IC 106 THE NECESSITY OF SEEKING [Chap. 7 lence, and the violent take it by force. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Let them bring all the seeming reasons they can against the holy violence of the saints ; this sufficeth me to confute them all, that God is of ano- ther mind, and he hath commanded me to do much more than I do; and though I could see no other reason for it, his will is reason enough. Who should make laws for us, but he that made us ? and who should point out the way to heaven, but he that must bring us thither ? and who should fix the terms of salvation, but he that bestows the gift of salvation ? So that, let the world, the flesh, or the devil, speak against a holy, laborious life, this is my an- swer, God hath commanded it. Nay, there never was, nor ever will be, a man, but will approve such a life, and will one day justify the diligence of the saints. And who would not go that way, which every man shall finally ap- plaud ? True, it is now " a way every where spoken against." But let me tell you, most that speak against it, in their judgments approve of it; and those that are now against it, will shortly be of another mind. If they come to heaven, their mind must be changed before they come there. If they go to hell, their judgment will then be al- tered, whether theywill or not. Remember this, you that love the opinion and way of the multitude. Why, then, will you not be of the opinion that all will be of? Why will you be of a judgment which you are sure, all of you, shortly to change ? O that you were but as wise in this as those in hell ! Even the best of Christians, when theycome to die, exceedingly lament their negligence. They then wish, " O that I had been a thousand times more holy, morehea- venly, more laborious for my soul ! The world accuses me for doing too much, but nw own conscience accuses me for doing too little. It is far easier bearing the scoffs of the world than the lashes of conscience. I had rather be re- proached by the devil for seeking salvation, than reproved
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