Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D. teacher of a church at Boston, in New-England ; With a praeface by Dr. Owen.

The number of those that find the way to Life, being compared with those that walk in the way to Destruction, is but a small num|ber.

Matth. 7.14.

—Few there be that find it.

THese words are part of that large and blessed Sermon which Christ preached on the Mount; the whole Sermon is full of Heavenly matter. Amongst other things, we have the Parable concerning the two Gates, and the two Ways; namely, the Wide and the Strait Gate, and the Broad and Narrow Way, in this, and in the foregoing Verse; where our Saviour doth compare all the men in the World, to a company of Travellers, that are walking some one way, and some another. Thus it is with men, they are all Travelling to another World, they are all walking towards Eternity, but in contra|ry ways: Some are going towards Eternal

Life; others are going towards Eternal Death. Wherefore Christs scope in these Verses, is, to perswade men to enter in at the Strait Gate, and to walk in the Nar|row way.

Divers Arguments are used to press this Exhortation, both with reference unto the Broad, and also with reference unto the Narrow Way. As for the Broad Way, one Argument there mentioned is, that it is a common thing to walk therein, Many there are that walk therein; and therefore there is so much more need to be careful about the matter. Again, because of the miserable end which that way doth bring unto, It leads unto destruction: That's the end and issue of walking in the Broad Way; there|fore we should be sure to walk in the Nar|row Way. And then in reference to the Narrow Way it self, there are divers Ar|gument••tive Considerations mentioned; 1. Be|cause it ends in life, Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life. 2. Because there be few which find it. Which are the words, by the Lords help, to be spoken to.

That find it; i. e. That find the way to life. Which speech must not be understood simply and absolutely; For the number of saved ones absolutely considered, is a very great and vast number; they are said to be a great multitude which no man can number, Rev. 7.9. There are many hun|dreds,

many thousands, yea, million of them, even a numberless number, like the stars of Heaven. But this is to be un|derstood comparatively; the number of those that walk in the way to life is but small, compared with the other number, namely, in respect of those that shall miss of Eternal Life. The Doctrine therefore which may be insisted on from the words, is this.

Doctr. That the number of those that walk in the way which leads to Eternal Life, being compared with those that are in the way to Destruction, is but a very small number.

In the Doctrinal prosecution of this point, three things may be attended. 1. To shew what is that way of Life which is here spoken of. 2. How it doth appear that but few shall find Eternal Life. 3. Whence it cometh to pass, that so few do find E|ternal Life.

Quest. 1. What is the way to life?

Answ. In general, That way which God hath prescribed unto men to walk in, that so they might obtain Eternel Life; Prov. 10.17. He is in the way of life that keep|eth instruction. The instruction there spo|ken of, is Divine instruction. The mean|ing is, that if a man doth observe the Word

of God, then he is in the way of life. This way is laid out by Rule, and that Rule is none other but the Word of Truth. Hence it is called, The Way of God, and the way of the Lord; that is to say, the way which the Lord hath appointed men to walk in, that so they may be saved. Particularly,

1. In this way Repentance and sound Con|version unto God is implied. For men by Nature are out of the right way, Rom. 3.12. The Apostle there shewing what is the estate of all men by Nature saith, They are all gone out of the way, and vers. 17. The way of peace have they not known. That way which leads to everlasting peace and happiness, men by Nature are estranged from it; Therefore Repentance is necessary. And if there be a true and sound Repentance, Life will follow. Hence it is called, Repentance unto life, Acts 11.18. and, Repentance unto Salvation, 2 Cor. 7.10. because Repentance will bring unto Life, and unto Salvation.

2. In the way which is here spoken of, Christ, and Faith in him is implied; when it is said, Enter in at the strait gate, the mean|ing is, make sure of an interest in Christ; therefore Christ himself hath said, I am the door, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, Joh. 10.9. Christ is that strait Door, that whosoever enters in thereat, shall be saved: That strait Gate that if any enter in thereat he live. So when it is said, Walk in the

narrow way, the same thing is intended there|by, namely, the obtaining of an interest in Christ by Faith unfeigned in his name: Therefore also Christ hath said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Joh. 14.6. Never any man did obtain Eternal Life, but it was in this way, even in a way of believ|ing on Christ; and never any man did miss of Eternal Life, that did indeed walk in the way of Faith. 1 Joh. 5.12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Whoso findeth Christ, finds the way to Eternal Life.

