Page:Duty of redeeming the time in evil days, illustrated and enforced.pdf/2



N the preceding verse, the apostle exhorts the Ephesians to walk circumspectly, that is, accurately, exactly, and precisely, endeavouring in the most minute things in their walk to be regular and holy; shewing withal, that true wisdom requires such exactness of life. Our text points out one thing wherein their spiritual wisdom should especially appear, viz Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” In which words we have,

1st. A duty enjoined, redeeming the time. The expression is metaphorical, taken from merchants who wait the market, improve the season of making gain; and if at any time they have lost by their negligence, they bestir themselves to catch the season again when it offers. Thus should we do with the time, or season of grace and good works, the season for doing or getting good. That time is often mispent, the season is slipt; and we must endeavour to buy it back again, by doubling our diligence in the present time, as the traveller, who has gone too slow through the day, labours to redeem the time, by mending his pace, when it grows towards evening.

2d. The reason of the duty, because the days are evil." Not that any days are in themselves evil or unlucky, more than others; but that they were days wherein much evil fell out and was to fall out. The days the apostle speaks of were evil, in respect of the great evils going on in them among men, which put professors in hazard of sinning or suffering They were ensnaring days, both in respect of principles and practices; false doctrine was vented by many, the resurrection was denied, justification by faith alone opposed, and the purity of the gospel overthrown by many: scandalous practices were introduced and persecution was raised in several places. and was on the growing hand

The scope and meaning of the words may be summed up in the following doctrinal note, viz.