FIRST POINT. Our Faith teacheth us that but few shall be saved.
Consider that the Number of those who shall be Saved is very small, not only in Comparison of above Two Thirds of Mankind, who live in Infidelity; but even in Comparison of that vast Multitude, who are lost in the true Religion. There are few Doctrines of our Faith more clearly revealed than this; strive to enter in at the Strait Gate, (saith our Saviour) for wide is the Gate, and broad is the Way, that leadeth to Destruction, and many there be that go in thereat; but strait is the Gate, and narrow is the Way, that leadeth to Life, and few there be that find it.
And in another Place he tells us, That many are called, but few are chosen, even of those that are called; which he repeats in the same Terms on another Occasion; And the Apostle speaking by the Spirit of Christ, compares the Body of Christians to those who run a Race, where many run, but one only gains the Prize; to whom he likens those that are saved. And to let us see that he speaks of Believers, he cites the Example of the Israelites; You know, my Brethren, (says he) that our Fathers were all under a Cloud, and all passed through the Red Sea with Moses; that they did all cut the same Spiritual Meat. All these miracles were wrought only for their safe Passage to the promised Land, yet how few of them arrived in it? Of eighteen hundred thousand Souls that came out of Egypt, none but Joshua and Caleb entered into Canaan.
[?] compares the Elect to those few Olives that are left here and there upon the trees after the Gathering; and to that few Number of Grapes that remain after the diligent Gleaning of the Vineyard.
Besides these Examples and Comparisons which the Scripture uses to convince us of this terrible Truth, we have the Examples of all the World: There was but one family preserved from the Deluge; of Five Great Cities only Four Persons were saved from Destruction, and we find but one Sick Man cured of the Palsy among the Crowd of Paralytics that flocked to the Pool of Bethesda. This dreadful Truth, which our Lord repeated so often to his Disciples, gave Occasion to that Question, Lord are there few that shall be saved? To which our Saviour waving the Question, lest he should terrify them, answers, Strive to enter in at the Strait Gate.
This is certainly the most awakening and terrible Doctrine of our Religion, and yet how little are we affected with it?
Were I sure that but one of ten thousand should be damned, I ought to fear and tremble lest it should be my Case; but alas! among ten thousand perhaps there will hardly one saved, and yet I am unconcerned and fear nothing. Is not my Security a sufficient Cause to fear? Does it not proceed from the Blindness and Hardness of my Heart? Which renders me insensible of my Danger, and thereby less capable of preventing or avoiding it.
The News of one Ship lost among ten thousand affrights many, every one that has Concerns at Sea apprehends for himself; but though we know that the greatest Part of Mankind shall be lost, that very few will arrive at the Port of Eternal Happiness, how little are we solicitous for ourselves? And who has told us that we shall arrive there?
If Jesus Christ had promised Heaven to the Christians as positively as he has declared that his Elect are but few, we could not be more unconcerned than we are. And will this Insensibility render us less miserable? Alas! If we had no other, this very Tranquility is a sufficient Cause to make us doubt of our Salvation.
We don't think of it; what is it employs our Thoughts if Eternity does not? Do we believe it? Can we believe it, and not fear it? And how can we fear it without thinking of it?
How can we be unconcerned at the Sight of so great a Danger? The greatest Saints were always afraid. S. Paul himself was never exempt from this saving Fear, yet we are free from it; for it is impossible to fear only, and not mend our Lives.
We sacrifice our Goods to preserve ourselves from Shipwreck; a Merchant makes a Difficulty to throw his most precious [property,] the Fruits of many Years Labour, overboard to save himself; but we will rather hazard all than part with anything to secure us from Damnation.
If the Infection be in the City everybody is afraid; with what Earnestness do we seek Preservatives? With what Care do we shun the best Companies, and condemn ourselves to Solitude, and all this because we are afraid to die. Are we not afraid of being damned? We believe that the greatest Part of the World will be lost, and yet we are unwilling to spare one Day for Retreat, we will do nothing to make sure of Heaven.