Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

5. Times of being in company and converse with others, ought to be improved. Such times should be improved for the receiving of Spiritual good. It is said. He that walks with the wise, shall be wise, Prov. 13.20. If a man doth fall into the company of such as are godly and wise, he hath now an opportunity put into his hands to get wisdom; he might propound many profitable Questions, ⟨p. 156⟩which he is not able to resolve himself, but one that God hath given a greater measure of wisdom and understanding unto, could soon resolve him, had he an heart to improve such an opportunity. Again, such times should be improved for doing good, that is, by holy Conference and Exhortations unto the thing that good is; as we see in the Context, Redeem the time, saith the Apostle, and then the very next words are, Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man, Col. 4.6. So then that's one way of improving time aright, even by gracious and savoury discourses The neglect of this is the great sin of many Professors. Alas, how is it, as if holy Conference were banished out of the World? Christians mee• together, and much discourse passeth about this or the other matter, but it may be not one edifying word all the while. But what saith the Scripture? Exhort one another daily, Heb. 3.13. As you have opportunity of daily converse, you should take occasion to exhort and call upon one another, and say, How is it with you as to Spirituals? have you got assurance yet? do you grow in grace? How is it with your Soul, doth that prosper?

6. Solitary times are also to be improved. I say, not only times of being in Company, but times of being alone, are to be improved. ⟨p. 157⟩