Chap. 7.] THE SAINTS' REST. 105 muchprecious time already lost ? With some of us, childhood and youth are gone; with some, their middle age also ; and the time before us is very uncertain. What time have we slept, talked, and played away, or spent in worldly thoughts and cares ! How little of our work is done ! The time we have lost cannot be recalled ; should we not; then, redeem and improve the little which remains ? Ifa traveller sleep, or trifle most of the day, he must travel so much faster in the evening, or fall short of his journey's end. Doubt not but the recompense will be according to your labor. The seedwhich is buried anddeadwill bring forth a plen- tiful harvest. Whatever you do, or suffer, everlasting rest will pay for all. There is no repenting of labors or sufferings in heaven. There is not one says, " Would I had spared my pains, and prayed less, or been less strict, and done as the rest of my neighbors !" On the contrary, it will be their joy to look back upon their labors and tri- bulations, and to consider bow the mighty power of God brought them through all. We may all say, as Paul, ' I reckon that the sufferings" and labors " of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." We labor but for a moment, but we shall rest for ever. Whowould not put forth all his strength for one hour, when, for that hour's work, he may be a prince while he lives ? " God is not unrighteous, to forget our work and labor of love." Will not "all our tears be wiped away," and all the sorrow of our duties be then forgotten ? 5. Nor does it less deserve to be considered, that striv- ing is the divinely appointed way of salvation; that all men either do, or will approve it ; that the best Christians, at death, lament their negligence; and that heaven itself is often lost for want of striving, but is never had on easier terms. The sovereign wisdom of God has made striving necessary to salvation. Who knows the way to heaven better than the God of heaven ? When men tell us we are too strict, whom do they accuse, God or us ? If it were a fault, it would lie in him that commands, and not in us who obey. These are the men that ask us, whether we are wiser than all the world beside; and yet theywill pretend to be wiser than God. How can they reconcile their language with the laws of God? "The kingdom of heaven suffereth vio-
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