The redemption of time, or a sermon

Now for your better direction in this saving thrift, and for the more full understanding of this point, and more easy practising of this needful duty, I purpose to stand some while in showing ⟨p. 11⟩these two things. First, from what time is to be redeemed. Secondly, what the time is which must be redeemed. For the first, we must understand, that there be five hucksters of time, very cormorants, and engrossers of this precious ware, which, betwixt them (for the most part) get up all the hours of mens lives, not suffering the soul to enjoy so much as an hour for it own use, upon the best occasion to benefit it self. These thieves, when I have told you their names. I will describe more at large. They be, first, vain sports. Secondly, vain speeches. Thirdly, immoderate sleeping or sluggishness. Fourthly, vain thoughts. Lastly, immoderate following of worldly business, and affairs, Play, Twattling, Sleeping, foolish thinking, excessive rooting in the earth. Now for these fond sports (amongst which I comprehend riotous feasting & belly-cheer, a companion of gaming for the most part, and also that tiffling, and womanish disease of curiousness in putting on apparel) for these, I say, it is easy to prove that they do eat up these good ⟨p. 12⟩hours, which otherwise would much enrich the soul of man. Solomon the wisest of mere men that lived since Adam, hath set it down as a sure rule (that never fails, scarce ever admits exception) That he which loves pastime shall be poor, ¹and he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich. If this saying be understood only of the body it is most true. For these things will make a man extremely needy in the midst of large possessions, and plenteous revenues. But if we apply it to the soul (as I see not cause why it may not be applied to both) it is most universally true. He that is so wedded to his pleasures, and besotted upon vain delights, as that the current of his life is carried that way, or else too great a part of the stream is turned thither; shall be destitute of understanding, shall have a naked, ragged, tottered, soul; and that comes because he hath not used his time well, by the right employment whereof he might have got wealth for his better part, I mean unto his mind and heart. A thread-bare heart needy of knowledge comes from a voluptuous ⟨p. 13⟩