The Principles of Christian Practice, Point of doctrine 8

The Principles of Christian Practice · Point of doctrine 8

p. 349THE CHRISTIAN RACE.

1 COR. 9. 24.

Sor…nne that you may obtaine.

THe holy Apostle hath at The Apostles drift in this place.large disswaded these Corinthians, late ly converted from heathenisme, from sundry relickes of superstition still continued among them; as namely, from eating meats in the Idol-Temple offered unto Idols; from which feasts and meetings they were the hardlier restrained, because p. 350they were much addicted to gluttony, and pampering of the flesh: And therefore more strongly, both from his owne example, and by other reasons, he urgeth the duties of Christian sobriety and mortification: as if hee had said, If ye shall obiect, that now your Christian liberty affords you more interest in the creatures, and comforts of life, than before; I answer, that I have as much liberty in them, as any, but for the Gospels Vers, 12.sake I forbeare my libertie in greater matters than these; I might marry a wife, or I might require my maintenance from the Church, as my right; but I for the Gospell deny my selfe in all, I worke with my hands to avoyd offence: so your liberty in Christ allowes you not any use of the creature with the hinderance of the Gospell, or the scandall of others.The si…ilitnde he here useth

And to this hee addeth a p. 351strong reason, from a pleasant similitude, comparing the life of a Christian to a Race: those that runne in a race, either for praise, or a garland of flowers, or a small temporall reward, pamper not their bodies, nor load and stuffe themselves with meats and drinkes, but are abstinent, and put themselves into a spare diet, and forbeare and strip themselves of al encumbrances, and the use even of the best things, which would make them heavy & unweldy in their race. Much more should you, in this spirituall race, for the attaining of another manner of Crowne or prize, cast off all things that presse downe and encumber you, Heb. 12. 1.Heb 12:1and so runne the race set before you, as you may obtaine, and not be frustrate of your expectation.

These Corinthians were well Thereason of it.acquainted with the manner of runners: Know ye not, that they p. 352which runne foreign, in a race, &c. as if he had said, Yee cannot but know. There were the games of Olympus, celebrated every fift yeare in the honour of Iupiter: and there were the Istmian games, instituted of Theseus in the honour of Neptune, their Sea-god, which were every fifth yeare exercised at Istmus, a streight in Gre…ce, in the sight of Corinth.

Obi…ct. But why doth the Apostle draw his argument from Ita simili▪ tudo Circensium Augustin…ana c…nvertit …pium Confess. l 6. c. 7.prophane games, used among heathens in honour of their Idols?

Answ. The Apostle approves not the games, nor shewes how well or ill they doe in running, but from them deduceth what we may turne to a good use in a better race, for a better prize. Our Lord approves not of an uniust steward, but onelyonly shewes Luk. 16. 8.Luke 16:8how wee may and ought wisely to provide for our selves, as hee p. 353did. Christ approves not a theeves comming in the night, when hee compares himselfe to one, Rev. 16. 15. onelyonly hee excites our watchfulnesse to be alwayes ready for his comming.

And even from this practice Note. A rule of Christian prudence.of the Apostle wee may gaine a rule of prudence: when we must see many things we mislike, but cannot reforme, to make the best use of them we can. A wise man may gather good, from that which is not so good. A man may sometime light of a peece of gold on a dunghill: and will he not take it up? The Bee will sucke sweet honey, even out of stinking herbes. Wee may not presently tumult against things Use.we dislike, no more than our Apostle: but if we cannot amend them; so to take notice of them, as they may doe least hurt; and if wee may, gather some good from them: and we see, that we may make good use of things we p. 354approve not.

Now to the words. In this Parts of the Tex's three.short Apostolicall injunction are three things: 1. The precept, to runne: 2. The manner, so run: 3. The end, that ye may obtaine; namely, the scope and ayme.

In the Precept are,I.

1. Who must runne.

2. Why he must runne.

3. When he must runne.

4. The use thereof.

For the first of these. Every Doctr. 1 Christian life is a kinde of race.Christian must runne: for, Christianity is nothing but a race, and every Christian must runne the race set before him, Hebr. 12. 1. In other races, as that of Istmus neare Corinth, to which our Apostle alludeth, some runne and some stand still, or looke on: but here, in this Christian race, all must run, men and women, high and low, rich and poore, and none must looke on.

Now Christian life is compared And that in siv… respects,to a course or race, in Scripture, p. 355for five respects considerable:

1. As all running must be in a way, and within bounds and 1.limits: so here, the way to run in, is the way of Gods Commandements, Psal. 119. 30. This is the right and good way, the lightest and shortest way, the fairest and cleanest way, without all windings or turnings to the right or left hand.

