[2.] Adversity maketh men serious. It was the aggravation of Ahaz's sin, that he was the worse for his misery, 2 Chron. xxviii. 22. If ever a man would be serious and circumspect, it should be in his misery : Heb. xii. 10, ' For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.'
[3.] With relation to the heathens among whom they lived, he adviseth them to redeem the time : Col. iv. 5, ' Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.' Men that live a profane life themselves, as the unconverted heathens did, take all occa- sions to speak evil of religion, or of those that embrace a different course. Give them no advantage, but by your sedulous diligence in the heavenly life keep up a full testimony in their consciences against that which they practise.
[4.] Some are so bad and froward, that they would take away liberty, estates, yea, life itself from you, and with it all occasions of doing and receiving good. You carry your own lives in your hands, and the lives of many of God's precious instruments are in danger ; and there- fore before means and opportunities be wholly lost, redeem the time. This I take to be the principal consideration ; and other scriptures enforce it : Eccles. xi. 2, ' Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.' It is wisdom to do God's work in God's time. We may die, or our estates or our
VeR. 16.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 361
liberty be taken from us ; it is good to be aforehand with the times, and take the season while it lasteth : John ix. 4, ' I must work the works of him that sent me whilst it is day ; the night cometh, when na man can work.' Opportunities being lost, they are not easily if at all recovered : John xi. 9, ' Are there not twelve hours in the day ? ' There is a prefixed time. A man would not neglect the daytime to go about> his business. As long as providence continueth the occasions and opportunities of exercising our functions and abilities, we should not alarm ourselves with needless fears, but be quickened to the more serious diligence. When God hath a mind to use us, he can secure us and keep us safe : John xii. 35, ' Yet a little while is the light with you, walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you ; ' and ver. 36, ' While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be children of the light ; ' that is, I am not long to stay with you as the light of the world ; make use of me while you have me, or else yoU; are like to be left in a blind unhappy condition for ever. Get your knowledge complete, directions sure, that you may live like christians when I am gone. The scriptures are so full and so apposite, that we need no more to explain the words.
Doct. That it is the duty of christians to look to the due improve- ment of the time and season.
I shall draw out the force of the apostle's exhortation in this method —
1. The commodity that Ave are to buy, and that is, time and season.
2. The use we are to put it to, that is, to glorify God, and save our souls.
3. The encouragements to the bargain.
I. The commodity or thing to be bought, Kaipo<; ; the word signi- fieth time and season, the general and particular opportunity.
1. Time. Our whole life is but the larger season ; it is not time that you may spend as you list, but it is opportunity given you for the great work and business of your souls.
[1.] If you have not begun already by conversion, it must not be delayed and left to uncertainties. The sooner you begin to buy time, the better bargain you will have ; for every man would have as much for his money as possibly he can, therefore take the market while it is at the best : Eccles. xii. 1, ' Kemember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.' While the effects of his creating bounty are fresh in our sense and feeling, as they are in the flower and vigour of youth, then let us remember the duty, love, and service we owe to our Creator. Then we have more advantages to serve him, senses lively, affections tender, wits more nimble and acute. If there must be a change, it is better it should be sooner than later ; a twig is more easily bent than a bough or the limb of a tree. By degrees we grow stiff and habituated to sin : Jer. xiii. 23, ' Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots ? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do eviL' David was not of their opinion that think that religion doth not become us while we are young : Ps. cxix. 9, ' Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way ? ' Many think devotion is better received when their youthful heats are s})ent. No ; then there is more need of its grave precepts to check the fervour of youthful lusts (as the putting in