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

so that there was no time to meditate and think on those afflictions, whereby God did warn them to repentance and ⟨p. 16⟩amendment; which is most contrary to this duty of redeeming the time for all this time is even lost and cast away. And had we no other proo• than our own experience in this behalf, would it not manifestly convince, that he which desires to redeem the time, must fly these vain delights and sports? For do we not plainly see, what a canker it is in a number of mens lives? when (many days) they bestow three or four hours together, yea, half the day, if not the whole, in Dicing, Carding, Bowling, Shovel-board, of the like idle (if not wicked) exercises? doth not this waste and pour forth time over-lavishly? Or can that man have so much rest and quiet, or so much fitness and opportunity to do good to his soul, as his wise care in cutting off these needless recreations, or vexations rather, would have afforded him? For these vain pleasures are n•t alone mischievous hinderers of this thrift, in ⟨p. 17⟩•hat they consume the very hours themselves, but as much, or more also, in that they dissettle the heart; and pull the affections out of joint: so that a man is driven to take as much pains to set his heart to a good exercise, as would well have dispatched the duty, had he not been thus unfitted. Now what a miserable loss is it when a man is robbed of his time, and of his heart both at once? and by both kept from reading, praying, medi•ating, examining his heart; or any such good exercise for his souls advantage. Wherefore if any man would so prevent these vain and foolish sports, that they should not spoil him of his heart and hours: let him observe these two rules in his sports, and then he shall do well in these respects.

so that there was no time to meditate and think on those afflictions, whereby God did warn them to repentance and ⟨p. 16⟩amendment; which is most contrary to this duty of redeeming the time for all this time is even lost and cast away. And had we no other proo• than our own experience in this behalf, would it not manifestly convince, that he which desires to redeem the time, must flie these vain delights and sports? For do we not plainly see, what a canker it is in a number of mens lives? when (many days) they bestow three or four hours together, yea, half the day, if not the whole, in Dicing, Carding, Bowling, Shovel-board, of the like idle (if not wicked) exercises? doth not this waste and pour forth time over-lavishly? Or can that man have so much rest and quiet, or so much fitness and opportunity to do good to his soul, as his wise care in cutting off these needless recreations, or vexations rather, would have afforded him? For these vain pleasures are nt alone mischievous hinderers of this thrift, in