3. The way of new and holy obedience un|to God in Christ, is the way of life; There|fore the Scripture speaks of the holy way, Isa. 35.8 And a way shall be there, and it shall be called the way of holiness, the unclean shall not pass over it. Now this Holiness is the way to life, Prov. 12.28. In the way of Rigteousness is life, and in the path-way there|of is no death. If a man doth walk in righ|teous paths, and keep in righteous holy ways, no Eternal death shall take hold of him, but this way will lead him unto life. This which hath been expressed, is the only way to life and glory; this way hath ever been the same in all ages of the World. Hence it is called, The way Everlasting, Ps. 139.27. Lead me in the way Everlasting, that is to say, in the way which the Saints in all ages have and shall walk in, towards life and

happiness. Hence also it is called, the good old way, Jer. 6.16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the way, and see and ask for the old path, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls, &c. I say, the way of Repentance, Faith and Holiness, al|ways hath been, and is, and ever shall be the way unto life.

We come then unto the second thing, that is, to enquire, How it doth appear, that the number of those that find the way to life is comparatively but a small number?

Now for Answer unto that Enquiry, seve|ral things may be mentioned, which are E|vidences and clear Demonstrations of the truth of this point.

1. Because those that do enjoy the Word and outward means of Grace, are comparatively but few. God hath appointed the means & the end to go together; therefore where he intends that end of Eternal Life, he is wont to bestow the means which himself hath ap|pointed, in order to the attainment of that end; Hence is that, 1 Tim. 2.4. God will have all men (that is to say, men of all sorts, as the Context doth manifest) to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth; those two go together, even Salvation and the knowledge of the Truth. The A|postle saith, that the Jews would have hin|dred them from preaching to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, 1 Thes. 2.16.

which plainly declares, that without Prea|ching (according to ordinary Dispensati|on) there is no Salvation This is cer|tain, that there is no Salvation without Christ, Acts 4.12. It was Austin's saying, that he that doth think that one may be saved without Christ, it may well be questi|oned whether that man shall himself be sa|ved or no. And there is no Salvation by Christ, without Faith in him: This is Life Eternal to know (that is, to believe on) Jesus Christ, John 17.3. And there is no faith ordinarily, but it is wrought by the Word preached. What God may do for Infants, or deaf persons, or the like, is ano|ther question; but we speak concerning the Lords ordinary course of Dispensation: Hence is that, Tit. 1.1. according to the faith of Gods Elect, and acknowledging the Truth. Ordinarily there is no faith, but it is by means of the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel. The Apostle speaketh fully to this purpose, Rom 10.14, 15. How shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a Preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? and then in vers. 17. he speak|eth Argumentatively, So then (saith he) faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. It's true, that men may by the light of Nature know many things a|bout God; as that he is, and that there is

but one God, one Eternal glorious Being, who ought to be served, &c. But they can|not know Christ by the light of Nature. God is kn••wn as a Creator by the light of Nature, but not as a Redeemer. There is no faith with••ut the knowledge of Christ as a Mediator, which Mystery is not disco|vered, but by Supernatural light of the Gos|pel; but they that have the knowledge of the Scriptures, are comparatively but few. In the Ages of the Old Testament, there was but that one only Nation of Israel that enjoyed the outward means of Grace, Psal. 147.19, 20. He sheweth his Word to Jacob, his Statutes and his Judgments to Israel: He hath not dealt so with any Nation; and as for his Judgments, they have not known them. It's true, that there were some few particu|lar persons that had the knowledge of God, who were not Israelites, but no other Nati|on; therefore it is not said, He hath not so with any person, but with any People, or Nation. Hence the Lord speaking unto his people Israel, saith, You have I known of all the Families of the earth, Amos 3, 2, And while it was thus, the way of Salvation was to be found amongst that people only: Therefore Christ said to the woman of Samaria, Salvation is of the Jews, John 4.22. Because then a man must be a Jew, in respect of his Religion and Profession a Jew, or else he could not be saved;

wherefore also the Scripture giveth us to understand, that as for those miserable Na|tions which peopled the earth in those dark days, which were before the Sun of Righte|ousness did arise upon the World, they perished in their ignorance, Acts 17.30. The times of this ignorance God winked at: The meaning is not, that God winked at their sins in these days of ignorance, but at their persons: He overlooked (as the Greek word properly signifieth) them. The Lord had no saving regard to them, and to their times, but suffered them to walk in their own ways, even in the Broad Way which leadeth unto destructi|on. Now although in these New-Testa|ment times there are many Nations that have the Gospel, yet but few in compari|son of those that are destitute thereof. Therefore as for the way to Eternal Life, Few there be that find it.

