7. There are a multitude of false ways, as we did shew above.
All which do clear up this necessity, and should teach us to be very diligent to win to acquaintance with it, and to make sure that we are in it, and to hold it fast, and to keep it pure in our practice, without mixing any thing with it, or corrupting of it.
II. That it is no small difficulty to get this truth believed and practised, that through Christ alone we come to the Father. Therefore is the same thing asserted and inculcated again upon the same matter; for,
1. Nature will not teach this way; it is far above nature.
2. Yea, our natural inclinations are much against it, opposing it, and fighting against it.
3. This way is altogether contrary to that high esteem which naturally all of us have of ourselves.
4. And is opposite to that pride of heart which naturally we are subject to.
5. Yea, there is nothing in us by nature that will willingly comply with this way; but, on the contrary, all is opposite thereunto.
6. And therefore it is the Christian's first lesson to deny himself.
The consideration of which should humble us, and make us very jealous of our own hearts and inclinations, and of all those courses which they are inclinable to and bent upon. And it should put us to try if ever we have overcome this difficulty; and have now all our hopes and comforts founded on him, and on nothing else; and are up and down in our peace and joy according as we win in to him, or are shut out from him; and in all our approaches to God, upon whatsoever account, are leaning to him and resting upon him alone, expecting access, acceptance, and a hearing, only in him; and are quieted under all our fears and temptations, with this,—that Christ is our way to the Father.