Though the way to heaven be but one, yet there are many crooked lanes
and by-paths shoot down upon it, as I may say. And again,
notwithstanding the kingdom of heaven be the biggest city, yet usually
those by-paths are most beaten, most travellers go those ways; and
therefore the way to heaven is hard to be found, and as hard to be
kept in, by reason of these. Yet nevertheless, it is in this case as
it was with the harlot of Jericho. She had one scarlet thread tied in
her window, by which her house was known; so it is here. The scarlet
stream of Christ's blood runs throughout the way to the kingdom of
heaven. Therefore mind that: see if thou do find the besprinkling of
the blood of Christ in the way; and if thou do, be of good cheer; thou
art in the right way.

But have a care thou beguile not thyself with a fancy; for then thou
mayst light into any lane or way. But that thou mayst not be mistaken,
consider, though it seem ever so pleasant, yet if thou do not find
that in the very middle of the road there is written with the heart
blood of Christ, that he came into the world to save sinners, and that
we are justified, though we are ungodly, shun that way. For this it is
which the apostle meaneth when he saith, we have "boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which
he hath consecrated for us through the vail, that is to say, his
flesh." How easy a matter is it in this our day, for the devil to be
too cunning for poor souls, by calling his by-paths the way to the
kingdom! If such an opinion or fancy be but cried up by one or more,
this inscription being set upon it by the devil, "This is the way of
God," how speedily, greedily, and by heaps, do poor simple souls,
throw away themselves upon it; especially if it be daubed over with a
few external acts of morality, if so good! But this is because men do
not know painted by-paths from the plain way to the kingdom of heaven.