Redeeming the Time

Chapter 1

1. For the instruction itself, See that ye walk circumspectly, ἀκριβῶς,

exactly, precisely; no word fits the Greek better than this; it comes of two words, ἀκριβῶς, which signify to go to the extremity of a thing: we must be willing to go to the utmost of every Command. To which purpose are

Chapter 2

2. For the reason binding to it, not as fools, but as wise. It points to

us, that exactness, or preciseness in holy walking is a fruit of true Wisdom. Luther brings in the men of the World objecting against him, Num tu solus sapis? Num solus tu De places? What? are you the only Wise man in th

Chapter 3

3. For the effect testifying of it, Redeeming the time. If I may explain

the words, 1. By time is meant opportunity; which either is taken for the whole course of our remaining life, or for such and such particular occasions as God doth offer to this or that particular duty; and both these ma

Chapter 4

1. The necessity of redeeming time is even confirmed by the

Heathens: It was the saying of Pittacus, one of the seven Wise-men, -- 5 of 41 -- "know time; do not waste a minute." Theophrastus had another saying similar to this, "Time is of precious cost." Pliny, upon seeing his

Chapter 5

1. Avoiding anything that would hinder us from seizing the

opportunity. If you ask, what are these hindrances? I answer, 1. Ignorance; many believe they are not so strictly accountable for time. It is a common opinion among the grossly ignorant that if they can just pass away ti

Chapter 6

2. Slothfulness; this makes people heedless or careless of their

time: As it is with the sluggard, "Yet a little more sleep, a little more slumber, a little more folding of the arms to sleep." So it is with the idle person, "Let this hour and this day be spent in doing nothing." Oh, t

Chapter 7

3. Love of fleshly liberty: Alas, what care do they have for

redeeming time who are set on their lusts and liberties to sin? All the care they have is merely to eat, drink, and play: sensual pleasures are the whole study of these men, and if they can but enjoy them, let time slip

Chapter 8

2. A compensation for some former unproductiveness: 〈in Greek〉 has

this interpretation, it is a redeeming (as it were) of that jewel of time that has been formerly lost. As a traveler who has long stayed at an inn, when he finds the night coming upon him, he quickens his pace, and goes

Chapter 9

3. An embracing of all occasions for acting graces, and doing good;

and this agrees with the reason following, for the days are evil. Look to yourselves, for these are hard and dismal times; now there is much corruption, and great persecution, and the opportunity for good is exceedingly

Chapter 10

1. In respect of time past. Alas, many a golden season have we lost,

how many hours, and days, and months, and years have we spent idly, and done little good? Is it not time then to seize every opportunity to redeem time past? When God brought us forth into this world, his commands were u

Chapter 11

2. In respect of the present time: It is but a moment on which eternal

bliss or woe depends. If we have lost past time, and if we do lose the present time, we may be undone forever. In this respect, we may say of time, as Boaz said to his kinsman concerning Ruth, "If you will redeem it, red

Chapter 12

1. Because now are evil days; the very reason in the text: these

are the last times, which the Apostle calls perilous times; and why perilous? For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, etc. One would think it rather a history than a prophecy

Chapter 13

2. Because now are days of light: notwithstanding the evils of

some or most in comparison, yet many glorious truths do now appear: the Devil, I know, now brings forth his ware, but withal God is now communicating many blessed truths. In respect of us, our fathers before, and since t

Chapter 14

1. Death is at hand, and then we cannot redeem the time: So the

Preacher says, "Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." In other words, if there is anything to be done, if the

Chapter 15

2. Our fate for eternity of joys or woes approaches quickly, and is

even at the door. Then I am certain, an account must be given for time, as well as for all other things. "Come," Christ will say, "give an account of your stewardship, of all things done in the flesh, and of every moment

Chapter 16

1. The idle; those who are so far from redeeming time, that they are

perpetually losing time. This was the sin of Sodom, pride, fullness of bread: and abundance of idleness, was in her. Allow me a moment to expose this sin. Surely this sin is the source of all sins; by doing -- 11 of 41

