The saints everlasting rest

11. Furthermore, we have lost a great deal of time already, and therefore it is reason that we labour so much the harder. If a traveller sleep, or trifle out most of the day, he must travel so much the faster in the evening, or fall short of his journey's end. With some of us our childhood and youth is gone; with some also their middle age, and the time before us is very uncertain. What a deal of time have we slept away, and talked away, and played away? What a deal have we spent in worldly thoughts and labours, or in mere idleness? Though in likelihood the most of our time is spent, yet how little of our work is done? And is it not time to bestir ourselves in the evening of our days? The time which we ha•• lost can never be recalled; should we not then redeem it by improving the little which remaineth? You may receive indeed an equal recompense with those that have borne the burden and heat of the day, though you came not in till the last hour; but then you must be sure to labour diligently that hour. It is enough sure that we have lost so much of our lives. Let us not now be so foolish as to lose the rest.

12. Consider the greater are your laying-out, the greater will be your comings-in. Though you may seem to lose your labour at the present, yet the hour cometh when you shall find it with advantage. The seed which is buried and dead, will bring forth a plentiful increase at the harvest. Whatever you do, and whatever you suffer, everlasting rest will pay for all. There is no repenting of labours and sufferings in heaven; none says, would I had spared my pains and prayed less, or been less strict, and did as the rest of my neighbours did: there is never such a thought in heaven as these. But on the contrary, it ⟨p. 148⟩will be their joy to look back upon their labours, and consider how the mighty power of GOD did bring them through all. Whoever complained that he came to heaven at too dear a rate; or that his salvation cost him more labour than it was worth? We may say of all our labours, as Paul of his sufferings, I reckon that the sufferings (and labours) of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed. We labour but for a moment, but we shall rest for-ever. Who would not put forth all his strength for one hour, when he may be a prince while he lives?