_Time_ (in eternity parenthesis) Is measur'd by successive days and months, Seasons and years; which closely like the links Of an extended chain progressive join: Or as a clock, with all its hidden springs And constant motions, wound up to the top, Begins its course, revolving until down.
The distinction between _day_ and _night_ is a wise and gracious provision for man. In the morning, after the weary limbs have repaired their exhausted vigor by the indulgence of soft repose, we are pleased with the blessing of light; and, after a few fleeting hours engaged in our diversified pursuits of the day, we begin to court the evening shades, pleased again to enjoy that balmy retreat which alone refits us for the fatigues of the ensuing day. When a few fleeting hours are spent, the day is no longer gratifying; but its light becomes burdensome, and we wish for the shadows of the evening to be stretched over us. This sable period is scarcely gone, when we welcome the dawning day, and leave the place of our rest with gladness.
_Day_ and _night_, and their alternate changes, are adapted to suggest useful thoughts, and calculated to employ our serious meditation.
"From night to day, from day to night, The _dawning_ and the _dying_ light Lectures of heavenly wisdom read; With silent eloquence they raise Our thoughts to the Creator's praise. And neither sound nor language need."
A force continually impressed by the supreme Being produces and preserves these different and useful motions, which measure out that portion of time assigned us, for the performance of his work, and the securing of our own salvation. We are directed in his word how to employ this important _talent_ lent to us; also warned to guard against a misapplication of it, and told that a day will come when we shall have to give an account of our stewardship. As _day_ is afforded for the management of those employments which could not be done in the night, how unwise would it be to postpone such concerns till the approach of darkness? So the short period of life is given us that we may "work out our own salvation." We are favored with the light of Divine truth to illuminate our understandings; the operation of the Holy Spirit to influence our wills; and our pressing necessities should impel us to perform what God requires.