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

[…] we but take as much pains for Heaven, as ⟨p. 22⟩others do for the world, undoubtedly we might obtain it, Phil. 3. 15. Reaching forth unto those things which are before^*. A metaphor taken from Racers, that reach their necks forward, and strain every limb to lay hold upon the prize; let us contend, tanquam pro aris & focis. There are two things requisite for a Christian, a watchful eye, and a working hand; to purpose, let us add pursuit. What scuffling is there for outward honours? Men will wade through blood to a Crown. Was there such strife for a corruptible Crown in the Olympian and Isthmean races? Sometimes the Crown bestowed upon the Victor was made of Olive, sometimes of Myrtle, sometimes of Cinnamon enclosed in Gold; but still it was corruptible: O then how strenuously should we labour for the Garland made of the flowers of Paradise, which never fade! With what vigour and resolution did Hannibal march over the Alps for the obtaining terrestrial Kingdoms? How should we act then ad extremum virium, for that Orient Crown which shines ten thousand times brighter than the Sun in its meridian splendour. Luther spent three hours a day in Prayer: Anna the Prophetess departed not from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day, Luk. 2. 37. The learned Calvin, Jewell, Perkins were indefatigable in their pursuit after Glory.

〈…〉 we but take as much pains for Heaven, as ⟨p. 22⟩others do for the world, undoubtedly we might obtain it, Phil. 3. 15. Reaching forth unto those things which are before^*. A metaphor taken from Racers, that reach their necks forward, and strain every limb to lay hold upon the prize; let us contend, tanquam pro aris & focis. There are two things requisite for a Christian, a watchful eye, and a working hand; to purpose, let us add pursuit. What scuffling is there for outward honours? Men will wade through blood to a Crown. Was there such strife for a corruptible Crown in the Olympian and Isthmean races? Sometimes the Crown bestowed upon the Victor was made of Olive, sometimes of Mirtle, sometimes of Cynamon enclos'd in Gold; but still it was corruptible: O then how strenuously should we labour for the Garland made of the flowers of Paradise, which never fade! With what vigour and resolution did Hannibal march over the Alps for the obtaining terrestrial Kingdoms? How should we act then ad extremum virium, for that Orient Crown which shines ten thousand times brighter than the Sun in its meridian splendour. Luther spent three hours a day in Prayer: Anna the Prophetess departed not from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day,