MEDITATION XXIX.
MEDITATION XXIX.
TIME TO BE REDEEMED.
Spithead, May 24, 1758.
"Time is short." (1 Corinthians 7:29)
"So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of time because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Time is precious, though misspent, though thought little of. I begin to set an higher value on time—which is ever valuable, than I was accustomed to do. But, ah! I begin to resolve when golden opportunities are past; and lost forever! God has been kind in giving me time, which I have not been cautious in spending, in improving. But, alas! blanks are not the worst, for I have not only trifled away and slept away time—but have sinned away much of my time!
O! what great things are to be done in this little inch of time! God will have none of his servants idle; we must trade with his talents here, and the profit shall be ours hereafter. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, encouraged by this—that God works all our works in us. Thus, to speak, not like the proud legalist—but, like the laborious Christian, we must scale the walls of heaven (for holy violence is allowed) and take it by force. We must combat principalities and powers, and crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts. I must stand upon my watch, keep a sharp look-out on all my foes, on the least sin, cut off hours which I have too often spent in (shall I call it) sinful sleep and guard against trifling amusements, and superfluous visits; not that visits and recreations are simply sinful—but the excess therein. I must carefully attend to my time as it passes, for with grief I see that I cannot recall time when past. I have much work to do. I have to bear witness to the excellency of true religion, and against sinners; my backslidings to bewail, my failings to amend, my conversation daily to inspect, my accounts to settle for the day of judgment (O to be found in Jesus in that day!) my treasure to lay up in heaven, my affections to set on things above, my sins to mortify, my graces to strengthen, death to prepare for, eternity to improve for, my salvation to secure, God to live to, and the Lord Jesus daily to put on. Now, say if such a one has reason to be idle, or to trifle time away?