LECTURE XVII.

THE WAY OF LIFE NARROW. FALSE PROPHETS.

MATT. vii. 13- 20.

13. Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

way which

What is here declared, deserves our most serious attention, and must never be dismissed from our minds. It comes from him who cannot deceive or be deceived; and he says, strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Many indeed there be, as far as can be judged from appearances, who think otherwise; and pass through life as if heaven was the only thing which they could not fail to find; everlasting happiness, the only thing which might be attained without seeking and without pains.

The truth, however, of which this passage warns us, agrees but too well with all that we see and observe. Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction. Many paths unite, and lead to the same end.

Those must be in the way of destruction, who "live without God in the world;" those who,

whether blinded by ignorance, or perverted by false philosophy; whether occupied in business, or immersed in pleasure,—still "have not God in all their thoughts," are regardless of his will, and do nothing to his glory.

Those must be in the way of destruction who live in the allowed practice of sin. "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

Those must be in the way of destruction, who "having a form of godliness, deny the power thereof;" who "professing to serve God, in works deny him." Such must at last expect the question, "How camest thou in hither, not having the wedding garment?"

If then, on the most cursory view of the way in which mankind are living, we must allow that the road of destruction is broad, so we must equally perceive that the way that leadeth unto life is nar

row.

For, first, it is but one way. The Author of eternal life has told us, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Therefore the Jews missed it, "because they sought it not by faith." How How many, as they did, "stumble at that stumbling stone? As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence; and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

But even when that way is seen to be the true

1 Rom. ix. 32, 33.

way, and is entered upon as such, many things render it difficult to keep. Persecution made it strait to the primitive Christians: trials of a like kind are not unknown now. The question is too natural, whether asked by mistaken friends, or asked by our own corrupt hearts, Why do ye more than others? Therefore many who "receive the word with gladness," endure but for a time; afterwards, "when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended."

With another class, "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."

Hence the lamentable conclusion, strait is the gate which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. This, however, ought not to discourage, but to warn and animate. It may justly warn us to know, that broad is the way that leadeth to destruction: but it may also justly animate us, to be assured that there is a gate which opens the kingdom of heaven to all believers. This gate, strait as it is, “whoever will" may enter: this way, narrow as it is, "whoever will" may keep. The invitation is clear, the promise sure; experience verifies the words of the Redeemer: "I am the door; by me any man enter in, he shall be saved."

if

Only let us exercise our reason; and if he whom we profess to trust, affirms that the way of life is narrow, let us not act as if it never could be missed; let us constantly examine whether we have discovered it, whether we remain in it; and constantly watch that we may not be diverted from it.

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15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit : but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit: neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire.

20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

The Jews had suffered much from false prophets; "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so."2 Such had been too often the calamity

of the Jewish nation.

The Christian world is warned against a like evil: "Many false prophets shall rise, and deceive many.” “There shall be false teachers among you." "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

The prediction has been too truly fulfilled; and the warning too little observed. Wide indeed has been, and too widely still extends, the dominion of false prophets. They come in sheep's clothing. They profess that they seek the welfare of the flock, and that the welfare of the flock depends solely on themselves. But inwardly they are ravening wolves; "not sparing the flock;" "teachers of what they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake;" "through covetousness, by feigned words, making merchandize of others." They "say, Peace, peace, when there is no peace;" or they make "the heart of

Jeremiah v. 31.

993

3 Jerem. vi. 14.

the righteous sad, whom God has not made sad."4 In various ways they "subvert the hearers," whom they are bound to establish in the faith of Christ.

There is a rule, however, by which these and any other false teachers may be discerned. Ye shall know them by their fruits. The great purpose of our Lord's coming, was to "redeem men from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Every teacher that does not exhibit that character in himself, and study to produce it in others, is a false teacher. Every doctrine which does not tend to promote individual righteousness and holiness, is false doctrine. Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Grapes may as reasonably be expected from thorns, as a good life from unsound doctrine: figs may as well be sought from thistles, as the work of an effective ministry from a corrupt teacher. "He that winneth souls," must himself be first won by "the wisdom which is from above."

On reviewing the whole of this passage, what awful thoughts it suggests to us! A broad road of destruction! a narrow gate of life! false teachers to keep us in the one, and to divert us from the other! We could scarcely credit this, if it came not from Him who cannot err.

There is, however, on the other side a consolation: "God willeth all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth." He will provide that all "shall find him, who shall search for him Ezek. xiii. 22.