A Christian Directory

I know they that are so much worse than childish, as prodigally to cast away so many hours in making themselves fine for the sight of men, and be not ashamed to come forth and show their sin to others, will scarce want words to excuse their crime, and prove it lawful, (be they sense or non-sense). But conscience it self shall answer all, when Time is gone, and make you wish you had been wiser. You know not, Ladies and Gallants, how precious a thing Time is! You little feel what a price your selves will set upon it at the last: You little consider what you have to do with it: you see not how it hasteth, and how near you stand to vast eternity! you little know how despised Time will look a wakened Conscience in the face! Or what it is to be found unready to dye: I know you lay not to heart these things: For if you did you could not, I say, you could not, so lightly cast away your time. If all were true that you say, that indeed your place and honour requireth, that your precious morning hours be thus spent, I profess to you, I should pity you more than Galley-slaves, and I would bless me from such a place and honour, and make haste into the course and company of the poor, and think them happy that may better spend their time. But indeed your excuses are frivolous and untrue, and do but show that Pride hath prevailed to captivate your Reason to its service. For we know Lords and Ladies, as great as the rest of you, (though alas, too few) that can quickly be up and dressed, and spend their early hours in prayer and adorning their souls, and can be content to come forth in a plain, and incurious attire; and yet are so far from being derided, or thought the worse by any whose judgement is much to be regarded, that they are taken justly for the honour of their order: And if it were not that ⟨p. 290⟩some few such keep up the honour of your rank, I will not tell you how little in point of Morality it would be honoured▪

I know they that are so much worse than childish, as prodigally to cast away so many hours in making themselves fine for the sight of men, and be not ashamed to come forth and shew their sin to others, will scarce want words to excuse their crime, and prove it lawful, (be they sense or non-sense). But conscience it self shall answer all, when Time is gone, and make you wish you had been wiser. You know not, Ladies and Gallants, how precious a thing Time is! You little feel what a price your selves will set upon it at the last: You little consider what you have to do with it: you see not how it hasteth, and how near you stand to vast eternity! you little know how despised Time will look a wakened Conscience in the face! Or what it is to be found unready to dye: I know you lay not to heart these things: For if you did you could not, I say, you could not, so lightly cast away your time. If all were true that you say, that indeed your place and honour requireth, that your precious morning hours be thus spent, I profess to you, I should pity you more than Gally-slaves, and I would bless me from such a place and honour, and make haste into the course and company of the poor, and think them happy that may better spend their time. But indeed your excuses are frivolous and untrue, and do but shew that Pride hath prevailed to captivate your Reason to its service. For we know Lords and Ladies, as great as the rest of you, (though alas, too few) that can quickly be up and drest, and spend their early hours in prayer and adorning their souls, and can be content to come forth in a plain, and incurious attire; and yet are so far from being derided, or thought the worse by any whose judgement is much to be regarded, that they are taken justly for the honour of their order: And if it were not that