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Believe and Be Saved: Or, Around the Wicket Gate
He who does not take the step of faith and enter upon the road to heaven will perish. It will be an awful thing to die close to, but yet outside the gate of life. Almost saved, but altogether lost! This is the most terrible of positions. A man just outside Noah’s ark would have drowned; a murderer close to the wall of the city of refuge, but outside of it, would be slain; and the man who is within a yard of Christ but has not trusted him will be lost.
Therefore, I am in terrible earnest to get my hesitating friends over the threshold. Come in! Come in! is my pressing plea. Why dost thou stand outside? is my solemn inquiry (Genesis 24:31). May the Holy Spirit render my pleadings effective with many who read these pages! May he cause his own almighty power to create faith in the soul at once.
My reader, if God blesses this book to you, do the writer this favor – either lend your own copy to someone who is lingering at the gate or buy another and give it away, for his great desire is that this little volume should be of service to many thousands of souls.
To God this book is commended, for without his grace nothing will come of all that is written.
– C. H. Spurgeon
About the Author
Charles Haddon (C. H.) Spurgeon (1834-1892) was a British Baptist preacher. He started preaching at age 17 and quickly became famous. He is still known as the “Prince of Preachers” and frequently had more than 10,000 people present to hear him preach at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. His sermons were printed in newspapers, translated into many languages, and published in many books.
Therefore, I am in terrible earnest to get my hesitating friends over the threshold. Come in! Come in! is my pressing plea. Why dost thou stand outside? is my solemn inquiry (Genesis 24:31). May the Holy Spirit render my pleadings effective with many who read these pages! May he cause his own almighty power to create faith in the soul at once.
My reader, if God blesses this book to you, do the writer this favor – either lend your own copy to someone who is lingering at the gate or buy another and give it away, for his great desire is that this little volume should be of service to many thousands of souls.
To God this book is commended, for without his grace nothing will come of all that is written.
– C. H. Spurgeon
About the Author
Charles Haddon (C. H.) Spurgeon (1834-1892) was a British Baptist preacher. He started preaching at age 17 and quickly became famous. He is still known as the “Prince of Preachers” and frequently had more than 10,000 people present to hear him preach at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. His sermons were printed in newspapers, translated into many languages, and published in many books.
125 pages, ebook
First published December 31, 1969
200 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
5,685 books1,638 followersCharles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 2, 2014
I don't know how anyone could dislike Spurgeon. This is a delightful little books filled with beautiful language and wonderful metaphors. It is written written with a passion and conviction that I find lacking in many modern books. It was written to those who would be seeking the Lord and it clearly and unmistakably points directly to Jesus. You can listen to it free on LibriVox http://librivox.org
January 3, 2023
I read this one very quickly, as it's a short book. This year, I also read Matthew Mead's The Almost Christian Discovered which is targeted towards the same group of people: those who have knowledge of faith but do not have faith themselves. "Almost saved, but altogether lost." I believe if you want Mead's shorthand version written in a powerful hand, this is the book to read.
Solid biblical truth in an easy to understand manner that Spurgeon is known and loved for, Around the Wicket Gate has been the number one most impactful book for me this year. This book should be given to all those - especially young people - in the church.
Quotes
It is one trick of the devil to tempt a man to be satisfied with a sense of sin; and another trick of the same deceiver to insinuate that the sinner may not be content to trust Christ, unless he can bring a certain measure of despair to add to the Saviour's finished work. Our awakenings are not to help the Saviour, but to help us to the Saviour.
....It is not the plan of salvation which can save, it is the carrying out of that plan by the Lord Jesus in His death on our behalf, and our acceptance of that same.
A man cannot be made white, and yet continue black; he cannot be healed, and yet remain sick; neither can anyone be saved, and be still a lover of evil.
Solid biblical truth in an easy to understand manner that Spurgeon is known and loved for, Around the Wicket Gate has been the number one most impactful book for me this year. This book should be given to all those - especially young people - in the church.
Quotes
It is one trick of the devil to tempt a man to be satisfied with a sense of sin; and another trick of the same deceiver to insinuate that the sinner may not be content to trust Christ, unless he can bring a certain measure of despair to add to the Saviour's finished work. Our awakenings are not to help the Saviour, but to help us to the Saviour.
