Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

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; therefore we should be sure to walk in the Narrow Way. And then in reference to the Narrow Way it self, there are divers Argumentative Considerations mentioned; 1. Because 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.

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; therefore we should be sure to walk in the Narrow Way. And then in reference to the Narrow Way it self, there are divers Argument•tive Considerations mentioned; 1. Because 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 hundreds, ⟨p. 178⟩many thousands, yea, million of them, even a numberless number, like the stars of Heaven. But this is to be understood 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.