John Bunyan: The Strait (or Narrow) Gate Part 3

About the Author

John Bunyan (1628-1688) was one of the greatest preachers of the seventeenth century, and despite his humble beginnings and lack of formal education, has also been called "the most wonderfully gifted spiritual writer since the days of the Apostles." Next to the Bible, his Pilgrims Progress has been translated into more languages, and has passed through more editions (about four hundred), than any other book in the world. That book, along with his Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and Holy War, are the records of his own deep spiritual experience, in which a profane and sinful man after a number of false conversions was wonderfully tranformed. He was later asked to preach to a small congregation, and after preaching to the brethren five years, and working at his trade (as a "tinker," one who repaired pots and pans) for the support of himself and family, he was arrested and thrown into Bedford jail twelve years (1660-1672) for "teaching men to worship God contrary to the law." During those years he continued to write, his only books being the Bible and Concordance, and Foxe's Book of Martyrs. He would have been released any day if he had promised not to preach; but he felt called of God to the work of the ministry, and he continually replied to his jailors, "If you release me today, I will preach again tomorrow." The renowned John Owen said that he would gladly relinquish all his learning for the tinker's preaching abilities.

THE STRAIT GATE
OR,
GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN

Plainly proving, by the Scripture, that not only
the Rude and Profane, but many great Professors,
will come short of that Kingdom.

By John Bunyan

Part 3 : Heaven, Hell, and the Professing Christian

"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.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: An Explanation of the Text

Part 3: Heaven, Hell, & the Professing Christian

Part 4: This Thing You Lack

Part 5: Called Out From the World

Part 6: Scriptural Illustrations of the Saved

Part 7: Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen

Part 8: Why Many Miss Heaven

Part 9: Words of Warning

Part 10: Concluding Thoughts

PART Three: Heaven, Hell, and
the Professing Christian

Jesus Spoke to Those Who “Professed” Faith.

“For many”: I find this word many variously applied in Scripture. But by the word many in the text our Lord intendeth in special the “professor.”

The Professor May Be Found Without Saving Faith in the Day of Judgment.

The professor, I say, how high soever he seems to be now, that shall be found without saving grace in the day of judgment. Now that the professor is in special intended in this text, consider, so soon as the Lord had said, “Many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able,” he pointeth, as with his finger, at the many that then he in special intendeth; to wit, then among whom he had taught; them that had eat and drunken in his presence; them that had prophesied, and cast out devils in his name, and in his name had done many wonderful works (Luke 23:26; Matthew 7:27). These are the many intended by the Lord in this text. How few among the many, yea, among the swarms of professors, have heart to make conscience of walking before God in this world, and to study his glory among the children of men! How few, I say, have his name lie nearer their hearts than their own carnal concerns! Nay, do not many make his word, and his name, and his ways, a stalking-horse to their own worldly advantages! God calls for faith, good conscience, moderation, self-denial, humility, heavenly-mindedness, love to saints, to enemies, and for conformity in heart, in word, and life, to his will: but where is it? (Mark 11:22; 1 Peter 3:16; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:5; Matthew 10:37-39; Colossians 3:1-4; Micah 6:8; Revelation 2:10; John 15:17; 1 John 4:21; Matthew 5:44; Proverbs 23:26; Colossians 4:6.)

Many Professors Shall be Overthrown.

Had not the Lord Jesus designed by these words to show what an overthrow will one day me made among professors, he needed not have said it to this extent, as in the text and afterwards; the sentence had run intelligible enough without it; I say, without his saying, “I say unto you.” But the truth is, the professor is in danger; the preacher and the hearer, the workers or miracles, and workers of wonders, may be all in danger of damning, notwithstanding all their attainments. And to awaken us all about this truth, therefore, the text must run thus: “For many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

See you not yet that the professor is in danger, and that those words, “I say unto you,” are a prophesy of the everlasting perdition of some that are famous in the congregation of saints? I say, if you do not see it, pray God your eyes may be opened, and beware that thy portion be not as the portion of one of those that are wrapped up in the 28th verse of the chapter: “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of heaven, and you yourselves thrust out.” We are dealing with the words of the Son of God; it is he that hath said it; wherefore we find the truth of the perishing of many professors asserted, and confirmed by Christ's own mouth. This consideration carrieth great awakening in it; but into such a fast sleep are many now-a-days fallen, that nothing will awaken them but that shrill and terrible cry, "Behold, the Bridegroom comes; go ye out to meet him."

