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SECT. XV.
14. FUrthermore;* 1.1 We have lost a great deal of precious Time already, and therefore it is reason that we labor so much the harder. If a traveller do sleep or trifle out the most of the day, he must travel so much the faster in the Evening, or else he is like to fall short of his Journeys end. With some of us, our child-hood and youth is gone; with some also their middle age is past, and the time before us is very uncertain and short. What a deal of Time have we slept away, and talkt away, and plaid away? What a deal have we spent in worldly thoughts, and labours, or in meer Idleness? Though in likelihood the most of our time is spent, yet how little of our work is done? And is it not time now to bestir our selves in the evening of our days? The time which we have lost can never be recalled: Should we not then Redeem it by im∣proving the little which remaineth? You may receive indeed an equal recompence with those that have born the burden and heat of the day, though you came not in till the last hour; but then you must be sure to labour soundly that hour. It is enough sure that we have lost so much of our lives, let us not now be so foolish as to lose the rest, 1 Pet. 4.2, 3, 4.