The beatitudes

2. The second false Opinion we must beware off, is, that the race to heaven is impossible; there is so much work to do that sure we shall never win the race. Cyprian confesseth of himself that before his conversion he had many thoughts tending to despair; he imagined that he should never get the mastery of some of his corruptions; the thoughts of impossibility cut the sinews of all endeavour; ^*God hath encouraged us to run not only by promising rewards when we win, but by promising strength to enable us to run; hath not he said he will put his Spirit within us, Ezek. 36. and then afflante spiritu, we can run and not be weary^*; how many hath Satan disheartened through despair? sure saith the diffident soul, I may run, but I shall never so run as to obtain; Jer. 2.25. Thou said•st There's no hope. So saith the despairer, I had as good go on in my sins, as good keep the old road, there's no hope, all succours of mercy are cut off; this is a dangerous Precipice; despair ⟨p. 570⟩takes a man off his legs, and then how can he run. Despair is heluo animarum, the great devourer of souls; he that is under the power of this sin, disputes himself into hell.

2. The second false Opinion we must beware off, is, that the race to heaven is impossible; there is so much work to do that sure we shall never win the race. Cyprian confesseth of himself that before his conversion he had many thoughts tending to despair; he imagined that he should never get the mastery of some of his corruptions; the thoughts of impossibility cut the sinews of all endeavour; ^*God hath encouraged us to run not only by promising rewards when we win, but by promising strength to enable us to run; hath not he said he will put his Spirit within us, Ezek. 36