2. In running is a strife and 2.contention: so in the Christian race: but the strife is not by speed or swiftnesse of feet, but a spirituall strife, of faith, vertue, piety, good conscience and obedience. And as in a race the whole man runneth and striveth and every part of the runner: so in this race, a man cannot have religion in his mouth and profession, and say hee will runne, but scarce move hand or foot in any good duty: no man can run with his tongue, and his foot p. 356stand still. Israel professed, that whatsoever the Lord commanded Deu 5: 27Deut 5:27they would doe: here were good words: but how often did they tempt him in the Desart? Paul would not runne, as beating the ayre with bare words, 1 Cor. 9. 26. Neither doth the kingdome 1 Cor. 4. 201 Cor 4:20of God stand in word, but in power: which is, when in all things wee labour to keepe faith and good conscience, in all things, before God and all men.

3. In running there is a goale 3or prize which we run for. The prize or Crowne for which we runne, is everlasting glory: not a crowne or wreath of flowers, but an incorruptible crowne, 1 Pet. 5. 4.

4. As in a race are spectators, 4.and the Vmpire that gives the crowne or prize: so here, the spectators are men and- Angels, 2 Cor. 4 92 Cor 4:9and the Vmpire is God, an incorrupt Iudge, who, having appointed the race, giveth the p. 357crowne to every one that runneth well.

5. As at the end of the race, 5.the wager is wonne or lost, and the crowne received or mist: and as the race is runne, so it is disposed: so at the end of our life, the prize of eternall life is either wonne or lost; and if it be in the race lost, it can never be recovered, neither by bribe nor intreaty. If in this life we win it, we weare it, or else it is lost for eternitie.

Thus Christian life is a race.

Next, why must we runne this race?2. Reasons why wee must run this race.

Answ. 1. There is no standing in Religion: and the way is very long which we have to goe: we have a large journey, as farre as betwixt heaven and earth; and 1though we runne, we shall come in slow enough.

2. The time is short which 2.is allotted to runne this race: namely, the time of this life, p. 358which is but as a vapour, a post, an arrow flying in the ayre: the day is short, the night hastens, and our feare of being benighted should hasten us thorow.

3. The parties against whom 3we runne, are very swift and cunning to supplant: sor wee runne against Principalities and Powers, the devill, our flesh, sin Ephe. 6. 12Eph 6:12and sinners, who incessantly seeke to slacke our course in this race; sometimes casting in our way (as Medea) a peece of flesh, and sometimes golden Apples (as the Poets feigne, of Atlanta) that is, the profits or pleasures of this life, all to cast us backe in our way: nay, our owne incumbrances are so many, as wee need no other to slow our pace: So as the swiftest runner shall come slow enough; and if the runner scarcely be saved, where shall the loyterer appeare?

4. Wee must runne, to witnesse p. 3594.both our disaffecting and distasting things below, which we hasten from, as also our earnest affecting and desire of the goale and crowne which is in our eye: as the two Disciples, Peter and Iohn, runne to outrunne Ioh 20, 4.John 20:4one another, through earnest desire which of them should first see Christ being risen: so the Christian must hasten and strive who may enjoy Christ first and most, and see him as he is.

But when must we runne?

Answ. Our whole life must be 3 Al our life, the time of this race.a race. 1 Pet. 1. 17. Passe the whole time of your pilgrimage here in feare. Now is the time to winne or lose the goale. Eternall life is wonne or lost in this life. Spare thy paines here, and there shall bee no spare of thy paines hereafter. Now therfore take the time, even this day: as a wise runner will set out betime, and get the start if p. 360he can, of his Adversary: Psal. 119. 60. I made hast, and delayed not to keepe thy Commandements.

Many foolish men in their life and health stand still, and idle all Not the end of life onelyonly. Reasons.the day, and would same runne apace when they are sicke or dying. But consider in time, 1.1. What an unfit businesse a race is for those times: a man to run had need of health and strength and not bee bound on his bed of sickenesse. 2. It is very unlikely, that hee should runne to 2heaven in his death, that hath beene running to hel all his life. for as the tree leaneth, so commonly it falleth and lyeth. 3. Wisedome will tell a man, 3that sicknesse and death are the time to end our running, not to beginne it: and that Christianity is a race to heaven, not a jumpe: and the way is long, and needs both a long time, and good speed to attaine it.4. Use. 1.

Now if wee must runne in the p. 361Christian course, we learne how Conceit aright of a Christian course.to conceive of the sound Profession of Religion; namely, that it is a laborious and painefull course, as running is a violent motion, and a straining exercise wherein the whole man must runne; especially when a man runneth up an hill, as we doe towards heaven. And thereforeWho doe not.

