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

For the first, we must understand, that there be five Hucksters of time, very Cormorants and Engrossers of this precious ware, which betwixt them (for the most part) get up all the hours of mens lives, not suffering the soul to enjoy so much as an hour for its own use, upon the best occasion to benefit it self. These thieves, when I have told you their names, I will describe more at large. They be, 1. Vain sports. 2. Vain speeches. 3. Immoderate sleeping or sluggishness. 4. Vain thoughts. Lastly, Immoderate following of worldly businesses and affairs. Play, •watling, sleeping, foolish thinking, excessive rooting in the earth. Now for these fond sports (amongst ⟨p. 14⟩which I comprehend riotous feasting and belly-cheer, a companion […] gaming, for the most part, and also that trifling and womanish disease of curiousness in putting on apparel for these (I say) it is easy to prov• that they do eat up these good hours which otherwise would much enrich the soul of man. Solomon (th• wisest of mere men that lived sin•• Adam) hath set it down as a su••• rule (that never fails, scarce ever admits exception) That he which love• pastime shall be poor, and he that love• wine and oil shall not be rich, Prov. 21.17. If this saying be understood only of the body, it is most true for these things will make a man extremely reedy in the midst of larg• possessions, and plenteous revenues▪ But if we apply it to the soul, (as see no cause why it may not be applied to both) it is most universally true. He that is so wedded to his pleasures, and besotted upon vai• ⟨p. 15⟩delights, as that the current of his ••fe is carried that way, or else too •reat a part of the stream is turned hither; shall be destitute of understanding, shall have a naked, ragged, atter'd soul: and that comes, because he hath not used his time well, by the right employment whereof he might have got wealth for his better part; I mean, unto his mind and heart. A thread-bare heart, needy of knowledge, comes from a voluptuous life stuffed with pleasures. And the Prophet Isaiah cries out, Chap. 5.12. with a woeful and a better cry against those which had the Timbrel, the Pipe, and the Harp in their feast, but would not regard the work of the Lord: all their days were taken up in eating and drinking, in banqueting and feasting, in good cheer and merry-making;