Few There Be That Find It
The sermon emphasizes the difficulty of finding the right way to Heaven and the importance of prayer and following the Word of God.
Jonathan Edwards preaches about the challenging journey to find the right way to Heaven, emphasizing that despite the great need, desire, and seeking, only a few actually find it. He highlights the narrow and difficult path to Heaven, contrasting it with the many wrong ways that people often mistake for the right way due to their own lusts, pride, and worldly desires. Edwards warns against being blinded by devils, worldly things, and wicked men, stressing the importance of relying on God's Word, prayer, and divine help to navigate the journey to Heaven.
Text
Matthew 7:14
Few there be that find it.
Not dated. From Grosart's "Unpublished Writings." It will be observed from the facsimile that [this] Sketch of a Sermon is written on the leaf of a letter. Very many of Edwards's MSS. are thus written on all manner of kinds and scraps of paper.
Doc[trine.] 'Tis a hard thing to find the right way to Heaven.
I. There is a way to Heaven.
God has opened a door.
II. There is but one right way.
III. 'Tis a hard thing to find this one right way.
Appears: In that there are so few that find the way.
Tho[ugh] all have so much need to find.
Tho[ugh] so many desire to find and seek after it.
Tho[ugh] so many think they have found.
................so many are mistaken.
That many of those that do find it, first take a great deal of pains.
Some for a long time.
Many prayers.
Many difficulties.
Reason: Negatively, not that [God] hasn't [has not] called us.
" " very plain in itself.
Reasons:
Many wrong ways.
Like traveling through a great wilderness.
Full of difficulties...dangers....
But one right way.
[A] narrow way.
Many wrong ways.
Mention some of the wrong ways.
Do right in some things only.
Outward Religion only.
Affections that go away.
Religious out of regard to men.
Religious only out of fear of hell.
........from self-love.
Don't love God for Himself.
Trust in their own righteousness.
Depend on the good opinion of others.
Apt to think themselves convicted when they are not.
High pride: apt to think well of themselves.
A little good looks great.
Don't see what is bad.
How many things men often think are Conversion.
2. Men's own lust blind[s] 'em.
The way is good and plain.
Right way is what men don't like.
Up-hill.
Contrary to all their lusts.
..... to their pride.
..... to their worldliness.
................. sensuality.
................. slothfulness.
Enmity against God.
Wrong ways are
Easy.
Broad.
Down-hill.
3. Devils.
Blind them and deceive them.
4. Things of this world blind 'em.
5. Wicked men implead (?) 'em.
Applica[tion.]
What a great mercy to have the Word of God.
Mercy that God has appointed ministers.
Great need of Prayer --
Never without God's help.
Don't trust... v. 22...
What need of God's power and striving.
Directions.
Pray earnestly.
Not trust.....[As above, v. 22.]
Take advice.
Begin soon.
Hold on and hold out.
Don't take hope too soon.
In every thing follow the Word of God.
You need to be much concerned.
Sermon Outline
- There is a way to Heaven
- There is but one right way
- It's a hard thing to find this one right way
- Many wrong ways lead to false conversions
- The right way is narrow and difficult
- The devil, the world, and wicked men deceive and blind
- The need for prayer and God's power to find the right way
Key Quotes
“'Tis a hard thing to find the right way to Heaven.” — Jonathan Edwards
“The way is good and plain, but the right way is what men don't like.” — Jonathan Edwards
“What a great mercy to have the Word of God.” — Jonathan Edwards
Application Points
- Pray earnestly to find the right way to Heaven.
- Don't trust in yourself, but seek God's help and guidance.
- Follow the Word of God in everything and don't take hope too soon.