....It is not the plan of salvation which can save, it is the carrying out of that plan by the Lord Jesus in His death on our behalf, and our acceptance of that same.
A man cannot be made white, and yet continue black; he cannot be healed, and yet remain sick; neither can anyone be saved, and be still a lover of evil.
September 28, 2007
Very good book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking the Lord and wants to know Him through salvation. I read this book a few times before I was saved and it helped tremendously.
December 17, 2020
Simply fantastic. Left me convicted, encouraged, and awestruck - as all Spurgeon's writings do. The focus of this small book is to reason with and present the gospel to those "just outside the gate of life", and of course, his zeal in doing so is infectious and inspiring. Not to mention the genius analogies that fill every page. Spurgeon always puts everything into perspective. Phenomenal.
"O soul! you will find then, that those Sundays, and those services, and this old Book, are something more and better than you thought they were, and you will wonder that you were so simple as to neglect any true help to salvation."
"O soul! you will find then, that those Sundays, and those services, and this old Book, are something more and better than you thought they were, and you will wonder that you were so simple as to neglect any true help to salvation."
September 7, 2020
"We cannot too often or too plainly tell the seeking soul that his only hope for salvation lies in the Lord Jesus Christ. It lies in Him completely, only, and alone. To save both from the guilt and the power of sin, Jesus is all-sufficient. His name is called Jesus, because "He shall save His people from their sins." "The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins." He is exalted on high "to give repentance and remission of sins.""
This is Spurgeon at his best: simple, direct, and earnest. Both fervently Calvinistic and Evangelistic. As always, filled with quaint little illustrations that clarify the point he's making so well. The title (and theme) of the book is drawn from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, and is aimed at what Wesley would call 'Almost Christians.' Perhaps they're convicted of sin, perhaps they're church attenders, perhaps they're from a Christian family, but have not yet personally trusted Christ for salvation. Outstanding.
This is Spurgeon at his best: simple, direct, and earnest. Both fervently Calvinistic and Evangelistic. As always, filled with quaint little illustrations that clarify the point he's making so well. The title (and theme) of the book is drawn from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, and is aimed at what Wesley would call 'Almost Christians.' Perhaps they're convicted of sin, perhaps they're church attenders, perhaps they're from a Christian family, but have not yet personally trusted Christ for salvation. Outstanding.
July 6, 2015
Amazing little book! You can't go wrong with Spurgeon! The subtitle is "A Friendly Talk With Seekers Concerning the Lord Jesus Christ." Spurgeon convincingly persuades readers who may be standing at the Wicket Gate (think John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress) to enter in and believe. A great book to share with unbelievers and to read as a believer to help you share your faith.
November 1, 2007
The great Spurgeon's treatise on the basics of the gospel. A short read laying out the gospel as few can. This little book has been a powerful conduit for the gospel in the history of the church.
July 12, 2025
Spurgeon delivers the gospel like a thunderclap. It is clear, urgent, and full of Christ. In just a few pages, he calls sinners to repentance and faith with no hesitation and no fluff.
It’s pure Gospel preaching. It was simple, weighty, and soaked in Scripture. It was encouraging to be reminded that salvation is all of grace. Additionally, that the call to believe is now, specially when conversing with unbelievers!
It’s pure Gospel preaching. It was simple, weighty, and soaked in Scripture. It was encouraging to be reminded that salvation is all of grace. Additionally, that the call to believe is now, specially when conversing with unbelievers!
April 16, 2013
This is a charming little book. It's meant primarily for those who are seeking God but have not yet made a decision. It is still helpful to believers, in that it offers clarity about some points of our faith and can help us converse with seekers.
August 22, 2015
A classic
Although at times requiring a second and third reading of a paragraph due to old English, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Full of the basic gospel, emphasizing simple faith.
Although at times requiring a second and third reading of a paragraph due to old English, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Full of the basic gospel, emphasizing simple faith.
September 4, 2013
Amazing call to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. BELIEVE AND BE SAVED!
Highest recommendations.
Highest recommendations.
January 11, 2023
A delightful, useful, and biblical read! Although written to unbelievers (those who are somewhat informed about the gospel), I learned a lot as a believer—both regards to myself and the unbelievers I’m praying for/witnessing to.