2. This is farther evident, because the Elect of God are but few. Eternal Life runs parallel with the line of Election, Rom. 8.29, 30. All, and only those shall be saved, that belong to the Election of Grace, 2 Thes. 2.13. But the Elect are but few in number. Indeed the Elect, consi|dered in themselves, without comparing them with the Reprobate World, are many, (as before was hinted at) which may be one Reason why the Elect are expressed by

that term of the World, 1 John 2.2. Christ is the Propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole World. The Elect there are called, the whole World; the main Reason of that Ex|pression may be, because the Elect do con|sist in a great part of Gentiles, who are called the World oft in Scripture, in opposi|tion to the Jews, formerly the only people of God. Christ (saith the Apostle) is a Propitiation, not only for our sins, who are Jews, but for the sins of the Gentiles also, whom he calls the World. But another Reason of the Expression may be, because of the multitudinous number of the Elect ab|solutely considered; yet compare them with the non-Elect, and then they are but very few. The word Election doth import this; for to elect is to chuse or pick a few out of a greater number, Joh. 15.19. Hence the E|lect are called a Remnant, Rom. 11.15. and a little flock, Luke 12.32. The Greek is, where there are two Diminutives signifying, a little, little flock, that is a very little flock, The Israelitish Nation was a Type of the Elect of God; hence the Apostle calleth the Elect an Holy Nation, 1 Pet. 2.9. allu|ding to the Israelitish Nation, which typified the Elect. Thence also the Elect are called by that name of Israel; Gal. 6.16. Rev. 7.4. Now that Nation when God first chose them, were a very small Nation, compared

with other Nations in the World, Deut. 7.7. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor chuse you, because you were more in number than any people, for you were the smallest of all people. Therefore the Elect are but few; yea, they are but few, compared with those that are outwardly called, Mat. 22.14. Ma|ny are called, but few are chosen; So that amongst called ones, that is, in respect of the outward call of the Gospel, there are but few chosen, but few of them that be|long to the Election of Grace. You heard in the first Argument, that there are but few outwardly called, compared with the rest of the World, yet but few elected amongst such called ones. Therefore as for the way to life, Few there be that find it.

3. This truth is also manifest, in that those things which are necessary in order unto life, are rarely attained. To instance, Repen|tance is necessary in order unto life (as but now was intimated) therefore is that Ezek. 18. ult. Turn and live ye; so that there is no living without Turning. But true Re|pentance is a rare thing; so rare, as that in the Prophet Jeremies time, there was upon the matter none at all, Chap. 8. vers. 6. I hearkened and heard, but no man repented of his wickedness; every one turned to his course, &c. No man (saith he) repented him; that is to say, they were very few, e|ven so few, that they seemed none at all. As

Solomon speaketh concerning Repentance for that sin of Uncleanness, that he found but one man of a thousand, that repented of it; Eccles. 7.28. And in another place he saith, None that go in to her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life, Prov. 2.19. So it is measurably true concerning Repen|tance for other sins. Again, you heard, that Faith in Christ is requisite in order un|to Eternal life. The sum of the whole Gos|pel is contained in those few words, Mark 16.16. He that believeth shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned. But true faith is a rare thing, therefore is that Isa. 53.1. Who hath believed our report? So that even amongst those unto whom the re|port of the Gospel cometh, there are but few that believe in truth: To presume is common, but to believe is rare. You have heard also, that Holiness is required in or|der unto life. That Text is plain, and the words are peremptory, Heb. 12.14. With|out holiness no man shall see the Lord. No man, be he high or low, shall see the Lord of life; and therefore no man shall inherit Eternal life, without Holiness. But holy men and women are rarely found, 1 John 5.19. The Apostle there saith, that the whole World lieth in Wickedness. Yea, even a|mongst those who are Pretenders unto Ho|liness, there are but few that have the thing in reality, Isa. 65.5. They say. Stand by thy

self, come not near to me, I am holier than thou: These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. Mark you, they were persons that did pretend to extraor|dinary Holiness, (as superstitious persons and Hypocrites are wont to do) yet the Lord tells them, that his anger should smoke and burn against them everlastingly. There|fore as for the way to life, Few there be that find it.

