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

Lastly, The present time is that which should carefully be improved: So Eccles. 12.1. Remember [now] thy Creator. Men, especially young men, when they are called upon to be mindful of God, & the things of God, & the great concernments of their Souls, are apt to put it off till to morrow, or sometime hereafter; but the holy Ghost saith now. Mind this matter without any further delays; Do not think to put off God with Excuses, or with To morrows, but the first thing you do, make sure of an interest in him, 2 Cor. 6.2. Behold now is the accepted time! Behold now is the day of Salvation. Satan saith, and a Self-deceiving heart saith, To morrow, to morrow; but the Lord saith, Now, now. Yea, there is a double Behold added to it, Behold, behold, Now, now is the time for you to look after your Salvation, if ever you desire to be saved. But of this more in the Application of the point.

We proceed therefore to the second thing, namely, to show what is implied in redeeming seasons of Grace, or, When a man may be said to redeem the time?

We proceed therefore to the second thing, namely, to shew what is implied in redeeming seasons of Grace, or, When a man may be said to redeem the time?

For Answer to that, 1. Herein is implied, An heart to receive and do all the good that may be. Except there be an heart to receive Spiritual good when it is offered, a man cannot be said to redeem time; as Solomon complains, Prov. 17.16. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it. Sometimes it is so, that there is a precious Sermon Preached at a mans door; if he would come and hear, who knoweth how much good might be done to his Soul: But he cometh not, and yet hath no sufficient reason to excuse himself, only he hath no heart to it; therefore he is not worthy to be accounted a Time-redeemer. So again, there must be a heart to do good. As the Apostle exhorts,