Time Discerned

TIME DISCERNED.

*ECCLES. VIII. 5.* A wise man's heart discerneth TIME.

The Famous Writer of these Words was that Royal Preacher, Solomon. After much Experience of the World, and after much Repentance for that Experience, he drew up a Treatise De summo bono, concerning the chief Good of man. The penitent and inspired Monarch, having arrived to the Top of this world, pitties the poor men whom he sees toiling and sweating to get up the rocky hill after him, and expecting to find Happiness there — and with a loud voice he gives this warning to them, Sirs, You will be all mistaken, you will meet with nothing but Vanity and Vexation here.

The Context here contains the Reflections of this wise prince on the Countenance which he had given to public and open Idolatry in Israel, and the compliance which they that should have advised the contrary yielded thereunto. Men seek out many inventions to excuse themselves from bearing an humble but a faithful Testimony against any sinful thing which their superiors may invite them to. One of these inventions is mentioned in the fourth verse of this Chapter; it is drawn from the uncontrollable power of them that sometimes enjoin a sinful thing. To this excuse we have a two-fold answer in the fifth verse. We have two things in it. First, the good of religion. Tis said, Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing. q. d. Be true to God's Commandments and your own conscience, let who will be offended at it; the wonderful providence of the Almighty will in the mean time be concerned for your safety and security. A man gets no real hurt by doing of his duty. Secondly, the need of discretion. Tis said A wise man's heart discerneth both Time and Judgment. q. d. In the doing of this, and every other duty, two things are to be much regarded. Mind the season of the duty, and mind the manner of the duty: much harm will thereby be prevented in discharging of it. Tis the former of these two regardables that I would now insist upon. Behold a general rule applied to a particular case: the case is, the rebuking and refusing of sin; but the rule is, A wise man always will discern his time to do what he has to do. To discern the time — it must needs also signify to improve the time. Therefore the doctrine is, A wise man will discern and improve his time, to do what is incumbent on him.

Our propositions are to be such as these.