1. They are deceived, that 1thinke a sound Christian can live at ease, or in security. Is a garland of flowers denyed to him that loves his ease better than the toyle of the race; and is the Crowne of eternall life given without labour? or can it stand with the excellency of salvation to be so easily attained? or is it not worth all our diligence, to 2 Pet. i. 102 Pet 1:10make our election sure?

2. The lukewarme Gospeller 2deludes himselfe, that thinkes to get heaven with good hopes and wishes, but will bee at no strife either against sinne, or in performance p. 362of good duties: as if Christianity were such a Gentlemanly life, as to have their rents come in by Stewards, whether they sleepe or wake, worke or play. No: thou must strive to Luk. 13. 2…Luke 13:2enter, and runne, and pant, and sweat, and bee happy if all thy labour can attaine the Crowne. But if heaven bee worth nothing, take thine ease, stand still, or lye still, meddle not with grace. But if it bee worth any thing, thou shalt know it is not gotten with nothing.

Againe, if Christianity bee a Vse 2. Ourgo one another in holinesse. Instat equis auriga suos …ntibus illos pr…teritos tem▪ neus, &c. Hor. serm. 1 sat. 1. Motives. 2race and strife, then must we all strive to goe one before another in knowledge, faith, obedience, and all graces. Runners in a race strive who may bee foremost: and runners in a spirituall race must contend, who may first apprehend the grace of eternall life in the means and beginnings of in. For,

1. This is the onelyonly holy and p. 363warrantable ambition, emulation, and covetousnesse, to covet after the best gifts, 1 Cor. 12. 31.

2. Wee see how men strive 2to be before others in wealth, in good bargaines, in pride of apparell, in dainty fare, and whatsoever may set forward the delights of this present life. And ought wee not much more to striue to bee first in the bargaine of eternall life, in the riches of grace, and in the wealth of an haavenly inheritance? why should the children of this world be wiser in their generations than the children of light?Luk. 16. 8Luke 16:8

3. See wee not wicked men runne fast to hell, and strive who 3may bee soonest there, and which may fill up his measure first? See we not how wretched and debaucht persons glory when they can out-sweare, outdrinke, or out-brave another? and yet the issue of all is that hire that belongs to Captainesinners, p. 364and such as being in the highest forme of sinne, must also bee in the deepest dungeon of wrath and revenge. And shall wee, who have so faire a marke in our eye, to encourage and improve all our labour, suffer every one to get before us in the way of God, who yet are behinde us in the meanes and encouragements?

These are the Motives:

Directions for running aright follow in the next point. And so from the precept wee come to the manner: So runne.

Not every runner or striver II. Manner of running. 2 Iim. 2. 5obtaines, but hee that runs and strives lawfully, which is so to runne, namely with limitation.

Quest. Which are they?

Ans. They consist, 1. In right preparation: 2. Conditions.

No man can runne so as to Preparation to run, necessary, & whereinattaine, that is not rightly prepared to the race. And the preparation stands in two things: p. 365Putting off all hindrances: Providing all needfull helpes.

First, we must cast off all burdens Hindrances put off and removedand weights that preste us downe: Heb. 12. 1. the Apostle enioynes first to cast off all that presseth downe, and then runne the race that is set before us. And thus the runner for a temporall prize will cast off such garments and carriages as he can well part withall: wee much more. The Scripture points us to sundry burthens which must be cast off: as,

1 Sinne, which presseth downe as an intolerable clogge 1 foreign.and burthen: Hebr. 12. 1. The sinne that so easily besets us: and as a garment that wraps us about and hinders the free use of our joynts and limbs: so many sins are so many chaines and ferters; and hardly can a man runne, with his fetters on his heeles: Iam. 1. 21. Lay aside all filthinesse.

p. 3662 The immoderate care of the world must be cast off: for, 2how doe wee see worldlings, who have clogg'd themselves with the weight of earthly cares and desires, runne but hoblingly? no duties of piety or mercy can be seene in their hands: no incitements or perswasions can prevaile to quicken them: earthly cares, as thornes, choake Luk. 8. 14Luke 8:14all the seed. How can a man runne through a thicket, or stiffe …lay? so here, Hab. 2 6.

3 We must cast off the immoderate use of the world, and 3the things of it, and beware we oppresse not our selves with surfetting, Cap. 21. 34or drunkennesse, or pleasures of life; but by mortification keepe our selves thinne and spare, If hee that were to run a race should stuffe himselfe with eating or drinking, following his appetite, hee would runne but heavily, his adversary would wish no greater advantage. p. 367Therefore the Apostle Paul would in his owne example teach us to beat downe the body, and bring it into subiection, lest wee should runne in vaine, 1 Cor. 9. 27. Full dyet breeds gowt in the feet, which spoyles our running.

These are the hindrances.

