Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/20

 silver and gold have I none: at least a very moderate share. Nay, some of them have scarce food to eat or raiment to put on. For this reason, as well as because their ways are not like those of other men, they are every where spoken against, are despised, have their names cast out as evil, are variously persecuted, and treated as the filth and offscouring of the world. So that both your fears, your hopes, and all your desires, (except those which you have immediately from God) yea, all your natural passions continually incline you to return into the broad way.

III. 1. Therefore it is, that our Lord so earnestly exhorts, Enter ye in at the strait gate. Or (as the same exhortation is elsewhere expressed) Strive to enter in. [Greek: Agônizethe eiselthein.] Strive as in an agony. For many, saith our Lord, shall seek to enter in, indolently strive, and shall not be able.

2. 'Tis true, he intimates what may seem another reason for this, for their not being able to enter in, in the words which immediately follow these. For after he had said, Many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able, he subjoins, When once the master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without ([Greek: arxêthe exô estanai]. Rather, Ye stand without; for [Greek: arxêthe] seems to be only an elegant expletive) and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us: he shall answer, and say un-