an idle trifler with religion, who was ever wasting his time on curious and speculative questions. In any case, we must all feel that he asked a question oi deep and momentous importance.
He that desires to know the number of the savedyin the present di^nsatiou) need only turn to the Bible, and his cimosity wiU be satisfied. He will read in the sermon <m the mouni these solemn woids, '* Strait is the gate and na^rrow is the way that leadetii unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. vii. 14%) — ^He has only to look- around him, and compare the ways of the many with the word of Gk)d, and he wdll soon come to the conclusion, if he is an honest man, that the saved are few. It is an awfol- conclusion. Our souls naturally turn away fimm-'it. But Scripture and' facts alike combine to shut us up to it. Salvation to the utt^most is offered to men. All things are ready on God's part. Christ is willing to ]>eceive sinners. But sinners are not willing to come ta Christ. And hence few are saved.
We- see, secondly, in HxeBeYeraeaya sinking exhortation given. We are told that when our Lord Jesus Christ was ai^ed whether few would be saved, He said, " Strive to enter in at the strait gate.'' He addressed these words to the whole company of His hearers. He thought it Bot good to graitify the curiosity of his questioner by a direct veply. He chose rather to press home on him, and all around him, their own immediate duty. In minding theiv own souls, they would soon fijid the question answeved» In striving to enter in at the strait gate they would soon see whether the saved were many or few.