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

Use I. Here is matter of sad reproof unto those that do misspend precious time. You shall have some that say; They do such a thing to pass away time, & such a thing is very good to pass away time. O lamentable! as if men had more precious time then they knew what in the World to do with, or how to bestow it! And alas, how many are there, that spend their time exceeding unprofitably; it may be in going from house to house, and there hearing or telling tales: Oh if that time which is spent in vain jangling, were spent in secret communion with God, & in faithful endeavours to promote the welfare of the Souls of men, how comfortable, and how glorious would i• •e for such a man at the great Day How would he then rejoice that ever he ⟨p. 164⟩lived upon the face of the earth! Alas, there be that spend their time even in sinful practices, for the which no time ought to be allowed. There is one practice which I hear much precious time is spent in, that I must needs bear my Testimony against: That which I mean, is those unlawful Games of Cards and Dice: Those Games have always been condemned by the Servants of God, as things that are in themselves unlawful. I use not to tell you much what Fathers say, else I might say, that Cyprian, Clemens Alexandrinus, Ambrose, Chrysostom, Austin, &c. have of old condemned such practices. Yea, in the days of Christian Emperors, there have been severe Laws against such Gamesters. In Justinian's time there was a Law, not only that no man should play at Cards and Dice, but that no men should so much as be present to see others play: Nay even Heathens by the light of Nature have condemned such practices. The Philosopher speaketh against it in his Morals: An Heathen Poet sharply inveighs against it; and Cicero in one of his Orations objects against Antonius, that he was a Dice-player, and one that entertained such Gamesters in his house. And amongst Reformers, these kind of Games have ever been disapproved. Popish ⟨p. 165⟩Authors usually plead fort he Lawfulness of them but Protestants generally write against them. And it must needs be acknowledged by all mens Consciences, that it is unlawful to spend much time in any Recreations, as is usually spent in attending those games by those that use them. There is a secret Curse of God goeth along with them: