A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the…

For the C••••ing of the Truth before us, there are Two things to be Enquired into.

I. Who are they that Redeem Time is they ought to do?

II. How it does appear that it is Great Wisdom to do so?

Answ. I. They that are duly careful to improve Seasons of Grace in order to their own Spiritual and Eternal advantage, may truly be said to Redeem the Time. God is pleased to give unto men a Day of Grace: A Day wherein He offer Grace and Mercy, and Heaven to them; 2 Cor 6. 2. Behold now is the accepted Time, behold now is the day of Salvation. If before that Day is done, sinners will seek unto the Lord for that Grace without which they must Eternally perish, they may obtain it. The Prophet therefore said, Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is •ea; Isa. 55. 6. While the Day of Grace continues He may be found: He is within call; but when that day is […] is gone, & no more within call. And […] are many sinners whom He favours […] a Day, so with special means of Grace. The Word & Ordinances of God are so To improve them accordingly, is to Redeem the Time. When the Gospel is Preached to men, it is Day with them. This Day will not last always Joh. 12. 35. Yet a little while is the Light with you, walk while you have ⟨p. 91⟩the Light lest Darkness come upon you. Wherefore men are concerned to improve this day well in order to obtain Grace & Salvation; and if they do so, they Redeem the Time. Moreover, the Lord vouchsafes means of Grace, not only that so sinners may get Grace, but that Saints may grow in Grace. And if they do under the dispensation of the Gospel grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they then Redeem the Time. When an Edifying Sermon is Preached, that's a time for Christians to gain good to their own Souls. Now to lay hold on it, and improve it for that end is a R• deeming of Time. It is recorded concerning Mary, that she sat at Jesus feet▪ & heard His Word, Luk. 10. 39. She would by no means be diverted from hearing Christ Preach, although' for that season she neglected her, worldly concerns: In doing this, she Redeemed Time. Diligently to attend u•to […] word Preached, is to grow in Grace. Christ therefore said to the Disciples, Take •eed how you hear, for whosoever has to him shall be given, Luk. 8. 18 If Christians that have Grace take heed how they hear, if they duly improve advantageous seasons for hearing the Word, ⟨p. 92⟩they shall have more Grace given to them. The like is to be said with respect unto Sabbaths & Sacraments;

Answ. I. They that are duely careful to improve Seasons of Grace in order to their own Spiritual and Eternal advantage, may truly be said to Redeem the Time. God is pleased to give unto men a Day of Grace: A Day wherein He offer Grace and Mercy, and Heaven to them; 2 Cor 6. 2. Behold now is the accepted Time, behold now is the day of Salvation. If before that Day is done, sinners will seek unto the Lord for that Grace without which they must Eternally perish, they may obtain it. The Prophet therefore said, Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is •ea; Isa. 55. 6. While the Day of Grace continues He may be found: He is within call; but when that day is 〈…〉 is gone, & no more within call. And 〈…〉 are many sinners whom He favours 〈…〉 a Day, so with special means of Grace. The Word & Ordinances of God are so To improve them accordingly, is to Redeem the Time. When the Gospel is Preached to men, it is Day with them. This Day will not last alwayes Joh. 12. 35. Yet a little while is the Light with you, walk while you have ⟨p. 91⟩the Light lest Darkness come upon you. Wherefore men are concerned to improve this day well in order to obtain Grace & Salvation; and if they do so, they Redeem the Time. Moreover, the Lord vouchs•fes means of Grace, not only that so sinners may get Grace, but that Saints may grow in Grace. And if they do under the dispensation of the Gospel grow in Grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savi•ur Jesus Christ, they then Redeem the Time. When an Edifying Sermon is Preached, that's a time for Christians to gain good to their own Souls. Now to lay hold on it, and improve it for that end is a R• deeming of Time. It is recorded concerning Mary, that she sat at Jesus feet▪ & heard His Word, Luk. 10. 39. She would by no means be diverted from hearing Christ Preach, altho' for that season she neglected her, worldly concerns: In doing this, she Red•emed Time. Diligently to attend u•to 〈…〉 word Preached, is to grow in Grace. Christ therefore said to the Disciples, Take •eed how you hear, for whosoever has to him shall be given, Luk. 8. 18 If Christians that have Grace take heed how they hear, if they duely improve advantageous seasons for hearing the Word, ⟨p. 92⟩they shall have more Grace given to them. The like is to be said with respect unto Sabbaths & Sacraments;

