Page:Duty of redeeming the time in evil days, illustrated and enforced.pdf/5

Rh mind to redeem their time; for there is no getting sleeping to heaven.

3d. It imports catching of seasons that offer themselves again for procuring or increasing our spiritual stock. We must "be sober, and watch unto prayer," 1 Pet. iv. 7. We must do as Benhadad's servants did, 1 Kings xx. 33. Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him, and did hastily catch it." As men who being to go a long voyage, but have slept while wind and tide served, and so missed the occasion of setting off, will watch the first opportunity thereafter, and lay hold on it when it comes. Many a fair occasion for Immanuel's land has been neglected; that at length we were wise to let no more slip!

4th. Lastly, It imports improving the present time diligently, as men who have a great loss to make up. Thus did the spouse, Cant. iii. 4. "It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me." There is no other way of redeeming past time, but by better improving the present time while it is among our hands. We should then be more frequent and more fervent in spiritual exercises, carefully laying out ourselves, that the time remaining may be filled up to the best advantage. Time is precious, let us not be lavish of it any more.

II. The second head of discourse is to shew, why the evil of the days wherein men's lot is cast should move them to redeem time.

1st. Because it is the mispending of time and misimproving the seasons of grace, that bring such evil days on a church or people called by the name of Christ. That is the fixed rule of God's dispensations towards his church, 2 Chron. xv. 2, The Lord is with you, while ye be with him, and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” Misimproving of seasons of grace makes sinning times, and sinning times make ensnaring and suffering times. And what is the reason of all the evils of our day, but unfruitfulness under