, with an Euge bone serue, and giue thee a better in Heauen, where thou shalt ioyfully enioy thy Masters ioyes for euermore.
- 1Prou. 21.17.
- 2Phil. 4.8.
- 3Vita brevis opusque multū, operarii pigri, & urget Pater familius. Rabbin. Apotheg. Apoc. 22.12 James 5.9.Vita breuis opusque multū, operarii pigri, & vrget Pater familius. Rabbin. Apotheg. Apoc. 22.12 Iames 5.9.
- *Nihil est aliud temp••s quam vita, quam unusquisque tantum, see amare profitetur, quam rei nullus magis sit prodigus quam temporis. Eph. 5.16. Luke 16.2. Mat. 25.21.Nihil est aliud temp••s quam vita, quam vnusquisque tantum, se amare profitetur, quam rei nullus magis sit prodigus quam temporis. Eph. 5.16. Luke 16.2. Mat. 25.21.
