The Worlds Great Sermons, Volume 2 | Page 8

There is no way but one to come to life and happiness. I speak it the
rather to dash that idle device of many carnal men, that think the Lord
hath a new invention to bring them to life, and that they need not go the
ordinary way, but God hath made a shorter cut for them. Great men and
gentlemen think God will spare them. What, must they be humbled,
and fast, and pray! That is for poor men, and mean men. Their places
and estates will not suffer it; therefore surely God hath given a
dispensation to them. And the poor men, they think it is for gentlemen
that have more leisure and time: alas! they live by their labor, and they
must take pains for what they have, and therefore they can not do what
is required. But be not deceived; if there be any way beside that which
Abraham went, then will I deny myself. But the case is clear, the Lord
saith it, the Word saith it; the same way, the same footsteps that
Abraham took, we must take, if ever we will come where Abraham is.
You must not balk in this kind, whoever you are; God respecteth no
man's person. If you would arrive at the same haven, you must sail
through the same sea. You must walk the same way of grace, if you

would come to the same kingdom of glory. It is a conceit that harboreth
in the hearts of many men, nay, of most men in general, especially your
great wise men and your great rich men, that have better places and
estates in the world than ordinary. What, think they, may not a man be
saved without all this ado? What needs all this? Is there not another
way besides this? Surely, my brethren, you must teach our Savior
Christ and the apostle Paul another way. I am sure they never knew
another; and he that dreameth of another way must be content to go
beside. There is no such matter as the devil would persuade you; it is
but his delusion to keep you under infidelity, and so shut you up to
destruction under false and vain conceits. The truth is, here is the way,
and the only way, and you must walk here if ever you come to life and
happiness. Therefore, be not deceived, suffer not your eyes to be
blinded; but know, what Abraham did, you must do the same, if not in
action, yet in affection. If God say, forsake all, thou must do it, at least
in affection. Thou must still wait upon His power and providence; yield
obedience to Him in all things; be content to submit thyself to His will.
This is the way you must walk in, if you ever come to heaven.
The last use shall be a use of comfort to all the saints and people of
God, whose consciences can witness that they have labored to walk in
the uprightness of their heart as Abraham did. I have two or three
words to speak to these.
Be persuaded out of the Word of God, that your course is good, and go
on with comfort, and the God of heaven be with you; and be sure of it,
that you that walk with Abraham shall be at rest with Abraham; and it
shall never repent you of all the pains that you have taken. Haply it
may seem painful and tedious to you; yet, what Abigail said to David,
let me say to you: "Oh," saith she, "let not my lord do this: when the
Lord shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath
spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel,
this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offense of heart, that thou hast shed
blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself." My brethren,
let me say to you, you will find trouble and inconveniences and hard
measure at the hands of the wicked in this world. Many Nabals and
Cains will set themselves against you; but go on, and bear it patiently.
Know it is a troublesome way, but a true way; it is grievous but yet
good; and the end will be happy. It will never repent you, when the

Lord hath performed all the good that He hath spoken concerning you.
Oh! to see a man drawing his breath low and short, after he hath spent
many hours and days in prayer to the Lord, grappling with his
corruptions, and striving to pull down his base lusts, after he hath
waited upon the Lord in a constant course of obedience. Take but such
a man, and ask him, now his conscience is opened,