Some Have Counterfeit Grace.

There is in the world a thing like grace which is not. That is evident, because we read that there are some that not only make a fair show in the flesh, that glory in appearance, that appear beautiful outwardly, that do as God's people, but have not the grace of God's people (Galatians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 5:12; Matthew 23:27; Isaiah 57:2, 3). It is evident also from those frequent cautions that are everywhere in the Scriptures given us about this thing: “Be not deceived: Let a man examine himself: Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith” (Galatians 6:7; 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:3). All these expressions suggest to us that there may be a show of, or a thing like grace, where there is no grace indeed. This is evident from the conclusion made by the Holy Ghost upon this very thing: “For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galatians 6:3). The Holy Ghost here concludeth, that a man may think himself to be something, may think he hath grace, when he hath none, may think himself something for heaven and another world, when indeed he is just nothing at all with reference thereto. The Holy Ghost also determines upon this point, to wit, that they that do so deceive themselves: “For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself”; he deceiveth his own soul, he deceiveth himself of heaven and salvation. So again: "Let no man beguile you of your reward” (Colossians 2:18).

The Sin Against the Holy Ghost

There is a sin called the sin against the Holy Ghost, from which there is no redemption. This is evident both from Matthew and Mark; “But whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him,neither in this world, nor in the world to come. But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation,” (Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:29). Wherefore, when we know that a man hath sinned this sin, we are not to pray for him, or to have compassion on him (1 John 15:16; Judges 22).

This sin doth most ordinarily befall professors; for there are few, if any, that are not professors who are at present capable of sinning this sin. “They which were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, that were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the power of the world to come” (Hebrews 6:4, 5), of this sort are they that commit this sin. Peter also describes them to be such, that sin the unpardonable sin: "For if after they have escaped the pollution of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning,(Peter 2:2). The other passage in the 10th of Hebrews holdeth forth the same thing: “For if we sin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, that shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26, 27).

Why These Will Seek to Enter In

These, therefore, are the persons that are the prey for this sin: this sin feedeth upon professors, and they that are such, do very often fall into the mouth of this eater. And, in a word, to give you the reason why, in that day, they will seek to enter in.

They will see what a kingdom it is, what glory there is in it, and now they shall also see the blessedness which they shall have that shall then be counted worthy to enter in. The reason why this kingdom is so little regarded, it is because it is not seen; the glory of it is hid from the eyes of the world: “Their eye hath not seen, nor their ear heard.” Ay, but then they shall hear and see too; and when this comes to pass, then, even then, he that now most seldom thinks thereof will seek to enter in.

They will see what hell is, and what damnation in hell is, more clear than ever. They will also see how the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. O the sight of the burning fiery furnace, which is prepared for the devil and his angels! This, this will make work in the souls of castaways at that day of God Almighty, and then they will seek to enter in.

They will see the meaning of such words as Hell-fire, Everlasting fire, Devouring fire, Fire that never shall be quenched. Now they will see what Forever means, what Eternity means; now they will see what this word means, the Bottomless Pit; now they will hear roaring of sinners in this place, howling in that, some crying to the mountains to fall upon them, and others to the rocks to cover them; now they will see blessedness is nowhere but within.

They will see what glory the godly are possessed with; how they rest in Abraham's bosom, how they enjoy eternal glory, how they walk intheir white robes, and unspeakable happiness that now God's people shall have! And this shall be seen by them that are shut out, by them that God hath rejected for ever; and this will make them seek to enter in (Luke 16:22, 23; Luke 13:28).

But how will they seek to enter in?