The second thing in this preparation, is the providing of needfull helpes to …further us in our race: for so doe runners. I will onelyonly mention three.Helpes in running the Christian race, 1

1 Faith, to get Christ with us, without whom wee can doe nothing, and by whom we shall be able to doe all things, Phil 4 13. Joh. 15. 4. If we abide in the vine we shall bring forth fruit. Faith establisheth our union with Christ: whom wee must take with us, to draw us that we may Cant. 1 4.Song 1:4runne after him, to quicken us with new life, and to enlighten us in our way: else we runne in the darke, to our owne ruine. p. 368To give influences as an head, and also a cover for all defects.

2 The Apostle adviseth us to prouide patience, Heb. 12. 1. and 2 Heb. 10. 36Heb 10:36we have need of patience, that we may enioy the Promises: also to endure the crosses and afflictions, wherewith all the way is strawed. And indeed Patience notably speeds the runner in his way; because it helpes him over many rubs and hindrances that lye in it. If a runner should stoope to take up and remove out of his way every straw, or pibble, or obstacle, hee should lose much ground, and cast himselfe behinde; and therefore with courage and resolution he leaps over all, and speeds himselfe by them: So patience makes us passe by the reproches of Atheists, that are so farre from running themselves, that they scorne others that doe; and suffers us not to take notice often of such things, which we p. 369might trouble our selves withall, if our eye were not fixed on the goale and prize, in the end of our race. Besides, Patience is of notable use to make the Christian runner long-winded, and so enables him to hold out the labour to the end.

3. Another helpe is prayer to God for good speed: so the 3Church, Cant. 1. 2. Draw mee, and I will runne after thee. For we are not sufficient of our selues to any thing, but all our sufficiency is of God, 2 Cox. 3. 5. And therefore David every where prayes the Lord to direct him, to lead him in the way, to uphold him in the way, and to enlarge his heart for receiving grace that hee may runne the way of his Commandements, 2 …orditions of running the Christian race a… right▪ five.Psal. 119. 32.

This is the Preparation for running

Then the conditions of running are five:

p. 3701. At a right marke.

2. In a right way.1 Run at a right mark

3. With a right foot.

4. With a right motion.

5. To a right end.

First, for the right manner of running, wee must bee sure to runne at a right marke: Christ must be our marke to runne at, as he was Pauls, Phil. 3. 10. to know him, and the power of his resurrection. If wee must runne for life, wee must runne to him who is our life: And the rather, because hee is no dead marke Col. 3. 4Col 3:4that affords the runner no helpe in his way, but he runnes as fast to us, that wee may runne to him: Oant. 2. 8. As a Roe or young Hart he comes leaping and skipping over the mountaines: and being come, he calls us after him, (Come to mee all that are we ary and heavy laden,) that he Mat. 11. 28.Matt 11:28may refresh us: and whereas we come not at his call, himselfe drawes us to runne after him.

p. 371Now consider, if Christ bee the chiefe and onelyonly ayme of thy life, thy prize, thy purchase, thy all in all, in comparison of whom all else is drosse and dung. Men runne after wealth and riches most painefully: others runne after honours and preferments: many after ease and pleasures: some after knowledge and profession of Christ: on these they fixe their eyes and minds, as their chiefe marke; and having attained these, they sit downe and rest in them. But very few make Christ the marke whereat they runne: few hold him in their eyes and thoughts. And what can they hope to attaine at length, that never runne at a right marke? O silly men! can they chuse a better marke? may they choose another, and not choose death by refusing the Lord of life?

The second condition is, to run 2 Run in the right way.in the right way, and within the p. 372lists, or else the faster thou runnest, the further thou art from obtaining. Now Christ is the way: and there is no running Ioh. 14. 6John 14:6to Christ, but by Christ: thou must still keepe him in sight. Papists must needs fall short, that runne from Christ to Saints, Angels, merits, humane satisfactions. Heathens must misse of salvation, who runne without Christ. And many str…gling Christians who professe Christ, but breake out into by-lanes of lusts and fleshly courses, and so misse the goale.

Now to those that are carefull to enquire of the antient Notes of the way that is right.safe way, they may discerne it by these notes: 1. It is a cleane way: the way is holy, and the path is holy, and the holy walke Esa. 35. 8 Hos. 14. 9Isa 35:8Hos 14:9in it. 2. It is a strait way, and few walke in it, in respect of the Mat. 7. 14.Matt 7:14multitude. 3. It is all strawed with crosses: and all that will live godly in Christ, must suffer p. 3732 Tim. 3. 122 Tim 3:12persecution. Christ and his crosse are inseparable.