when Christians improve them unto Soul advantage, they Redeem the Time. And so they likewise do when they are much in Prayer to God. The man that Redeems his Time, will have his constant times for Prayer. Such an one was Cornelius, of whom it is said, that he Prayed to God alway, Act. 10. 2. Because he kept up his constant daily seasons for Prayer, & would not omit them. The Time that is spent with God, is Time well spent.

when Christians improve them unto Souladvantage, they Redeem the Time. And so they likewise do when they are much in Prayer to God. The man that Redeems his Time, will have his constant times for Prayer. Such an one was Cornelius, of whom it is said, that he Prayed to God alway, Act. 10. 2. Because he kept up his constant daily seasons for Prayer, & would not omit them. The Time that is spent with God, is Time well spent.

II. They that are duly careful to improve opportunities to Glorify God, and do Good to Men, Redeem the Time. The Greek word KAIROS, which is here translated Time, signifies Opportunity, or seasonable Time. That article of time which is fit for doing such a thing. Sometimes the Providence of God puts into the hands of men a great Opportunity or Advantage to promote the Glory of His Name. So it is with those who are in a Public Capacity; They have greater opportunities than others to promote the Glory of God in the world. Magistrates have so by being a Terror to Evil-doers, & a Praise to, ⟨p. 93⟩them that do Well. And the Ministers of the Gospel in a singular manner, are advantaged with opportunities to Glorify God by promoting the Good and Salvation of the Souls of men, whereby God will be Glorified throughout Everlasting Ages. Yea, all Christians have Opportunities more or less to Glorify God, by endeavouring the good of men, especially of His People. To do good to men is to glorify God: As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to the Household of Faith, Gal. 6. 10. To do thus is to Redeem the Time. Walk in wisdom towards them that are without, Redeeming the Time; h. e. Do all the good you can for those poor Unbelievers: Cain them to Christ if you can possibly, by a wise & holy Behaviour towards them. To do that is wisdom. He that winneth Souls is wise. The man that is duly careful to improve whatever Talents God has trusted him with for the good of others, is that wise man that Redeems Time. God distributes Talents to men according as it plea•eth Him. They that improve them as they should do, are wise Redeemers of their Time. To one the Lord commits a Talent of Riches: he is blessed with a ⟨p. 94⟩greater Estate than others. The Providence of God sets before him Objects in respect whereof he has an opportunity to do good, by using that Talent. It may be there is some poor body to be relieved, or some pious work to be promoted; now to take hold on this occasion, & not to let it slip is to Redeem the Time. Another has a Talent of Knowledge committed to him. The Divine Providence giveth him an opportunity to Instruct and Enlighten and Edify those that need Illumination. To improve his Talent accordingly, is a Redeeming of the Time.

II. They that are duely careful to improve opportunities to Glorify God, and do Good to Men, Redeem the Time. The Greek word KAIROS, which is here translated Time, signifies Opportunity, or seasonable Time. That article of time which is fit for doing such a thing. Sometimes the Providence of God puts into the hands of men a great Opportunity or Advantage to promote the Glory of His Name. So it is with those who are in a Publick Capacity; They have greater opportunities than others to promote the Glory of God in the world. Magistrates have so by being a Terror to Evil-doers, & a Praise to, ⟨p. 93⟩them that do Well. And the Ministers of the Gospel in a singular manner, are advantaged with opportunities to Glorify God by promoting the Good and Salvation of the Souls of men, whereby God will be Glorified throughout Everlasting Ages. Yea, all Christians have Opportunities more or less to Glorify God, by endeavouring the good of men, especially of His People. To do good to men is to glorify God: As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to the Houshold of Faith, Gal. 6. 10. To do thus is to Redeem the Time. Walk in wisdom towards them that are without, Redeeming the Time; h. e. Do all the good you can for those poor Unbelievers: Cain them to Christ if you can possibly, by a wise & holy Behaviour towards them. To do that is wisdom. He that winneth Souls is wise. The man that is duely careful to improve whatever Talents God has trusted him with for the good of others, is that wise man that Redeems Time. God distributes Talents to men according as it plea•eth Him. They that improve them as they should do, are wise Redeemers of their Time. To one the Lord commits a Talent of Riches: he is blessed with a ⟨p. 94⟩greater Estate than others. The Providence of God sets before him Objects in respect whereof he has an opportunity to do good, by using that Talent. It may be there is some poor body to be relieved, or some pious work to be promoted; now to take hold on this occasion, & not to let it slip is to Redeem the Time. Another has a Talent of Knowledge committed to him. The Divine Providence giveth him an opportunity to Instruct and Enlighten and Edify those that need Illumination. To improve his Talent accordingly, is a Redeeming of the Time.

