- -_,--- C hap .4. according to St M A T T H E V V. if we dwell not in the undoing and reverting of them, Ezra t o. not. t. and 9. 11. They were to begin anew their repent- ance, becaufc they had not confidered their marrying of ftrange Wives. Verfe 18. Ard lefus Walking by the fea of Galilee] Not for recreation fake, or to deceive the time ( for h e had a great multi- tude attending upon him to hear theWord of God, as St Lukeno- teth) but as laying hold on the opportunity of calling Peter and Andrew; and, after that, lames and loins to the Apafllefhip. Our Saviour knew that a well chofen feafon is the greateit advantage of any a&tion : which, as it is feldom found in hafte, fo is it toooften loft in delay. The men of If'achar were in great account with s r hraa.r ;R David, because they had underfandang of the times, to know What Ifrael ought to doe, and When to doe it. So are they in great account with the forme of David, who regard and improve (as he did here) the feafonof well-doing ; which they that lofe are the greateft losers, and the waftfalleft prodigals : For of all other poffJlìons two may be had together : bu: two moments of time ( how much lel1 two opportunities of time ?) cannot be poímft.together. Some are temper villuri (as Seneca faith ) ever about to doe better : they (land futuring and Whiling out the time fo long, till they have trifled and fooled away their own 1alvation. Let us fit ready in the door of our hearts (as o/fbra- ham did in the door of his tent) to apprehend occafions of doing cod ashe to entertain affen ers ; to f er a word or Work upon ç.sa. g p g k p Eccici.;. Y a. it's Wheels, that it may be as apples of gold, and plctures of fil- J ;b 6 as, ver, pleafant andprofitable; for every thing is beauttfoll in it's foam, andhow fircible are right Words? As the Bee (fo loon asever the Sunnebreaks fo ih) flies abroad to gather honey and wax : So be thou ready toeve.y good work, waiting the occafior<s thereof, Tit.3 1. Now, now, taithDavid, and after him Paul; aCor,6,a. because ( for ought we know) it is Now or Never, to day, or not at all. Opportunities are headlong, and, once pall, irreco- verable, Ex hoc momento pendet aternitac. God bath banged 'uJ' theheavieft weights upon the weakeft wires. Be quick therefore, Provos ?.r. and abrupt in thine obedience, Thou knowef not what a great- Ne/u ,quid ¡e. bellied day may bring firth : Yea, thou maift thevery next hour r welter ve- becut off fromall further time of repentance, acceptation, and fiat. grace forever. He taw twobrethren. j Heknew them andadmitted them inter his 89
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