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

The neglect of taking the fit time and occasion to follow Wisdom's wholesome counsel, and to come when she calls, plungeth scornful men into such a depth of misery, as that there is no means of recovery. For when wisdom laughs a man to scorn, whither shall he repair for succour? And to this intent (of husbanding our time well) notable is the saying of the same Apostle in another place, bidding us, whilst we have time, do good to all, Gal. 6.10. as much as if he had told us, that time must so much the rather be bestowed in doing good, (and then it is redeemed) because we have no such great store of it, as we do foolishly imagine. The vessel of time is not so full, (as most men dream) nay, it will soon come to the bottom: 'tis then wisdom to spare betime, ⟨p. 12⟩and not in the very dregs and lees. All these places do in most plain manner confirm the point, viz. that every Christian must be very saving and thrifty of his time, that is, must convert all occasions to the good of his soul, and furthering of his reckoning, not suffering by his will any hour or minute (more than needs must) to be laid out in any thing, but matters that may fit him for a better life. This is in truth to have ones conversation in Heaven, when one upon the least occasion is ready to make one step further thitherwards: when one gives all his time to God, but so much as may be more especially to religious exercises, and such things as do after a peculiar sort make for a better life; not letting slip any means of furtherance, that is offered him this way. Now for your better direction in this saving thrift, and for the more full understanding of this point, and more ⟨p. 13⟩••sie practising of this needful duty, •• purpose to stand some while in showing these two things. First, from that time is to be redeemed. Secondly, what the time is which must be redeemed.

The neglect of taking the fit time and occasion to follow Wisdom's wholesome counsel, and to come when she calls, plungeth scornful men into such a depth of misery, as that there is no means of recovery. For when wisdom laughes a man to scorn, whither shall he repair for succour? And to this intent (of husbanding our time well) notable is the saying of the same Apostle in another place, bidding us, whilst we have time, do good to all,