The strait gate and narrow way to life opened and pointed out upon Luk. 13, 23, 24 / by Edward Chetwind ...

CHAP XV. Two reasons of that straitnesse, viz. 1. because the way is but one: and 2. because it is, or seemeth strait to car∣nall reason, and that in 4. respects.

THat we may see for the farther confirmation, of

that that hath bin spoken, hovv the difficulty of the vvay to heaven presenteth it selfe to carnal apprehen∣sion, making so many to forsake these vvaies of life, and to runne headlong like the herd of possessed swine in∣to the deep of destruction; let us consider how our Sa∣viour Christ, first, compri∣seth them al under one gate and way of truth, leading unto life, opposed unto the many false gates and ways of sinne tending to death; ••nd secondly, calleth it, as ••hey account it, who refuse ••o enter into it, strait and narrow.

For so, for the former of ••hese two generall reasons, most true it is, that the pas∣sage

unto Heaven is but one, one gate to enter in at, and one vvay to vvalke on in, being entred; on either side vvhereof, is the broad vvay unto death, that step but out of the strait path of Salvation, and on whether hand soever the turning be, it is into the way which hath in it many by-pathes of destruction. For, vvhy? as there is but one vvay on∣ly to be borne, but many to die: and one way for Ar∣chers only to hit the white, but many vvaies for them to misse the marke; by shooting under, or over, o•• vvide on either hand: even so are there many vvaies, vvherein people may goe to hell. As some doe in the

high way of blockish igno∣••ance: and others, through ••he puddle of svvinish ••runkennesse: some, in the ••ire of uncleanesse: and o∣••ers, upon the ridge of ••ride and haughtinesse: or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the crooked winding ••ack of covetousnesse: or ••se in the path, perhaps, ••at bendeth as much ••ite the other way, of pro∣••igall luxuriousnes. Some, ••hiles like Gallio, they care ••or no Religion: and others, ••hiles they are too hot in ••eale, as Paul once was, by ••is owne confession, after a ••alse Religion. When as, ••o, to bring to heaven onely ••e gate and path (vvhich ••herefore so few doe passe ••hrough) by the truth of

faith, and soundnesse of r••¦pentance, and sincere endea¦vour of holy obedience, tog••¦ther vvith constant a•• cheerefull patience; vvher•• in such as will have pea•••• on them, as the Israel of Go•• must enter, and being e••¦tred, must walke, as the A¦postle wisheth them, as were by a line or rule, vvit••¦out declining.

But to passe briefly fro•• this, to the second reaso•• (since the considerati•• thereof, wil make both th•• former reason, and t•• whole conclusion yet mo•• cleare) as this gate & wa•• is onely one: so shall vv•• finde that it is, or at lea•• seemeth to most to be, n•• for any fault in it, but one••

through the sinfull folly of ••esh and blood, both strait ••nd narrow, and that in ••oure respects, viz. first, in ••egard of the finding: and ••econdly, of the entring: and ••hirdly, of the proceeding: ••nd fourthly, of the perseve∣••ing therein unto the end.

Notes

• Mat. 8.32.
• Act. 18.15. Act. 22.4.
• Gal. 6.16. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