We are told, _straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it_: that _many are called, but few are chosen_: and that many will miss of their salvation who seem to have taken _some pains_ to obtain it. _Strive to enter in at the straight gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able._ *Here our blessed Lord commands us to _strive_ to enter in, because many will fail, who only _seek_ to enter: by which we are plainly taught, that religion is a state of _labour_ and _striving_, and that many will fail of their salvation; not because they took no pains or care about it, but because they did not take care and pains enough; they only _sought_, but did not _strive_ to enter in. Every Christian therefore should as well examine his life by these _doctrines_, as by the commandments: for these doctrines are as plain marks of our condition as the commandments are. For if salvation is only given to those who _strive_ for it, then it is as reasonable for me to consider, whether my course of life be a course of striving to obtain it, as to consider whether I am keeping any of the commandments. 5. If my religion is only a formal compliance with those modes of worship that are in fashion where I live, if it costs me no pains or trouble, if it lays me under no rules and restraints, if I have no careful thoughts about it, is it not great weakness to think that I am _striving to enter in at the straight gate_? If I am seeking every thing that can delight my senses, spending my time and fortune in pleasures, in diversions, and worldly enjoyments; a stranger to watchings, fastings, prayers, and mortifications, how can it be said, that I am _working out my salvation with fear and trembling_? If I use the world and worldly enjoyments, as the generality of people do, and in all ages have done, why should I think that I am amongst _those few_, who are walking in the _narrow way_ to heaven? *And yet, if the way is _narrow_, if none can walk in it but those that _strive_, is it not as necessary for me to consider, whether the _way_ I am in be narrow _enough_, or the _labour_ I take to be a _sufficient_ striving, as to consider whether I sufficiently observe the second or third commandment? 6. The measure of our love to God seems in justice to be the measure of our love of every virtue. We are to love and practise it _with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength_. And when we cease to live with this regard to virtue, we live below our nature, and instead of being able to plead our _infirmities_, we stand chargeable with wilful _negligence_.