As the fixed stars, by reason of our being placed at such distance from them, appear but as so many points; so when we, placed in eternity, shall look back upon all time, it will appear but as a moment.
*Then, a luxury, an indulgence, a prosperity, a greatness of fifty years, will seem to every one that looks back upon it, as the same poor short enjoyment, as if he had been snatched away in his first sin.
These few reflections upon time, are only to shew how poorly they think, how miserably they judge, who are less careful of an eternal state, because they may be at some years distance from it, than they would be, if they knew they were within a few weeks of it.
CHAP. XII.
Concerning that part of devotion which relates to times and hours of prayer. Of daily early prayer in the morning. How we may improve our forms of prayer, and increase the spirit of devotion.
1.HAVING in the foregoing chapters shewn the necessity of a devout spirit, in every part of our common life, in the discharge of all our business, in the use of all the gifts of God: I come now to consider that part of devotion, which relates to times and hours of prayer.
*I take it for granted, that every Christian, that is in health, is up early in the morning; for it is much more reasonable to suppose a person up early, because he is a Christian, than because he is a labourer, or a tradesman, or a servant, or has business that wants him.
*We naturally conceive some abhorrence of a man that is in bed, when he should be at his labour, or in his shop. We can’t tell how to think any thing good of him, who is such a slave to drowsiness, as to neglect his business for it.
*Let this therefore teach us to conceive, how odious we must appear in the sight of heaven, if we are in bed, shut up in sleep, when we should be praising God; and are such slaves to drowsiness, as to neglect our devotions for it.