But the truth hereof will be further evi|dent, by speaking to the third thing pro|pounded for the opening of the point; that is, Whence it cometh to pass that so few do walk in the way of life? We shall only mention two Reasons of the Doctrine.

Reas. 1. Because the way of life doth not suit with Nature. There must be a Super|natural light to direct the Soul into this way, 1 Cor. 2.14. The natural man receiv|eth not the things of God, neither can he know them. And after a man doth see this way, there must be a Supernatural work of the Spirit to cause him to venture on in it; yea, it is not only above nature, but against corrupt nature. The way of Mortification, is the way to Heaven. Now that's a way to which men are naturally as averse unto, as they are to cut off their right hand, or to pluck out a right eye, Mat. 5.29. If this be so, no wonder that so few are found walking in this narrow way. To see men

swimming down the stream is no strange thing, for that's natural; but to see them swimming against the stream, would be wonderful. Thus it is here, when men walk in the way to life, they swim a|gainst the stream. Hence we need not marvel if there be but few such. And this is further manifest, because,

Reas. 2. The way to life is an hard way, even a way full of Afflictions and Temp|tations on the right hand and on the left; hence Christ calls it a narrow way, or an afflicted way, as the word intimateth, a compressed way, as some render it: Things that are dilated by pressure, are made nar|row; so is this way which you hear of, The way to the Kingdom of God is through many tribulations, Acts 14.22. It's like the way out of Egypt to Canaan, there was a dismal desolate Wilderness in the way, which was a Land of drought, and of pits, and of fiery flying Serpents, &c. So is the way to the heavenly Canaan no less terrible. Thence there are but few that find it.

Thus you see the Truth cleared and pro|ved from Scripture.

But some one will say, Doth not God delight more in glorifying his Grace, that in manifesting the dreadfulness of his Justice? How then can there more be damned than saved?

Answ. True, but Grace is glorified more in the life of a few, than Justice in the De|struction of those many millions of millions that shall perish. The reason is, Because all men have deserved death, but none have deserved life. And as for those that shall be saved, because they are but few, therefore Grace is the more magnified towards them, and will be glorified in them, and by them to all Eternity.

We come then to apply this truth.

Ʋse. 1. By way of Confutation: This Doctrine lets us see the erroneousness of sudry false Opinions which some men have taken up. As,

1. Their Opinion is from hence convin|ced of error, who have thought that the Gentiles were saved by their Phylosophy and Morality, though they had nothing but the light of Nature to instruct them. If that were so, Christ would never have said con|cerning the way to life, few there be that find it. How can that be, if very Heathens by the dark light of nature find it? One of the Ancients therefore said well, That some have endeavoured to prove Plato a Christian, till they have thereby proved themselves to be little better than Heathens. There is a Book extant with that Title, de Salute Aristote|lis, concerning the Salvation of Aristotle. And an other ••ath written a Book, de Ani|mabus Paganorum, endeavouring to prove,

that the Souls of some that dyed Pagans, are in a state of bliss. But tho' I cen|sure not any of the godly, learned Anci|ents, or amongst the Reformers, that have been blemish'd with this error, yet it will be found certain another day, That Philosophy without Theology; light of Na|ture without the light of Scripture, will never bring the Soul to Christ, or into that way which leads to Eternal life. There are too many bad Christians, but there are no good Heathens. Take the best of the Gen|tiles, even those that wrote most for Ver|tue, and try them by the Touch-stone of Gods Word, and it will be found true, that there never was the l••ast real Scripture-ver|tue in any of them. They would make a shew of Love and Patience, and other Vertues; but what they had, was no more like the Scripture-grace of Love or Patience, than the Sun which is painted on the Wall, is like to the Sun which moveth in the Firmament. Then Magnanimity, if tryed by Scripture, will be found no better than that odious and accursed sin of Pride. What shall we say, that Paul doth expresly and by name con|demn that for a Vice, which Aristotle cry|eth up for a Vertue. So you find, Ephes. 5.4. the Apostle there doth condemn Jesting, the Greek word ENTRAPELIA, which is one of Aristotles Vertues. Yet it must be acknowledged, that the Morality of the

Gentiles was not altogether lost to them; for (as some have well observed) they thereby procured Temporal good to them|selves, and present ease of Conscience, yea, and less misery in Hell than otherwise they must have suffered. But as to Eternal Life, all these things without Christ, were of no value.