They will trick and trim up their profession, and adorn it with what bravery they can, they will put on all the confidence they can. Thus the foolish virgins sought to enter in; they did trim up their lamps, made themselves as fine as they could. They made shift to make their lamps to shine awhile; but the Son of God discovering himself, their confidence failed, their lamps went out, the door was shut upon them, and they were kept out.

They will seek to enter in by crowding themselves in among the godly. Thus the man without the wedding garment sought to enter in: He goes to the wedding, gets into the wedding-chamber, sits close among the guests, and then, without doubt, concluded he should escape damnation. But you know, one black sheep is soon seen, though it be among an hundred white ones. “Then said the King to the servants (the angels), bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into utter darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”

They will plead their profession and admittance to the Lord's ordinances when they were in the world: "Lord, we have eat and drank in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets:" we sat at thy table, and used to frequent sermons and Christian assemblies; we were well thought of by thy saints, and were admitted into thy churches; we professed the same faith as they did; Lord, Lord, open unto us.

They will seek to enter in, by pleading their virtues; how they subjected to his ministry, how they wrought for him, what good they did in the world, and the like (Matthew 7:22); but neither will this help them; the same answer that the two former had, the same have these, — "Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity."

They will seek to enter in, by pleading excuses, when they cannot evade conviction. The slothful servant went this way to work, when he was called to account for not improving his Lord's money: “Lord (says he) I know thou wast an hard man . . . and I was afraid, and I went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine” -- as if he had said, True, Lord, I have not improved, I have not got; but consider also I have not embezzled, I have not spent nor lost thy money; lo, there thou hast what is thine, (Matthew 25:24-28). There are but few will be able to say these last words at the day of judgment. The most of professors are for embezzling, misspending, and slothing away their time, their talents, their opportunities to do good in.

They will seek to enter in, by pleading ignorance as the ground of their miscarrying in the things where they offended. Wherefore when Christ charges them with want of love to him, and with want of those fruits that should prove their love to be true — as, that they did not feed him, did not give him drink, did not take him in, did not clothe him, visit him, come unto him, and the like — they readily reply, “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?” (Matthew 25:41-45).

They will make a stop at this gate, this beautiful gate of heaven; they will begin to stand without at the gate, as being loath to go any further. Never did malefactor so unwillingly turn off the ladder when the rope was about his neck, as these will turn away in that day from the gates of heaven to hell. This word “Lord,” being doubled, shows the vehemency of their desires: Lord, Lord, open to us. The devils are coming; Lord, Lord, the pit opens her mouth upon us; Lord, Lord, there is nothing but hell and damnation left us, if, Lord, Lord, thou hast not mercy upon us; Lord, Lord, open to us.

Their last argument for entrance is their tears, when groundless confidence, pleading of virtues, excuses, and ignorance, will not do; when standing at the gate, knocking and calling, Lord, Lord, open to us, will not do, then they betake themselves to their tears. Tears are sometimes the most powerful arguments, but they are nothing worth here. Esau also sought it carefully with tears, but it helped him nothing at all (Hebrews 12:15, 16).

An hypocrite, a false professor, may go a great way; they may pass through the first and second watch, to wit, may be approved of Christians and churches; but what will they do when they come at this iron gate that leadeth into the city? There the workers of iniquity will fall, be cast down, and shall not be able to rise. “And shall not be able.” The time, as I have already hinted, which my text respecteth, it is the day of judgment, a day when all masks and vizards shall be taken off from all faces. It is a day where God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

At this day, those things that now these may count sound and good, will then shake like a quagmire, even all their naked knowledge, their feigned faith, pretended love, glorious shows of gravity in the face, their holiday-words, and specious carriages, will stand them in little stead. I call them holiday ones, for I perceive that some professors do with religion just as people do with their best apparel — hang it against the wall all the week, and put them on Sundays. O poor religion! O poor professor! What wilt thou do at this day, and the day of thy trial and judgment? Cover thyself thou canst not; go for a Christian thou canst not; stand against the Judge thou canst not. What wilt thou do? “The ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”



