CHAPTER V.

FURTHER SUBORDINATE DIRECTIONS, FOR THE NEXT GREAT DUTIES OF RELIGION; NECESSARY TO THE RIGHT PERFORMANCE OF THE FORMER.[280]

_Directions for redeeming or well improving Time._

Time being man's opportunity for all those works for which he liveth, and which his Creator doth expect from him, and on which his endless life dependeth, the redeeming or well improving of it must needs be of most high importance to him; and therefore it is well made by holy Paul the great mark to distinguish the wise from fools; Eph. v. 15, 16, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time;" so Col. iv. 5. I shall therefore give you special directions for it, when I have first opened the nature of the duty to you, and told you what is meant by time, and what by redeeming it.

[Sidenote: What is meant by time.]

Time, in its most common acceptation, is taken generally for all that space of this present life which is our opportunity for all the works of life, and the measure of them. Time is often taken more strictly, for some special opportunity which is fitted to a special work, which we call the season or the fittest time: in both these senses time must be redeemed.

[Sidenote: What are the special seasons of duty.]

As every work hath its season which must be taken, Eccles. iii. 1; so have the greatest works assigned us for God and our souls, some special seasons besides our common time. 1. Some times God hath fitted by nature for his service. So the time of youth, and health, and strength is specially fitted for holy works. 2. Some time is made specially fit by God's institution; as the Lord's day above all other days. 3. Some time is made fit by governors' appointment: as the hour of public meeting for God's worship; and lecture days; and the hour for family worship, which every master of a family may appoint to his own household. 4. Some time is made fit by the temper of men's bodies: the morning hours are the best to most, and to some rather the evening; and to all, the time when the body is freest from pain and disabling weaknesses. 5. Some time is made fit by the course of our necessary, natural, or civil business; as the day is fitter than the sleeping time of the night, and as that hour is the fittest wherein our other employments will least disturb us. 6. Some time is made fit by a special shower of mercy, public or private; as when we dwell in godly families, among the most exemplary, helpful company, under the most lively, excellent means, the faithfulest pastors, the profitablest teachers, the best masters or parents, and with faithful friends. 7. Some time is made fit by particular acts of Providence: as a funeral sermon at the death of any near us; as the presence of some able minister or private christian, whose company we cannot ordinarily have; or a special leisure, as the eunuch had to read the Scripture in his chariot, Acts viii. 8. And some time is made specially fit, by the special workings of God's Spirit upon the heart; when he more than ordinarily illuminateth, teacheth, quickeneth, softeneth, humbleth, comforteth, exciteth, or confirmeth. As time in general, so specially these seasons, must be particularly improved for their several works: we must take the wind and tide while we may have it, and be sure to strike while the iron is hot. 9. And some time is made fit by others' necessities, and the call of God: as it is the time to relieve the poor when they ask, or when they are most in want; or to help our neighbour, when it will do him most good; to visit the sick, the imprisoned, and afflicted, in the needful season, Matt. xxv. Thus are the godly like trees planted by the river side, which bring forth fruit in their season, Psal. i. 3. So to speak in season to the ignorant and ungodly for their conversion, or to the sorrowful for their consolation, Isa. l. 4. 10. Our own necessity also maketh our seasons: so the time of age and sickness is made by necessity the season of our special repentance and preparation for death and judgment. 11. The present time is commonly made our season, through the uncertainty of a fitter, or of any more. Prov. iii. 27, 28, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee." Eccles.