The Backslider's Dream
K. Arvine. Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment:… A young gentleman, being reproved by his mother for being religious, made her this answer: "I am resolved by all means to save my soul." Some time afterwards he fell into a lukewarm state, and was, besides, sick and nigh unto death. One night he dreamed that he saw himself summoned before God's throne, and from thence hurried into a place of torments; where, seeing his mother full of scorn, she upbraided him with his former answer, because he did not save his soul by all means. This was so much impressed upon his mind when he awoke, that, under God, it became the means of his turning again to Him; and when anybody asked him the reason why he became again religious, he gave them no other answer than this: "If I could not in my dream endure my mother's upbraiding my folly and lukewarmness, how could I be able to suffer that God should call me to an account in the last day, that the angels should reproach my lukewarmness, that the devil should aggravate my sins, and that all the saints of God should deride my folly and hypocrisy?" (K. Arvine.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: WEB: Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,