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

Gentlemen and Ladies, I envy not your pleasures: I have my self a body with its proper appetites, which would be gratified, as well as you? And I have not wanted opportunity to gratify it. If I thought that this were the most manly life, and agreeable to reason, and that we had no greater things to mind, I could thus play away my Time as you do. But it amazeth me to see the worlds stupidity that people who are posting away ⟨image 10⟩unto Eternity, and have so much to do in a little time, and of such unconceivable importance, can yet waste their days in sleeping, and dressing, and feasting, and complementing; in pastime and plays, and idle talk, as if they were all but a dream, and their wits were not so far awakened as to know what it is to be a MAN. And to increase our pity, when they have done they ask, [What harm is there in cards and dice, in stage-plays and Romances? Is it not lawful to use such and such recreations?] suppose they were all unquestionably lawful, Have you no greater matter that while to do? Have you no more useful Recreations? that will exercise your bodies and minds more profitably, or at least with less expense of Time? To a sedentary person, Recreation must be such as stirs the Body: To a Labouring person, variety of good books and pious exercises is a fitter recreation than cards and dice. Is your Recreation but as the Mowers whetting of his sith? no oftener, nor no longer than is necessary to fit you for those Labours and duties, which must be the great and daily business of your lives? If this be so, I am not reprehending you; But I beseech you consider, Have you •o• souls to regard as well as others? Have you not a God to serve? and his word and will to learn and do? Have you not servants and children to instruct and educate ⟨image 11⟩(And O what a deal of labour doth their ignorance and obstinacy require? Have you not death and judgement to prepare for? Have you not an outward calling to follow? (Though I say not that you must do the same labours as the poor, I say that you mast labour and be profitable to the Common-wealth) Have you not many good works of Charity to do? And will you leave the most of this undone, and waste your time in plays, and cards, and feasts, and idleness, and then say [what harm is in all this? and are they not lawful?]