Page:Duty of redeeming the time in evil days, illustrated and enforced.pdf/6

6 the glorious gospel? The light has been abused, and darkness therefore comes on: we have long had light without heat and warmth of affection, and therefore the light itself is on the declining hand. And it is highly reasonable, that smarting under mispending of time we be stirred up to redeem it.

2d. Because such day's threaten the removal of opportunities of doing and getting good as formerly, Eccl. xi. 2. "Thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth." The days of Noah and Lot were evil days; and they redeemed time, the one by preparing an ark timely, the other by a timely escape out of Sodom: and had they not done so, the one had been carried away by the deluge, and the other had perished in the flames of Sodom. They that will not do when they may, may come to see the time when they shall not have opportunity when they would. When men have no use for God's candle set up among them to let them see to work, he will readily take it away, or at least it shall burn very din. Redeem time; for God is plainly saying to you, " Who among you will give ear to this? Who will hearken, and hear for the time to come?" Isa, xlii. 23.

3d. Because such days are dangerous and ensnaring days, and therefore people have the more need to be on their guard: And if they do not set themselves to row against the stream of the day, they will be fair to be carried down the stream with others. Therefore our Lord says, "Because inignity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold,” Matth. xxiv. 12. When a land or country is infected with the plague, every one sees himself obliged to take more than ordinary care about himself, lest the spreading contagion catch hold of him; now, spiritual infection in principles and practices are visibly spreading at this day: and we are like men in a throng, if we do not forcibly press forward, we cannot miss to be carried off our feet, and carried backward by the crowd. The cause of truth and holiness is so fully on the field against a declining generation; that to man can stand neutral, but he must lose ground to the enemy.

4th. Because God is much dishonoured in such days; and that should touch our hearts very nearly. This was