The third condition in the 3 Run with a right foot. What is requisite thereuntoright manner of running, is, We must runne with a right foot: Hebr. 12. 13. Make streight paths for your feet Hereunto are required, 1. Light of the Word to direct us, that we may runne stedily and boldly, not staggering or wavering; but doe all things in saith, which ever leaneth upon the warrant of the Word; Whosoever walketh by this rule, walketh boldly. 2. The Prov. 10. 9Prov 10:9eye of wisdome and discretion, looking at the same time both to our feet, and to our marke: the Commandement is, to ponder the path of our feet: and a Prov. 4. 2….Prov 4:2note of a godly wise runner, to order his way with discretion. And the wisdome of a man is, to observe his way. 3. Sincerity and uprightnesse: not to run Psal. 112. 5Ps 112:5halting or dissembling: Gon. 17. 1. Walke before mee, and be upright.; p. 374Politicians runne halting betweene God and Baal, betweene the Arke and Dagon, betweene Protestants and Papists; as Peter in policy would play on both hands, betweene Iewes and Gentiles, Galat. 2. but the Text saith, that hee dissembled, foreign.and went not the right way to the Gospell: so doe these men of two hearts, but of no Religion; Gallio's, neuters, unstable in all their wayes, being double-minded, Jam. 1. 8. The like of formall Protestants, who dis-joyne justification from sanctification, and …ver remission of sinne from mortification of sinne: they runne crookedly and lamely, and are farre from uprightnesse.

The fourth condition is, to runne with a right motion: and 4. Run with a …ight motion. What it isthen is the motion …o, when it is performed humbly, chearfully, constantly.

1 Humility quickens the p. 3751.soule, when it considers, that, what progresse soever it hath made, yet he hath not hitherto attained. The Apostle Paul did therfore follow hard to the mark, Phil. 3. 13.Phil 3:13because he had not yet attained. Doe thou likewise nourish low Good cause to be still humble.conceits in and of thy selfe, as knowing, 1. that thy knowledge and faith is but in part, till that perfect come: 2. that the high prize is not here wholly below, nor the prize of immortality to be had in this mortall estate. Away then with that proud conceit of merit: thou hast attained enough, that hast attained to merit: thou art gotten farre beyond the Saints in heaven. Away with the franticke conceit of perfection here: the Gospell and faithfull Preachers cast downe such high imaginations 2 Cor. 10. 52 Cor 10:5against grace. Who art th…u that art got before the Apostle Paul? he forg…t all that he had done, and pressed hard to the p. 376marke before him: as good runners looke not backe to see how much they have runne, which would cast them backe, but their eye is on that before them, by which they see how farre they are behind that they must reach. Bewaile then thy slownesse, stiffenesse, or lamenesse in running, and presse forward still.

2 The motion must bee 2chearefully performed. Wee must runne our race in earth, as the Angels in heaven runne theirs: now they are described with wings to flye: so must we doe all our services willingly, not by constraint; and earnestly, with all earnestnesse of affection, as those that meane to attaine, and of action, putting forth all our speed, as hee that runneth, intendeth the whole force of his body to advance himselfe forward, and (as the Apostle) presseth hard to the marke.Phil. 3. 14Phil 3:14

p. 3773 Our motion is right, when 3it is constant: both without intermission, and without cessation.

First, we must not sometimes runne, and sometimes sit still, Be constant without inter mission.and rest us as being weary: nor as some, runne apace in the Sunshine of the Church, and stand still or goe backe in her storme: nor as some, that will bee good and runne apace, while some sharpe affliction, as a spurre or goad, is thrust into their sides, but afterwards grow as lazy, or worse than before. But our course must be as the course of the Sunne, which comes forth as a Gyant to runne his course from East to West, and never Psa. 19. 4, 5Ps 19:4Ps 19:5stands nor remits of his speed. And as a man who is to runne for a great wager, hyes himselfe with all speed through thicke and thinne, so wee, having so great a prize in our eye, must hold our pace through all estates p. 378of the Church, and of our selves, holding it the greatest favouring of our selves, not to favour our selves in any condition.

Secondly, wee must runne As also without cessation. Motivesconstantly without cessation; not making good our race a great way, and then failing, but to the very goale: for 1. It is unsoundnesse, 1that is a temporizer: the Iewes rejoyce in Iohns light but for a season: and many beginne Ioh. …. 35 Gal. 3. 3Gal 3:3in the Spirit, but end in the flesh. Much seed springs up, fhoots forth, and …ladeth, but never seeeth perfection, nor the garner. 2. Both naturall and supernaturall motion is swifter to the center-ward. 2.True piety never wants the crowne of perseverance: and this never wants the crowne of eternall life. 3. Vnhappy runners they are, 3that lose all even at the goale: and unhappy passengers, that suffer shipwracke in the haven p. 379and harbour.

Obiect. I have runne apace; but now I cannot runne so fast.