The chapter “A Helpful Survey of Christ’s Work” was my least favorite, as it focused almost entirely on Christ’s passive obedience (paying the penalty of sin), specifically in reference to the cross (as opposed to the other times of his passive obedience and all his active obedience). This is my least favorite part—but I don’t discredit him too much, as this is normal (then and now).
A strength is Spurgeon’s emphasis on Christ. He reminds us early in the book how salvation is through Christ! Faith, grace, the gospel...these are all important, all biblical ideas (when defined biblically). But the focus of our faith is Christ. He’s the Way, the Truth, the Life. He’s the Savior.
I found this book to be otherwise biblically faithful, with lots of direct Scriptural and theological support. Also plenty of appropriate anecdotes; some of these made me cry as I thought of my sister. I recommend this for believers who want to be encouraged in their own salvation, and also for believers who are engaged in witnessing, especially to family and friends who know the gospel, have not come to Christ, yet are still engaged in the conversation.
The chapter “A Helpful Survey of Christ’s Work” was my least favorite, as it focused almost entirely on Christ’s passive obedience (paying the penalty of sin), specifically in reference to the cross (as opposed to the other times of his passive obedience and all his active obedience). This is my least favorite part—but I don’t discredit him too much, as this is normal (then and now).
A strength is Spurgeon’s emphasis on Christ. He reminds us early in the book how salvation is through Christ! Faith, grace, the gospel...these are all important, all biblical ideas (when defined biblically). But the focus of our faith is Christ. He’s the Way, the Truth, the Life. He’s the Savior.
I found this book to be otherwise biblically faithful, with lots of direct Scriptural and theological support. Also plenty of appropriate anecdotes; some of these made me cry as I thought of my sister. I recommend this for believers who want to be encouraged in their own salvation, and also for believers who are engaged in witnessing, especially to family and friends who know the gospel, have not come to Christ, yet are still engaged in the conversation.
March 1, 2022
I have read several books by Charles Spurgeon and have never been disappointed. Though his work is from the 1800's, it still very much applies today. This book goes through the different excuses people give for not fully submitting to the Lord.
March 18, 2025
It's a good book to have in your toolbox to recommend to newer believers. There are more analogies than I care for, but I'm sure this helps others connect.
"To pretend to trust Christ to save you from sin while you are still determined to continue in it is making a mockery of Christ." Now that cut to the quick!
"To pretend to trust Christ to save you from sin while you are still determined to continue in it is making a mockery of Christ." Now that cut to the quick!
December 25, 2022
Believe and Be Saved was a great read! I have read other Spurgeon books and have found his writings to be convicting and recommend them. This one was no different and I loved reading it. It is a shorter read, but deep. A great read!
January 5, 2022
A challenging little read, once you get your head around Spurgeon’s 19th century language. He lays out the simplicity and power of the gospel to save and tries to deal with some of the reasons people don’t fully believe or take hold of faith in Christ. His genuine love for Christ is evident, as well as his commitment to see people brought to salvation through Christ. He holds no punches when it comes to calling out sin though, which is challenging and refreshing. His poetic and wordy description of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross had me in awe of God’s grace again.
June 29, 2022
Charles Spurgeon is a great communicator of God's truths. Even though he lived well over 150 years ago, mostly in London, his beautiful use of the English language still makes his message understood, even when speaking on deep subjects. This book is a call to true conversion of the reader, giving many examples. I listened to an audio book and caught the essence, but I think that I would have benefited more by reading it.
October 22, 2018
“Even if we had any righteousness in which we could boast; if our fig leaves were broader than usual, and were not so utterly fading, it would be wisdom to put them away, and accept that righteousness which must be far more pleasing to God than anything of our own. The Lord must see more that is acceptable in his Son than in the best of us.”
May 30, 2022
Faith and grace
From the Legendary preacher, these are his sermons on the faith and grace theme. How the author using illustrations and metaphors so other people could understand about how faith works.
From the Legendary preacher, these are his sermons on the faith and grace theme. How the author using illustrations and metaphors so other people could understand about how faith works.
May 30, 2011
The actual subtitle from the title page of the original edition is: "A Friendly Talk With Seekers Concerning Faith In The Lord Jesus Christ".
December 15, 2016
This is a very good book on salvation with many illustrations about this! In this book he gives some good analogies refuting Calvinism
March 28, 2018
As Spurgeon says at the start of his book, he wrote this for the common people to understand. He does not dilute the gospel message.
