_Direct._ IV. Consider that your work out of season is not so good or acceptable, if you could do it.[285] "Every thing is beautiful in its season," Eccles. iii. 11. To speak a "word in season to the weary," is the skill of the faithful messengers of peace, Isa. 1. 4. When out of season good may be turned into evil. Who will thank you for giving physic, or food, or clothing to the dead? or pitying the poor when it is too late? In time all this may be accepted.
_Direct._ V. Remember that if thou omit the season, thou art left to uncertainties both for time, and means, and grace. Lose this time, and for aught thou knowest thou losest all. Or if thou have time, it may be curst with barrenness, and never more may fruit grow on it. Preachers may be taken from thee; and gracious company may be taken from thee: helps and means may be turned into hinderances, and opposition, and strong temptations: and then you will find what it was to neglect the season! Or if you have the continuance of all helps and means, how know you that God will set in by his grace, and bless them to you, and move your hearts? He may resolve that if you resist him now, his Spirit shall strive with you no more. If while it is called to-day, you will harden your hearts, he may resolve to leave you to the hardness of Pharaoh, and to get himself a name upon you, and use you as vessels of wrath, prepared by your neglect and obstinacy for destruction.
_Direct._ VI. Bethink you how all the creatures keep their proper seasons, in the service which God hath appointed them for you.[286] The sun riseth and setteth in its season, and keepeth its diary and annual course, and misseth not a minute. So do the celestial motions. You have day and night, and seed-time and harvest, summer and winter, spring and fall, and all exactly in their seasons. "Yea, the stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed time, and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow observe the time of their coming: but my people know not the judgment of the Lord," Jer. viii. 7. Shall only man neglect his season?
_Direct._ VII. Consider how you know and observe the season for your worldly labours, and should you not much more do so in greater things? You will not plough when you should reap; nor do the work of the summer in the winter. You will not lie in bed all day, and go about your business in the night. You will be inquisitive, that you may be skilful in the seasons, for your benefit or safety in the world; and should you not much more be so for a better world? "O ye hypocrites! ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Matt. xvi. 3. As at harvest you look for the fruit of your land, so doth God in season expect fruit from you, Mark xii. 2; Luke xx. 10. The "godly" are "like a tree that is planted by the river's side, which bringeth forth its fruit in season," Psal. i. 3. Shall worldlings know their season, and shall not we?
_Direct._ VIII. Consider how vigilant the wicked are to know and take their season to do evil. And how much more should we be so in doing good! Seducers will take the opportunity to deceive. The thief and the adulterer will take the season of secrecy and darkness. The ambitious and covetous will take the season for profit and preferment. The malicious watch their seasons of revenge. And have we not more need and more encouragement than they? Is it time for them to be building their own houses, and growing great by covetousness and oppression, and is it not time for you to be honouring God, and providing for endless life?[287] They "cannot sleep unless they do evil," Prov. iv. 16; and can you sleep securely while your time passeth away, and your work is undone?
_Direct._ IX. Remember that the devil watcheth the season of temptation to destroy you. He prevaileth much by taking the time; when he seeth you disarmed, forgetting God, in secure prosperity, fittest to hearken to his temptations. The same temptations out of season might not prevail. And will you let your enemy outdo you?
_Direct._ X. Consider how earnest you are with God in your necessities and distress, not only to relieve and help you, but to do it speedily and in season.[288] You would rather have him prevent the season, than to let it pass. You are impatient till deliverance come, and can hardly stay the time till it be ripe. When you are in pain and sickness, you would be delivered speedily: you are ready to cry, "How long, Lord, how long?"[289] And as David, "The time, yea, the set time is come," Psal. cii. 13. "Make no longer tarrying, O my God!" Psal. xl. 17. It would not satisfy you if God should say, I will ease you of your pain the next year. Why then should you neglect the time of duty, and use so many delays with God? He giveth you all your mercies in their season; why then do you not in season give up yourselves to his love and service? when you have his promise, that you shall "reap in due season if you do not faint," Gal. vi. 9.