A26892:2195
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 1 › Chapter 5 › The Directions contemplative for Redeeming Time.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 16. Direct. 9. Consider also how unrecoverable Time is when its past. Take it now or its lost for1 ever. All the men on earth, with all their power, and all their wit, are not able to recall one minute that is gone: All the riches in this world cannot redeem it, by reversing one of those hours or moments, which you so prodigally cast away for nothing. If you would cry and call after it till you tear your hearts, it will not return. Many a thousand have tried this by sad experience, and have cried out too late, O that we had now that Time again which we made so light of! But none of them did ever attain their wish! No more will you. Take it therefore while you have it: It is now as liberal to the poorest beggar as to the greatest Prince! Time is as much yours as his. Though in your youth and folly you spend as out of the full heap, as if Time would never have an end, you shall find it is not like the widows oil, or the loaves and fishes multiplied by a Miracle: But the hour is at hand, when you will wish you had gathered the fragments and the smallest crumbs, that nothing of so precious a commodity had been lost; even the little minutes, which you thought you might neglect and be no losers. Try whether you can stop the present moment, or recall that which is gone by already, before you vilify or loiter away any more; lest you repent too late.
§. 16. Direct. 9. Consider also how unrecoverable Time is when its past. Take it now or its lost for1 ever. All the men on earth, with all their power, and all their wit, are not able to recall one minute that is gone: All the riches in this world cannot redeem it, by reversing one of those hours or moments, which you so prodigally cast away for nothing. If you would cry and call after it till you tear your hearts, it will not return. Many a thousand have tryed this by sad experience, and have cryed out too late, O that we had now that Time again which we made so light of! But none of them did ever attain their wish! No more will you. Take it therefore while you have it: It is now as liberal to the poorest beggar as to the greatest Prince! Time is as much yours as his. Though in your youth and folly you spend as out of the full heap, as if Time would never have an end, you shall find it is not like the widdows oyl, or the loaves and fishes multiplyed by a Miracle: But the hour is at hand, when you will wish you had gathered the fragments and the smallest crums, that nothing of so precious a commodity had been lost; even the little minutes, which you thought you might neglect and be no losers. Try whether you can stop the present moment, or recall that which is gone by already, before you vilifie or loiter away any more; lest you repent too late.