A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize, must not be overcharged with inordinate Eating and Drinking; for Experience shows, how that unfits a Man for running a Race, or for any other Enterprise whatever. And a Man that striveth for Mastery, is temperate in all things. | V. So a Christian must take heed he be not overcharged in a spiritual Sense; there is spiritual Gluttony and Drunkenness spoken of in Scripture. Hence saith our Saviour, Take heed to your selves, 1lest at any time your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting, Drunkenness, and the Cares of this Life, and so that Day come upon you unawares. What is meant by Surfeiting, Drunkenness, &c. but all kind of loose Living, 1 Thess. 5.7. wanton Riotousness, excessive Delight in, or Desire after the Pleasures of this World, &c. Or on the other hand, being overwhelmed, and sorely afflicted or perplexed with inordinate Cares about earthly Matters? All these things must be avoided by those, who would run the spiritual Race so as to obtain the Prize.
VI. A Man that would run in a Race, so as to obtain the Prize, must see he doth not lessen his Pace; he must run swiftly, and run constantly; if he loiter, or grow careless, and idle, no wonder if he lose the Prize. | VI. So a Christian must run with speed, he must be very diligent, swift-footed, which is signified by running; and also he must be even in his Course. He must not be like the Galatians, 2only run well for a Time, but continue always to the end the same Pace, i. e. keep in a constant Course of godly Zeal and Holiness, according to that of the Apostle, We desire that every one of you do show the same Diligence, to the full assurance of Hope to the end. 3Some Men seem very zealous in a Fit, they are all on a Flame (as it were) none ⟨p. 164⟩more forward and lively in God's Ways, and in his holy Worship, than they; but on a sudden oft-times (as hath been observed) they flag, and grow weary. It may be, as the Proverb is, a zealous Apprentice, a lukewarm Journey-man, and a quite cold Master.
VII. A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize, ought to be strong and healthy. A distempered Person, or one that falls sick in the Way, is not likely to obtain the Prize; a consumptive Man, or one that hath feeble Knees, or a distempered Heart, is not likely to hold out. | VII. So a Christian, that runs the heavenly Race, ought to labour after spiritual Strength:
A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize, must not be overcharged with inordinate Eating and Drinking; for Experience shews, how that unfits a Man for running a Race, or for any other Enterprize whatever. And a Man that striveth for Mastery, is temperate in all things. | V. So a Christian must take heed he be not overcharged in a spiritual Sence; there is spiritual Gluttony and Drunkenness spoken of in Scripture. Hence saith our Saviour, Take heed to your selves, 1lest at any time your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting, Drunkenness, and the Cares of this Life, and so that Day come upon you unawares. What is meant by Surfeiting, Drunkenness, &c. but all kind of loose Living, 1 Thess. 5.7. wanton Riotousness, excessive Delight in, or Desire after the Pleasures of this World, &c. Or on the other hand, being overwhelmed, and sorely afflicted or perplexed with inordinate Cares about earthly Matters? All these things must be avoided by those, who would run the spiritual Race so as to obtain the Prize.
VI. A Man that would run in a Race, so as to obtain the Prize, must see he doth not lessen his Pace; he must run swiftly, and run constantly; if he loyter, or grow careless, and idle, no wonder if he lose the Prize. | VI. So a Christian must run with speed, he must be very diligent, swift-footed, which is signified by running; and also he must be even in his Course. He must not be like the Galatians, 2only run well for a Time, but continue always to the end the same Pace, i. e. keep in a constant Course of godly Zeal and Holiness, according to that of the Apostle, We desire that every one of you do shew the same Diligence, to the full assurance of Hope to the end. 3Some Men seem very zealous in a Fit, they are all on a Flame (as it were) none ⟨p. 164⟩more forward and lively in God's Ways, and in his holy Worship, than they; but on a sudden oft-times (as hath been observed) they flag, and grow weary. It may be, as the Proverb is, a zealous Apprentice, a lukewarm Journey-man, and a quite cold Master.
VII. A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize, ought to be strong and healthy. A distempered Person, or one that falls sick in the Way, is not likely to obtain the Prize; a consumptive Man, or one that hath feeble Knees, or a distempered Heart, is not likely to hold out. | VII. So a Christian, that runs the heavenly Race, ought to labour after spiritual Strength:
- 1Luke 21.24.
- 2Gal. 5.7.
- 3Heb. 6 11.
