Obrázky stránek
PDF
ePub

Sir Matthew Hale.

(FROM HIS WORKS; AND, HIS LIFE BY BISHOP BURNET.)

I

OF THE REDEMPTION OF TIME.

WOULD Consider, first, How time is to be redeemed; and, secondly, Why time is to be thus redeemed.

On the manner of redeeming the time, I shall set down only these generals:

1. We are to neglect no opportunity that occurs, to do good; but, (1.) To watch all opportunities, that offer themselves thereunto. (2.) To seek for them, if

they offer not themselves.

not to let them slip.

(3.) To use them; and

2. In the co-incidence of opportunities of several kinds, and suiting to several actions, to give those the prelation that correspond to the most worthy actions; and, in the co-incidence of opportunities for actions of equal moment, to prefer such as are most rare, and probably of unlikelihood to occur again, before those that are under a probability of frequent oc

currence.

3. We are to be very careful to leave no baulks or interspersions of idleness in our lives. Those men that have most employment, and of the most constant nature, cannot choose but have certain interstitia

H

between the varieties of business, which may be fitted with employments suitable to their length or qualities; and it becomes a good husband of his time, to have some designations and destinations of businesses, that may be suited to the nature, quality, seasons, and more of those vacant interstitia. An industrious husbandman, tradesman, scholar, will never want business fitted for occasional vacancies and horæ subsiciva [the parings of time]. Gellius, in his Noctes Atticæ, hath left us an experiment of it: and a Christian, even as such, hath ready employment for occasional interstices-reading, praying: the crumbs and fragments of time should be furnished with their suitable employments: it is precious; and therefore let none of it be lost.

4. Much time might be saved and redeemed, in retrenching the unnecessary expenses thereof, in our ordinary sleep, attiring and dressing ourselves, and the length of our meals; as, breakfasts, dinners, suppers; which, especially in this latter age, and among people of the better sort, are protracted to an immoderate and excessive length: there is little less than ten or twelve hours, every day, spent in these refections and appendancies, which might be fairly reduced to much less.

5. Take heed of entertaining vain thoughts, which are a very great consumption of time, and are very incident to melancholy and fanciful persons, whom I have known to sit the greatest part of several days in projecting what they would do, if they had such

estates, honours, or places, and such kind of unprofitable and vain meditations; which humour is much improved in them that lie long in bed, in a morning.

6. Beware of too much recreation. Some bodily exercise is necessary, for sedentary men especially; but let it not be too frequent, nor too long. Gaming, taverns, and plays, as they are pernicious, and corrupt youth; so, if they had no other fault, yet they are justly to be declined, in respect of their excessive expense of time, and habituating men to idleness and vain thoughts, and disturbing passions and symptoms, when they are past, as well as while they are used. Let no recreations, of any long continuance, be used in the morning; for they hazard the loss or discomposure of the whole day after.

7. Visits made, or received, are, for the most part, an intolerable consumption of time, unless prudently ordered; and they are, for the most part, spent in vain and impertinent discourses. (1.) Let them not be used in the morning. (2.) Let the visits made to, or by, persons of impertinence, be short, and at such times as may be best spared from what is more useful or necessary; viz. at meals, or presently after. (3.) But, if the persons to be visited are men of wisdom, learning, or eminence of parts, the visits may be longer; but yet, so as the time may be profitably spent in useful discourse; which carries in it as well profit and advantage, as civility and respect.

8. Be obstinately constant to your devotions at certain set times; and be sure to spend the Lord's

day entirely in those religious duties proper for it: and let nothing but an inevitable necessity divert you from it. For, (1.) It is the best and most profitably spent time; it is in order to the great end of your being in the world. (2.) It is in order to your everlasting happiness; in comparison of which, all other businesses of this life are idle and vain: it is that which will give you the greatest comfort in your life, in your sickness, in your death; and he is a fool that provides not for that which will most certainly come. (3.) It is the most reasonable tribute imaginable unto that God, that lends you your time; and you are bound to pay it, under all the obligations of duty and gratitude. And, (4.) It is that which will sanctify and prosper all the rest of your time, and your secular employments.--I am not apt to be superstitious; but this I have certainly and infallibly found true, that, by my deportment in my duty towards God, in the times devoted to his service, especially on the Lord's-day, I could make a certain conjecture of my success, in my secular occasions, the rest of the week after. If I were loose and negligent in the former, the latter never succeeded well: if strict, and conscientious, and watchful, in the former, I was successful and prosperous in the latter.

9. Be industrious and faithful in your calling. The merciful God hath not only indulged unto us a far greater portion of time, for our ordinary occasions, than he hath reserved to himself; but also enjoins and requires our industry and diligence in it. And re

member, that you observe that industry and diligence, not only as civil means, to acquire a competency for yourself and your family, but also as an act of obedience to his command and ordinance: by means whereof, you make it not only an act of civil conversation, but of obedience to Almighty God; and so it becomes, in a manner, spiritualized into an act of religion

you,

10. Whatever you do, be very careful to retain in your heart a habit of religion, that may be always about you, and keep your heart and your life always as in his presence, and tending towards him. This will be continually with you, and put itself into acts, even although you are not in a solemn posture of religious worship; and will lend you multitudes of religious applications to Almighty God, upon all occasions and interventions, which will not at all hinder in any measure, in your secular occasions; but better and further you. It will make you faithful in your calling, even upon the account of an actual reflection of your mind upon the presence and command of the God you fear and love it will make you actually thankful for successes and supplies; temperate and sober in all your natural actions; just and faithful in all your dealings; patient and contented in all your disappointments and crosses; and, actually, to consider and intend his honour in all you do: and will give a tincture of religion and devotion upon all your secular employments; and turn those very actions, which are, materially, civil or natural, into the very true and formal nature of reli

« PředchozíPokračovat »