3. It may appear, upon a transient view of these words, that their delaying to seek at all, rather than their manner of seeking, was the reason why they were not able to enter in. But it comes, in effect, to the same thing. They were therefore commanded to depart, because they had been _workers of iniquity_, because they had walked in the broad road: in other words, because they had not agonized to enter in at the strait gate. Probably they did _seek_, before the door was shut: but that did not suffice. And they did _strive_, after the door was shut. But then it was too late. 4. Therefore, _strive_ ye now, in this your day, _to enter in at the strait gate_. And in order hereto, settle it in your heart, and let it be ever uppermost in your thoughts, that if you are in a broad way, you are in the way that leadeth to destruction. If many go with you, as sure as God is true, both they and you are going to hell. If you are walking as the generality of men walk, you are walking to the bottomless pit. Are many wise, many rich, many mighty or noble travelling with you in the same way? By this token, without going any farther, you know, it does not lead to life. Here is a short, a plain, an infallible rule, before you enter into particulars. In whatever profession you are engaged, you must be singular or be damned. The way to hell has nothing singular in it; but the way to heaven is singularity all over: if you move but one step towards God, you are not as other men are. But regard not this. ’Tis far better to stand alone, than to fall into the pit. Run then with patience the race which is set before thee, tho’ thy companions therein are but few. They will not always be so. Yet a little while and thou wilt _come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first born, and to the spirits of just men made perfect_. 5. Now then, _strive to enter in at the strait gate_, being penetrated with the deepest sense, of the inexpressible danger your soul is in, so long as you are in a broad way: so long as you are void of poverty of spirit, and all that inward religion, which the many, the rich, the wise account madness. _Strive to enter in_, being pierced with sorrow and shame, for having so long run on with the unthinking crowd, utterly neglecting if not despising that _holiness, without which no man can see the Lord. Strive_ as in an agony of holy fear, lest, _a promise being made you of entering into his rest_, even that _rest which remaineth for the people of God_, you should nevertheless _come short of it_. Strive in all the fervor of desire, with _groanings which cannot be uttered_. Strive by prayer without ceasing, at all times, in all places lifting up your heart to God, and giving him no rest, till you _awake up after his likeness_ and are _satisfied with it_.