N01064:140
A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the…
A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the province of Massachusetts-Bay, June 16. and in Connecticut-Colony [sic], June 22. 1705. : Also, two sermons, showing, that sin is the greatest evil; and, that to redeem time is the greatest wisdom. / By Increase Mather.A discourse concerning earthquakes. Occasioned by the earthquakes which were in New-England, in the province of Massachusetts-Bay, June 16. and in Conecticot-Colony [sic], June 22. 1705. : Also, two sermons, shewing, that sin is the greatest evil; and, that to redeem time is the greatest wisdom. / By Increase Mather.
Boston: printed by Timothy Green for Benjamin Eliot, 1706
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
V. Men must be accountable for their Time. Therefore it is wisdom to Redeem it, that so they may be able to give a good Account. Thus the Apostle, 1 Pet. 1. 17. If ye call on the Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every mans work, pass the Time of your sojourning here in Fear. Christians have reason to be afraid of misspending their Time, lest when the Judge calls them to an account, they should not be able to give a good account. The Day will certainly come when Time shall be no longer, and then every man must give an account how he has spent his Time, Luk. 16 2. Give an account of thy Stewardship, for thou must be no longer Steward. So the Lord will say, Give an account of thy Time, for thou must have Time no longer. All Talents must be accounted for. A reckoning Day will come; as in the Pa•able of the Talents is Expressed, Mat. 25. •9. Therefore Time which is a great Talent, ⟨p. 111⟩men must be accountable for to Him that has trusted them with it, who keeps an Exact account what time every one has had: Not only of what Years, but of what Hours men have Enjoyed. Christ said to the Disciples, The very Hairs on your Heads are all numbered. Then we may be sure that the Hours of our Life are all numbered. And if it be true, (as it cannot but be true, because He who is Truth it self has spoken it,) that every Idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment, Mat. 12. 36. Much more shall they give an account of every Idle hour. And as men shall be called to an account concerning what time they have Enjoyed, so concerning, what opportunities and advantages they have had for the Improvement of their time: what means of Grace they have Enjoyed, what Ministry they have lived under and how long. The Lord caused it to be r• corded that the Jews had lived Twenty Three Years under the Prophet Jeremiahs Awakening and Soul melting Ministry,