2. This Doctrine also confuteth the Error of Ʋniversal Redemption. Certainly if Christ had dyed for all, he would never himself affirm, that but few shall find the way to Eternal Life. If Christ have died to save men, and yet they fall short of Salvation, then must his blood be shed in vain, as not being able to accomplish the end intended by him, which thing may not be imagined, Gal. 2.21. It's a sure Proposition, That the Re|demption of Christ, and the Application of this Redemption, are of equal extent; but my Text teacheth us, that the Application of this Redemption reacheth only to those that are comparatively but a few. And shall we think that Christ would dye for those whom he would not so much as pray for: He would not pray for the Reprobate World, John 17.9. Surely they that are not interest|ed in Christs Intercession, are not interested in his Oblation. To dye for another is an evi|dence of the greatest love that can be, John 15.13. How harsh and horrid is it to affirm that Christ loved Judas as much as he did

Peter? yet so it must be, if he dyed for the one, as much as for the other: Wherefore the Scripture plainly intimateth, that Christ dyed only for the Elect of God: Thus some understand that place, Heb. 2.16. He took not on him the nature of Angels. So the words are rendred; but they may be read, He taketh not hold of the Angels. Saith the Apostle, Christ saw the Reprobate Angels falling into the pit of Destruction, but he did not take hold of them to recover and save them; No, but the seed of Abraham he taketh hold of. He doth not say, the seed of Adam, but the seed of Abraham, thereby intimating, that Christ did not come to redeem all men whatsoever, but the Elect of God, who are noted by that expression of the seed of A|braham.

3. This confuteth their Error, who main|tain that a man may be saved in any Reli|gion, if he be but civil, and live up to his Religion. Such a Principle as this there is in the Turkish Alcoron; and it were well if some Christians did not say after Mahomet in this particular. But sure it is, that there is but one true Religion, and many false ones. And as they that are of no Religion, are out of the way to life, so are they that are of a false one. The Jewish Religion will not bring to life, John 8.24. You shall dye in your sins, if you believe not that I am he, you shall dye in your sins. So that they that believe

not that Jesus of Nazareth is the true Mes|siah, that our Christ is the Son of God, and Saviour of the World, shall not live, but dye for ever in their sins. This you know is the case of the Jews at this day. And as for the Mahometan Religion, there's no Salvati|on in that. Therefore you find, Rev. 9. that that Religion is come out of the Bot|tomless Pit. It is said, vers. 11. They had a King over them, which is the Angel of the Bottomless Pit, whose name in the Hebrew Tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek Tongue Apollyon, that signifieth a Destroyer. So then, those of that Religion are in the way to destruction. And as for the Popish Re|ligion, it is also Heretical and Damnable. Mr. Perkins long since wrote a Book, where|in he proveth, that a Papist living up to the Principles of his Religion, cannot go beyond a Reprobate: And doth not the Apostle when he speaketh concerning the Apostasie of the Man of Sin, teach, that those that are de|ceived therewith, shall perish, and that they all shall be damned, who are given up of God to believe the Lyes & Delusions of Antichrist, 2 Thes. 2.10, 11, 12. Now that by the Man of sin, the Popedom is intended, is past all doubt, to those that are willing to be con|vinced of the Truth; because the descripti|on which the Apostle doth there give of An|tichrist, doth agree wholy and only to the Popedom, even in all the particulars of it.

Again, doth not John shew, that all Lyars shall be excluded the heavenly Jerusalem, Rev. 21.27. Who are the Lyars there meant? Sure especially Popish Idolaters and false Worshippers, whose Religion is a great lye. But we shall touch a little farther upon this anon In a word, whosoever doth maintain any Heresie against the true Religion of Christ, or Faith delivered to the Saints, cannot be saved: therefore Heresies are said to be damnable, 2 Pet. 2.1.

