Page:The works of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A., late fellow of Lincoln-College, Oxford (IA worksofrevjohnwe3wesl).pdf/22

 way to hell has nothing singular in it; but the way to heaven is singularity all over: if you move but one step towards God, you are not as other men are. But regard not this. 'Tis far better to stand alone, than to fall into the pit. Run then with patience the race which is set before thee, tho' thy companions therein are but few. They will not always be so. Yet a little while and thou wilt ''come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first born, and to the spirits of just men made perfect''.

5. Now then, ''strive to enter in at the strait gate'', being penetrated with the deepest sense, of the inexpressible danger your soul is in, so long as you are in a broad way: so long as you are void of poverty of spirit, and all that inward religion, which the many, the rich, the wise account madness. Strive to enter in, being pierced with sorrow and shame, for having so long run on with the unthinking crowd, utterly neglecting if not despising that holiness, ''without which no man can see the Lord''. Strive as in an agony of holy fear, lest, ''a promise being made you of entering into his rest, even that rest which remaineth for the people of God'', you should nevertheless come short of it. Strive in all the fervor of desire, with groanings which cannot be uttered. Strive by prayer without ceasing, at all times, in all places lifting up your heart to God, and giving him no rest, till you ''awake up after his likeness and are satisfied with it''.