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

Now when a man in the prime of his days, and in the fullness of his health, will give himself to seek heaven, will hear the Word, and meditate upon it, and apply it to himself, will confess his sins, and force himself to bewail them; will pray to God for good things, and set the whole course of his life in a right frame; he hath well taken opportunity, and he shall have rest in his latter days, much quiet and contentment, at least much strength and assistance in his sickness, because he hath something ⟨p. 63⟩in store against the time of want.

Now when a man in the prime of his days, and in the fulness of his health, will give himself to seek heaven, will hear the Word, and meditate upon it, and apply it to himself, will confess his sins, and force himself to bewail them; will pray to God for good things, and set the whole course of his life in a right frame; he hath well taken opportunity, and he shall have rest in his latter days, much quiet and contentment, at least much strength and assistance in his sickness, because he hath something ⟨p. 63⟩in store against the time of want.

But alas, how do the common sort of men bewray their monstrous folly in this behalf? What more common than that sottish and brutish speech, at least such ignorant and profane thoughts, men will repent when they be old, and cry God mercy when they feel themselves sick, and amend all when they be ready to go out of the world? and foolish man, thou knowest not whether thou shalt die suddenly, whether thou shalt have thy wits and senses, or whether thou shalt have power of heart to make the least colour of repentance in those extremities. How many have died suddenly? how many sottishly? and yet how do men, for all these warnings, defer the best business, namely, the work of repentance and turning to God, (which will require the whole strength of the soul) to the worst ⟨p. 64⟩