The Price that Time must be Redeemed with is, 1. Above all, by our utmost Diligence: That we be1 still doing, and put forth all our strength, and run as for our lives; and whatever our hand shall find to do, that we do it with our might, remembering that there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither we go, Eccl. 9. 10 Our sluggish ease is an easy price to be parted with for precious Time. To Redeem it, is not to call back Time past; nor to stop Time in its hasty passage; nor to procure a long life on earth: but to save it, as it passeth, from being devoured and lost, by sluggishness and sin. 2. Time must be Redeemed from the hands, and by the loss, of sinful pleasures, sports and revellings, and all that is of it self, or by accident unlawful: from wantonness, and licentiousness and vanity, Rom. 13. 11, 12, 13, 14. Both these are set together. [And that knowing the Time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed: The night is far spent; the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light: let us walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness; not in chambering and wantonness; not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.] 3. Time must be Redeemed from things indifferent and lawful at another time, when things necessary do require it. He that should save mens lives, or quench a fire in his house, or provide for his family, or do his Masters work, will not be excused if he neglect it, by saying that he was about an indifferent or a lawful business. Natural rest and sleep must be parted with for Time, when necessary things require it. Paul Preached till midnight being to depart on the morrow, Act. 20. 7. The Lamenting Church calling out for Prayer saith, Arise: cry out in the night, in the beginning of the watches pour out thy heart like water before the fac• of the Lord, Lam. 2. 19. Cleanthes Lamp must be used by such, whose Sun-light must be otherwise employed. 4. Time must be Redeemed from worldly business and commodity, when matters of greater weight and commodity do require it. Trades, and Plough, and profit must stand by, when God calls us (by necessity or otherwise) to greater things.
The Price that Time must be Redeemed with is, 1. Above all, by our utmost Diligence: That we be1 still doing, and put forth all our strength, and run as for our lives; and whatever our hand shall find to do, that we do it with our might, remembring that there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither we go, Eccl. 9. 10 Our sluggish ease is an easie price to be parted with for precious Time. To Redeem it, is not to call back Time past; nor to stop Time in its hasty passage; nor to procure a long life on earth: but to save it, as it passeth, from being devoured and lost, by sluggishness and sin. 2. Time must be Redeemed from the hands, and by the loss, of sinful pleasures, sports and revellings, and all that is of it self, or by accident unlawful: from wantonness, and licentiousness and vanity, Rom. 13. 11, 12, 13, 14. Both these are set together. [And that knowing the Time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed: The night is far spent; the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light: let us walk honestly as in the day, not in ryoting and drunkeness; not in chambering and wantonness; not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Iesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.] 3. Time must be Redeemed from things indifferent and lawful at another time, when things necessary do require it. He that should save mens lives, or quench a fire in his house, or provide for his family, or do his Masters work, will not be excused if he neglect it, by saying that he was about an indifferent or a lawful business. Natural rest and sleep must be parted with for Time, when necessary things require it. Paul Preached till midnight being to depart on the morrow, Act. 20. 7. The Lamenting Church calling out for Prayer saith, Arise: cry out in the night, in the beginning of the watches pour out thy heart like water before the fac• of the Lord, Lam. 2. 19. Cleanthes Lamp must be used by such, whose Sun-light must be otherwise employed. 4. Time must be Redeemed from worldly business and commodity, when matters of greater weight and commodity do require it. Trades, and Plow, and profit must stand by, when God calls us (by necessity or otherwise) to greater things.
- 1From what and at what price it must be Redeemed.