Use 2. If there be but few that shall find the way to life, then there must needs be many that walk in the way to destruction. Hence is that, Joel 3.14. Multitudes, multitudes, saith the Prophet: Where are they? In the way to life? Nay, but in the valley of Decision, in the place of Destruction, there are multitudes, multitudes,: And Christ here saith, that broad is the way, an•• wide is the gate which leadeth unto destruction, and [Many] there be that go in thereat. And the Apostle saith, that there are many whose end is destruction, Phil. 3.19. It will appear that it is so in|deed, if we consider who they be that are in the way to destruction: And this is true concerning those many Heathen Nations which are in the World; who remain al|together ignorant of the true God in Christ, and strangers to the Profession of the true

Religion, Psal. 9.17. The wicked, and all the Nations that forget God shall be turned into Hell. And again, Ps. 79 6. Pour out thy wrath upon the Heathen that have not known thee, and upon the Kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. And this is true, not only concern|ing such as do willfuly refuse and reject the means of Light and Life, as the Jews did; but also concerning those that never heard of the way of Salvation; and are in that re|spect, as some speak, under invincible igno|rance, yet they are in a perishing condition: Witness that Scripture, Prov. 29 18. Where there is no vision the people perish; and that Matth. 4.16. where it is said of such as are destitute of the means of Grace, that they sit in darkness, and in the Region of the shadow of death: which also might be one reason why Christ told the Jews, that they should be cast out into utter darkness, Matth. 8.12. because they should be deprived of the means of Grace, and so, as it were, damned above ground, and in the Suburbs of Hell, while they are yet living upon the Earth▪ Witness also that Scripture, 2 Thes. 1.8. which saith, that Christ shall be reveal|ed from Heaven, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. So that not only

those that obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that is to say, such as reject the Gospel by positive Unbelief, as the Jews did: But likewise those that know not God, even such as are under negative Ʋnbelief, and thence under invincible Ignorance, must suffer vengeance; though not for their Unbelief, yet for their Transgressions of the Law.

Now of this sort are the greatest part of the Inhabitants of the Earth by far. Christ|endom (as it is called) even the whole Christian World, is but a little spot, com|pared with the rest of the World. Some have observed, that if all the Inhabitants of the World should be divided into one & thirty parts, nineteen of the one & thirty are Idolaters, & seven parts are Mahometans and Jews, and only five parts of one and thirty that is so much as in name Christian. However, sure it is, that the Christian World is little, compared with the Pagan World: And yet amongst those that call themselves Christian, the greatest part are in the broad way, which leadeth to destruction; for the greatest part of these are indeed Antichristi|an: Let us set aside the Grecian, Jacobites and Nestorians (who are said to compre|hend the greatest part of them that are known by the name Christians) as being in sun|dry

points Heretical; & look into Europe, America, and how few shall we find there that are Christians indeed? For in many Places and Nations there are more Papists than Protestants, albeit as to our Nation, through the mercy of God, it be not so. But you have heard it proved that Popery is damnable Heresie. No doubt but that there may be some simple Souls amongst Papists, who having the knowledge of the Fundemental points in Religion, and living according to the light they have thereby received, though they may ignorantly think well of the Church of Rome, God may shew them mercy: But I speak of wilfull Papists, and of such as live up to the Principles of that Religion, which is inconsistent with living according to the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, now these must needs perish. I would be loth to be the Author of an harsh Censure, yet I am willing to speak after the Angel of God: See then Revel. 14.9, 10. The third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man Worship the Beast and his Image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the Wine of the Warth of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his Indignation, he shall be tormented with fire and

brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. A very dread|ful Scripture; and the persons concerned in it are Papists. Now then if the Third Angel say thus, why should not we declare the like, that so we may be amongst the number of the Angels whom the Holy Ghost there speaketh of? Besides, Idolaters cannot be saved, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10. Revel. 21.8. But if there be any Idolaters in the World, the Papists are such, when they worship graven Images, and pray to Saints, & to Gods that cannot save them: How then should they be saved? Again, their Doctrine of Justification by Works is a Fundamental error, as Paul testifieth in his Epistles, especially in his E|pistle to the Romans (which was not with|out mystery, that the Apostle writing to the Romans, should so much insist upon that subject) besides many other Heresies by them maintained. I remember our great Whitaker saith, If one Heresie be destructive, what then are so many as those which the Pa|pists defend. If they (saith he) shall be saved, then we must needs be damned; but if we be in the way of Salvation, then they are in that way to destruction? Moreover, it is an ancient and true Maxim, that out of the Church there is no Salvation to be had: But

