THE STRAIT GATE BY THE AUTHOR of PILG. PROG. PT. 2, JOHN BUNYAN-ARE THERE FEW THAT BE SAVED-WHAT DO?

IN A DAY IN AMERICA WHEN OUR FASTFOOD FREEWILL THEOLOGIANS HAVE MADE SALVATION AS FAST AND EASY AS BUYING A HAMBURGER AT MCDONALDS, JOHN BUNYAN, THE AUTHOR OF PILGRIMS PROGRESS, PUBLISHED IN 1678, ONE OF THE MOST READ CHRISTIAN BOOK , AN ALLEGORY ON SALVATION, EVER WRITTEN, BY THE WAY, WHILE HE WAS IN PRISON FOR PREACHING THE REFORMED FAITH IN ENGLAND, JOHN BUNYAN WARNS US OF JUST THE OPPOSITE: THE FULL TITLE OF HIS SERMON ISTHE STRAIT GATE; OR,GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN:PLAINLY PROVING, BY THE SCRIPTURES, THAT NOT ONLY THE RUDE ANDPROFANE, BUT MANY GREAT PROFESSORS, WILL COME SHORT OF THAT KINGDOM.“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth todestruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is theway which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”—Matthew 7:13,JOHN BUNYAN’S PREFACE TO THIS CONVICTING SERMON IS AS FOLLOWS:COURTEOUS READERGod, I hope, hath put it into my heart to writeunto thee another time, and that about mattersof greatest moment—for now we discourse notabout things controverted among the godly, butdirectly about the saving or damning of thesoul; yea, moreover, this discourse is about thefewness of them that shall be saved, and itproves that many a high professor will comeshort of eternal life; wherefore the matter mustneeds be sharp, and so disliked by some, but letit not be rejected by thee. The text calls forsharpness, so do the times, yea, the faithfuldischarge of my duty towards thee hath put meupon it.I do not now pipe, but mourn; and it will bewell for thee if thou canst graciously lament.(Matt 11:17) Some, say they, make the gate ofheaven too wide, and some make it too narrow;for my part, I have here presented thee with astrue a measure of it as by the Word of God Ican. Read me, therefore, yea, read me, andcompare me with the Bible; and if thou findestmy doctrine and that book of God concur,embrace it, as thou wilt answer the contrary inthe day of judgment. This awakening workiGod will make it so—was prepared for thee: ifthere be need, and it wounds, get healing byblood: if it disquiets, get peace by blood: if it takes away all thou hast, because it was naught(for this book is not prepared to take away truegrace from any), then buy of Christ “gold triedin the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and whiteraiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and thatthe shame of thy nakedness do not appear, andanoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thoumayest see.” (Rev 3:18) Self- flatteries, self-deceivings, are easy and pleasant, butdamnable. The Lord give thee a heart to judgeright of thyself, right of this book, and so toprepare for eternity, that thou mayest not onlyexpect entrance, but be received into thekingdom of Christ and of God. Amen.So prays thy Friend,1676 JOHN BUNYAN.USE FIRST.]—My first word shall be to theopen profane. Poor sinner, thou readest herethat but a few will be saved; that many thatexpect heaven will go without heaven. [USE SECOND.]—My second word is tothem that are upon the potter’s wheel;concerning whom we know not as yet whethertheir convictions and awakenings will end inconversion or not. Several things I shall say toyou, both to further your convictions, and tocaution you from staying anywhere below orshort of sav. gracUSE THIRD.]—My third word is toprofessors. Sirs, give me leave to set my trumpetto your ears again a little. When every manhath put in all the claim they can for heaven,but few will have it for their inheritance; I meanbut few professors, for so the text intendeth,and so I have also proved. “For many, I sayunto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not beable.” Let me, therefore, a little expostulate thematter with you, O ye thousands of professors!USE FOURTH.]—If it be so, what a strangedisappointment will many professors meet withat the day of judgment! I