A precious commodity in hell
Most men spend the greatest part of their time on things that are of little or no value; as Domitian, the Roman emperor, who spent his time in catching of flies.
Make a speedy and a thorough improvement of all opportunities of grace and mercy. Do not trifle away your golden seasons. You have much work to do in a short time. You have . . .
a God to honor,
a race to run,
a crown to win,
a hell to escape,
a heaven to obtain,
weak graces to strengthen,
strong corruptions to weaken,
many temptations to withstand,
afflictions to bear,
many mercies to improve,
and many services to perform, etc.
He who neglects a golden opportunity, does but create to himself a great deal of misery.
"Time," says Bernard, "would be a precious commodity in hell, and the use of it most gainful; where for one day a man would give ten thousand worlds if he had them."
When men trifle away their precious time, and golden opportunities, playing and toying with this vanity and that vanity; we may ask whether these men have
—no Christ, no Scripture, no promises, no blessed experiences, no hopes of heavenly glories
—to enjoy and take delight in