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SERMON XVIII.

ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF TIME.

EPHES. V. 16.

Redeeming the time.

TIME, as we have very often had occasion to observe, is a jewel of inestimable value; a talent, a trust of infinite importance, committed to us by the great Lord of all, with a view to its being employed to some appointed end; and of which a strict account will be required. To every one of us this charge has been intrusted, and every one of us must render this account.

Let me therefore entreat your very serious attention, while from the apostolic exhortation,

I. I

say a few words as to the right employment of time:

II. Infer the charge which the words imply, that time has been perverted from its right employment and

III. Enforce the exhortation, that it be hence

forward redeemed.-And may the divine blessing assist and crown our meditations.

I. Let us inquire what is the just end for which time should be employed? Should you be entrusted with some highly valuable property, belonging to an absent friend, you would naturally make two inquiries: To what end and purpose would my friend wish this property to be employed? and By what means may that end most effectually be pursued? God, my dear hearers, is that friend; it is he in whom you live, and move, and have your being; he gives you all things richly to enjoy; the high trust he has committed to you, is-time; the ends for which he bids you employ it are clearly pointed out in his word, and are-his glory;-your own salvation; and the good of your fellow-creatures. He bids you occupy till he come; for it is his design, ere long, to return and reckon with all his servants, and "render unto every man according to his works."

First, The glory of God is the highest end, and ought to be the chosen object and aim, of every rational creature. It was so when man was in his original state, created after the image of his Maker in righteousness and true holiness; it is so in the soul on which regenerating grace has passed; increasingly so, as progress is made in grace, and advancing preparation for glory. And where this object is not pursued, or sought with ardour

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suitable to its value, it only confirms the humbling truth, that all mankind are by nature depraved and corrupt, and that the saints are renewed but in part. The sovereign claim of God remains the same as when it was man's highest delight and chosen employment, in ceaseless hymns of adoring love and gratitude, to chaunt the great Creator's praise; therefore, our time, our thoughts, our tongues, and all our powers, ought still to be employed in shewing forth his glory.

Secondly, The salvation of our souls is another grand object for which time was given us. Man is a rational and an accountable creature, capable of being governed, and necessarily placed under the law of his Creator. Man is also an immortal creature; the child of bliss, or the heir of woe eternal! Time is given to form, to mature his character; and the close of time shall fix his state accordingly. Man has transgressed his Maker's laws, and therefore is become liable to the penalty annexed to them-death, eternal death: "The wages of sin is death;" awful state! Yet, in "the valley of Achor," is opened "a door of hope." The Bible reveals to us a way of pardon and acceptance with God; for "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son" to die for it. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." It is only by believing on this gracious Saviour that we can become partakers of the benefits he procured; and this we are ex

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pressly commanded in Scripture to do. is the work of God, that we believe on him whom he hath sent... Whoso believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life; but whoso believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Repentance of past sins is also required of us, in order to salvation; "Except ye repent ye shall perish ... God commandeth all men, every where, to repent ;" and to repentance and faith, is added, a succeeding course of holy obedience: "Bring forth fruits meet for repentance... Whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall find mercy." We are to hold "faith in a pure conscience;" to "add to our faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherlykindness; and to brotherly-kindness charity;" and thus "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." For, as an apostle argues with those who would separate what God has united-faith and works; "Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

And because that by our fall from God, we are not only become guilty before God, and deserving his wrath, but polluted and weak, unfit to appear in his presence, and unable to perform his commands; he has graciously promised his Holy Spirit to renew us unto holiness, to purify our hearts by faith, sprinkle them from an evil conscience, and enable us to run the way of God's commandments

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