Rules for employing our Time.
1. In the morning, when you awake, accustom yourself to think first on God. And at
night also, let him close your eyes. And let your sleep be necessary and healthful, not
beyond the needs of nature.
2. Let every man that has a calling be diligent in it, so as not to neglect it in any
of those times which are usually and by the custom of prudent persons and good
husbands employed in it.
3. Let all the intervals or void spaces of time be employed in prayers, reading,
meditating, charity, and means of spiritual and corporal health; ever remembering
so to work in our calling, as not to neglect the work of our high calling; but to begin
and end the day with God.
4. Avoid the company of busy-bodies, and all such as are apt to talk much to little
purpose; for no man can be provident of his time that is not prudent in the choice
of his company. And if one of the speakers be trifling, he that hears and he that
answers are equal losers of their time.
FROM THE WRITINGS OF JEREMY TAYLOR
Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty King Charles II
Rule and Exercises OF HOLY LIVING.
CHAP. I. Section 1
If you enjoyed these readings, there’s a lot more where they came from. The “Rise”
readings this week come from Volume 1 of “Seeds: A Scattering of Groundbreaking
Ideas,” edited by J.D. Walt. You can get it digitally or in print here.