Chapter 17

2. The hedonistic: these misuse their time as badly as the former.

They take the tambourine and harp and rejoice at the sound of the organ, they spend their days in merriment. They squander the richness and vitality (as it were) of precious time, even the prime of their lives, in frivol

Chapter 18

3. The godly themselves: Alas, even the best fall short in this duty of

redeeming the time. Did not the Lord complain against his own people, the stork in the heaven knows her appointed times; and the turtle dove, and the crane, and the swallow observe the time of their coming, but my people

Chapter 19

2. Must time be redeemed? Then let me exhort you by the meekness

and gentleness of Christ to exercise this duty. Oh, redeem your time! Avoid all those hindrances that would distract you: compensate for your former unproductiveness with subsequent diligence; seize all opportunities to

Chapter 20

1. Time is always fleeting and waits for no one. The Scripture is very

clear on this; we encounter many metaphors hinting at the sudden, invisible motion of time. "My days are swifter than a courier; they fly away; they have passed away as swift ships, as the eagle that hastens -- 14 of 41

Chapter 21

2. As time is swift, so our time is short. The heavens indeed are said

to be of swift motion, but of long duration; but our time is otherwise. When the Corinthians proposed various moral dilemmas, after some answers the Apostle gives them this: "But this I say, brethren, the time is short,"

Chapter 22

3. Time is not only swift and short, but it is nothing, I say, a very

nothing in comparison. As some creatures are said to be nothing in comparison to others. What is the ant to the elephant; or the shrimp -- 15 of 41 -- to the whale? What is the whole body of the Earth to the body of th

Chapter 23

4. Though time is swift and short, and as nothing in comparison, yet

it is a commodity more precious than the Gold of Ophir. If we could hear lost souls utter themselves, oh what would they say? Or what would they give for a little of that little time they had on earth? If the Lord by div

Chapter 24

5. Our time has been a very sinful time. Ah, my brethren, think over

your ignorance, unbelief, worldliness, covetousness, pride, malice, lusts, lukewarmness, impatience, discontentment, vanity, self-love, wandering and wicked imaginations: in a word, all your pollutions, disorders, estran

Chapter 25

6. The Scriptures speak of a remarkable set time of grace, a time of

visitation, Luke 19.44, a time of Salvation, 2 Cor. 6.2, a time while God may be found, Psalm 32.6, a time when he holds out the Golden Scepter, Esther 5.2, a time wherein the Fountain runs, and the spirit proclaims, "Ho

Chapter 26

7. The time is coming, yes, it is near, even at the door, when time

shall be no more. This is the voice of the seventh Angel, "And the Angel which I saw standing upon the Sea and upon the Earth, lifted up his hand to Heaven, and swore by him that lives forever and ever, that there should

Chapter 27

1. By way of concession, I believe there is indeed a day of grace, and if

that sun sets, it will never, never rise again. "If you had known, even you at least in this your day, the things belonging to your peace, but now they are hidden from your eyes." This implies that the gate of mercy is n

Chapter 28

2. Although it is true that there is a day of grace, and that this day

may set; yet in respect to us, the ministers of Christ, we cannot determine it; and therefore as long as you live we still call, "Oh repent! Oh redeem your time!" I may add, in respect to yourselves, it is not in you to

Chapter 29

3. It may be this day, this night, this sermon, this very hour may be

your day of grace. Listen! Is not Christ's Spirit now knocking? Is not Christ himself now offering mercy to your soul? Oh you sons of men who have misused your time, will you now at least in this your day be wise to salv

Chapter 30

4. Must time be redeemed? Then here are some rules or directions

on how we must redeem it. Rule 1. Avoid everything that would hinder us from seizing the opportunity. What those things are you have heard before; such as ignorance, sloth, and love of fleshly liberty. Many other particu

Chapter 31

1. My first and morning thoughts should be on God, or on something

in service to Him. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning. — O Lord, be gracious to me. I have waited for you, be my strength every morning. — I will sing of your power, I will sing aloud of

