First, for the proof of it, the Lord commands it, Numb. 9.2, 3. The Children of Israel shall celebrate the Passover at the time appointed thereunto: In the fourteenth day of this month at Even ye shall keep it in his due season, according to all the Ordinances of it, and according to all the Ceremonies of it shall ye keep it. That is, in all points as the Lord hath instituted it, if they did not observe the right time and season the Lord would not accept it. And as the Lord commandeth it, 1so he practiseth it, Psal. 145.15. The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest their meat in due season. ⟨p. 149⟩And the Prophet Isaiah showeth that for this end the Lord sent him to his people Israel, Isaiah 50.4. The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the Learned, that I should know how to minister a word in due season to him that is weary. And Christ showeth in the parable of the Vineyard, Mat. 21.41. That God will let out his Vineyard to such husbandmen as will deliver him the fruits in their seasons. And he shall be Steward of Gods Household who will give unto his fellow-servants their meat in season, Luke 12.42. And it is said, Ecclesiast. 10.16, 17. Woe to thee O Land, when thy King is a Child (that is without wisdom and counsel) and thy Princes eat in the morning: that is, out of season, more for ⟨p. 150⟩just, then for necessity: But blessed art thou O Land, when thy King is the Son of Nobles, (that is noble for virtue, and wisdom,) and thy Princes cate in due time, for strength, and not for drunkenness. And Prov. 15.23. How good is a word in due season; for there is a season for words, as well as for actions, and every good thing is proper only in its place, and a thing in it self praise worthy, loseth its commendation unless it be set in its proper seat: So we see that the point is plain, that the Saints of God ought to observe the fittest seasons and opportunities for their performance of duties and that is a thing both commanded, and commended.
First, for the proofe of it, the Lord commands it, Numb. 9.2, 3. The Children of Israell shall celebrate the Passover at the time appointed thereunto: In the foureteenth day of this mounth at Even ye shall keepe it in his due season, according to all the Ordinances of it, and according to all the Cerimonies of it shall ye keepe it. That is, in all points as the Lord hath instituted it, if they did not observe the right time and season the Lord would not accept it. And as the Lord commandeth it, 1so he practiseth it, Psal. 145.15. The eyes of all waite upon thee, and thou givest their meat in due season. ⟨p. 149⟩And the Prophet Esay sheweth that for this end the Lord sent him to his people Israell, Esay 50.4. The Lord God hath given mee the tongue of the Learned, that I should know how to minister a word in due season to him that is weary. And Christ sheweth in the parable of the Vineyard, Mat. 21.41. That God will let out his Vineyard to such husbandmen as will deliver him the fruites in their seasons. And he shall be Steward of Gods Houshold who will give unto his fellow-servants their meate in season, Luke 12.42. And it is said, Ecclesiast. 10.16, 17. Woe to thee O Land, when thy King is a Child (that is without wisedome and councell) and thy Princes eate in the morning: that is, out of season, more for ⟨p. 150⟩just, then for necessity: But blessed art thou O Land, when thy King is the Sonne of Nobles, (that is noble for vertue, and wisedome,) and thy Princes cate in due time, for strength, and not for drunkennesse. And Prov. 15.23. How good is a word in due season; for there is a season for words, as well as for actions, and everie good thing is proper onely in its place, and a thing in it selfe prayse worthy, loseth its commendation unlesse it be set in its proper seate: So we see that the point is plaine, that the Saints of God ought to observe the fittest seasons and opportunities for their performance of duties and that is a thing both commanded, and commended.
- 1So Exod. 12.1. Levit. 23.5 28.16. Deut. 16.2.
