Hindrances from without
Our Lord, having warned us of the dangers which easily beset us at our first entrance upon real religion, the hindrances which naturally arise from within, from the wickedness of our own hearts, now proceeds to apprise us of the hindrances from without, particularly ill example and ill advice. By one or the other of these, thousands who once ran well have drawn back to perdition (Hebrews 10:39): yes, many of those who were not novices in religion, who had made some progress in righteousness. His caution therefore against these he presses upon us with all possible earnestness, and repeats again and again in variety of expressions, lest by any means we should let it slip. Thus, effectually to guard us against the former: Enter in, he says, at the strait gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in by it. Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life, and few there are who find it (Matthew 7:13-14). To secure us from the latter: Beware, he says, of false prophets (Matthew 7:15). We shall at present consider the former only.
1771 text
1. OUR Lord having warned us of the dangers, which easily beset us at our first entrance upon real religion, the hindrances which naturally arise from within, from the wickedness of our own hearts: now proceeds to apprize us of the hindrances from without, particularly ill example and ill advice. By one or the other of these, thousands who once ran well, have drawn back unto perdition: yea, many of those who were not novices in religion, who had made some progress in righteousness. His caution therefore against these, he presses upon us, with all possible earnestness, and repeats again and again, in variety of expressions, lest by any means we should let it slip. Thus, effectually to guard us against the former, Enter ye in, saith he, 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. To secure us from the latter, beware, saith he, of false prophets. We shall at present consider the former only.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 31 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:13-14.
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