§ 8. And are the people more serious than magistrates or ministers! How can it be expected? Reader, look but to thyself, and resolve the question. Ask conscience, and suffer it to tell thee truly. Hast thou set thy eternal rest before thine eyes, as the great business thou hast to do in this world? Hast thou watched and labored, with all thy might, _that no man take thy crown_? Hast thou made haste, lest thou shouldst come too late, and die before thy work be done? Hast thou pressed on through crowds of opposition, _towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus_, still _reaching forth unto those things which are before_? Can conscience witness your secret cries, and groans, and tears? Can your family witness, that you taught them the fear of the Lord, and warned them not to _go to that place of torment_? Can your minister witness, that he has heard you cry out, _What shall I do to be saved?_ and that you have followed him with complaints against your corruptions, and with earnest inquiries after the Lord? Can your neighbors about you witness, that you reprove the ungodly, and take pains to save the souls of your brethren? Let all these witnesses judge this day between God and you, whether you are in earnest about eternal rest. You can tell by his work, whether your servant has loitered, though you did not see him; so you may by looking at your own work. Is your love to Christ, your faith, your zeal, and other graces, strong or weak? What are your joys? What is your assurance? Is all in order within you? Are you ready to die, if this should be the day? Do the souls, among whom you have conversed, _bless you_? Judge by this, and it will quickly appear whether you have been laborers or loiterers.