sit downe nor flinch nor looke backe but goe on still forward in this spirituall Race till in death they shall come vnto their wished place The reason for the purpose and confirmation of this Doctrine is drawne à comparatis from a comparison because that euen as runners in an Earthly Race doe not at all whiles they are Agents in that corporall exercise either stand still or sit downe or flinch or looke backe but doe hold on couragiously cheerefully and constantly vntill they attayne vnto their wished Goale Euen so must wee that are now Cursores spirituall runners in this our Religious Race not stand still with those Idlers in the Gospell Matth. 20.6 whom our Sauiour himselfe did most sharpely checke with Quid hic statis toto die otiosi Why stand yee heere all the day idle Nor yet sit downe with that couetous Cormorant in the Gospel Luke 12. vers 19. who sang this sweete requiem vnto his soule saying Anima requiesce Soule take thy rest Nor yet flinch with those dastardly Disciples of our Sauiour who fled all away from him at the houre of his apprehension Mar. 14. vers 50. Nor yet lastly looke backe with that disobedient Wife of righteous Lot Gen. 19. vers 26. who was deseruedly therefore turned into a Pillar of Salt to be a warning peale as I may say to all succeeding Ages But according to that most blessed patterne and practice of our holy and blessed Apostle Saint Paul in Philip. 3.13.14 Wee must forget that which is behind that is the things we haue alreadie done and endeauour our selues to that which is before that is to those good duties which as yet we haue left vndone and presse continually towards the marke which is our Master Iesus Christ alone vpon whom as on a marke our eyes must be wholy and solely set in the compleat course of this our Christian Race And albeit in the running of this Race we may either stumble or fall or both as Dauid did when hee committed both Murder and Adulterie 2. Sam. 12. vers 9. and as Saint Peter did when he denyed and defied his Lord and Master Christ Matth. 26.72 74. and as Saint Paul did when a pricke was giuen him in the flesh the very Messenger of Satan to buffet him withall 2. Cor. 12.7 and generally as all the Disciples did when as they all forsooke their Master Christ and fled Matth. 26.56 Yet wee must vp againe and to it We must breake off our wonted sinnes by righteousnesse and our iniquities by mercifulnesse So that if with the Church of Ephesus Wee haue left our first Loue Reuel 2.5 yet we must againe remember from whence we are fallen and repent and doe our first workes If then in running of this Religious Race wee doe fall yet we must not lye still and sleepe in sinne but rise by true Repentance and so runne againe euen as if our spirituall strength were renewed by our fals knowing this that in due time wee shall reape if wee faint not Gen. 6.9 And thus by this one Reason from a Comparison I proue the truth of this my former Doctrine raised from this first word of Exhortation Runne that all and euery one of those that doe now professe indeed true Christian Pietie and Religion they must neither stand still nor sit downe nor flinch nor looke back but must hold on still in this Religious Race vntill they attain in die mortis in their day of death vnto that most wished place of eternall life The vse of this Doctrine raysed from this first word of Exhortation Runne is of reprehension to taxe a number of lazie Lepid◠I meane of drowzie Protestants and Professors now in these our dayes and times who albeit with Iudas amongst the Apostles of Christ they doe know as much in Christ his Schoole as others doe and with the dissembling Pharises too in Christ his dayes can professe as much in their golden and glorious words as the soundest and most sanctified Christians that are amongst vs yet in all this interim they runne not with perseuerance in this our true Christian Race But either they resemble Iosua his Sunne which stood still by the space of one whole day Ios 10.13 or else Hezekiah his Sun which went backward ten degrees Esay 38.8 So doe these either stand still or else goe backward in goodnesse whereas they should resemble King Dauids Sunne in Psal 19.5 Which commeth forth as a Bridegroome out of his Chamber and reioyceth as a Giant to runne his course So should these if they were as they should be indeed shake off all such lets impediments whatsoeuer as either did clog them that they could not run this Race at all or else did cause them to breake off when as they should continue To all which drowzie Protestants as Gods vnworthy Messenger I must bee also a