	About the Author John Bunyan (1628-1688) was one of the greatest preachers of the seventeenth century, and despite his humble beginnings and lack of formal education, has also been called "the most wonderfully gifted spiritual writer since the days of the Apostles." Next to the Bible, his Pilgrims Progress has been translated into more languages, and has passed through more editions (about four hundred), than any other book in the world. That book, along with his Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and Holy War, are the records of his own deep spiritual experience, in which a profane and sinful man after a number of false conversions was wonderfully tranformed. He was later asked to preach to a small congregation, and after preaching to the brethren five years, and working at his trade (as a "tinker," one who repaired pots and pans) for the support of himself and family, he was arrested and thrown into Bedford jail twelve years (1660-1672) for "teaching men to worship God contrary to the law." During those years he continued to write, his only books being the Bible and Concordance, and Foxe's Book of Martyrs. He would have been released any day if he had promised not to preach; but he felt called of God to the work of the ministry, and he continually replied to his jailors, "If you release me today, I will preach again tomorrow." The renowned John Owen said that he would gladly relinquish all his learning for the tinker's preaching abilities. THE STRAIT GATE OR, GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN Plainly proving, by the Scripture, that not only the Rude and Profane, but many great Professors, will come short of that Kingdom. By John Bunyan Part 3 : Heaven, Hell, and the Professing Christian "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. Table of Contents Part 1: Introduction Part 2: An Explanation of the Text Part 3: Heaven, Hell, & the Professing Christian Part 4: This Thing You Lack Part 5: Called Out From the World Part 6: Scriptural Illustrations of the Saved Part 7: Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen Part 8: Why Many Miss Heaven Part 9: Words of Warning Part 10: Concluding Thoughts PART Three: Heaven, Hell, and the Professing Christian Jesus Spoke to Those Who “Professed” Faith. “For many”: I find this word many variously applied in Scripture. But by the word many in the text our Lord intendeth in special the “professor.” *The Professor May Be Found Without Saving Faith in the Day of Judgment.* The professor, I say, how high soever he seems to be now, that shall be found without saving grace in the day of judgment. Now that the professor is in special intended in this text, consider, so soon as the Lord had said, “Many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able,” he pointeth, as with his finger, at the many that then he in special intendeth; to wit, then among whom he had taught; them that had eat and drunken in his presence; them that had prophesied, and cast out devils in his name, and in his name had done many wonderful works (Luke 23:26; Matthew 7:27). These are the many intended by the Lord in this text. How few among the many, yea, among the swarms of professors, have heart to make conscience of walking before God in this world, and to study his glory among the children of men! How few, I say, have his name lie nearer their hearts than their own carnal concerns! Nay, do not many make his word, and his name, and his ways, a stalking-horse to their own worldly advantages! God calls for faith, good conscience, moderation, self-denial, humility, heavenly-mindedness, love to saints, to enemies, and for conformity in heart, in word, and life, to his will: but where is it? (Mark 11:22; 1 Peter 3:16; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:5; Matthew 10:37-39; Colossians 3:1-4; Micah 6:8; Revelation 2:10; John 15:17; 1 John 4:21; Matthew 5:44; Proverbs 23:26; Colossians 4:6.) *Many Professors Shall be Overthrown.* Had not the Lord Jesus designed by these words to show what an overthrow will one day me made among professors, he needed not have said it to this extent, as in the text and afterwards; the sentence had run intelligible enough without it; I say, without his saying, “I say unto you.” But the truth is, the professor is in danger; the preacher and the hearer, the workers or miracles, and workers of wonders, may be all in danger of damning, notwithstanding all their attainments. And to awaken us all about this truth, therefore, the text must run thus: “For many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” See you not yet that the professor is in danger, and that those words, “I say unto you,” are a prophesy of the everlasting perdition of some that are famous in the congregation of saints? I say, if you do not see it, pray God your eyes may be opened, and beware that thy portion be not as the portion of one of those that are wrapped up in the 28th verse of the chapter: “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of heaven, and you yourselves thrust out.” We are dealing with the words of the Son of God; it is he that hath said it; wherefore we find the truth of the perishing of many professors asserted, and confirmed by Christ's own mouth. This consideration carrieth great awakening in it; but into such a fast sleep are many now-a-days fallen, that nothing will awaken them but that shrill and terrible cry, "Behold, the Bridegroom comes; go ye out to meet him." *Some Have Counterfeit Grace.