A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

1. The First is this: The time of opportunity is that which we may easily let slip. It is tempus labile, a time that may easily slip between our fingers, especially in Spiritual concernments. It is needful therefore now, instantly, to lay hold upon it. Opportunity is hardly embraced. The learned Pharisees could not discern their opportunity by discerning the signs of Christ's coming, as you have it in Mat. 16. and the beginning. Nor could the Jews know their opportunity; it was hidden from their eyes, Luk. 19.42. Who is as the wise man? (saith Solomon in Eccl. 8.) that is, how rarely is the wise man to be found? Where is he to be found? But why so? The wise man (saith he) discerneth time and judgment, that is, he is able to judge when things are to be done; and therefore 'tis rare to find such a wise man. Embracing of opportunity is a wisdom that God alone must teach us, by considering the shortness of our time, to be so wise as to improve it, Psal. 90.12. And God concealeth the season, the nick, the juncture of time, wherein he will bestow Grace upon us; because he would have us always watchful, and dependent upon him, humble and serious in regarding every season. It is easy to know seasons for civil affairs, easy to know the season of a trade, to ⟨p. 95⟩sow, to reap, to buy, to sell; But in those affairs that concern our Souls it is hard to find out when they are to he performed. Opportunity is so very short and sudden, and men are so blinded with avocations, pleasures, prejudices and vain hopes, that sometimes these make the season of regarding their Souls appear too soon; sometimes they are so blinded with fear and discouragements, by dangers and difficulties, and seeming impossibilities, that they think it too late: So that indeed between sinful hope and fear it is hard to pitch upon the right season and nick of time for the saving of our Souls. In every business, but especially saving business, the most difficult part of the work is the due limiting of it. In our voyage to Heaven it is hard to save our tide: not one of a thousand, but lets it slip.