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

But this power to speak (being a gift peculiar to men above all beasts) ought to be more preciously regarded, than that it should be abused for base trifles. Then for idle thoughts; who makes question of them almost? Alas we do not remember that God hath searching eyes and fierce, which pierce into the depth of ones soul. We dream that thoughts are not so much, and spare our selves in our unthriftiness, when we should deal more religiously with our selves. Lastly, some might be reproved for too long lying in bed, and spending more hours in slugging or sleeping, •han health and strength doth require: many perhaps will think that it is left to their own pleasure, and that the Preacher is too busy, if he take upon him to teach ⟨p. 84⟩them when to rise, as though it were no fault to over-sleep themselves. Indeed some old and sickly mens bodies must take it when they may; but for the greatest part of men, if they knew what good the first half hour of the early morning spent in religious exercises would bring them, they would not love sleep so well, as for it to neglect them. It is well said, He that seeks me early, shall find me, and it well may be literally understood. Therefore (brethren) there is none but may see a fault in himself in these respects some or all of them, and happy is he that resolves to mend it. Therefore if you will take good counsel, do thus when you come home. Think, alas, if time must be reckoned for, and should be redeemed, how far am I behind hand with God, that (what for sleep, what for play, what for idle babbling, what for vain thoughts, and excessive ⟨p. 85⟩worldliness) I cannot make a good account of the fortieth, yea, of the hundredth part of my time? And then grieve because thou hast been such an unthrift of time, and now begin carefully to spare before all be gone. But now here is a reproof more sharp for some others, that are not willing to hear of that ear. Tell them they must not spend a whole day, or a whole night in playing and sporting. What not at Christmas? (say they) why, you are too precise: well, but yet vouchsafe to consider a little what God speaks. Thou sayest this is too much preciseness, and so saith the world; but the Apostle bids to walk precisely or warily, redeeming the time:

But this power to speak (being a gift peculiar to men above all beasts) ought to be more preciously regarded, than that it should be abused for base trifles. Then for idle thoughts; who makes question of them almost? Alas we do not remember that God hath searching eyes and fierce, which pierce into the depth of ones soul. We dream that thoughts are not so much, and spare our selves in our unthriftiness, when we should deal more religiously with our selves. Lastly, some might be reproved for too long lying in bed, and spending more hours in slugging or sleeping, han health and strength doth require: many perhaps will think that it is left to their own pleasure, and that the Preacher is too busie, if he take upon him to teach