* There is in the world a thing like grace which is not. That is evident, because we read that there are some that not only make a fair show in the flesh, that glory in appearance, that appear beautiful outwardly, that do as God's people, but have not the grace of God's people (Galatians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 5:12; Matthew 23:27; Isaiah 57:2, 3). It is evident also from those frequent cautions that are everywhere in the Scriptures given us about this thing: “Be not deceived: Let a man examine himself: Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith” (Galatians 6:7; 1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:3). All these expressions suggest to us that there may be a show of, or a thing like grace, where there is no grace indeed. This is evident from the conclusion made by the Holy Ghost upon this very thing: “For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Galatians 6:3). The Holy Ghost here concludeth, that a man may think himself to be something, may think he hath grace, when he hath none, may think himself something for heaven and another world, when indeed he is just nothing at all with reference thereto. The Holy Ghost also determines upon this point, to wit, that they that do so deceive themselves: “For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself”; he deceiveth his own soul, he deceiveth himself of heaven and salvation. So again: "Let no man beguile you of your reward” (Colossians 2:18). *The Sin Against the Holy Ghost* There is a sin called the sin against the Holy Ghost, from which there is no redemption. This is evident both from Matthew and Mark; “But whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him,neither in this world, nor in the world to come. But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation,” (Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:29). Wherefore, when we know that a man hath sinned this sin, we are not to pray for him, or to have compassion on him (1 John 15:16; Judges 22). This sin doth most ordinarily befall professors; for there are few, if any, that are not professors who are at present capable of sinning this sin. “They which were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, that were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the power of the world to come” (Hebrews 6:4, 5), of this sort are they that commit this sin. Peter also describes them to be such, that sin the unpardonable sin: "For if after they have escaped the pollution of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning,(Peter 2:2). The other passage in the 10th of Hebrews holdeth forth the same thing: “For if we sin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, that shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26, 27). *Why These Will Seek to Enter In* These, therefore, are the persons that are the prey for this sin: this sin feedeth upon professors, and they that are such, do very often fall into the mouth of this eater. And, in a word, to give you the reason why, in that day, they will seek to enter in. *They will see what a kingdom it is, what glory there is in it,* and now they shall also see the blessedness which they shall have that shall then be counted worthy to enter in. The reason why this kingdom is so little regarded, it is because it is not seen; the glory of it is hid from the eyes of the world: “Their eye hath not seen, nor their ear heard.” Ay, but then they shall hear and see too; and when this comes to pass, then, even then, he that now most seldom thinks thereof will seek to enter in. *They will see what hell is, and what damnation in hell is, more clear than ever.* They will also see how the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. O the sight of the burning fiery furnace, which is prepared for the devil and his angels! This, this will make work in the souls of castaways at that day of God Almighty, and then they will seek to enter in. *They will see the meaning of such words as Hell-fire, Everlasting fire, Devouring fire, Fire that never shall be quenched. Now they will see what Forever means, what Eternity means; now they will see what this word means, the Bottomless Pit; now they will hear roaring of sinners in this place, howling in that, some crying to the mountains to fall upon them, and others to the rocks to cover them; now they will see blessedness is nowhere but within. They will see what glory the godly are possessed with; how they rest in Abraham's bosom, how they enjoy eternal glory, how they walk intheir white robes, and unspeakable happiness that now God's people shall have! And this shall be seen by them that are shut out, by them that God hath rejected for ever; and this will make them seek to enter in (Luke 16:22, 23; Luke 13:28). But how will they seek to enter in?