A flippant young man in the audience whispered audibly to his companion: "Well, what matter if that door be shut? When one door shuts, another door opens."
Whitefield seemed to know that some in the congregation would reason in that way. His answering remark was: "Some may say, 'What matter? If one door be shut, another door will open.' Yes, that is true; if the door of heaven is shut against you, the door of hell will be open. If you are shut out of heaven, you must enter hell."
What a solemn conclusion! It was used of the Holy Spirit to carry conviction to the consciences of the young men. They remained for the inquiry meeting, and in conversation with the preacher both of them accepted Christ as their Savior.
How solemn the words, "And the door was shut!" The verse from which Whitefield's text was taken is as follows: "And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage, and the door was shut."
Thank God, the door of mercy is not yet shut upon you, unsaved fellow-traveler to eternity. It is not even standing "ajar." It is open wide for every sinner. All, without distinction or exception, are now invited to enter. But there is no time to lose. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matt. 7:13-1413Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13‑14).
The broad road is crowded, while the narrow way is trodden by comparatively few. Have you entered the narrow gate? You may be very close to it, and yet die on the hell side of it! Jesus said: "I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9).
"One door and only one,
And yet its sides are two;
Inside and outside:
On which side are you?"