A treatise of the difference bbtwixt [sic] the temporal and eternal composed in Spanish by Eusebius Nieremberg ... ; translated into English by Sir Vivian Mullineaux, Knight ; and since reviewed according to the tenth and last Spanish edition.

CAP. XIV.

Time is the occasion of Eternity: and how a Christian ought to benefit himself by it.

TIme, although short, frail and slippery, yet hath one condition most precious, which is to be the occasion of Eternity; since by it we gain that in a small time, which we are to enjoy for ever. For this reason when st. John said, that Time is at hand, the Gerek renders it, Occasion is at hand, because the time of this life is the occasion of gaining Eternity, and that once past and overslipt, there will be no remedy or hope left of obtaining the other. Let us therefore en∣deavour to employ our time well, and not lose the op∣portunity of so great a good, whose loss is irrepairable, and will be lamented with eternal, but unprofitable complaints. Let us consider how great is the good which occasion brings along with it, and how the resentment which is usually caused by the loss of it, that we may from thence know how to profit our selves by temporal occasions in order unto eternal hap∣piness, and that we may be freed from that inconso∣lable and fruitless repentance of the damned, who have made no use of it. It is a great business this of our sal∣vation, and depends wholly upon the swift time of this life, which once past is irrevocable, and the end of it most uncertain: and therefore we ought with a hundred eyes to watch occasion that it over∣pass us not, and with a hundred hands to lay hold on it. The Ancients knowing the importance of it, feigned it to be a Goddess, thereby to declare the great good (when timely apprehended) which it brought un∣to mankind,* 1.1 whose Image they adored in this mysteri∣ous figure. They placed it upon a Wheel, which con∣tinually

moved about: it had wings at the feet: to note the swiftness with which it passed: the face was not seen, but covered with long hair, which on the forehead grew thick and bushie, whereby was signi∣fied that it was hard to know when occasion happened, but being present easie to lay hold on it: the hinder∣part of the head was bald, because once past, it had nothing whereby to retain it.* 1.2 Ausonius, to signifie the effect which it leaves with those who suffer it to slip from them, adds that it drew behind it Metanaea, that is Repentance, which onely remains with those who know not how to use it.* 1.3 Others represented Occasion with hands busied in distributing riches and precious gifts, but accompanied with time in the ha∣bit of a Traveller, which not with two, but with four wings conducted it along, to signifie the great haste with which it passed. Wherefore Hippocrates with much reason calls Occasion precipitate, because it runs with as great violence, as he falls, who throws himself headlong from a high rock. Let us place in the middest of Eternity the longest time of humane life; let it be a hundred, two hundred, or nine hun∣dred years, as long as the lite of man before the De∣luge; yet it will then appear but as an instant, and he who shall cast his eyes upon the immensity of eter∣nal duration, will remain astonished that a thing so short, so small, so precipitate should be the occasion of that, which is so long, so great and so stable. Since therefore the whole time of this life is so short for the gaining of Eternity, let us resolve not to lose it, espe∣cially since we have no assurance how long it will last: and although we were certain to live yet a hundred years longer, we ought not to spare one moment from the gaining of Eternity. But being uncertain how long we are to live, and perhaps shall die to morrow, how can we be so careless, as to let the occasion of se∣curing our glory pass, which hereafter will never be offered? If a skilful Workman were commanded by

some great Prince, that upon pain of death he should have in readiness some excellent piece of his work against such a time as it should be called for, and that although a years time were requisite to per∣fect it, yet it might perhaps be called for sooner, cer∣tainly that Artist would with all speed finish the piece, the neglect being no less than the forfeit of his life. Since then our life eternal consists in being furnished with the grace of God, and in preserving his divine Image engraven in our souls, how can we be so care∣less to let pass the occasion of our salvation?

