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a true Christian. And those, who thus live the life of God here on earth, in their graces, shall have this life perpetuated to them, and for ever live with God in glory.

(2) It is a Strait and Narrow Way.

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Matth. vii. 14. Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life; and few there be that find it. It is strongly fenced in with the authority of the Divine Law and Commands; so that we cannot turn aside either to the right-hand or to the left, without committing a trespass. Indeed, the Psalmist tells us, Ps. cxix. 96. that God's commandments are exceeding broad: how then is the way of salvation thus strait and narrow? I' answer: They are, indeed, exceeding broad, as to the compre. hensiveness of their obligation; but, yet, exceeding narrow, respect of any latitude of allowance or indulgence: they are exceeding broad, in prescribing us our duty, and so large in this, that they extend, either directly or by consequence, to every action of our lives, yea to every cogitation of our hearts; but they are exceeding narrow, in giving us any scope or licence, any permission or liberty, to walk after our own desires and inclinations. Now, O Christians! what kind of life is that, which you lead? is it a strict and accurate life; a life, shut up within the compass of God's laws? dare you not grant yourselves those allowances, which most men in the world take to themselves? This is an evidence, that you indeed walk in that way, which leads to the heavenly city, the palace of the Great King, when your path is thus enclosed, and all that you do circum scribed and bounded in by the will and word of God. Thus to keep our eye upon our rule, and to direct our lives according to

these Three Maxims :

That things forbidden must of necessity be eschewed:
That things commanded must of necessity be performed:
That things neither forbidden nor commanded, may yet

have their circumstances so determined, that either we may be obliged to perform, or to eschew them: When, I say, we direct our lives and actions according to these Three Principles, doubtless we may conclude, that we are in the safe and strait way to heaven; when we are hedged in so close on every side, that we dare not, we cannot, take that scope and liberty to fly out and range, which too many do. (3) And, because it is so strait and narrow a Way, therefore is it so Unfrequented. Few there be that find it, and fewer that walk in it.

Thou mayst almost know it, by the few tracts that are to be found in it. Indeed, a Christian's life is a singular life. Not that he is a man of singular and unusual notions; or of singular and affected phrases and expressions; or of singular form and mode of religion: these things have deluded many, and made them believe that they are in the way of salvation, only because they choose out by-paths of their own to walk in; whereas we know that bats and owls, and all the impure birds of the night, make their solitary flights in deserts and wildernesses. But the singularity of a true Christian consists only in his exact and critical obedience: he is the only man, who walks by rule; when the rest of the world walk after their own lusts: he differs from others, only because they differ from God: he conforms not to the customs and practices of men, only in those things wherein they contradict the commands of God: he affects no way, merely because it is solitary and untrodden; but would rather, if it might be, go to heaven, as David desired to go to the sanctuary, with a multitude, than single and alone; but, yet, because the way of salvation is so generally baulked, and few there are who can be persuaded to decline the broad way that seems all strewed with roses, and tempts with all the alluring charms that may bewitch the senses; therefore, rather than perish with them, he is forced to forsake their ways: the dares ́not be a partaker of their sins, lest he partake of their plagues ; well knowing, that, if he lie in the same wickedness with the rest of the world, he must for ever lie in the same torments with them. Now, O Christian! consider your ways: dost thou not see what an universal sway and empire vice hath gotten in the world? profaneness and impiety have overflowed it, and covered the whole face of it, as the waters cover the sea; so that there is scarce room left for innocency to rest the sole of her foot in: Through swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break forth until blood toucheth blood: how many swinish drunkards are there, wallowing in their own. vomit! how many goatish sensualists are become brutish in their filthy lusts! how many earth-worms are there, crawling up and down in the muck of the world, and loading themselves with thick clay! Now, is your way the way of these ungodly sinners? -can you drink with the drunkard, and blaspheme with the swearer, and lie and steal, and commit all manner of abominations and filthiness, which you see patterns and examples of abroad? Is this the way of salvation? or, while you accompany

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them in their wickedness, can you think you have those things in you that accompany salvation? What! shall all the world then be saved; and no distinction made, between him that feareth God, and him that feareth him not; between him that sweareth, and him that feareth an oath ? must heaven then be laid open in common for all intruders; and nothing more be required to have right to that eternal inheritance, but only confidently and presumptuously to hope for it? are such wicked and impure wretches likely to be of the number of those few, who shall enter in at the strait gate? of that little flock, for whom the kingdom is prepared? Never deceive yourselves; salvation is not attainable upon such terms: God will maintain heaven against you, so long as there is one curse to discharge at you: and, believe it, while you live as the most live, lewdly, profanely, carelessly, in the practice of known impieties, and the prosecution of your sensual lusts; you must also perish as the most do, eternally and irremedilessly.

(4) The way of salvation, is a Way of Universal and Unreserved Obedience.

