sleepe; but if we will awake and worke, let vs do that in the day, as nature hath ordained as meete for such a pur∣pose, as it is written Psal. 104. The Sun ariseth, and man goeth forth vnto his labour. There are sundry things which being done in their season, are well done, and praise∣worthy, but being done out of meet time they are faults and blame-worthy.
Instinct of Nature hath taught the Swallow & Crane to know and keepe their seasons, as the Prophet Ieremy saith, Iere. 8, 7. and it is the counsell of the Heathens to take hold of occasions and seasons. The Poets did feigne Time to haue a bush before, & to be bald behind, wherby they meane to teach, that opportunities and fit times to do things is not to be ouerslipped. Christ hath giuen vs an example in his owne person, for hee duely obserued occasions of Doctrine and Myracles. This wisedome our Apostle would teach vs heere, when he saith, [It is high time.] And vnto the same discretion, doth Iames call vs, Iames 5, 13. To pray when wee are afflicted, to sing Psalmes when we reioyce. Esay complaines of such as gaue them∣selues to pleasure and mirth, when Gods iudgments cal∣led them to mourning. It is great indiscretion securelie to follow our carnall pleasures, when God cals vs to se∣rious repentance. Salomon saith of God himselfe, Ec∣cl. 3, 1. That GOD hath an appointed time (that, is a sea∣son) for all his Workes. Let Gods Children labour to imi∣tate their fathers wisedome, for that which is written of speeches & words spoken in season, they are like Apples of Golde, with Pictures of Siluer, may be said of works done in season, they are precious and pleasant. It were a shame for vs to be worse then sencelesse creatures, and godlesse Heathen, yet it is the common sinne of Christi∣ans, as in their particular actions, not to marke offered occasions of God to do good: so in their general course of life, numbers are asleepe when they should wake, con∣trary to the Apostles counsell heere, It is high time that ye did awake out of sleepe.