§. 3. As every work hath its season which must be taken, Eccles. 3. 1. So have the greatest works1 assigned us for God and our souls some special seasons besides our common time. 1. Some Times God hath fitted by Nature for his service. So the Time of Youth, and health, and strength is specially fit for holy work. 2. Some Time is made specially fit by Gods Institution; As the Lords Day above all other days. 3. Some Time is made fit by Governors appointment: as the hour of public Meeting for Gods Worship, and Lecture-days; and the hour for family-worship, which every Master of a family may appoint to his own household. 4. Some Time is made fit by the temper of mens Bodies; The Morning hours are best to most, and to some rather the Evening; and to all, the Time when the Body is freest from pain and disabling weaknesses. 5. Some Time is made fit by the course of our necessary natural or civil business; as the day is fitter than the sleeping time of the night, and as that hour is the fittest wherein our other employments will least disturb us. 6. Some Time is made fit by a special shower of Mercy public or private; as when we dwell in godly families, among the most exemplary helpful company, under the most lively excellent means, the faithfullest Pastors, the profitablest Teachers, the best Masters or Parents, and with faithful friends. 7. Some Time is made fit by particular acts of Providence: as a Funeral Sermon at the death of any near us; as the presence of some able Minister or private Christian, whose company we cannot ordinarily have: or a special leisure, as the Eunuch had to read the Scripture in his Chariot, Acts 8. 8. And some Time is made specially fit by the special workings of Gods Spirit upon the heart; when he more than ordinarily illuminateth, teacheth, quickeneth, softeneth, humbleth, comforteth, exciteth or confirmeth. As Time in general, so specially these seasons must be particularly improved for their several works: we must take the Wind and Tide while we may have it, and be sure to strike while the Iron is hot. 9. And some Time is made fit by others necessities and the call of God: As it is the Time to relieve the poor when they ask, or when they are most in want; or to help our neighbour when it will do him most good: to visit the sick, the imprisoned and afflicted in the needful season, Matth. 25.
§. 3. As every work hath its season which must be taken, Eccles. 3. 1. So have the greatest works1 assigned us for God and our souls some special seasons besides our common time. 1. Some Times God hath fitted by Nature for his service. So the Time of Youth, and health, and strength is specially fit for holy work. 2. Some Time is made specially fit by Gods Institution; As the Lords Day above all other dayes. 3. Some Time is made fit by Governours appointment: as the hour of publick Meeting for Gods Worship, and Lecture-dayes; and the hour for family-worship, which every Master of a family may appoint to his own houshold. 4. Some Time is made fit by the temper of mens Bodies; The Morning hours are best to most, and to some rather the Evening; and to all, the Time when the Body is freest from pain and disabling weaknesses. 5. Some Time is made fit by the course of our necessary natural or civil business; as the day is fitter than the sleeping time of the night, and as that hour is the fittest wherein our other imployments will least disturb us. 6. Some Time is made fit by a special showr of Mercy publick or private; as when we dwell in godly families, among the most exemplary helpful company, under the most lively excellent means, the faithfullest Pastors, the profitablest Teachers, the best Masters or Parents, and with faithful friends. 7. Some Time is made fit by particular acts of Providence: as a Funeral Sermon at the death of any near us; as the presence of some able Minister or private Christian, whose company we cannot ordinarily have: or a special leisure, as the Eunuch had to read the Scripture in his Chariot, Acts 8. 8. And some Time is made specially fit by the special workings of Gods Spirit upon the heart; when he more than ordinarily illuminateth, teacheth, quickneth, softneth, humbleth, comforteth, exciteth or confirmeth. As Time in general, so specially these seasons must be particularly improved for their several works: we must take the Wind and Tide while we may have it, and be sure to strike while the Iron is hot. 9. And some Time is made fit by others necessities and the call of God: As it is the Time to relieve the poor when they ask, or when they are most in want; or to help our neighbour when it will do him most good: to visit the sick, the imprisoned and afflicted in the needful season, Matth. 25.
- 1What are the special seasons of duty.