When men are careful not to let slip opportunities of doing good, so far as they are c• pable, and God shall call them to it, they Redeem the Time. They know not how soon their opportunities may be taken from them, and therefore are concerned to improve them well; which to do is to Redeem the Time, and to do like Wise men. Wherefore the Apostle said to the Ephesians, See that you walk Circumspectly, not as Fools, but as Wise, Redeeming the Time, b• cause the days are Evil, Eph. 5. 15, 16. It was then a time of Persecution; they had reason to expect that their Persecutors would take from them their Estates, ⟨p. 95⟩and all their opportunities of either getting or doing Good, and therefore were to use their present Advantages. A Christian that is desirous to do all, the Good he can, and does embrace all Opportunities accordingly, is one that Redeems the Time.

When men are careful not to let slip opportunities of doing good, so far as they are c• pable, and God shall call them to it, they Redeem the Time. They know not how soon their opportunies may be taken from them, and therefore are concerned to improve them well; which to do is to Redeem the Time, and to do like Wise men. Wherefore the Apostle said to the Ephesians, See that you walk Circumspectly, not as Fools, but as Wise, Redeeming the Time, b• cause the dayes are Evil, Eph. 5. 15, 16. It was then a time of Persecution; they had reason to expect that their Persecutors would take from them their Estates, ⟨p. 95⟩and all their opportunities of either getting or doing Good, and therefore were to use their present Advantages. A Christian that is desirous to do all, the Good he can, and does embrace all Opp•rtunities accordingly, is one that Redeems the Time.

III. They that Deny themselves out of respect to the Glory of God and the Good of Men, are such as Redeem the Time. The Original runs thus, Buying out the Opportunity. When a man b•yeth a Commodity, he parts with something for it. Thus he that is willing to forego his Carnal Interest out of respect to Gods Interest, and His Peoples good, buys an Opportunity. Such an one was Abraham; who out of respect to Religion, and lest the Name of God should suffer, refused great Riches when offered to him by the King of Sodom, Gen. 14. 23. And thus did Nehemiah part with that Salary which of right belonged to him, because of the Fear of God, Neh. 5. 15. And thus did the Apostle Paul, who could say, I sought not my own profit, but the profit of many that they might be Saved, 1 Cor. 10. 33. The words before us are a Metaphor alluding to Merchants, who will deny themselves of Pleasure out of respect to Gain. Such ⟨p. 96⟩Christians as deny themselves as to their own Ease and outward Advantage, that so they may be the more serviceable to God and to His People, are they that Redeem the Time.

III. They that Deny themselves out of respect to the Glory of God and the Good of Men, are such as Redeem the Time. The Original runs thus, Buying out the Opportunity. When a man b•yeth a Commodity, he parts with something for it. Thus he that is willing to forego his Carnal Interest out of respect to Gods Interest, and His Peoples good, buyes an Opportunity. Such an one was Abraham; who out of respect to Religion, and lest the Name of God should suffer, refused great Riches when offered to him by the King of Sodom, Gen. 14. 23. And thus did Nehemiah part with that Salary which of right belonged to him, because of the Fear of God, Neh. 5. 15. And thus did the Apostle Paul, who could say, I sought not my own profit, but the profit of many that they might be Saved, 1 Cor. 10. 33. The words before us are a Metaphor alluding to Merchants, who will deny themselves of Pleasure out of respect to Gain. Such ⟨p. 96⟩Christians as deny themselves as to their own Ease and outward Advantage, that so they may be the more serviceable to God and to His People, are they that Redeem the Time.

