The saints everlasting rest

4. How serious and diligent are all the creatures in their service to thee? What haste makes the sun to ⟨p. 153⟩compass the world? And how truly doth it return at its appointed hour? So do the moon and other planets. The springs are always flowing for thy use; the rivers still running; the spring and harvest keep their times. How hard doth thy ox labour for thee from day to day? How painfully and speedily doth thy horse bear thee in travel? And shall all these be laborious, and thou only negligent? Shall they all be so serious in serving thee, and yet thou be so slight in thy service to GOD?

5. Consider, the servants of the world and the devil are serious and diligent; they ply their work continually, as if they could never do enough: they make haste, and march furiously, as if they were afraid of coming to hell too late: they bear down ministers, and sermons, and counsel and all before them. And shall they do more for the devil, than thou wilt do for GOD? Or be more diligent for damnation, than thou wilt be for salvation? Hast not thou a better master? and sweeter employment? and sweeter encouragement and a better reward?

6. There is no jesting in heaven, nor in hell. The saints have a real happiness, and the damned a real misery; the saints are serious and high in their joy and praise; and the damned are serious and deep in their sorrow and complaints. There are no remiss or sleepy praises in heaven; nor any remiss or sleepy lamentations in hell: all men there, are in good earnest. And should we not then be serious now? I dare promise thee, the thoughts of these things will shortly be serious thoughts with thyself. When thou comest to death or judgment, O what deep heart piercing thoughts wilt thou have of eternity! Methinks I foresee thee already astonished, to think how thou couldst possibly make so light of these things! Methinks I even hear thee crying out of thy stupidity and madness!