The fight of faith crowned, or, A sermon preached at the funeral of that…

Use 2. Persevere in the Faith. What is a man the better to run some part of the race and then tire? so to go within an inch of Heaven, and then fall short^*. Who makes reckoning of corn that sheds before harvest? or fruit that falls from the tree before it be ripe? O Christians, remember your Salvation is now nearer, Rom. 13. 11. You are within prospect of the Holy land, and will you now tire in your march? this is as if a Ship laden with Jewels and Spices, and within sight of the shore should be cast away; or as if a Jew had been running to the city of refuge, and had gotten within half a furlong of the city, and then had fainted, and been slain by the avenger of blood. 'T was Beza's Prayer, Lord, perfect that which thou hast begun in me, that I may not ^*suffer shipwreck when I am almost in the haven.

Use 2. Persevere in the Faith. What is a man the better to run some part of the race and then tire? so to go within an inch of Heaven, and then fall short^*. Who makes reckoning of corn that sheds before harvest? or fruit that falls from the tree before it be ripe? O Christians, remember your Salvation is now nearer, Rom. 13. 11. You are within prospect of the Holy land, and will you now tire in your march? this is as if a Ship laden with Jewels and Spices, and within sight of the shore should be cast away; or as if a Jew had been running to the city of refuge, and had gotten within half a furlong of the city, and then had fainted, and been slain by the avenger of blood. 'T was Beza's Prayer, Lord, perfect that which thou hast begun in me, that I may not ^*suffer shipwrack when I am almost in the haven.

1. *Non quaruntur in Christianis initia, sed finis. Hierom.
2. *Domine quod capisti perfice, nè in portu naufragium accidas.