Ans. With distinction. 1. Art How this is to be understood.thou in temptation, or wrestling with God, as Iacob? then, though thou goest halting, yet goe forward, it is toward Canaan. 2. Art thou weake? yet a childe, though never so weake, will creepe when it cannot run to the fathers house & bosome. 3. Art thou secure? oh repent, doe thy first workes, overtake thy selfe, bewaile thy sinne, and in all pray the Lord to enlarge thy heart, and enable thee again to runne the way of his Commandements.

So of the fourth condition.

Lastly, to run in a right manner, wee must propound to our 5. Run to a right end.selves a right end in running: and that is, first and principally Gods glory, 1 Cor. 10. 30. secondly, the obeying of Gods Commandement; the love of p. 380God must constraine us to run: 2 Cor. 5 142 Cor 5:14thirdly, that we may obtaine the crowne of eternall life, as here it is in our Text.

Quest. But must our obedience and service be mercenary? for so it seemes to bee, if wee runne in expectation of the reward.

Answ. No: it is not mercenary: for first, faith subordinateth We run for the prize, yet no mercenaries: how.our salvation to Gods glory: secondly, looketh on a reward freely promised and performed, not merited: and so, thirdly beholdeth the reward; as the eye of the soule is principally fixed on Christ, who hath merited it by his death, propounded it in his Word, and now holds it in his hand, in our eye, to sweeten our labours and sufferings in the way unto it.

These cautions observed, the Saints may runne in expectation of reward: so Moses had respect to the recompence of reward, p. 381Heb. 11. 16. so Paul pressed on, as having the marke in his eye. Nay, our Lord himselfe for the ioy set before him, endured Heb. 12. 2….Heb 12:2the crosse, and despised the shame. And the Scripture every Mark held before us, why?where holds the marke in our eye: 1. To containe us in the right way to that marke. 2. To maintaine and cherish in us a servent love and desire of heaven, and of eternall life. Faith will be wishly looking at things 2 Cor. 4. 18.2 Cor 4:18within the vaile. 3. To encourage and sustaine the Saints in all the difficulties of the way; the more easily to digest and … verpasse them, and so to hasten them to the fruition of that they beleeve.

That ye may obtaine.

From the action, and the manner, III: The end of running this race.we come to the end. As we have enquired whether wee must runne to attaine, so now p. 382we must enquire whether wee may attaine by running.

Answ. Wee must runne for thi… prize, which wee attaine not without running; yet not for our running, as the merit of it, but by it as a meanes of obtaining. Obtaining is not of merit, but mercy.Rom. 9. 16. It is not in him that willeth, or runneth, but in God that sheweth mercy. For, neither is our running our owne worke, nor undue, nor in any proportion to the crowne, nor yet perfect, but in the best very heavy and blame-worthy. And therefore, howsoever lawfull running attaineth, yet it is not as a cause, for the worke or merit of it but as a way and meanes of obtaining mercy.

Quest. But is not the prize the reward of our running?

Answ. Yes: Matth. 5. 11. Great is your reward in heaven: How it in called … reward.and none shall runne well, and be unrewarded. But first, it is called a reward, not properly, p. 383but by similitude, because it is given at the end of the worke. Secondly, it is a reward, not legall, but Evangelicall; promised in mercy, and in like mercy performed to the runner, though not for his running. Therefore the Apostle ran hard for the prize (Phil. 3. 14.) but for the prize of the high calling of God; that is, not which hee could attaine for running, or for the merit of his strife, but for the mercifull calling of God, vouchsafing him a part in the free promise of his free grace. Hence it is also called (Col. 3. 24.) the reward of inheritance: Now an inheritance is not merited, but freely descendeth on sonnes, because they are sonnes: and how absurd were it for a son to goe and offer to buy his inheritance of his father?

Obiect. But I may run, and no… Whether al runners do obtain. Luk. 13, 24Luke 13:24obtaine; as it is said, Many shall seeke to enter, and shall not bee able.

p. 384Answ. They runne, and attaine not, that runne amisse, not observing the former, conditions of right running: but every one that runneth aright, shall attaine the crowne. Here is a difference: In temporall races many runne, and one gets the prize, that comes first: but here, all that runne through, attaine the crowne, whether they come first or last.

Quest. What are the best directions, How wee may be able to run rightly, and so obtaine.to helpe us to attaine, and improve all our labour, and make good our race at the last?

