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T H E "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."— Matthew 7:13, 14 By J O H N.B U N Y A N. |
[FIRST. THE WORDS BY WAY OF EXPLICATION.]
he words are to be considered, [FIRST], with reference to their
general scope; and then [SECOND], with reference to their several phrases.
FIRST. The general scope of the text is to be considered, and that is that great
thing—salvation; for these words do immediately look at, point to, and give directions
about salvation: "Are there few that be saved? Strive to enter in at the strait
gate."
The words, I say, are to direct us not only to talk of, or to wish for, but to understand
how we shall, and to seek that we may be, effectually saved, and therefore of the
greatest importance. To be saved! what is like being saved? To be saved from sin,
from hell, from the wrath of God, from eternal damnation, what is like it? To be
made an heir of God, of his grace, of his kingdom, and eternal glory, what is like
it? and yet all this is included in this word saved, and in the answer to that question,
"Are there few that be saved?" Indeed this word SAVED is but of little
use in the world, save to them that are heartily afraid of damning. This word lies
in the Bible as excellent salves lie in some men's houses, thrust into a hole, and
not thought on for many months, because the household people have no wounds nor sores.
In time of sickness, what so set by as the doctor's glasses and gally-pots full of
his excellent things? but when the person is grown well, the rest is thrown to the
dunghill. [1]
O when men are sick of sin, and afraid of damning, what a text is that where this
word saved is found! Yea, what a word of worth, and goodness, and blessedness, is
it to him that lies continually upon the wrath of a guilty conscience? "But
the whole need not a physician"; he therefore, and he only, knows what saved
means, that knows what hell, and death, and damnation means. "What shall I do
to be saved?" is the language of the trembling sinner. "Lord save me,"
is the language of the sinking sinner; and none admire the glory that is in that
word saved, but such as see, without being saved, all things in heaven and earth
are emptiness to them. They also that believe themselves privileged in all the blessedness
that is wrapt up in that word, bless and admire God that hath saved them. Wherefore,
since the thing intended, both in the question and the answer, is no less than the
salvation of the soul, I beseech you to give the more earnest heed. (Heb 12) But,
SECOND. To come to the particular phrases in the words, and to handle them orderly,
in the words I find four things. First. An intimation of the kingdom of heaven. Second.
A description of the entrance into it. Third. An exhortation to enter into it. And,
Fourth, A motive to enforce that exhortation.
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