The saints everlasting rest

1. It will torment them to think of the greatness of the glory which they have lost. Oh if it had been that which they could have spared, it had been a small matter: Or, if it had been a loss reparable with any thing else; if it had been health, or wealth, or friends, or life, it had been nothing; but to lose that exceeding eternal weight of glory!—

2. It will torment them to think of the possibility that once they were in of obtaining it. Then they will remember, the time was, when I was in as fair a possibility of the kingdom as others; I was set upon the stage of the world; if I had played my part wisely and faithfully, now I might have had possession of the inheritance; I might have been amongst yonder blessed saints, who am now tormented with these damned fiends! The Lord did set before me life and death, and having chosen death, I deserve to suffer it: the prize was once held out before me; if I bad run well, I might have obtained it: if I had striven, I might have had the mastery: if I had fought valiantly, I had been crowned.

3. It will yet more torment them to remember, not only the possibility, but the great probability that once they were in, to obtain the crown. It will then wound them, to think: why, I had once the gales ⟨p. 98⟩of the Spirit ready to have assisted me. I was fully purposed to have been another man, to have cleaved to Christ, and to have forsook the world; I was almost resolved to have been wholly for GOD: I had even cast off my old companions, and yet I turned back, and lost my hold, and broke my promises, and slacked my purposes; almost GOD had persuaded me to be a real christian, and yet I conquered those persuasions. What workings were in my heart! when a faithful minister pressed home the truth. O how fair was I once for heaven! I had almost had i, and yet I have lost it; if I had but followed on to seek the LORD, and blown up the sparks of desire which were kindled in me, I had now been blessed among the saints.