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

7. Opportunity must be presently improved for the Soul, because it is embraced by all in Lowest concernments for the body. The Husbandman, the Merchant, the Lawyer, the Sea-man, they all mind their opportunity, their season. ⟨p. 97⟩Yea for the very cutting of Trees we observe our times. Yea the fittest seasons are embraced for sinful undertakings: the Thief observeth the removal of the Watch, the sleepiness of the inhabitant: the harlot like the Owl flieth abroad in the twilight: yea the Devil makes use of the shortness of his time to increase his rage. And shall opportunities for our Salvation be only neglected? what Christians only fools for our Souls? I have read a story in an old Author concerning a devout man, who, after the sun was some hours up, went to the Chamber door of an old Bishop, and the Bishop being asleep in his bed, the good man knocked at his door using these words, the Sparrows are awaked and a chirping, and is it fit for Bishops to be sleeping? and may not I rather say, the men of the world, persons of all employments, and trades, yea the sons of violence, they embrace their season, they are up betimes, and shall the people of God, shall Professors then be asleep, when these are awake and active?

7. Opportunity must be presently improved for the Soul, because it is embraced by all in Lowest concernments for the body. The Husbandman, the Merchant, the Lawyer, the Sea-man, they all mind their opportunity, their season. ⟨p. 97⟩Yea for the very cutting of Trees we observe our times. Yea the fittest seasons are imbraced for sinful undertakings: the Thief observeth the removal of the Watch, the sleepiness of the inhabitant: the harlot like the Owl flyeth abroad in the twilight: yea the Devil makes use of the shortness of his time to encrease his rage. And shall opportunities for our Salvation be only neglected? what Christians only fools for our Souls? I have read a story in an old Author concerning a devout man, who, after the sun was some hours up, went to the Chamber door of an old Bishop, and the Bishop being asleep in his bed, the good man knocked at his door using these words, the Sparrows are awaked and a chirping, and is it fit for Bishops to be sleeping? and may not I rather say, the men of the world, persons of all employments, and trades, yea the sons of violence, they imbrace their season, they are up betimes, and shall the people of God, shall Professors then be asleep, when these are awake and active?