Papists do not belong to the visible Church of Christ. Therefore you read, Rev. 11.1. that the Temple is measured; and verse 2. it is said; But the Court which is with|out the Temple, leave out and measure it not, for it is given to the Gentiles, &c. So that Papist are without the Temple, that is to say, they do not belong to the Church of God; & thence also they there are called Gentiles, because those Apostate Christians are in the same condition with the Heathen, Persecut|ing, Idolatrous World; whose God is not Christ, but Satan and Antichrist. Yet if we come nearer home, and look amongst Pro|testants and Professors of the true Religion; Alas, we shall find many there that are walking in the broad way to destruction. It is said concerning the Church of Sardis, Thou hast a few names, Rev. 3.4. Some of good judg|ment that look upon the Epistles of Christ to the seven Churches in Asia, to be a Parable or Prophesie concerning the seven|fold state of the visible Church, from Christs first unto his last coming, conceive that our times fall under the fifth Interval, or the Sardion condition of the Church. Sardis might be a Type of Protestant Churches; now therein are but a few names. Amongst Protestants there are but few that

live, or that are acquainted with the life & power of Godliness; but many that are dead, though they have a name to live. For this is true concerning all profane ones, Drunkards, Swearers, Lyars, Unclean Persons, and such like, they shall not inherit Eter|nal Life. Also this is true concerning those that are only Civil and Moral men, but are strangers still to regenerating Grace: Yea, & thus must we say of all Heretical Persons; & not only so, but of all that are in a state of Hypocrisie, men that make a great shew of Religion, but there is some unmortified Lust that they love and live in, they may have a name to live, but they are dead. Now if all these be put together, even all that are Profane, or only Civil Moralized persons, and all Hereticks in judgment, and all Hypocrites in heart, what a vast number then are in the way to Destruction In a word, there are many that shall perish even amongst hearers of the Word; witness the Parable of the Sower, where we are told of four sorts of ground, that is, of four sorts of hearers, & yet but one of them good, yea, many shall perish amongst seekers after Life: For Truth himself hath spoken it, Many shall seek, and shall not be able to enter in at the strait gate, Luke 13.24. yea, many shall

perish, even amongst those that have in|structed o••hers in the way to life: So did Christ say towards the close of this very Sermon wherein my Text is, Mat. 7.23. Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out Devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works; and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Ʋse 3. If these things be so: Oh, how then should that solomn Exhortation of the Apostle take place in all our hearts, Phil. 2.12. Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling? Since there are but few saved, and many perish: Oh how should we seek after Life and Salvation with fear and trembling? Let me spread before you a few Awakening and Encouraging Consierati|ons, and so conclude.

Consider. 1. That many are miserably deceived about this matter. Men may, and many do think themselves in the way to life, when|as they are posting to destruction; They think themselves something when they are no|thing, Gal. 6.3. Therefore Solomon saith, There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end the••eof are the ways of death, Pro. 14.12. Doubtless if you could speak with

those in Hell, and ask them why they were such fools as to walk in that way which did lead them into Eternal flames, the greatest part of those forlorn Souls would answer, We little thought it! we hoped we had been in a good way, we never imagined, that when once our Souls were out of our bodies, that then they must be in this place of Torment; I say many are thus deceived, and no marvel: for,

Consider. 2. A man may bid fair, and go far towards Heaven, and yet at last miss of that narrow may which leadeth unto life. Alas Sirs, alas! what have many of you to say for to prove your Title to Eternal Life, which you pretend unto, but what Hypocrites & Reprobates may say the same? Will you say, I am a constant hearer of the Word, I go to hear good Ministers preach, therefore I am in the way to life? But what saith the Scripture? James 1.22. Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own Souls. Many cheat their own Souls with this Delusion, because they hear the Word, they think they shall be saved: But thou mayest be a constant hearer upon Lords-days, and upon Lecture-days, and yet not be in the way to Eternal life; Few there be that find it. Will you say, but the Word

hath had some effect upon my Soul, I am in some measure changed and reformed by it? Remember that Scripture, 2 Pet. 2 20. which tells you, that men may escape the pollutions of the World, through the knowledge of Christ; that is, by the power of the Gos|pel, and yet be such, as it had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness: Therefore thou may be in some sort reformed, and yet not in the way to Eternal life: Few there be that find it! Will you say, but I practice good duties, I Pray, and give Alms, and Fast, and all this in secret: This is well done, yet no more than what an Hypocrite may do, Luke 18.2. The Pharisee there saith, I fast twice in the week, I give tythes of all that I possess, &c. These could not be publick, but they were secret fasts: Therefore thou mayest practice secret duties, and yet not be in the way to Eter|nal life: Few there be that find it! Will you say, but Gods servants, and those that are able to judge, think well of me, and have received me into their Fellowship, so as that I am a member of a pure Church of Christ: But might not Judas, and Ananias, and Saphira, and Simon Magus have said all this? What think you of the foolish Virgins? They were members of pure Reformed