Answ. The directions are sundry:

1. Put thyselfe in good brenth; I. The holy Ghost p… … … inbreath for this race.be cherishing the Spirit of God, & preparing him a sweet roome in thy heart, who will notably fit thee to the race. For first, hee is the Spirit of liberty, and will set the feet of thy soule at liberty: 2 Cor. 3. 17. Where the p. 385Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. He is that holy an ointing, that brings the oyle of grace to supple and make nimble the joynts and sinewes of the soule, and supply activity and agility to speed thee forward: as David professeth, Psal. 1 19. 32. I will runne the way of thy Commandements, when thou shalt enlarge my heart, Secondly, he not onelyonly strengthens the inner man, Ephes. 3. 16. but helpeth all our infirmities, which would faint and faile us, Rom 8. 26. Thirdly, he is the Spirit of supplication, Zach. 12, 10.Zech 12:10and makes us able and willing to pray, and so helpes us as it were with wings toward the marke. Great need is there of this breath of the Spirit: and great is the strength of prayer: and therefore holy men have beene much and often in it: as David, that the Lord would make his way plaine before him, Psal. 5. 8. and would hold up his p. 386goings in his paths, Psalm. 17. 5. and that his good Spirit would convey him into the good land, Psa. 143. 10. Whosoever knows that no prayer but of the Spirit is heard of God, will easily discerne the need of the presence Rom. 8. 26.Rom 8:26and assistance of the Spirit, and will bee so much more carefull not to grieve him by sinne.

2. Take the rule of our Saviour, Beware of looking backe. 2 Take heed of looking backe, in this race.Remember Lots wife; and Luk 9. 62. no man that sets his hand to the plough, and looketh backe, is fit for the kingdoms of God. They looke backe, that turne aside from received truths to old damned errors, and lay themselves under Saint Pauls checke, O foolish Galathians, ye did run …ell, who hath bewitched you? Gal. 3. 1Gal 3:1and under that heavy threatning 2 Pet. 2. 21. Better had it beene, never to have knowne the way of truth, then after knowledge to depart from the holy Commandement. p. 387And they looke not forward, that looke asquint with the Galathians, partly at Iesus, and partly at Moses; partly nt faith, partly at merits, as Papists; whereas the eye of faith lookes right forward at Jesus, the author and finisher of faith and salvation, Heb. 1. 2. 2. How many looke backe to the profits, honor, ease, or favour of the world, as Iudas and Demas? But where is now the marke? is it before thee, or behind thee? if the marke be not behinde thee, why lookest thou backe?

3. Intend thy way, not thy company. Many will net runne 3 Minde not thy company, but thy way.in that way, wherein they see not multitudes and great ones runne with them: who attend not the marke so much, as their company, and enquire not so much whither, as who runne. But we must remember; first, wisdome walkes by rule, not by example; lookes at truth, not p. 388Gal. 6. 16.Gal 6:16at numbers; cares not so much what is done, as what ought to be done. Secondly, it is better to walke or runne with few to heaven, than to hell for company. Thirdly, if we looke at company, we must runne with such as feare God, who have set their faces toward heaven: this is the most helpfull and fruitfull company: these will further thee by their counsell, example, and prayers.

4. To attaine in this race, 4. Despise carnall counsels, friends, & scornes.we must contemne carnal counsels, carnall friends, and the scornes of carnall men.

First, carnall counsels. Many will not runne with such a sect, as they heare every where reviled 1 Acts 28. 22Acts 28:22and contradicted, though Paul himselfe bee of that sect, and such as adhere to his doctrine. But in this way, generally esteemed heresie, must wee worship the God of our fathers. Others will not runne in that p. 389Cap. 24. 14way, being all strawed with crosses, but will choose a faire broad way though it carry them cleane from the marke. Why doe they not consider, that they leave the way wherein Christ himselfe walked, and his Apostles? and that the way to heaven is a strait way, and few find it?

Secondly, carnall friends and 2bad society is as a chaine to fetter, and as a leaden weight hanged on the heeles of many, that say they run for heaven: These will perswade, as Peter did Christ, Master, pitty thy selfe, Mat. 16. 22.Matt 16:22cherish thy selfe, deny not thy selfe, thy liberty, thy reputation, and force them, not to stop onelyonly in the race, but to flye backe, as Peter among a company of rake-hels will deny and forsweare his Master as fast as any.

Thirdly, scorns of carnall men. 3A Christian runner must not bee p. 390much moved, or much regard the speeches of men. Lookers on will have their sayings: some will say thou runnest too fast, some that thou settest out too late, and a softer pace would goe further; some that thou outrunnest thy fellowes, but in hypocrisie, and that thine eye and ayme is on every thing but the marke, &c. But thou must bee wiser than to attend them: thou hast thy course to intend, and thine umpire, and thy prize. Passe on thy way therefore, 2 Cor. 6. 8. 1. Cor. 4. 32 Cor 6:81 Cor 4:3through good report and evill: resolve with holy Paul, I passe not to be iudged by any man, it is the Lord that judgeth mee; I must stand or fall to mine owne Master.

So of the fourth rule.

5. To attaine this marke, thou 5 Renew strength continually: and how this may be.must be carefull to preserve and renew thy strength: for so must a runnner doe.

