Fourthly, Let us improve with a wise and singular diligence the Talents committed to our Trust: for in that day we shall be responsible for all that we have received. All the Blessings we possess, whether natural, our Life, our Faculties, our Endowments, our Health and Strength; or Civil, Honour and Dignity, Riches and Reputation; or Spiritual, the Gospel in its Light and Power, the Graces and Assistance of the Holy Ghost, as they are Gifts from God's Love, so they are Talents to be employed for his Glory. We are Stewards, not Proprietaries: for the Supreme Lord does not relinquish his Right in our Blessings, that we may dispose of them at our own pleasure, ⟨p. 251⟩but hath prescribed Rules for our using them in order to his Glory, our own Good, and the Benefit of others. And 'tis sad to consider that usually those who enjoy the greatest Gifts, render the least Acknowledgements, and the most abundant in Favours are most barren in Thankfulness. Time, that unvaluable Treasure, that is due to God and the Soul, the Price of which arises from the Work of Salvation to be done in it, how is it squandered away? Conscience would blush at the serious reflection that every day so much is spent in the Business of the World, or Pleasures, and so little redeemed for Communion with the Holy God: that as in the Prophetic Dream the lean Kine devoured the Fat, so unconcerning Vanities take up that time that should be employed for our last and blessed End. While Time is miserably wasted, the Soul lies a bleeding to everlasting Death. More particularly, we shall be accountable for all the days of the Son of Man that we have seen, all the special Seasons of Grace: these we should improve for our Eternal Advantage, to prepare us for the Divine Presence above. But alas, the Lord's Day ⟨p. 252⟩that is consecrated for the immediate Service of God, and should be entirely spent in it, and in things that have a necessary subordination to it, yet neither the enforcement of Duty, nor incitations of Love prevail upon the most, conscientiously to employ it in spiritual Affairs. If they afford their presence at the Public Worship, 'tis thought enough; and, as if the rest of the Day was unsanctified Time, they waste it either in Complemental Visits, or Secular Business, in Recreations, or things impertinent to their Salvation.
Fourthly, Let us improve with a wise and singular diligence the Talents committed to our Trust: for in that day we shall be responsible for all that we have received. All the Blessings we possess, whether natural, our Life, our Faculties, our Endowments, our Health and Strength; or Civil, Honour and Dignity, Riches and Reputation; or Spiritual, the Gospel in its Light and Power, the Graces and Assistance of the Holy Ghost, as they are Gifts from God's Love, so they are Talents to be imployed for his Glory. We are Stewards, not Proprietaries: for the Supream Lord does not relinquish his Right in our Blessings, that we may dispose of them at our own pleasure, ⟨p. 251⟩but hath prescribed Rules for our using them in order to his Glory, our own Good, and the Benefit of others. And 'tis sad to consider that usually those who enjoy the greatest Gifts, render the least Acknowledgments, and the most abundant in Favours are most barren in Thankfulness. Time, that unvaluable Treasure, that is due to God and the Soul, the Price of which arises from the Work of Salvation to be done in it, how is it squander'd away? Conscience would blush at the serious reflection that every day so much is spent in the Business of the World, or Pleasures, and so little redeemed for Communion with the Holy God: that as in the Prophetick Dream the lean Kine devoured the Fat, so unconcerning Vanities take up that time that should be employed for our last and blessed End. While Time is miserably wasted, the Soul lies a bleeding to everlasting Death. More particularly, we shall be accountable for all the days of the Son of Man that we have seen, all the special Seasons of Grace: these we should improve for our Eternal Advantage, to prepare us for the Divine Presence above. But alas, the Lord's Day ⟨p. 252⟩that is consecrated for the immediate Service of God, and should be entirely spent in it, and in things that have a necessary subordination to it, yet neither the enforcement of Duty, nor incitations of Love prevail upon the most, conscienciously to imploy it in spiritual Affairs. If they afford their presence at the Publick Worship, 'tis thought enough; and, as if the rest of the Day was unsanctified Time, they waste it either in Complemental Visits, or Secular Business, in Recreations, or things impertinent to their Salvation.