Chapter 32

2. I should meditate. I will not determine whether morning or

evening may be more suitable for set, deliberate, and solemn meditation? Only this I affirm, that either a solemn or an occasional meditation is a morning duty. In some sort, meditation and prayer should always go togeth

Chapter 33

1. Upon my first waking, I may think on that morning of my

Resurrection, when the Lord will awake me from the dust; it is but a while until the trumpet shall sound, Awake, and sing you that dwell in the dust, for your dew is as the dew of herbs; and then shall the earth cast out

Chapter 34

2. Upon sight of the morning sun, I may think on that Sun of

Righteousness that enlightens Heaven. The sun that shines on me was only created for this lower world, and yet how glorious is it? Oh then what light is there in that City above, that has no need of sun, or moon, or star

Chapter 35

3. Upon the putting on of my apparel, I may think on that

garment of Righteousness with which my soul either is or should be clothed. Alas! What is this outward robe but a rag, or at best an excrement of dead worms, of which I have little reason to be proud? But my soul's robe

Chapter 36

2. I should pray, and to this duty, I may join the reading of the Word.

That this is a morning's duty, the Scripture is explicit: "In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." — "And in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee." — "And evening, and morning, and at noo

Chapter 37

2. All the rest of the day until evening should I spend my time in the

duties of my particular calling, nor do I know the least reason why any man in the world, high or low, rich or poor, should be herein exempted. Adam must not eat his bread without sweat and labor. Abel was a keeper of sh

Chapter 38

1. I grant there are such times wherein God calls us extraordinarily to

such spiritual duties all the day long; as either in afflictions felt or -- 24 of 41 -- feared, or in some special mercies expected or received. And there are those times we call the Lord's days, wherein we are to do n

Chapter 39

2. In my ordinary constant daily course I am to be in the exercise of

my particular calling, with which I may either mingle some actings of grace, or ejaculatory duties, as suddenly to look up to Heaven, and to behold the face of God, to whom I am to approve myself in my particular calling

Chapter 40

2. Seeing myself working for him, I can easily understand that for

that time I honor God as much, if not more, by the simplest servile worldly act, than if I were to spend all that time in prayer, meditation, or any other spiritual activity to which I was not called at such a time. It i

Chapter 41

1. The evening is a time for prayer, "Let my prayer be set forth before

thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." To this prayer, I join reading the Scripture and good books; for it is appropriate to end the day with the same duties with which we began it.

Chapter 42

2. The evening was Isaac's time for meditation: "And Isaac went out

to meditate in the field at the eventide." It may be that this duty of meditation is not so suitable for some temperaments in the morning; but shall the evening pass without some spiritual holy meditations? Some believe

Chapter 43

3. The evening is a time for self-examination. This is another

wonderful practice that many Christians occasionally use, but to set aside time for this every evening, as conscientiously as they do for reading the word and prayer, is rare. I am certain it was David's charge. "Commune

Chapter 44

4. The evening is a time to consider my privileges in Christ. When

David was ready for bed, "I will lay me down in peace, and sleep," says he, "for you Lord alone make me dwell in safety." See how he speaks of peace, rest, sleep, and safety: all these were privileges. It seems to me a s

Chapter 45

1. I would consider my communion with God the Father in love. This

the Father peculiarly bestows upon the Saints; and this they are immediately to regard him in, "God is love." Christians often walk with exceedingly troubled hearts concerning the thoughts of the Father towards them; the

Chapter 46

2. I must regard the love of the Father in such a way as to receive it

by faith; I must believe in this love of God as being for myself. Certainly, His love is not mine, nor will it be mine in its sweetness, until it is received in this way. Either I must know it, assent to it, embrace it,

Chapter 47

3. This love must have its proper fruit and effect upon my heart in a

return of love to Him again. To this end, God loves so that He may be loved: this is the return that He demands, "My son, give me your heart," your affections, your love. Oh, the privilege of saints! They have food to ea