July 17, 2024
Spurgeon uncomplicates believing in Jesus. He’s not giving an apologetic for 21st-century seekers.
He’s writing to people considering Jesus. People who almost believe. They’re standing at the door. Some don’t know if they want to come in. Others aren’t sure they can. Surgeon is on the other side like a third-base coach waving everyone in.
He’s also writing to people who doubt their salvation. He challenges everyone to disregard the idea that God would lie by taking away his promises in the last minute as a cruel joke. He’s not playing with us. So we shouldn’t doubt his love or willingness to save. Why should we busy ourselves with finding reasons why our faith should not save us?
If you need help simplifying faith like I do, this book is worth your time.
BTW it’s short and free online at SpurgeonGems.org (public domain!)
He’s writing to people considering Jesus. People who almost believe. They’re standing at the door. Some don’t know if they want to come in. Others aren’t sure they can. Surgeon is on the other side like a third-base coach waving everyone in.
He’s also writing to people who doubt their salvation. He challenges everyone to disregard the idea that God would lie by taking away his promises in the last minute as a cruel joke. He’s not playing with us. So we shouldn’t doubt his love or willingness to save. Why should we busy ourselves with finding reasons why our faith should not save us?
If you need help simplifying faith like I do, this book is worth your time.
BTW it’s short and free online at SpurgeonGems.org (public domain!)
September 5, 2024
10/10 recommended for any new believer or person unsure of coming to Christ. It’s short, practical/to-the-point, and saturated in the gospel.
Spurgeon spends most of the book addressing concerns of those who are close to coming to Christ but over-complicating the gospel or afraid of coming for some reason or another. One of the most helpful things is how he emphasizes the simplicity of the gospel - saving faith is not some great work we perform, but a simple trust in Jesus’s completed work.
The final few chapters were probably the most applicable to believers, addressing what conversion looks like (putting away sin), doubt, and a final call for trusting God in every area of our life (sanctification, trials, work, etc).
Spurgeon spends most of the book addressing concerns of those who are close to coming to Christ but over-complicating the gospel or afraid of coming for some reason or another. One of the most helpful things is how he emphasizes the simplicity of the gospel - saving faith is not some great work we perform, but a simple trust in Jesus’s completed work.
The final few chapters were probably the most applicable to believers, addressing what conversion looks like (putting away sin), doubt, and a final call for trusting God in every area of our life (sanctification, trials, work, etc).
September 10, 2023
Classic Spurgeon; he pleads with the souls of the unsaved with rigor. He does not aim at breadth in this work, but to hammer down and impress the same truths by whatever means necessary, while demonstrating a profound grasp of the psychology of unbelievers and their sinful proclivity to believe in anything apart from Christ, even believing in the fact that they have allegedly believed, or their proclivity to hinder themselves by whatever means necessary, including the thought that one must feel distraught before they come to Christ.
January 12, 2026
Help for those who only know about Christ... the subtitle says it all. The concerns that Spurgeon addresses are just as prevelant today, as they were in his times. People who know about Christ, but have not believed upon Christ. Worth reading and worth giving a copy to someone who only knows of Christ. As Spurgeon says, "To be almost saved, is to be altogther lost." The last chapter on those who have faith was deeply encouraging to me- speaking of the beauty of faith being found in the daily grind of life. G
March 24, 2018
This book is not a bad book by any means. However, Charles Spurgeon dealt with the same topic in “All of Grace”. In my opinion, “All of Grace” does a better job of dealing with salvation and faith than “Around the Wicket Gate”. With that said, it is an easy read and if you have never read this book he lays out the case for faith in Jesus very neatly. He also leaves no question in the readers mind either you have faith in Christ and His finished work or you can’t be saved.
April 14, 2025
Great, quick read by Spurgeon. Filled with much sweetness breaking down the gospel to its lowest common denominator & calling readers to lay hold of Christ by faith. Littered with helpful, simple examples throughout. Recommended reading for those on the fence regarding the gospel, and everyone else.
December 9, 2019
Charles Spurgeon never disappoints. I have been using quotes from his books on my blog and always touched a heart when I did. The Holy Spirit guides writers like this whether mainstream Christianity believes the Bible over men or not.
November 8, 2020
A reminder to trust God in all things, remembering that He hears, pities and helps us in all of life's troubles.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews