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The Strait Gateby John Bunyan 'STRIVE TO ENTER IN AT THE STRAIT GATE; FOR MANY, I SAY UNTO YOU, WILL SEEK TO ENTER IN, AND SHALL NOT BE ABLE.'--LUKE 13:24 These are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and are, therefore, in especial manner to be heeded; besides, the subject matter of the words is the most weighty, to wit, how we should attain salvation, and therefore also to be heeded. The occasion of the words was a question which one that was at this time in the company of the disciples put to Jesus Christ; the question was this, 'Lord, are there few that be saved?' (verse 23) A serious question, not such as tended to the subversion of the hearers, as too many now-a-days do; but such as in its own nature tended to the awakening of the company to good, and that called for such an answer that might profit the people also. This question also well pleased Jesus Christ, and he prepareth and giveth such an answer as was without the least retort, or show of distaste; such an answer, I say, as carried in it the most full resolve to the question itself, and help to the persons questioning. 'And he said unto them, Strive to enter in,' &c. The words are an answer, and an instruction also. First. An answer, and that in the affirmative; the gate is strait--many that seek will not be able, therefore but few shall be saved. Second. The answer is an instruction also; 'strive to enter in,' &c., good counsel and instruction; pray God help me, and my reader, and all that love their own salvation, to take it. My manner of handling the words will be--FIRST, By way of explication; and then [SECOND], By way of observation. [FIRST. THE WORDS BY WAY OF EXPLICATION.] The 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. * * However homely this illustration, yet how striking. No family has been many years without that uneasy anxiety--earnest seeking the doctor to alleviate their sufferings, or those of a beloved relative, and then the trembling hope that 'his excellent things' may produce the desired effect. Reader, have you had, at any time, equal anxiety for your soul's health and salvation? What has been the result?--Ed. 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,
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