Chapter 48

4. I would consider my communion with God the Son in grace. So the

Apostle, speaking of our communion with Him as Mediator, concludes his Epistles, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Not to mention any other grace but His purchased grace of justification, or acceptanc

Chapter 49

1. I must listen to the voice of Christ calling me to Him with my

burden, "Come to me, you poor soul with your guilt of sin, for that is mine; this agreement I made with my Father from all eternity, that I should come, and take your sins and bear them away; they were my lot, give me yo

Chapter 50

2. Upon this call, I must lay down my sins at the cross of Christ upon

His shoulders. This is faith's great and bold venture upon the grace, faithfulness, and truth of Christ, to stand by the cross, and say, "Ah! He is bruised for my sins, and wounded for my transgressions, and the chastise

Chapter 51

3. Having thus given up my sins to Christ through faith, I must

approach and accept the righteousness that he has achieved for me. For this purpose, he offers himself and his righteousness to be my righteousness before God. By accepting it, I complete this bartering and exchange of f

Chapter 52

3. I would consider my communion with the Holy Ghost in comfort.

We often read in the Gospel that he is the Comforter. Oh, the -- 31 of 41 -- condescension of the Holy Ghost! He willingly proceeds or comes forth from the Father to be our Comforter; he knew what we were, and what our

Chapter 53

1. I must ask for him from the Father in the name of Jesus Christ.

This is the daily work of believers; they look upon and consider the Holy Ghost as promised to be sent, and in this promise they know lies all their grace, peace, mercy, and comfort; for by him so promised are these thin

Chapter 54

2. If comfort comes, I must learn to act faith distinctly on the Holy

Ghost, as the immediate efficient cause of all my comfort. It may be that the Spirit is given, and he offers or administers consolations, but then I do not consider him as the Comforter, why surely this grieves him: a li

Chapter 55

3. I must return praise and thanks, and honor, and glory, and

blessings to him on account of those comforts I receive from him. When I feel myself warmed with joy, supported with peace, or established in obedience, I should then ascribe to him the praise that is his due. And this p

Chapter 56

1. In life, it will appear in her general and particular calling.

Firstly, every morning and evening she was engaged in the duties of meditation and prayer. This was her routine, not sporadic, but daily. In her pleasant walks or private room, she spent both her early and late hours in

Chapter 57

1. In meekness: She had a meek and quiet spirit. Rarely have I seen

her excessive in passions, but often have I seen her quiet, meek, gentle, and easy to be entreated amidst provocations. In her sickness, she behaved like a lamb; not a word of passion or irritability came from her lips,

Chapter 58

2. In humility: She was of high descent and of royal blood, yet

humble in heart and lowly in spirit. She never scorned the poorest creature but often stooped to remarkable condescensions, as I perceived. In her sickness, as well as death, she laid her honor in the dust. She was far f

Chapter 59

3. In patience, submission, and contentment of spirit, she was at

God's disposal. She had a severe sickness, and because of her previous health, it was even more severe for her. For many years before, she had not been sick in bed for a single day. She had taken many turns in her walks

Chapter 60

4. In faith. She was always acting in faith during her sickness. Often

she acknowledged her own nothingness, vileness, wretchedness; that she had little faith and no ability to help herself. Indeed her weakness in faith, in grace, and in all performances was her constant complaint; and this

Chapter 61

5. In her love for Ministers. Her heart was wholly set on Christ; and

as a true sign of it, she loved Christ's image, especially in his Ministers. And now I speak of my own loss; among others she was pleased to cast her affections on the least worthy of all my Master's messengers. In her l

Chapter 62

6. In her love and charity towards all. Many discords have occurred

in these sad times, and she has suffered greatly in many respects, yet as she approached the confines of Eternity, I urged her to forgive others, as she desired God to forgive her; at which she proclaimed very affectiona

Chapter 63

7. In her desire to die, and to be with Jesus Christ, which was best of

all. Sometimes she cried, "Oh when will that good hour come!" And again sometimes, "Oh that I were dissolved, that I might be with Christ!" But telling her of her duty, that she must wait, for waiting was a posture fit f