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Rev. John Wesley, M. A.

(SERMON ON EARLY RISING.)

REDEEMING THE TIME.

THIS particular way of redeeming time, namely, from sleep, appears to have been exceedingly little considered, even by pious men. Many, that have been eminently conscientious in other respects, have not been so in this. They seem to think it an indifferent thing, whether they slept more or less; and never saw it in the true point of view, as an important branch of true Christian temperance.

I. That we may have a more just conception hereof, I will endeavour to show, first, What it is to redeem the time from sleep.

It is, in general, to take that measure of sleep every night which nature requires, and no more; that measure which is most conducive to the health and vigour both of the body and mind.

But it is objected-" One measure will not suit all men: some require considerably more than others. Neither will the same measure suffice even the same person at one time, as at another. When a person is

sick, or, if not actually so, yet weakened by preceding sickness, he certainly wants more of this natural restorative than he did when in perfect health. And so he will, when his strength and spirits are exhausted by hard and long-continued labour." All this is unquestionably true, and confirmed by a thousand experiments.

If any one desire to know exactly what quantity of sleep his own constitution requires, he may very easily make the experiment which I made, about sixty years ago. I then waked every night, about twelve or one, and lay awake for some time. I readily concluded that this arose from my lying longer in bed than nature required. To be satisfied, I procured an alarum, which waked me the next morning at seven (near an hour earlier than I rose the day before); yet, I lay awake again at night. The second morning I rose at six; but, notwithstanding this, I lay awake the second night. The third morning I rose at five: but, nevertheless, I lay awake the third night. The fourth morning I rose at four (as, by the grace of God, I have done ever since); and I lay awake no more. And I do not now lie awake (taking the year round) a quarter of an hour together in a month. By the same experiment, rising earlier and earlier every morning, may every one find how much sleep he really wants.

"But why should any one be at so much pains? What need is there of being so scrupulous? Why should we make ourselves so particular? What harm

is there in doing as our neighbours do?-Suppose, in lying from ten till six or seven in summer, and till eight or nine in winter."

The not redeeming all the time you can from sleep, the spending more time therein than your constitution necessarily requires, hurts your health. Nothing can be more certain than this, though it is not commonly observed; because the evil steals on you by slow and insensible degrees. In this gradual and almost imperceptible manner, it lays the foundation of many diseases. It is the chief real (though unsuspected) cause of all nervous diseases in particular. Many inquiries have been made, why nervous disorders are so much more common among us than among our ancestors. Other causes may frequently concur; but the chief is, we lie longer in bed. Instead of rising at four, most of us, who are not obliged to work for our bread, lie till seven, eight, or nine. We need inquire no further. This sufficiently accounts for the large increase of these painful disorders*.

* Popularly speaking, there is much truth in, and about, this paragraph: the conclusion is, however, too peremptory; and the premises too unscientifically laid down. A professional writer, treating of the nervous system, would probably have traced many complaints of this nature to the want of regular exercise in open air, or to other causes; and he surely would not, with so much absolutism, have penned the words-" instead of rising at four." Might it not have been better to say-" instead of rising at four, five, or six "— ? The morsel of autobiography, given by Mr. Wesley in a preceding paragraph, is, indeed, very interesting, as it exhibits strength of fibre in the constitu

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One common effect, of either sleeping too long, or lying too long in bed, is weakness of sight, particularly that weakness which is of the nervous kind. When

I was young, my sight was remarkably weak. Why is it stronger now, than it was forty years ago? I impute this, principally, to the blessing of God, who fits us for whatever He calls us to; but, undoubtedly, the outward means, which He has been pleased to bless, was the rising early in the morning.

But this fashionable intemperance does also hurt the soul, in a more direct manner. It sows the seeds of foolish and hurtful desires, and dangerously inflames our natural appetites. It breeds and continually increases sloth, so often objected to the English nation. It opens the way, and prepares the soul, for every other kind of intemperance. It breeds a universal softness and faintness of spirit, making us afraid of every little inconvenience, unwilling to deny ourselves pleasure, or to take up, or bear, any cross. And how then shall we be able (without which we must drop into hell) to "take the kingdom of heaven

tion, and vigour of grace in the heart, of that zealous man: but the experience of one individual is not a universal standard. Perhaps the whole truth of the matter never was better generalized, than in our pithy English Proverb-

Early to bed, and early to rise,

Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

In the Treatise on Early Rising (see p. 172), Mr. Law considerately begins with "I take it for granted that every Christian, who is in health, is up early in the morning."-ED.

by violence"? It totally unfits us for enduring hardship, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; and, consequently, for fighting the good fight of faith, and laying hold on eternal life.

II. It now remains to inquire, How we may re» deem the time; how we may proceed in this important affair; in what manner shall we most effectually practise this important branch of temperance.

I advise all who are thoroughly convinced of the unspeakable importance of it, not to suffer that conviction to die away, but instantly begin to act suitably to it. Only, do not depend on your own strength: if you do, you will be utterly baffled. Be deeply sensible, that, as you are not able to do any thing good of yourselves, so here, in particular, all your strength, all your resolution, will avail nothing. Whoever trusts in himself, will be confounded. I never found an exception. I never knew one, who ́trusted in his own strength, that could keep his resolution for a twelve-month.

I advise you, secondly, Cry to The Strong, for strength. Call upon Him who hath all power in heaven and earth; and believe that He will answer the prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips. As you cannot have too little confidence in yourself, so you cannot have too much in Him. Then, set out in faith; and surely His strength shall be made perfect in your weakness!

I advise you, thirdly, add to your faith prudence. Use the most rational means to attain your purpose.

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