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

So then, a man ought not to suffer bashfulness, or other foolish matters to put by that good communication, whereby he might enrich his soul. It is a special favour of God, that any man can come where his servants are that have excellent gifts; and he doth deprive himself of much good, that will not seek to benefit himself by them. When the Woman of Samaria perceived Christ to be a Prophet, she proposed her doubt unto him, albeit he was a stranger. When John Baptist might be come to, the publicans and sinners came and asked what they should do. Whilst the Jailer had Paul in his keeping▪ he came to ask that needful question, What shall I do to be saved? So if there be any man whose heart is perplexed with some doubt, or over-burdened with some ⟨p. 67⟩temptation, or over-mastered by some sin, it is a part of ••od discretion for such a one to go and seek the advice of some able Christian or wise man, before that either himself be too far gone, or he want the opportunity of such a counsellor or helper. These be three special occasions of obtaining good to a man's own soul from things without him: In all which, to take the time is a most commendable point of wisdom, but to be negligent, is such folly as Solomon reproves, when he saith, That a fool hath a price in his hand to get wisdom, but he wants a heart. Oh that men would beware of this heartlessness, and take heed of losing their price, by which they might get wisdom. Now come to speak of the occasions of doing good, and these are either in others, or in themselves. First, in others, and that for their soul and body. Sometimes a man shall find a kind of tractableness ⟨p. 68⟩in those with whom he hath to deal, that their ears stand open, and they are ready to drink in an exhortation or reproof, by reason of some affliction that is upon them, or some need they have of our help, or such like occasion. Here is time for a kind and sound admonition, then a man ought in all love, and yet with all plainness, to follow the occasion; striking (as our proverb is) whilst the iron is hot, speaking when he sees him in the melting vein, ready to take all well, and in good part. And so Elihu notes, that when a man is brought to his death-b•d, and to abhor all worldly delights, then his ears are bored, and then there is work for an interpreter: