of perseverance; that is a commonplace
written on the head of all copybooks, but let me remind you that in the
Christian life, as much as in any other, that virtue is needful, and
unless a man is content to do as Abraham Lincoln said, 'Keep pegging
away' at the duties of Christian life with continual effort, there is no
promise and no possibility that that man shall grow in grace.

Now, two last words: one is, we want nothing more for the largest and
most blessed possession of the true riches and eternal joys of the
kingdom than the application to our Christian life of the very same
qualities, virtues, excellences, which we need for the successful
prosecution of our daily business. Dear brethren, draw for yourselves
the contrast between the eagerness with which you pursue that, and the
tepidity with which you pursue this. You know that effort and
perseverance are wanted there, and you do not grudge them; they are
wanted just as much here. Do you put them forth? Some of you are all
fire in the one place, and are all frost in the other. You Christian men
and women, give the kingdom as much as you give the world, and you will
be strong and growing Christians; but if you will not, do not wonder
that you are so feeble as you are.

And the last remark I make is--this great symbol of my text which is
used in reference to our Lord's condescending beseechings for the
entrance into our hearts, and is also used, as we have seen, in
reference to our own continuity of prayerful effort, is used in another
and very solemn application, in words of His 'Many will seek to enter
in, and shall not be able, when once the Master of the house is risen
up, and hath shut to the door; and will begin to stand without and to
knock at the door, saying, Lord! Lord! open to us; and He'--He who said
'Knock, and it shall be opened'--'He shall answer and say to you, I know
you not whence ye are.' That you may escape that repulse, oh my friend!
do you open your heart now to the knocking Christ, and then, then, and
not till then, 'Ask!' that you may be filled with the treasures of His
love, 'seek!' that you may find the rich provision He has laid up for us
all, 'knock!' that door after door in the many mansions of the Father's
House may be opened unto you; until at last an entrance is ministered
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom, and you go in with the King to
the eternal feast.

THE TWO PATHS

'Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide i