ing this doctrine of the fewness of the saved, in Matth. xix. 23, 26. Mark x. 23,-27. and Luke xviii. 24,-27. It is thrice recorded, and on the same occasion, and with the same sense of it in his disciples. The occasion of Christ's teaching it, was the great zeal of a young rich man, in asking of our Lord the way to heaven, and his sudden recoiling when Christ touched his idol. On this occasion Christ teacheth, How hardly shall they, that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God! His disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them, that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God! Mark x. 23, 24. Upon Christ's repeating and explaining his words, it is said, ver. 26. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? Why were they so astonished, and exceedingly amazed? as it is said in Matth. xix. 25. Were there not many poor people, that had no riches, nor any temptation to trust in them, (and such the disciples themselves were), who might be saved? Their amazement seems to have its rise from this, that if one snare, as that of riches, did so endanger a man's salvation, what greater danger were all men exposed unto, by manifold temptations, and disorders of their hearts? But as to the doctrine before us, that being with Christ where he is, is heaven, I may justly confirm from it what Christ taught, that few shall be saved. For few know what it is, nor the way to it, and indeed no natural man can know what they are. When our Lord is again preaching this doctrine, in that noted place, Matth. vii. 13, 14. he saith, 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. According to the frame of mens spirits, they frame thoughts of heaven, and of the way to it. The Turks paradise is brutish; the Popish paradise is little better. The natural philosophers conceptions of heaven are more manly, though carnal. Only a true Christian can have a right thought of heaven; because he knows Jesus Christ, and communion with him. Christ himself is the way to heaven, as he is a slain Redeemer; and Christ himself is heaven itself, as he is a glorified, enjoyed Redeemer. All this is unintelligible and incredible to every natural man. Can ever that man count it blessedness to be with Christ above, who counts it a piece of misery to be in his company on earth? And is it possible that such can be saved, that neither know what heaven is, nor the way to it, and do dislike and hate both the way and the end, as revealed in the word, and as impressed on the hearts of all the godly in all ages? 3. Lastly, Would you secure heaven to yourselves? See to get into Christ by faith; seek acquaintance with him, press after communion with him. Let all your thoughts of heaven, all your care to secure your possessing of it, and all your exercise in pressing towards it, let all center in this one person, Jesus Christ. Alas! how many poor Christians are there, who go,aukwardly to work about salvation? how poorly they fare? how sorrowfully they live? and how many of them die in darkness? and all because they mind not Christ rightly, as the way, the truth, and the life! They do attend on all the ordinances of the gospel; they would fain be in heaven; they often muse and think on it; and wonder at the greatness of the prize; and sometimes have some good hope, through grace, that they shall possess it. But with many these are but like the morning-cloud and the early dew; and their doubts and darkness return upon them; because they do not remember Jesus Christ, and live by faith on him, as the only way to heaven, and as he enjoyed is the Christian's heaven, and as he brings all the sons to glory. You need no more to secure your right to eternal life, than to be possessed of Christ by faith; and you need no better eternal life, than to be with Christ where he is. He himself describes it by this, that they may be with me where I am. And surely Christ best knows what heaven is; since he bought it, prepared it, and possessed it, for his people. And he knows the way to it; for he is both the way and the guide to it. Hear his voice, therefore, and follow him, and he will give you eternal life; and ye shall never perish, neither shall any man (or devil, or thing) pluck you out of his hand, John x. 27, 28, 29. Rom. viii. 35,-39. SERMON VI. JOHN Xvii. 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. THERE are four marvellous things about salvation, that should be often thought on by us. 1. That there is so high a Saviour as Christ is, and so great a salvation as heaven is, provided for fallen man. There was no such provision made for standing Adam, to keep him from falling; no such provision for the fallen angels, to restore them to their first estate. But for fallen man this provision is made; not for all, but for a numerous remnant, according to the election of grace; and that to bring them to a far better estate than that Adam fell from by sin. 2. That the knowledge of this Saviour, and of this salvation, is kept from multitudes as needy thereof as any that have it. The Pagans, Indians in the east and west, are as needy of the gospel as you, and no more unworthy and undeserving than you; yet you have gospel-light, and they live and perish in gross darkness. This is only from his sovereign pleasure, as our Lord owns it, Luke x. 21. And that sovereignty shines, and is by us to be owned equally, both in dispensing and withholding the outward means of salvation, and also in dispensing and with-holding the inward effectual grace, and blessing of the means. 3. It is marvellous, (though both very sinful and usual), that this Saviour and his salvation are so greatly despised, by the most part of them who need him and it extremely, and have the gospel-offer made daily to them. Alas! few mind him, and few care for the great salvation he brings with him, and offers so freely to men. No man under the gospel miscarries eternally, no man or woman perisheth, without Jesus Christ, but such as do not in heart care for him and his salva tion. And justly do they deserve to perish, and dreadful shall their perdition be. 4. It is marvellous, that this blessed Saviour and his great salvation are yet given to a multitude of refusers. All by nature are unworthy, many reject the offer often; yet grace prevails at last on some of them, and makes them willing. There are many in the world (but they were thought on by him, before the world was made) from whom Christ will take no refusal, though they give him many; as Jer. xxii. 21. I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidst, I will not hear: this hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. Yet to many such there is a time of love fixed; and when it comes, they are spoken for, spoken to, dealt with, and prevailed upon. I cannot say, but that they that are early brought to Christ, have some special advantages, both in their being prevented from gross sins, and sad wanderings, and in the opportunities of serving Christ by his grace given them. But I am sure, that the longer any stand out in rebellion against Christ, when they are subdued, they should most of all men admire the grace of their conqueror. Paul, though called when a young man, yet counts that Jesus Christ did shew forth in him all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting, 1 Tim. i. 16. Yet, doubtless, Christ hath drawn forth more longsuffering to many sinners, than he did on Paul in his unregeneracy. Of this Saviour, and of his salvation, I have been speaking from this part of this excellent prayer. I have been often commending this chapter to you: and though I hope none are so foolish as to think, that when they have got this chapter by heart, (and I know not any chapter in God's word more worthy of a room in the heart and memory, than this), they may make a prayer of it, as of one of David's psalms; yet I am sure we may pray upon it; for though many of the words in it be only fit to be uttered in prayer by the blessed mouth that first spoke them; yet all of them may be food for the faith of every believer. I have spoke of the manner of this prayer; Father, I will. I have also entered upon the matter of it; and have taken T am; SERMON VI. JOHN Xvii. 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast giv me where I that they may behold my 1, hast given me for thou lovedst me before th world. THERE : are four marvellous things should be often thought on by us. 1. a Saviour as Christ is, and so great? provided for fallen man. There was for standing Adam, to keep him f vision for the fallen angels, to rest, But for fallen man this provisior a numerous remnant, according that to bring them to a far be from by sin. 2. That the knowledge tion, is kept from multitu it. The Pagans, Indian of the gospel as you, ar than you; yet you ha in gross darkness. as our Lord owns it and is by us to be holding the outw ing and with-h of the means. 3. It is m that this Sa the most r have the him, an and off carrie Chri And justy tee ition be. . hast all them, is universal, ar, for every incannot be perfectly (and that they all will and mind about them, And this we should believe. arist about his people's bliss, is heart's desire. 2. It is his de 3. It is his fixed purpose and ed in this, that he will have them will declared to his Father, in such And with such circumstances, as add is his will revealed unto us in his tore is of great use to believe and reSo can tell (even when Christ hath told us The will of the Son of God, the Reemer, the will of a man personally Nr of God; how far doth it exceed all our |