§ 14. Nor does it less deserve to be considered, that striving 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 they will pretend to be wiser than God. How can they reconcile their language with the laws of God? _The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force._[271] _Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able._[272] _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._[273] _Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling._[274] _Give diligence to make your calling and election sure._[275] _If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?_[276] 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 another 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 shall 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 answer, God hath commanded it. Nay, there never was, or 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 applaud? 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 altered, whether they will or no. 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? Oh that you were but as wise in this, as those in hell!—Even the best of Christians, when they come to die, exceedingly lament their negligence. They then wish, "Oh that I had been a thousand times more holy, more heavenly, more laborious for my soul! The world accuses me for doing too much, but my 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 reproached by the Devil for seeking salvation, than reproved of God for neglecting it." How do their failings thus wound and disquiet them, who have been the wonders of the world for their heavenly conversation?—It is for want of more diligence, that heaven itself is often lost. When they that have _heard the word, and anon with joy received it, and have done many things, and heard_ the ministers of Christ _gladly_,[277] shall yet perish; should not this rouse us out of our security? How far hath many a man followed Christ, and yet forsook him, when all worldly interests and hopes were to be renounced?—God hath resolved, that heaven shall not be had on easier terms. Rest must always follow labor. _Without holiness no man shall see the Lord._[278] Seriousness is the very thing wherein consists our sincerity. If thou art not serious, thou art not a Christian. It is not only a high degree in Christianity, but the very life and essence of it. As fencers upon a stage differ from soldiers fighting for their lives, so hypocrites differ from serious Christians. If men could be saved without this serious diligence, they would never regard it; all the excellencies of God's ways would never entice them. But when God hath resolved, that, without serious diligence here, you shall not rest hereafter, is it not wisdom to exert ourselves to the utmost?
[Footnote 271] Matthew xi, 12.
[Footnote 272] Luke xiii, 24.
[Footnote 273] Ecclesiastes ix, 10.
[Footnote 274] Philippians ii, 12.
[Footnote 275] 2 Peter i, 10.
[Footnote 276] 1 Peter iv, 18.
[Footnote 277] Matthew xiii, 20. Mark vi, 20.
[Footnote 278] Hebrews xii, 14.