Theophrastus and Democritus called Time a most pre∣cious expence. Terence The first and most principal of all things. Zenon said that There was nothing which men wanted more, nor whereof they stood in greater ne∣cessity than time. Pliny made that account of it, that he would not so much as one moment of it should be lost: and therefore reprehended his Nephew for spending a short time in walking for his recreation, telling him that those hours might be better imployed; and being present when the same Nephew caused one which in reading pronounced a word with an ill▪ ac∣cent to repeat it again, admonisht him that too much time was lost in that useless repetition. Seneca esteem∣ed time above all price and value, and in this manner sayes,

Redeem thy self unto thy self; recover and preserve that time, which hitherto hath been taken, surprised, or slipt from thee. For whom wilt thou give me, that shall set a price upon time, or give a value unto a day, who understands him∣selt daily to die?

If therefore the Gentils, who had no hope by time to purchase Eternity, made so great account of it, what shall we Christians, unto whom it is an occasion of eternal happiness? Let us there∣fore hear St. Bernard.* 1.4

There is nothing (sayes he) more precious than time. But out alass! nothing at this day is more vilified. A day of salvation is past, and no man reflects on it, no man thinks, no man

complains that he hath lost a day, which shall never r••••rn. But as a hair from the head, so a moment of time shall not perish.

The same Saint also grieving to see a thing so precious so much mispent, speaks in this manner.

Let no man make a small esteem of the time which is spent in idle words. Say some, We may yet chat and talk untill this hour be past. O wretched speech, Ʋntil this hour be past! This being the hour, which the goodness of thy Creator hath bestowed upon thee, that in it thou mayest do pe∣nance for thy sins, obtain pardon, acquire grace, and merit glory. O lamentable speech, Whilst this hour passes! this being the hour wherein thou mayst gain divine mercy and commiseration.

In another part he speaks much to the same purpose, exhorting us to benefit our selves by the time .of this life. His words are these.* 1.5

Whilest we have time let us do good unto all, especially since our Lord said plainly, that the night would come when no man could work. Art thou perhaps to find some other time in the world to come, wherein thou mayst seek God, and wherein thou mayst do good: This being the time wherein he hath promised to remember thee, and is therefore the day of mercy, because here our God and King hath long agoe wrought thy salvati∣on in the middest of the earth? goe then and ex∣pect thy salvation in the middest of hell. What possibility doest thou dream of obtaining pardon in the middest of eternal flames, when the time of mer∣cy is already past? No sacrifice tor sin remains tor thee being dead in sin; no more shall the Son of God be crucified for thee. Once he died, and shall now die no more. That blood which he spilt upon the earth, shall not descend into hell. The sinners of the earth have drunk it up. There is no part left for the devils, or for sinners, which are the compa∣nions of devils, wherewith to quench their flames. Once descended thither not the blood but the soul of

Christ; This only visit made by the presence of the soul when the body hung without life upon the Cross, was the portion of them who were in prison. The blood watered the dry land, the blood was poured upon the thirsty earth, and did as it were inebriate it. The blood wrought peace for those who were upon earth, and those who are in heaven: but not for those which were in hell beneath the earth. Once only, as we have said, the soul went thither, and made in part redemption, (speaking of the souls of the Holy Fathers, who were in Limbo) that even for that moment the works of charity might not be wanting; but it passed no farther. Now is the time acceptable, now is the time fit wherein to seek God: And certainly he that seeks him shall finde him; if so be he seek him, when, and where he ought to do.

All this from St. Bernard.

§ 2.

Consider what an eternal repentance will follow thee, if thou makest not use of this occasion of time for the purchasing of the Kingdom of Heaven; espe∣cially when thou shalt see that with so little adoe thou mightest have gained that everlasting glory, which to satisfie a short pleasure thou hast lost tor ever. In what to fury and madness was Esau,* 1.6 when he reflected that his younger brother had gotten the Blessing of the first born by his own base selling his Birth-right for a dish of Lentils? he cried out and tore himself for spite and anger. Behold thy self in this mirrour, who for one vile and short pleasure hast sold the Kingdom of Hea∣ven. If God had then thrown thee into hell, what wouldest thou have done but lamented that with eter∣nal tears which in so short a time was lost? Cain when he perceived that he and his posterity were cur∣sed and made infamous for not knowing how to bene∣fit himself by that occasion,* 1.7 which was first offered

