Let us cast away every thing that presseth down.] Because he useth a similitude taken from running in a race, he would also that we should discharge our selves of all impediments. For nothing is more contrary unto him that would make haste, than to be laden and pressed down with burdens. Now there are divers burdens which do hinder us, 1and slacken our spiritual course: as first the love of this life: the pleasures of this world: the lusts of the flesh: §1the cares for earthly things: riches, honours, and all such things of these kinds. §2Whosoever then will run in this race of Christ, let him before all things cast off all impediments. §3For we are of our selves but too slow and heavy; §4though we should meet with no pullbacks elsewhere. §5And yet it is not simply commanded us, to cast away our riches, or other commodities of this present life, but so far forth as they slacken our course, because we feel them upon us as cords whereby Satan would pull us back, and bind us hand and foot. We know that this metaphor of running, is much used in the Scripture: but he speaks not here of e•ery kind of race, but of such a manner of pastime and exercise ⟨p. 288⟩where many strove who should run best: in which one puts forth his strength more than if he should go, or run alone by himself. The sum then is, that we are entered into the lists, yea into an honourable and much frequented race: where there are also on every side standers by present in great numbers; the Son of God being the chiefest there, who invites and exhorts us to win the prise: it were therefore great shame for us to faint, or become slack in the middle of our course. Now, howsoever the holy personages of whom he makes mention, are not only witnesses, but companions also of the same race; who do as it were point us out the way: yet nevertheless he chose rather to call them witnesses, than runners in the race; thereby showing us that they be not such runners as do envy us, or which would hinder us to carry away the prize: but that they stand there rather as approvers of our diligence, who are glad of our victories, and do greatly rejoice therein. And Christ also not only sets the garland before us, but also therewithal reacheth out his hand to furnish us with strength and valour.
Let vs cast away euery thing that presseth downe.] Because he vseth a similitude taken from running in a race, he would also that wee should discharge our selues of all impediments. For nothing is more contrarie vnto him that would make haste, than to be loden and pressed downe with burthens. Now there are diuers burthens which doe hinder vs, 1and slaken our spirituall course: as first the loue of this life: the pleasures of this world: the lusts of the flesh: §1the cares for earthly things: riches, honours, and all such things of these kindes. §2Whosoeuer then will runne in this race of Christ, let him before all things cast off all impediments. §3For wee are of our selues but too slow and heauie; §4though we should meete with no pulbackes elsewhere. §5And yet it is not simply commanded vs, to cast away our riches, or other commodities of this present life, but so farre foorth as they slaken our course, because wee feele them vpon vs as cordes whereby Satan would pull vs backe, and binde vs hand and foote. We know that this metaphor of running, is much vsed in the Scripture: but he speakes not here of e•ery kinde of race, but of such a manner of pastime and exercise ⟨p. 288⟩where many stroue who should runne best: in which one puts foorth his strength more than if he should goe, or runne alone by himselfe. The summe then is, that wee are entred into the lists, yea into an honourable and much frequented race: where there are also on euery side standers by present in great numbers; the Sonne of God being the chiefest there, who inuites and exhorts vs to winne the prise: it were therefore great shame for vs to faint, or become slack in the middle of our course. Now, howsoeuer the holy personages of whom he makes mention, are not onely witnesses, but companions also of the same race; who doe as it were point vs out the way: yet neuerthelesse he chose rather to call them witnesses, than runners in the race; thereby shewing vs that they be not such runners as doe enuie vs, or which would hinder vs to carrie away the prize: but that they stand there rather as approuers of our diligence, who are glad of our victories, and doe greatly reioyce therein. And Christ also not only sets the garland before vs, but also therwithal reacheth out his hand to furnish vs with strength and valour.
- 1Burdens slacking our spiritual race.Burthens slacking our spirituall race.
