The wells of salvation opened, or, Words whereby we may be saved

but let me tell you, that I fear that many of you here present will be found in the number of those many our Saviour speaketh of, that shall seek to enter in at the strait gate, and shall not be able; ⟨p. 108⟩our Saviour told his Auditors, that flocked to hear him, thus, and are you better than they? you all seek to enter in at the strait gate, by coming into this place where the Gospel is preached, and where the gate is set open before you; but are there not many amongst you that seek in a careless and negligent manner? May not I say of all the seekers here, that there are but few that strive to enter in at the strait gate? Do you all, or the most look as if you had your eye upon the mark and glorious prize before you, and were pressing with all your might towards it? do you hear as if it were for your lives, as if you might hear words this day whereby you may be saved? do you pray and seek as if you were in earnest, as if you were resolved to take Heaven by violence, and whatever you were denied in, would not be denied your salvation? Such as do not strive shall never get through the strait gate. Think with your selves, It may be that many in this place shall be damned, and then say, Shall not I? shall not I? and O what a miserable wretch shall I be if I should be damned! if I should get only to the gate of Heaven, and not get through! if I should come only to the borders of the Heavenly Canaan, and dye in the Wilderness! if I should be found in the number of the negligent seekers which will miss of salvation? What grounds have I to think that I shall be saved? there are but few, can I think that I am in the number of the few? Methinks this consideration of the Rarity of salvation should awaken you to give earnest heed that with the most that seek it, you may not miss of it.

but let me tell you, that I fear that many of you here present will be found in the number of those many our Saviour speaketh of, that shall seek to enter in at the strait gate, and shall not be able; ⟨p. 108⟩our Saviour told his Auditors, that flocked to hear him, thus, and are you better than they? you all seek to enter in at the strait gate, by coming into this place where the Gospel is preached, and where the gate is set open before you; but are there not many amongst you that seek in a careless and negligent manner? May not I say of all the seekers here, that there are but few that strive to enter in at the strait gate? Do you all, or the most look as if you had your eye upon the mark and glorious prize before you, and were pressing with all your might towards it? do you hear as if it were for your lives, as if you might hear words this day whereby you may be saved? do you pray and seek as if you were in earnest, as if you were resolved to take Heaven by violence, and whatever you were denyed in, would not be denyed your salvation? Such as do not strive shall never get thorow the strait gate. Think with your selves, It may be that many in this place shall be damned, and then say, Shall not I? shall not I? and O what a miserable wretch shall I be if I should be damned! if I should get only to the gate of Heaven, and not get thorow! if I should come only to the borders of the Heavenly Canaan, and dye in the Wilderness! if I should be found in the number of the negligent seekers which will miss of salvation? What grounds have I to think that I shall be saved? there are but few, can I think that I am in the number of the few? Methinks this consideration of the Rarity of salvation should awaken you to give earnest heed that with the most that seek it, you may not miss of it.