IV. They that endeavour to recover Lost Time by a double Diligence, may be said to Redeem it. It is impossible for a man to Redeem or Recover lost Time in a Physical or Proper sense, but in a Moral sense, namely, when the consideration of his having lost so much of his Time formerly, makes him the more diligent for the future. Thus it was with the Blessed Apostle; he considered sadly that he had lost a great deal of Time whilst in his Unregenerate Estate, being Converted to Christ after the other Apostles; 1 Cor. 15. 8. Last of all He was seen of one, as one born out of due time. And then how did he be••ir himself? He laboured more abundantly than they all. Although' he did not Outlive all the other Apostles, yet he Out-did them all. It is supposed that he was Conver•ed when Twenty Five, and Martyred when he was Sixty One Years old. It may be questioned whether there was ever a man in the world that did so much service for Christ as Paul did, in the ⟨p. 97⟩space of Four & Thirty Years. The Children of Israel dispatched more way towards Canaan in the last year of their being in the Wilderness, than in almost Forty years before. Thus when Christians shall do more good in one year, than in many years before, they may be said to Redeem the Time. Men that are in a Journey, if they have loitered away some part of their time, will mend their pace that so they may come to the end of their Journey before Night overtakes them. Thus when Christians mend their pace, when they become more active for God, & more useful & fruitful than formerly, & ripen for Heaven going thither with a great & a swift pace, they Redeem the Time. It was said of the Angel in the Church of Thyatira, that his last works were more than his first, Rev. 2. 19. When it is thus with Christians, that their last works are their best works, and their last days are their best days, they are the men that will be found Redeeming the Time.

IV. They that ende•v•ur to recover Lost Time by a double Diligence, may be said to Redeem it. It is impossible for a man to Redeem or Recover lost Time in a Physical or Proper sense, but in a Moral sense, namely, when the consideration of his having lost so much of his Time formerly, makes him the more diligent for the future. Thus it was with the Blessed Apostle; he considered sadly that he had lost a great deal of Time whil••t in his Unregenerate Estate, being Converted to Christ after the other Apostles; 1 Cor. 15. 8. Last of all He was seen of one, as one born out of due time. And then how did he be••ir himself? He laboured more abunda••ly than they all. Altho' he did not Outlive all the other Apostles, yet he Out-did them all. It is supposed that he was Conver•ed when Twenty Five, and Martyred when he was Sixty One Years old. It may be questioned whether there was ever a man in the world that did so much service for Christ as Paul did, in the ⟨p. 97⟩space of Four & Thirty Years. The Children of Israel dispatched more way towards Canaan in the last year of their being in the Wilderness, than in almost Forty years before. Thus when Christians shall do more good in one year, than in many years before, they may be said to Redeem the Time. Men that are in a Journey, if they have loytered away some part of their time, will mend their pace that so they may come to the end of their Journey before Night overtakes them. Thus when Christians mend their pace, when they become more active for God, & more •seful & fruitful than formerly, & ripen for Heaven going thither with a great & a swift pace, they Redeem the Time. It was said of the Angel in the Church of Thyatira, that his last works were more than his first, Rev. 2. 19. When it is thus with Chri••ians, that their last works are their best works, and their last dayes are their best dayes, they are the men that will be found Redeeming the Time.

Quest. II. How does it appear that it is great Wisdom for men thus to Redeem the Time?

For Answer; I shall mention some plain known Truths, which we can never hear too often, nor think too much of.

