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Walk in wisdom; let your course of life be managed with all Christian prudence, that you may not any way disparage the Christian institution, 2Sa_12:14 Rom_2:23,24, with 1Ti_6:4; with your innocency be wise as serpents, Mat_10:16; see Eph_5:15: yet, while you become all things to all to gain some, 1Co_9:20-23, you must take heed of such a compliance, whereby you may wound your consciences, Exo_34:15 Eph_5:11; and, on the other side, of such a contempt of them without just cause as may provoke them to persecute you. Paul was wary in his reasoning with those who were not Christians, and would have others to be so, Act_17:24,25, &c., with 1Co_5:12,13; not denying any of them what is due to them by Divine and human rights, Mat_22:21 Rom_13:7 1Pe_2:13.
Toward them that are without; considering they are not of the household of faith, Gal_6:10, as you profess to be, you should be more circumspect, that you do not give occasion of offence to them, 1Ti_5:14, as well as take care you be not infected with their practices, 1Co_5:6, but endeavour to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, Tit_2:10.
Redeeming the time; showing your prudence, say some learned men, in gaining time by honest craft, to secure you from spiritual dangers to your souls, or divert those who have power from persecutions: taking the expression proverbially. And for that purpose cite a passage in the prophet from the Septuagint, Dan_2:8. Others, and the most, import of the original words, take time for opportunity, or the fitness it hath for some good; and the participle we render redeeming, to import either morally, (not physically, which is impossible), a recalling or recovery of time past that is lost, by a double diligence in employing what remains; or a buying up the present time, i.e. parting with any thing for the improvement of it to our spiritual advantage; or a buying it out, i.e. a rescuing it, as it were, out of the hands of Satan and the world, which by distracting cares and tempting pleasures do occasion often the misspending of it: see Eph_6:16.