Rememberancer from the Lord with this my former instruction from this first word of Exhortation Runne that all and euery one of those that do now professe indeed true Christian Pietie and Religion they must neither stand still nor sit downe nor flinch nor looke backe but hold on constantly in this Religious Race vntill they attaine in die mortis vnto that most happie and wished place Whereunto wee haue these two mayne Motiues to incite vs which I beseech you marke First that there is alwayes in true Christianitie a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a furthermore as our Apostle plainly doth expresse in the 1. Thess 4.1 Furthermore we beseech you Brethren and exhort you by the Lord Iesus that you would abound yet more and more as yee haue receiued of vs how yee ought to walke and to please God And as Saint Peter also implyeth in 2. Pet. 3.18 Crescite in gratia Grow in grace And therefore as Appelles Poesie was this Nulla dies sine linea Let no day passe without one Line And as Pythagoras Poesie was Chaenici ne insidias Sit not still vpon the Measure of Corne. And finall as the Motto of Charles the Fifth was this Vlterius Goe on further Euen as Christ himselfe sometimes said to that worthy Ghest in the Gospel Luke 14.10 Superius Sit vp higher So according to all these particular Directions or Mementoes as I may truly tearme them let vs now runne on still in this Race without ceasing Remembring that heere vpon Earth whiles we are Militant wee haue not Mansions to rest in crying Anima requiesce as I told you before but only Vineyards to worke in So that in this World wee must neuer thinke that in grace we are rich enough but we must bee alwayes poore in spirit Mat. 5.3 we must neuer thinke that we haue either Knowledge Grace or Goodnesse enough but we must alwayes hunger and thirst after Righteousnesse that so we may be filled and satisfied at the last So then hauing a Talent of Grace we must not put it into a Napkin but into the Banke lighting our Candle we must not set
THE CHRISTIANS RACE TEACHING VS ALL SO WORTHILY AND SO WISELY Both to beginne continue and to end this our most short and momentanie course in this mortall Life that in the day of our death wee may for euer enjoy that inestimable Crowne of eternall Blisse in the life to come Being a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of North Parrott in Somerset by IOHN ATKINS Master of Arts and Preacher of the sacred Word of God and Pastor there 1. COR. 9.24 Know yee not that they which runne in a Race runne all but one receiued the price So runne that yee may obtayne LONDON Printed for George Hodges and are to bee sold at his Shop in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Gray-hound 1624. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE WILLIAM SAINTMAVRE LORD BEAVCHAMPE EARLE OF HERTFORD AND TO THE MOST Vertuous and truly Religious Countesse my very good Lord and Ladie IOHN ATKINS wisheth all grace and peace from our LORD IESVS Christ CVstome which with vs is another nature hath euermore claymed by Prescription Right Honourable that such Bookes as are publikely committed to the Presse whither they bee small or great should be sent abroad to the open view of the World with some Epistle Dedicatorie going before them Which if they haue not they may then bee questioned by the Readers whither that the Authors and Writers of these Works haue any worthy good Friends abroad or else whither that the Workes themselues may be thought well worthy of their Patronage In due regard whereof I haue here in bent my selfe to tread the common path and now at this present to vsher forth into the Vineyard of Gods Church these first Fruits of mine imprinted labours in my publike Ministerie vnder both your Honours most worthy Patronage which are now but one in the Lord. Most humbly crauing your Honours fauourable acceptance of the fame as our Sauiour once did of that poore Widdowes Farthing And although I may most truly confesse and say in the words themselues of that Centurion in the Gospell Mat. 8.8 I am not worthy to bee graced here in by your Honours greatnesse knowing right well mine owne vnworthinesse yet the very little matter and argument it selfe of this little Booke of mine is it which I haue heere made bold to commend vnto you to wit The Christians Race A Race indeed which the Wisemen of this World doe vtterly refuse to runne because they are yet but Worldly wise and what our ignorant ones dreame not of because that their eyes as yet are blinded and what our Naturalists know not of Because that this Race is spiritually discerned