I. We may reason from the Preciousness of Time. When men have a precious Commodity, they are choice of it: They are loth to loose it. And they would not act like rational Creatures if they should wa•t or misspend it. That would argue great folly and want of judgment. Now Time is the most precious Commodity which men in this world are possessed of. The wise man say•s concerning those brutish men who spend their time in D•bauch• ries, that their Precious Life is hunted after Prov. 6. 26. If Life is Precious, then Time is Precious And therefore it has the name of a Price given to it, because it is of Exceeding great worth, & highly to be valued▪ Prov. 17. 16. Wherefore is there a Price in the hand of a Fool to get wisdom, who has no heart unto it? When a sinner has Time allowed him to get saving Knowledge, but improveth it not, then there is a Price in the hand of a Fool that wants wisdom to use it. Men say of some Jewels that they are invaluable, because the worth of them is not known, and therefore cannot be Expressed. Truly, such a Jewel is Precious Time. We may say of it, as it is said of Wisdom, it is more precious than Rubies; all the things thou canst desire ⟨p. 99⟩are not to be compared, with it. We may judge of the worth of Time by these two Considerations.

I. We may reason from the Preciousness of Time. When men have a precious Commodity, they are choice of it: They are loth to loose it. And they would not act like rational Creatures if they should wa•t or mi•pend it. That would argue great folly and want of judgment. Now Time is the most precious Commodity which men in this world are possessed of. The wise man say•s concerning those brutish men who spend their time in D•bauch• ries, that their Precious Life is hunted after Prov. 6. 26. If Life is Precious, then Time is Precious And therefore it has the name of a Price given to it, because it is of Exceeding great worth, & highly to be valued▪ Prov. 17. 16. Wherefore is there a Price in the hand of a Fool to get wisdom, who has no heart unto it? When a sinner has Time allowed him to get saving Knowledge, but improveth it not, then there is a Price in the hand of a Fool that wants wisdom to use it. Men say of some Jewels that they are invaluable, because the worth of them is not known, and therefore cannot be Expressed. Truly, such a Jewel is Precious Time. We may say of it, as it is said of Wisdom, it is more precious than Rubies; all the things thou canst desire ⟨p. 99⟩are not to be compared, with it. We may judge of the worth of Time by these two Considerations.

1. All the things which this world can afford, are worth nothing when once Time is gone. The world passeth away and the lusts thereof. The things of the world all of them, the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, Earthly Pleasures, Profits, Honours, they all End with Time. The things which we see signify nothing to men, when their Time is swallowed up with an Endless Eternity. The things which are Seen are Temporal; they do not out-last Time: As for the things which are Eternal, they are Invisible, they are things not Seen, 2 Cor. 4. 18. If then a man should gain as much of this world as ever any one did; yea, if he should gain the whole world, (which is more than ever any one man since Adam had the sole possession of) what would it signify to him, when his Time is gone? Christ said, What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole World, and lose his own Soul? So what will the World profit a man when his Time is Ended, and his Soul gone into Eternity? What will the World be to him tho' he has gained never ⟨p. 100⟩so much of it, when God shall take away his Soul? Then Time is Precious.

2. We may judge of the worth of Time by the Price which they whose Eyes have been opened to see the worth of it, have set upon it. As to in•••nce in Dying Persons. When Death comes to shut the Eyes of the Body, it opens the Eyes of the Soul. It is often with a Dying man as it was with Balaam. He is the man whose Eyes are […]; he forth things which before he did not see. Mens […]. He can see the worth of Time then. A great Person on a Death-bed Cried out, I would give a world of Wealth for an inch of Time. I have heard of another being at the point of Death, uttered such words as these, If I had ten Thousand Worlds, I would give them all on condition might live but One Day longer in this world. And most certainly it is so with Millions in Hell. They would give worlds, if they had them to give, for one of those Days of which they have misspent many thousands. But will Time be Precious then, and is not so now? It is therefore great Wisdom now to Redeem it. That's the First Demonstration of the Truth before us.

2. We may judge of the worth of Time by the Price which they whose Eyes have been opened to see the worth of it, have set upon it. As to in•••nce in Dying Persons. When Death comes to shut the Eyes of the Body, it opens the Eyes of the Soul. It is often with a Dying man as it was with Bala•m. He is the man whose Eyes are 〈…〉; he forth things which before he did not see. Mens 〈…〉. He can see the worth of Time then. A great Person on a Death-bed Cryed out, I would give a world of Wealth for an inch of Time. I have heard of another being at the point of Death, uttered such words as these, If I had ten Thousand Worlds, I would give them all on condition might live but One Day longer in this world. And most certainly it is so with Millions in Hell. They would give worlds, if they had them to give, for one of those Dayes of which they have mi•pent many thousands. But will Time be Precious then, and is not so now? It is therefore great Wisdom now to Redeem it. Tha'ts the First Demonstration of the Truth before us.