Quest. How may I doe so?

p. 391Ans. By three rules: First, hold fast the doctrine of grace: hold it strongly, both in thy judgement, and in thy affection: get not onelyonly knowledge, but the love of knowledge: sticke conscionably to the meanes, both publike and private. For spirituall strength is maintained by spirituall meanes, as naturall by naturall. And by meeting God in Sion, in his owne Ordinances, Gods people walke from strength to strength, Psal. 84. 7. Secondly, hold fast the degree of grace, that thou fall not from thy first love, first zeale and heat. What hope of his attaining the Rev. 2. 4.Rev 2:4marke before him, that goeth backward? Now the way to keepe grace in the degree, is, partly to repent of all, to cast out and keepe out all sinnes, small and great, open or secret; partly to respect all Gods Commandements, Psal. 119. 6Ps 119:6even the most difficult, costly, and dangerous. p. 392Thirdly, hold on the act of grace: by keeping al graces in exercise, and blowing up every grace which else wil lye hid and covered in corruption, asfire in ashes. Every new act wil grow into an habit and custome, and habits are easie. Thou that intendest to attaine, must get forward, and gaine ground; never contenting thy selfe with one gift of grace, nor with one degree of that gift, nor with one or a few acts or exercises; but be adding, as to vertue, faith; so faith to faith: see 2 Pet. 1 5. and Rom. 1. 17.

6. A runner, through haste in his way, may easily stumble 6. Recover speedily out of every fall.and fall: and if thou fallest in thy running, thou must speedily rise by humble confession, prayer, and repentance. Hee that lyes in his fall, shall never attaine the marke. Wee say it is no shame to fall, but it is a shame to lye still. But in our spirituall course it is a great shame, in such p. 393light and meanes to take a fall, but a farre greater to … still in it. Hast thou falne in …y way? remember whence thou hast fallen, up againe, and doe thy first worke, repent and arise, Rev. 2. 5. which is the onelyonly way to prevent utter shame and confusion.

Quest. But how may I be encouraged, Motives so to runne, that we may obtain 1thus to strive to attaine?

Ans. 1. Consider this: whatsoever else thou attainest, is nothing but a shadow, smoake, vanity: all thy wealth is but beggery, all pleasure but bitternesse, all mirth but madnesse. If thou attainest not this goale, nothing that thou attainest can make thee better, every thing makes thee much worse.

2. As good never run, as not 2attaine: for, not attaining, thou losest all thy beginnings, and proceedings, and all thy labour is lost; thou hast done and suffered p. 394many things in vaine. Besides, thou loosest all thy talents, graces, Cal 3. 4.profession, hearing, prayers, sufferings: all is lost. Finally, thou loosest all thy righteousnes, charity, mercy, reward and glory; all thy hope and expectation: E…ek 18. 24. Righteousnes departed from is soone forgotten.

3. It is farre worse and more 3unhappy, to run and not attaine, then not to run at all. For, not to run, is a note of an Atheist: but to run and not to attaine, is a note of an Apostate, a dogge, 2 Pet 2. 222 Pet 2:22a swine, returned to filthinesse, whose end is worse then th… beginning. Beside, it gives Satan a stronger possession then before; he was a slave before to one divell, but now to …even worse then before.

4. Consider the goale, for 4 Excellency and eternity of this goale.which thou runnest: both for the excellencie, and the eternity of it: and if any spurre can p. 395pierce and prevaile, this will.

The Excellency is in the worth, content, fulnesse, perfection.

The worth: thou runnest for a crowne of life and glory: nothing 1in earth is so worthy, as a crowne and kingdome: but these are dead things in comparison, and may end in dishonour.

The content and delight is in 2enjoying a perpetuall rest from labour, an euerlasting Sabbath, a lasting feast and supper of the Lamb, a marriage-feast for eternity.

For fulnesse and abundance: here we only taste the goodnesse 3of God, there we drinke at the well-head, even fulnesse of ioy at Psal. 16. 11.Ps 16:11his right hand. Here wee have drops, there we shall swim with rivers of pleasure. Here are spoonfuls, there a Well of life.

For perfection: we shall attaine spirituall bodies, perfectly renewed p. 3964soules, a full image of God, perfect vision of God, and society with Iesus Christ, in perfect glory: and this is the top and perfection of our happinesse when in our selves we shall attaine compleat holinesse, without spot or wrinckle, and ful perfection both of nature and grace

Lastly, adde to all this the duration, which is the crowne of all. This good attained shall never perish, nor ever change. Of this Kingdome shall be no end. The pleasurs at our fathers right hand are for evermore. The crowne at which we run, is incorruptible, 1 Cor. 9. 251 Cor 9:25and so we shall finde it in all eternity.

If all this will not excite us to earnest labour, that we may attaine, nothing will.