In the second place, our Lord gives us a general caution against the ivay of the many in religion. It is not enouo'li to tliink as others think, and do as others do. It must not satisfy us to follow the fashion, and swim w^ith the stream of those among whom we live. He tells us that the way that leads to everlasting life is " narrow," and " few" travel in it. He tells us that the way that leads to everlasting destruction is '^ broad," and full of travellers. '' Many there be that go in thereat."
These are fearful truths ! They ought to raise great searchings of heart in the minds of all who hear them. — " Which way am I going ? By what road am I travelling .?" — In one or other of the two ways here described, every one of us may be found. May God give us an honest, selt-inquiring spirit, and show us what we are !
"We may well tremble and be afraid, if our religion is that of the multitude. If we can say no more than this, that " we go where others go, and worship where others w^orship, and hope we shall do as well as others at last," we are literally pronouncing our own condemnation. What is this but being in the '' broad w\ay ?" W^hat is this but being in the road whose end is '^ destruction ?" Our religion at present is not saving religion.
We have no reason to be discouraged and cast down, if the religion we profess is not popular, and few agree with us. We must remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in this passage : "The gate is strait." Kepentance, and faith in Christ, and holiness of life, have never been fashionable. The true flock of Christ has always been small. It must not move us to find that