unto him, and made use of by his Brother, what resent∣ment had he then, or ought to have had? Measure by this the sense of a damned person, who for not making use of the time of this lite shall see himself cur∣sed by God for an Eternity, and others far less than himself made blessed and rewarded in heaven. The Sons-in-law of Loth when they saw they might have escaped the fire, and that being invited they had re∣jected and laughed at the counsel of their Father-in∣law, when afterwards they perceived it to rain fire and sulphur upon them and their Cities, what grief and vexation had they for refusing the benefit of so fair an occasion offered at their own doors? O what sorrow, what pain, what madness, what desperation shall seise upon a damned creature, when he shall call to mind how often he hath been invited by Christ to salvation, and shall now feel a tempest of fire and sul∣phur pouring down upon him for ever in hell? King Hannon who had so good an occasion to preserve that peace whereunto he was intreated and invited by Da∣vid, when after he saw his Cities ruin'd, the Inhabi∣tants burnt like bricks in a furnace, some thrasht to death, others torn in pieces, what would he have gi∣ven to have made use in time of so fair an offer, or of holding friendship with so great a King? but what is this in respect of what a sinner shall feel, when he shall see himself burnt in hell fire, become an eternal enemy of the King of Heaven, and deprived tor ever of raigning with his blessed Saints? what despite, what grief of heart shall he then have? The evil Theef who was crucified with the Saviour of the world, what doth he now endure for refusing that good occasion which his companion embraced? what a repentance hath now the rich Glutton for not laying hold of so great an opportunity offered him at his own home, as Lazarus his demanding an alms from him, by giving of which he might have redeemed his fins? but he let it pass, being more inhumane than his dogs,

who suffered not the poor Leper to depart without first licking of his sores, usiug mercy with him, with whom their Master used none. What will he now say when all things have failed him, even one drop of cold water to cool his scorched and inflamed tongue, and all for denying so poor an alms as the crums which fell from his Table? What madness, what spite, what despair do now torment him for refusing, when time was, so easie a means to gain his salvation.

wherefore although it be true that the whole time of our life is an occasion of obtaining eternal glory, yet in the passage of life there are some particular acti∣ons and successes, upon which our salvation doth more especially depend, by which we do either disoblige God Almighty by rejecting them, or by embracing them oblige him (if I may so say) to favour us. Such a one was that of holy Joseph, who rather than he would offend his Creator, fled from his wanton Mi∣stress, and left his Garment in her hands. This was an excellent act, by which he much obliged God Al∣mighty, and deserved to receive those favours which were after bestowed upon him. In the same manner Susanna layd hold on a great occasion for the saving of her soul, when she chose rather to die, than to con∣sent to the filthy pleasure, whereunto she was invited by those wicked Elders. No opportunity ought to pass us without shewing our selves quick and active in laying hold of it, greedy of pleasing God Almighty, obliging him by some brave and heroical act, with which occasion shall present us. Wherefore the Wise∣man said, Be not defrauded of thy good day,* 1.8 and let no portion of a good gift overslip thee. Tully defined occa∣on to be a part of time fitted for the doing of something. Mithridates said it was the Mother of all things which were to be done. And Polibius that which ruled all hu∣mane affairs. And there is no doubt but some con∣junctures of times happen, which present us with great occasions of merit by working excellent vertues,