* *They will trick and trim up their profession, and adorn it* with what bravery they can, they will put on all the confidence they can. Thus the foolish virgins sought to enter in; they did trim up their lamps, made themselves as fine as they could. They made shift to make their lamps to shine awhile; but the Son of God discovering himself, their confidence failed, their lamps went out, the door was shut upon them, and they were kept out. *They will seek to enter in by crowding themselves in among the godly.* Thus the man without the wedding garment sought to enter in: He goes to the wedding, gets into the wedding-chamber, sits close among the guests, and then, without doubt, concluded he should escape damnation. But you know, one black sheep is soon seen, though it be among an hundred white ones. “Then said the King to the servants (the angels), bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into utter darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” *They will plead their profession and admittance to the Lord's ordinances* when they were in the world: "Lord, we have eat and drank in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets:" we sat at thy table, and used to frequent sermons and Christian assemblies; we were well thought of by thy saints, and were admitted into thy churches; we professed the same faith as they did; Lord, Lord, open unto us. *They will seek to enter in, by pleading their virtues; how they subjected to his ministry, how they wrought for him, what good they did in the world, and the like (Matthew 7:22); but neither will this help them; the same answer that the two former had, the same have these, — "Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity." They will seek to enter in, by pleading excuses, when they cannot evade conviction. The slothful servant went this way to work, when he was called to account for not improving his Lord's money: “Lord* (says he) I know thou wast an hard man . . . and I was afraid, and I went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine” -- as if he had said, True, Lord, I have not improved, I have not got; but consider also I have not embezzled, I have not spent nor lost thy money; lo, there thou hast what is thine, (Matthew 25:24-28). There are but few will be able to say these last words at the day of judgment. The most of professors are for embezzling, misspending, and slothing away their time, their talents, their opportunities to do good in. *They will seek to enter in, by pleading ignorance* as the ground of their miscarrying in the things where they offended. Wherefore when Christ charges them with want of love to him, and with want of those fruits that should prove their love to be true — as, that they did not feed him, did not give him drink, did not take him in, did not clothe him, visit him, come unto him, and the like — they readily reply, “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?” (Matthew 25:41-45). They will make a stop at this gate, this beautiful gate of heaven; they will begin to stand without at the gate, as being loath to go any further. Never did malefactor so unwillingly turn off the ladder when the rope was about his neck, as these will turn away in that day from the gates of heaven to hell. This word “Lord,” being doubled, shows the vehemency of their desires: Lord, Lord, open to us. The devils are coming; Lord, Lord, the pit opens her mouth upon us; Lord, Lord, there is nothing but hell and damnation left us, if, Lord, Lord, thou hast not mercy upon us; Lord, Lord, open to us. *Their last argument for entrance is their tears, when groundless confidence, pleading of virtues, excuses, and ignorance, will not do; when standing at the gate, knocking and calling, Lord, Lord, open to us, will not do, then they betake themselves to their tears. Tears are sometimes the most powerful arguments, but they are nothing worth here. Esau also sought it carefully with tears, but it helped him nothing at all (Hebrews 12:15, 16). An hypocrite, a false professor, may go a great way; they may pass through the first and second watch, to wit, may be approved of Christians and churches; but what will they do when they come at this iron gate that leadeth into the city? There the workers of iniquity will fall, be cast down, and shall not be able to rise. “And shall not be able.”* The time, as I have already hinted, which my text respecteth, it is the day of judgment, a day when all masks and vizards shall be taken off from all faces. It is a day where God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart” (1 Corinthians 4:5). At this day, those things that now these may count sound and good, will then shake like a quagmire, even all their naked knowledge, their feigned faith, pretended love, glorious shows of gravity in the face, their holiday-words, and specious carriages, will stand them in little stead. I call them holiday ones, for I perceive that some professors do with religion just as people do with their best apparel — hang it against the wall all the week, and put them on Sundays. O poor religion! O poor professor! What wilt thou do at this day, and the day of thy trial and judgment? Cover thyself thou canst not; go for a Christian thou canst not; stand against the Judge thou canst not. What wilt thou do? “The ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”