You must not balk in this kind, whoever you are; God respecteth no man’s person.  If you would arrive at the same haven, you must sail through the same sea.  You must walk the same way of grace, if you would come to the same kingdom of glory.  It is a conceit that harboreth in the hearts of many men, nay, of most men in general, especially your great wise men and your great rich men, that have better places and estates in the world than ordinary.  What, think they, may not a man be saved without all this ado?  What needs all this?  Is there not another way besides this?  Surely, my brethren, you must teach our Savior Christ and the apostle Paul another way.  I am sure they never knew another; and he that dreameth of another way must be content to go beside.  There is no such matter as the devil would persuade you; it is but his delusion to keep you under infidelity, and so shut you up to destruction under false and vain conceits.  The truth is, here is the way, and the only way, and you must walk here if ever you come to life and happiness.  Therefore, be not deceived, suffer not your eyes to be blinded; but know, what Abraham did, you must do the same, if not in action, yet in affection.  If God say, forsake all, thou must do it, at least in affection.  Thou must still wait upon His power and providence; yield obedience to Him in all things; be content to submit thyself to His will.  This is the way you must walk in, if you ever come to heaven.

The last use shall be a use of comfort to all the saints and people of God, whose consciences can witness that they have labored to walk in the uprightness of their heart as Abraham did.  I have two or three words to speak to these.

Be persuaded out of the Word of God, that your course is good, and go on with comfort, and the God of heaven be with you; and be sure of it, that you that walk with Abraham shall be at rest with Abraham; and it shall never repent you of all the pains that you have taken.  Haply it may seem painful and tedious to you; yet, what Abigail said to David, let me say to you:  “Oh,” saith she, “let not my lord do this:  when the Lord shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel, this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offense of heart, that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself.”  My brethren, let me say to you, you will find trouble and inconveniences and hard measure at the hands of the wicked in this world.  Many Nabals and Cains will set themselves against you; but go on, and bear it patiently.  Know it is a troublesome way, but a true way; it is grievous but yet good; and the end will be happy.  It will never repent you, when the Lord hath performed all the good that He hath spoken concerning you.