it will be irreparable: heaven once lost can never be
had upon such easy terms—will be a cutting aggravation. It will rend a sinner's heart with rage and grief, to think how easily he might have prevented the loss of the heavenly kingdom!
6. It will be an aggravation of the loss of heaven for sinners to think how active they were in doing that which lost them the kingdom. What pains they took to resist the Spirit and to stifle conscience! They sinned until they were out of breath. "They weary themselves to commit iniquity." Jer 9:5. What difficulties men went through! How much they endured for their sins! How much shame and pain! How sick was the drunkard with his cups! How sore in his body was the adulterer! What marks of sin he carried about him! What dangers men adventure upon for their lusts! They adventure God's wrath! Oh, how will this aggravate the loss of heaven! How will it make men curse themselves to think what pains they were at to lose happiness! How will it sting men's consciences to think that had they but taken as much pains for heaven as they did for hell—they had not lost it!
7. It will be an aggravation of the loss of this kingdom, that it will be irreparable: heaven once lost can never be recovered. Worldly losses may be made up again. If a man loses his health—he may have it repaired; if he is driven out of his kingdom— he may be restored to it again as king Nebuchadnezzar was, "My honor returned unto me, and I was established in my kingdom." Dan 4:36. But those who once lose heaven—can never be restored to it again. After millions of years they are as far from obtaining glory as at first. Thus you see how needful this exhortation is, that we should fear lest we fall short of this kingdom of heaven.
What shall we do that we may not miss this kingdom of glory? Take heed of those things which will make you miss heaven.
(1) Take heed of spiritual SLOTH. Many Christians are settled upon their lees; they are loath to put themselves to too much pains. It is said of Israel, "They despised the pleasant land." Psalm 106:24. Canaan was a paradise of delights, a type of heaven; yes—but some of the Jews thought it would cost them a great deal of trouble and hazard in the getting, and they would rather go without it. "They despised the pleasant land." I have read of certain Spaniards that live where there is a great store of fish—but are so lazy that they will not be at the pains to catch them—but buy from their neighbors. Such sinful sloth is upon the most, that though the kingdom of heaven is offered to them—yet they will not put themselves to any labor for it. They have some faint wishes and desires. "O that I had this kingdom!" They are like a man who wishes for venison—but will not hunt for it. "The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing." Proverbs 13:4. Men would be content to have the kingdom of heaven if it would drop as a ripe fig into their mouths—but they are loath to fight for it. O take heed of spiritual sloth! God never made heaven to be a hive for drones. We cannot have the world without labor, and do we think to have the kingdom of heaven? Heathens will rise up in judgment against many Christians. What pains did they take in their Olympic races when they ran but for a crown of olive or myrtle intermixed with gold; and do we stand still when we are running for a kingdom? "Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep." Proverbs 19:15. Sloth is the soul's sleep. Adam lost his rib when he was asleep. Many a man loses the kingdom of heaven when he is in this deep sleep of sloth.
(2) Take heed of UNBELIEF. Unbelief kept Israel out of Canaan. "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." Heb 3:19. And it keeps many out of heaven. Unbelief is an enemy to salvation, it is a damning sin; it whispers thus, "To what purpose is all this pain for the heavenly kingdom? I had as good sit still." "And
they said—There is no hope." Jer 18:12. Unbelief destroys hope; and if you cut this sinew, a Christian goes but lamely in religion, if he goes at all. Unbelief raises jealous thoughts of God; it represents him as a severe judge; it discourages many a soul, and takes it off from duty. Beware of unbelief. Believe the promises. "The Lord is good to the soul that seeks him." Seek him earnestly and he will open both heart and heaven to you. Lam 3:25. [God does not fail those who desire him.] Do what you are able, and God will help you. While you spread the sails of your endeavor, God's Spirit will blow upon these sails, and carry you swiftly to the kingdom of glory.
(3) If you would not miss the heavenly kingdom, take heed of imagining the way to be easier than it is; as though it were but a sigh, or, "Lord have mercy." There is no going to heaven at a leap; one cannot leap out of Delilah's lap into Abraham's bosom. The sinner is "dead in trespasses." Eph 2:1. Is it easy for a dead man to restore himself to life? Is regeneration easy? Are there no pangs in the new birth? Does not the Scripture call Christianity a warfare and a race? And do you imagine this easy? The way to the kingdom is not easy—but a mistake about the way is easy.
(4) If you would not miss the heavenly kingdom, take heed of delays and PROCRASTINATION. [Delay brings danger.] It is a usual delusion, "I will mind the kingdom of heaven—but not yet; when I have gotten an estate, and grown old, then I will look after heaven." But suddenly, death surprises men, and they fall short of heaven. Delay strengthens sin, hardens the heart, and gives the devil fuller possession of a man. Take heed of adjourning and putting off seeking the kingdom of heaven until it is too late. Caesar, deferring to read a letter put into his hand, was killed in the senatehouse. Consider how short your life is; it is a candle which is soon blown out. [The life of everyone living is fleeing away.] Delay not the