The redemption of time, or, A sermon containing very good remedies for them that…

begin to day, and hold on still. Now is a time of remembering the most admirable work of Christs incarnation, when he was made flesh of the Virgin to purge us from sin, and save us from wrath by the shedding of his blood, and sufferings which he endured in his flesh. Give not all (ah, why should we give any of it?) this time to play, chiefly to boozing, surfeiting or wantonness, but take some space to consider of the greatness of this benefit, and to be thankful proportionably thereunto. ⟨p. 89⟩I would I might hope to prevail with any by this exhortation: but howsoever, it is needful to be spoken, that none may have occasion to pretend ignorance. You see or might see your duties in this behalf; and in practising the same shall find the benefit of it. But fools will scorn admonition, and those that have accustomed themselves to lust, will not be entreated to pull their necks from out their hard yoke, and to serve a better Master; nay, so foolish are a number, that they think to do Christ great honour in spending the day whereon they imagine that he was born, and some few that follow it, in more than ordinary riot and sinful excess; as though he were a God that loved iniquity, and were delighted with drinking, and swilling, and gaming, and swearing, and surfeiting, and all disorder: but those that know Christ, know full well that ⟨p. 90⟩he is not pleased with such pranks. Wherefore if we will spend a day to Christ, spend it more religiously and soberly than all other days, not more profanely and luxuriously. We should neither forget his birth; but when we observe some special time of remembering it, show that we remember his goodness by doing good, more honour to his name, not by committing more rebellion against him. And to conclude, as at this time so at all times, let all men that would have their souls well furnished with inward substance, play the good husbands in taking time and opportunity. Whensoever we find any fit occasion of getting or doing good in our selves or others, let it not slip, but lay hold upon it, and use it. It is joyful to th•nk (if we could think of it seriously) what commodity this thrift would bring; how much knowledge and godliness might he get, ⟨p. 91⟩that would keep his tongue and heart carefully to good matters?