II. When Time is past and gone it can never be Recalled again. And therefore it is Wisdom to make a good improvement of the present Time. Yesterday will never be here again. Other things a man may loose and find them again. If •e has Silver or Gold or precious Jewels, •e may loose them and find them again. But there are Two precious things which if they be lost can never be recovered again, one is a Precious Soul, if that be lost it can never be recovered; and the other is Precious Time: There's no regaining that. Some have lost their Names and recovered them again. All innocent men that have done so shall recover them again, in the world to come if not in this world. Some have lost their Places & Dignity, & been restored to it again. As Pharaohs Cup-bearer after he had been a while degraded and imprisoned was exalted and restored to his place, and delivered the Cu• into the Kings hand after the former manner, Gen. 40 13. But the Time which a man has lost will never be restored to him again. For Death puts an End to his Time forever. As it is said with respect •nto the Roman Monarchy, as under its ••st head Antichrist, when the Time ⟨p. 102⟩allotted to him is once Expired, when the Seventh Trumpet shall sound, there shall be Time no longer, Rev. 10. 7. So it may be said concerning Men, when once Death has overtaken them, Time shall be no longer. For men do not Die; and after that Live again in this world. It is appointed for them Once to Die, and then they go hence and are no more. If a man Dye shall be Live again? No; He lieth down and riseth not until the Heavens be no more. As the Cloud is consumed and vanisheth away, so he that goes down to the Grave shall come up no more, he shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more for ever: The Eye that has seen him shall see him no more, Job 7. 8, 9, 10. No more! No more! No more! must he have Time allowed him on the Earth. If men after they have misspent all their Days, might live again, and have more Time allowed them, their Folly in not Redeeming the present Time would not be so great as now it is. But Temporal Life is not like the Sun, that sets & ri•eth again the next day. No: This Sun when once it is set ri•eth no more; but then the Days of Darkness are many, innumerable many.

II. When Time is past and gone it can never be Recalled again. And therefore it is Wisdom to make a good improvement of the present Time. Yesterday will never be here again. Other things a man may loose and find them again. If •e has Silver or Gold or precious Jewels, •e may loose them and find them again. But there are Two precious things which if they be lost can never be recovered again, one is a Precious Soul, if that be lost it can never be recovered; and the other is Precious Time: There's no regaining that. Some have lost their Names and recovered them again. All innocent men that have done so shall recover them again, in the world to come if not in this world. Some have lost their Places & Dignity, & been re•tored to it again. As Pharaohs Cup-bearer after he had been a while degraded and impri•oned was exalted and re•tored to his place, and delivered the Cu• into the Kings hand after the former manner, Gen. 40 13. But the Time which a man has lost will never be restored to him again. For Death puts an End to his Time forever. As it is said with respect •nto the Roman Monarchy, as under its ••st head Antichrist, when the Time ⟨p. 102⟩allotted to him is once Expired, when the Seventh Trumpet shall sound, there shall be Time no longer, Rev. 10. 7. So it may be said concerning Men, when once Death has overtaken them, Time shall be no longer. For men do not Dy; and after that Live again in this world. It is appointed for them Once to Dy, and then they go hence and are no more. If a man Dye shall be Live again? No; He lyeth down and riseth not until the Heavens be no more. As the Cloud is consumed and vani•heth away, so he that goes down to the Grave shall come up no more, he shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more for ever: The Eye that has seen him shall see him no more, Job 7. 8, 9, 10. No more! No more! No more! must he have Time allowed him on the Earth. If men after they have mispent all their Days, might live again, and have more Time allowed them, their Folly in not Redeeming the present Time would not be so great as now it is. But Temporal Life is not like the Sun, that sets & ri•eth again the next day. No: This Sun when once it is sett ri•eth no more; but then the Days of Darkness are many, innumerable many.