Part 427

_Direct._ III. Remember how gainful the redeeming of time is, and how exceeding comfortable in the review! In merchandise, or any trading, in husbandry, or any gaining course, we use to say of a man that hath grown rich by it, that he hath made use of his time. But when heaven, and communion with God in the way, and a life of holy strength and comfort, and a death full of joy and hope is to be the gain, how cheerfully should time be redeemed for these! If it be pleasant for a man to find himself thrive and prosper in any rising or pleasing employment, how pleasant must it be continually to us, to find that in redeeming time the work of God and our souls do prosper! Look back now on the time that is past, and tell me which part is sweetest to thy thoughts? However it be now, I can tell thee, at death, it will be an unspeakable comfort, to look back on a well-spent life; and to be able to say in humble sincerity, My time was not cast away on worldliness, ambition, idleness, or fleshly vanities or pleasures; but spent in the sincere and laborious service of my God, and making my calling and election sure, and doing all the good to men's souls and bodies that I could do in the world: it was entirely devoted to God and his church, and the good of others and my soul. What a joy is it when, going out of the world, we can in our place and measure say with our blessed Lord and pattern, John xvii. 4, 5, "I have glorified thee on earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do: and now, O Father, glorify me with thyself." Or as Paul, 2 Tim iv. 6-8, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give." And, 2 Cor. i. 12, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, we have had our conversation in the world." It is a great comfort in sickness to be able to say with Hezekiah, Isa. xxxviii. 3, "Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee, in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight." Oh! time well spent is a precious cordial to a soul that is going to its final sentence, and is making up its last and general accounts: yea, the reviews of it will be joyful in heaven: which is given, though most freely by the covenant antecedently, yet as a reward by our most righteous Judge, when he comes to sentence men according to that covenant.