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

Thus this time of Christ's Nativity should (if any way) be celebrated, that it might turn to an occasion of of more hearty thanksgiving, and more true obedience unto Christ, that ⟨p. 71⟩gave himself for our sins, and took our nature upon him, that in it he might bear our iniquities. So when we be in the enjoying of Gods Creatures, whilst we be eating and drinking, or such like, here is a special season to lift up the heart to God, and to kindle a flame of praise by this fuel, that our thanks might be so much the more earnest, by how much we have a more present feeling of Gods mercy, and do even taste how good he is.

Thus this time of Christ's Nativity should (if any way) be celebrated, that it might turn to an occasion of of more hearty thanksgiving, and more true obedience unto Christ, that ⟨p. 71⟩gave himself for our sins, and took our nature upon him, that in it he might bear our iniquities. So when we be in the enjoying of Gods Creatures, whilest we be eating and drinking, or such like, here is a special season to lift up the heart to God, and to kindle a flame of praise by this fuel, that our thanks might be so much the more earnest, by how much we have a more present feeling of Gods mercy, and do even taste how good he is.

On the other side, a man is sometimes pressed with a sore cross and affliction that pincheth his Soul, here is a very fit occasion of humbling ones self, and examining ones heart: for in these afflictions God calls to humiliation for the most part, which duty being performed, after, a man may rejoice in his afflictions, but whilst the burden of the cross is heavy, here is a notable means to ⟨p. 72⟩•urther one in the work of humiliation; and if one can take the time when God smites, he may (at least he ought) cause his heart to stoop before him with more ease, than when he was at more ease for his body. Again, sometimes a man hath a more inward stirring of his affections, which he cannot have at another time; this must be followed, greedily taken, sometimes at the Sermon, or upon some other occasion, a man hearing or thinking of his sin, and the punishment due thereunto, having a kind of pricking in his heart, and some touch of remorse within him, his conscience begins to tell him that all is not well, and he grows to some orderly conclusion; sure I will now be sorry for this fault, and amend it: now if one will follow this motion, and go after God when he calls (for this is one of his inward callings)