The Saints' Everlasting Rest - Richard Baxter

They that trifle lose their labor. Many, who, like Agrippa, are but almost
Christians, will find, in the end, they shall be but almost saved. If two be
running in a race, he that runs slowest loses both prize and labor. A man that
is lifting at a weight, if he put not sufficient strength to it, had as good put
none at all. How many duties have Christians lost for want of doing them
thoroughly! "Many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able," who, if they
had striven, might have been able. Therefore, put to a little more diligence
and strength, that all you have done already be not in vain.
Besides, is not much precious 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? If a 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 seed
which is buried and dead will bring forth a plentiful harvest. Whatever you
do or suffer, everlasting rest will pay for all. There is no relenting of labors
or sufferings in heaven. There no 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
tribulations, and to consider how 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; we shall rest for ever.
Who would 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?
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