Churches, not of Idolatrous, Superstitious Churches; no, they were Virgins, and yet the gates of Life were shut against them, Mat. 25.11, 12. The Virgins said, Lord, Lord, open to us; But he answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not. So that thou mayest be a member of a pure Church, and yet the strait gate of life shut against thy Soul another day: Therefore this is not enough to prove, that thou art in the way to life: Few then be that find it! Will you say, but I have suffered for Conscience sake, and for Truths sake, I have left a dear Land, and Fathers Houses, because I would not comply with the Superstition of the times? If this be done in sincerity, it is well for thee; but if in vain-glory, or for a|ny by and base respect, thou mayest still be out ot the narrow afflicted way which leads to life. Did not Alexander suffer with Paul when time was, and yet afterwards, proved an Apostate? Do we not read of some He|reticks in the primitive times, that have suffered unto death in the common cause of Christianity? Doth not the Scripture in|timate, that men may give their bodies to be burned, and yet not have a spark of true Grace in their Souls, 1 Cor. 13 1, 2, 3. So then, thou mayest suffer, yea, suffer unto

death it self in a righteous Cause, and yet not be in the way to life: Few there be that find it! Wilt thou say, but God hath given of his Spirit to me? If thou hast the Converting, Sanctifying Grace of the Spirit, then thou art in the right way; but if thou hast only the gifts of the Spirit, then thou art in the broad way still. Had not Judas gifts, whereby he was able to Pray and Preach too? Had not Saul gifts, where|by he was able to Govern a Nation? yet neither of them in the way to life. A man may be garnished, and yet under an un••le an spirit still, Mat. 12 44. How gar|nished? even adorned with excellent gifts, so as to be able to pray and to discourse e|difyingly, and yet not in the way which leads to life: Few there be that find it! It is one of the most solemn, awful Medita|tions that it's possible for a man to think of, to consider how far one may go, and yet fall short of Heaven at last: What sins he may forsake, what duties he may prac|tise, what gifts he may attain, what good he may do; what evil he may suffer in the Lords cause, and yet his Soul be shut out of the place of Life and Glory: Oh how should this cause fear and trembling?

Consider 3. It is possible to enter into the gave and way life. Indeed it's hard work

(as afterwards may be shewed more a|bundantly) and thence it's called a strait gate, yet it's possible, as the words of the Text do imply. It would be an improper speech to say, Few there be that find it, if none at all could find it: This shews that the way may be found, yea, and by some is found: Christ hath made the the way passable, Heb. 10.20. He hath con|secrated a new and living way through the vail of his flesh. Christ by his blood hath set Heaven gates open (as when Christ was dying, the vail of the Temple rent) to true Believers on him; yea, and Eternal Life is freely offered to all where the Gos|pel cometh; Heaven is brought to your doors, Eternal Life is, as it were, brought and laid at your doors, if you will accept of it, when the Gospel is preached to you. All you that hear the Gospel this day, Men, Women, Children, that can hear & understand, Behold, I do here solemnly in the Name of the Lord declare to you, that you may have Eternal Life by Jesus Christ, if you will renounce Sin, and Self, and World, and all for Jesus Christ; Oh consider of it! And,

Consider 4. That this is a truth that con|cerns every one seriously to think of. True it

is, that there are some that have special cause to fear and tremble, lest they should miss of Heaven, that is, such as are well to pass in this World. Not many Noble, not many Mighty, are called, 1 Cor. 1.26. so not many Rich shall be saved. It was a solemn word which Christ spake, when he said, Wo unto you that are rich, for you have received your Consolation, Luke 6.24. There cometh to my mind a passage of Buchanans (who was King James his Tutor) when he was upon his death-bed, King James sent to him to know how he did, Go, saith he, and tell the King, that I am going to a place, where but few Kings shall come; mean|ing, that he was going to Heaven, and but few Kings shall come there: even so but few of those that have much of this Worlds good, shall enter into the strait gate of Life. Therefore such of you as enjoy much of the profits and pleasures of the World, have special cause to tremble, lest haply the Lord should put you off with a Portion in this life. Yet this truth concerns all to think of, yea, even those that are already entred into the way of Life. See that you go on in this way; see that you do not only work, but work out your own Salvation;

and this the rather, because there are but few that shall be saved. Many shall seek to enter in at the strait gate of Life; and shall not be able.