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Indeed, under the first Covenant of Works, our perfect legal obedience was required as the condition of the continuance of that blessed and happy estate an obedience, absolutely perfect both in parts and degrees, fully extended to the utmost latitude of God's commands, and commensurate to the farthest bounds of duty; and wound up to the greatest intenseness of love and delight in performing it. But we are fallen from all possibility of living in this consummate obedience to the will of God and therefore now, under the Covenant of Grace, God requires. from us obedience, as a necessary concomitant of salvation, not legally but evangelically perfect; which he is pleased then to account such, when we endeavour to the utmost to fulfil the whole Law, and to please him in all things. If we unfeignedly desire to submit our souls unto the authority of God's commands in all things, without excepting or reserving to ourselves any beloved for darling lust, this is such a course of life as doth infallibly accompany salvation: and, though it be likewise accompanied with many inevitable failings and infirmities, yet these should only cause us to walk the more cautiously and mournfully, but not despondently; for such an universal obedience as this shall not fail of its acceptation and reward: Ps. lxix. 6. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. The whole Law is contained in two things:

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the duties, which immediately concern God; and those, which 'immediately concern men: and that obedience, which is saving, will equally respect both. Now examine what is the course of thy life. What is thy religion towards God ? is not the most, that can be said of thee, peaceableness and good neighbourhood? is it not the best character, which can be given of thee, that thou art a quiet, friendly man? Or, if thou hast taken up a splendid profession, and art frequent in the duties of God's worship, what is thy demeanour towards Men? art thou not turbulent, proud, heady, disobedient and untractable, unjust and oppressive, self-seeking, greedy and covetous ? If thou art defective either in the one or in the other, and dost not to the utmost endeavour to keep a good conscience void of offence both toward God and toward men, let me tell thee, that all thou gloriest in, or trustest unto, is far from being that true and genuine obedience, which God requires from those whom he intends to save... If thou indulgest thyself in the neglect of any one known duty, or in the commission of any one known sin, nothing of all that thou hast done is such as doth accompany salvation, or will ever bring thee unto it: for he that thus offends in one particular, though the command be never so contrary to his humour, interest, and inclination, is guilty of all: James ii. 10, 11. bba J.

(5). The way of salvation is a Way of Truth.

ت. . .Psal. Ixix. 30. I have chosen the way of truth

[1] Of truth, in opposition to Lying.

Psal. Ixix. 29. Remove from me the way of lying. For, into the New Jerusalem shall in no rwise enter...whatsoever defileth.... or.miaketh a die : Rev. xxi.27: : and, rwithout are dogs. ...and whoremongers, and murderers....and rohosoever loveth and mabeth a bie : Rev. xxiiillus

›. [2] Of truth,cin opposition to Error.

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The Apostle speaks very dreadfully concerning some, whom God should give up to strong delusions, that, they should believe a lie : That they might be damned, who believed not the truth : 2 Thess. ii. 11, 12. And,

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[3] Of trith, in opposition to Rottenness and Unsincerity, a Then is your way the way of truth, when you direct the main course of all your actions, so that the glory of God may be advanced by: them : when you do them, not to berseen or applauded of men, but to be accepted of God ;, and would still persevere to do your duty, though all the world should decry

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and condemn it: this is the way of truth, and of salvation. Whereas the hypocrite is only so far good, as others will countenance him: he is only good, in good times: and, though he accompanies them that are going towards salvation, and his duties may seem to keep pace with theirs, and his life to be as strict and exemplary as theirs; yet, believe it, theirs shall be rewarded, when his shall be exploded, as being performed in the falsehood and dissimulation of his heart, and done rather to men than to Gad.

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And, thus, I have shewn you what this Way and this Life is, that doth accompany salvation. It is a Way of Holiness, a Strait and Narrow Way, a Singular and Unfrequented Way, a Way of Universal and Unreserved Obedience, and a Way of Truth and Uprightness: which way, if it be ours, will infallibly bring us to the possession and enjoyment of that happiness and glory, which are laid up for us in heaven..

2. The Second Enquiry was, How we may know whether we walk in this saving way, or no.

And to this, all, that I have said before in describing this way, may well be recollected as an answer. And, therefore, I I shall but add a word or two more.

(1) It is an evidence that this way shall be saving to thee, when it is the way of thy Choice.

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Psal. cxix. 173. I have chosen thy precepts. When you take not up your course of life, only by imitation, or tradition, or upon compulsion. For many there are, who may walk in a right way, but not with a right heart and may serve God, not for God's sake, but because they see that such and such duties have been customarily performed in their families and by their ancestors, time out of mind; and so they keep up the same as a relic of antiquity, rather than a piece of devotion; and bear the badge of their Christianity, only as they do their coat of arms, because derived down unto them by their ancestors.

(2) When thou walkest Uniformly in thy obedience, then is thy way and course of life such as accompanies salvation. When thou art not pious only by fits and starts; but keepest an even and constant tenor and temper.

(3) When thou walkest Forward in these ways: when thou goest from strength to strength, still gaining ground towards heaven; and art nearer to salvation than when thou first be

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