So when a Christian meets with hard Things, or passeth through great Difficulties in his Way to Heaven, he is much put to it, viz. when he is forced to mount the Hill of Opposition, and pass over the Stile of carnal Reason, and through the perilous Lane of Persecution, and Valley of the Shadow of Death; Being accounted all the Day long as a Sheep for the Slaughter. 1He then is tried to purpose. Many that have set out Heavenwards in a Day of Peace and Prosperity, have in a Time of Tribulation and Persecution grown weary,2 or being offended, have fallen away.
X. Men that run in a Race, have many Spectators, who steadfastly look upon them, to see how they run, and who will win; some hoping one will gain the Prize, and others hoping the same Man will lose it. | X. So the Saints of God have many and eminent Spectators, who steadfastly look upon them, with great Expectation, to see how they behave themselves, whilst they run the Celestial Race, viz. God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy Spirit, the one Almighty and Eternal God. Yea, and all the holy ⟨p. 165⟩Angels, on the same side, behold them with great Earnestness, hoping they will hold out to the end, and obtain the Crown of everlasting Glory, and to that purpose help and encourage them in their Course. On the other side, there are all the Devils, or wicked Angels, who have their Eyes upon them for evil,3 who do not only hope and long to see them grow weary and faint in their Minds, but also strive, as much as in them lies, to hinder and resist them in their Race, so that they may lose the Prize.
XI. Some Men run a great while, and afterwards grow weary, and slack their Pace, nay, quite give over running, and so lose the Prize. | XI. So some Professors seem to run well, to be zealous for God and Religion a great while, it may be for many Years together; but when Trouble arises, or Temptation seizes upon them, they grow weary, and indifferent about these Matters, and (with Demas) cleave to this present evil World, and so turn with the Dog to his Vomit again, and lose Eternal Life.
XII. Some Men that have run in a Race, have run for a great Prize, yea, for a Crown, (as some have observed) and when they have won it, have been praised exceedingly, it being esteemed a mighty Honour; it hath not only enriched them, but been to their great Renown and Glory. | XII.
So when a Christian meets with hard Things, or passeth through great Difficulties in his Way to Heaven, he is much put to it, viz. when he is forced to mount the Hill of Opposition, and pass over the Stile of carnal Reason, and through the perilous Lane of Persecution, and Valley of the Shadow of Death; Being accounted all the Day long as a Sheep for the Slaughter. 1He then is tried to purpose. Many that have set out Heavenwards in a Day of Peace and Prosperity, have in a Time of Tribulation and Persecution grown weary,2 or being offended, have fallen away.
X. Men that run in a Race, have many Spectators, who stedfastly look upon them, to see how they run, and who will win; some hoping one will gain the Prize, and others hoping the same Man will lose it. | X. So the Saints of God have many and eminent Spectators, who stedfastly look upon them, with great Expectation, to see how they behave themselves, whilst they run the Celestial Race, viz. God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy Spirit, the one Almighty and Eternal God. Yea, and all the holy ⟨p. 165⟩Angels, on the same side, behold them with great Earnestness, hoping they will hold out to the end, and obtain the Crown of everlasting Glory, and to that purpose help and encourage them in their Course. On the other side, there are all the Devils, or wicked Angels, who have their Eyes upon them for evil,3 who do not only hope and long to see them grow weary and faint in their Minds, but also strive, as much as in them lies, to hinder and resist them in their Race, so that they may lose the Prize.
XI. Some Men run a great while, and afterwards grow weary, and slack their Pace, nay, quite give over running, and so lose the Prize. | XI. So some Professors seem to run well, to be zealous for God and Religion a great while, it may be for many Years together; but when Trouble arises, or Temptation seizes upon them, they grow weary, and indifferent about these Matters, and (with Demas) cleave to this present evil World, and so turn with the Dog to his Vomit again, and lose Eternal Life.
XII. Some Men that have run in a Race, have run for a great Prize, yea, for a Crown, (as some have observed) and when they have won it, have been praised exceedingly, it being esteemed a mighty Honour; it hath not only enriched them, but been to their great Renown and Glory. | XII.
- 1Psal. 23.4.
- 2Mat. 13.21.
- 3Zech. 3.1, 2.