and performing most heroical actions, which if made good use of, do much assure our salvation. Wherefore it is by some placed amongst the signes of predestina∣tion to have performed some great and noble action of vertue. Let us see what benefit some have made of occasion in temporal businesses, that we may not be less careful and sollicitous in matters eternal. Rachel with what diligence did she run to hide and cover the Idols which she had stoln from her Father? with what diligence did Abigail goe forth to meet David, omit∣ing nothing whereby she might appease his fury? and certainly it she had protracted never so little time, she had run into evident danger of losing the lives of her Self, her Husband, and Family. With what sollici∣tude did Abrahan pursue the five Kings which carried away Captive his Nephew Loth? With what speed did Saul gather together his Army for the relief of Jabes Galaad? It behooves us no less to gain Heaven. Let us not be more dull and slow in gaining that, then they were in getting and procuring things of the earth. Let us hear with what diligence and haste the Wise-man advises us to accomplish the promise we have made unto a mortal man.* 1.9 My Son if thou shalt be surety for a friend, and hast struck hands with a stranger, thou hast ensnared thy self in the words of thy mouth, and art taken in thy own speeches. Do therefore, my son, what I say unto thee, and deliver thy self, be∣cause th••u art fallen into the hands of thy neighbour. Run, make haste, awake thy friend, give no sleep unto thy eyes, nor let, thy eye-lids slumber: rid thy self from his hands, as the mountain-goat, or the bird from the hand of the hunter. Those who are engaged unto the Devil by their sins, let them mark with what dili∣gence they ought to free themselves, without losing time or occasion; and those who are obliged unto God for his infinite benefits, and have passed unto him their promises of amendment, let them mark how they ought to satisfie them by making use of all means

possible of being reconciled unto him: let them make haste, as the Wise-man sayes, let them not be tepid and slow, let them not give sleep unto their eyes, or close their eye-lids, that they may without losing the least occasion escape from hell, and the slavery of Satan. Pitty it is that any occasion should slip from us with∣out benefit; a lamentable misery that our lives should pass away in the things of the earth without seeking after those of heaven, mans life being so short and narrow for the meriting of a thing so long and infinite as are the joyes of eternity. With reason did the A∣postle admonish us: This I say unto you bretheren, Time is short; that which remains is, that those who have wives be as if they had them not, and those who weep as if they did not weep, and those who rejoyce as if they rejoyced not, and those who buy as if they posses∣sed not, and those which use this world as if they used it not, because the figure of this world passes. The Apo∣stle considering the great shortness of time wills us so to settle our selves in the matters of our salvation and of the other life, that we remain in those of this as strangers, using them as if we used them not.

Let us consider then that if we suffer occasion in the short time of this life to over-slip us, that all hope of remedy will fail us in the next. It is not void of in∣struction which is feigned by the Ancients, That Ju∣piter bestowed upon a certain person a Vessel fill'd with all sorts of goods and blessings: who overjoyed with the greatness of the gift, which contained all that was to be wished for, and impatient of enjoying them one by one, and every good in his proper time and season, would needs have them all at once. Whereupon he hastily and undiscreetly opened the Vessel; but they were no sooner discovercel, but all flew into the air and vanished, and for all the dili∣gence and haste he was able to use in shutting it, he could retain none but Hope, which onely remained behind. But far otherwise is it with the occasion of

our salvation: which although it contains all happi∣ness and blessings, yet being suffercd to pass, there re∣mains not behind so much as hope, but in the place of it repentance, despair, and eternal sorrow, and so much the more in that it happens by our own faults. when King Joas smote the ground thrice, and was told by the Prophet Elizeus, that if he had smitten it six or seaven times, he had ruin'd and utterly made an end of the Syrians, what grief and affliction did he conceive in his mind, that having had an occasion of so much happiness, he had not made use of it, al∣though the misfortune chanced without his fault? But the miserable damned in hell, when they shall perceive that by their own fault they have lost the oc∣casion of so great blessings as are those of heaven, it is incredible what grief and resentment shall possess them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In Epig. Graec.
• * 1.2

  Auson. in Epig.
• * 1.3

  Vide Jo∣an. Da∣vid in lib. de occasi∣one ar∣repta. In Aph.
• * 1.4

  Serm ad. Scho.
• * 1.5

  Serm. 75. in Cant.
• * 1.6

  Gen. 19.
• * 1.7

  Gen. 9.
• * 1.8

  Eccl. 14.
• * 1.9

  Prov. 6.