and what our Earth-wormes thinke not of because that all such are but earthly minded and which all our prophane ones vtterly despise because that as yet they are altogether irreligious and which all our vngodly ones as yet regard not because that their hearts are hard and stony and which our Hypocrites know right wel but yet will not runne vnlesse it be only in the sight of men for a season to haue the applause and prayse of men and lastly which all our truly Religious ones striue to runne albeit with many faintings failings and desertions And therefore now Right Honourable to this only end that all our Worldly wise benedictione diuina may be yet more truly wise vnto their owne saluation and all our ignorant ones may be the more enlightned and all our Naturalists may bee the more renewed and all our Worldly ones may the more haue their minds set on heauenly things and all our prophane ones may yet proue the more pious and all our vngodly ones may come at last to Repentance and all our Hypocrites may be much more zealous so many as are found within the ranke of Election And finally all our Religious ones may be much more strengthened and animated in that good course which they haue hither vnto begunne that so constantly and comfortably continuing to the Goales end they may reape that rich price of eternall blisse I haue heere made bold for the publike good of Gods Church to commit this short Sermon of mine to the Presse teaching both your Honours in particular and all true Christians else in generall so to beginne hold on and continue this our true Christian Race vnto the very end and vpshot of our liues that in death we may enioy eternall life Vouchsafe therefore Right Honourable I beseech you to permit this little Worke of mine to passe into the World vnder your Honours Name which in truth will not only be euen as a shield to protect it against the bitter and biting Tongues of all our carping and captious Ones but also bee as an Ointment powred out yeelding a most sweete and redolent sauour for to make it so much the more odoriferous indeed in the hearts and minds of all true Christian Readers and Hearers of the same And thus most humbly crauing pardon for this my boldnesse and not being willing to detayne your Honours any longer least I should be too tedious I commend you and yours to that most gracious God whom you daily serue and to the Word of his grace which is able to build further in you both and to giue you an inheritance among all them that are satisfied Your Honours Chaplaine in all dutie to be commanded IOHN ATKINS TO THE CHRISTIAN READER COurteous Reader forasmuch as wee are all as Experience proueth the surest Schoole-mistresse in the world from the King to the Begger from the best to the basest from the mightiest to the meanest from him that sits vpon the Throne to the poorest grinder in the Mill without exception or exemption of any Actors heere vpon the Stage of no long continuance and as euidently the Holy Ghost doth witnesse vnto vs all in the 1. Cor. 9.24 runners of a most short and transitorie race heere in this mortall life the which race being finished first or last either at our first third sixth or eleuenth houre That is to say either in Childhood Youth Middle age or Old age our Bodies must then returne vnto Dust from whence they came and our Soules must returne vnto GOD who gaue them That therefore in the very day and houre of our Deaths that immortall part I meane our soules which as Saint Austen saith Generando infunduntur infundendo generantur are infused into our bodyes by a Diuine and vnvtterable generation and are begotten of GOD himselfe in vs by a Coelestiall infusion may not bee repulsed by CHRIST himselfe the Iudge of quicke and dead with Non noui vos discedite maledicti c. I know you not depart you Cursed c. But may then bee immediately and that most ioyfully admitted into the Coelum Emperaeum the Heauen of Heauens with that sweet Venite benidicti c. Come yee blessed Children of my Father c. to GODS most comfortable presence there to haue full fellowship with the Blessed Trinitie and with all the Communion of the tryumphant Saints and so
ante vitae terminum deseratur As good not at all to begin this Race as to giue off againe before our dying day The which Truth is taught vs by Christ himselfe in Luk. 9.62 Whosoeuer shall put his hand to the Lords Plough and then looke backe againe is vnfit for the Kingdome of Heauen Let vs therefore now labour not onely to enter but once being entred carefully and constantly to hold on in this Religious race to the vttermost end and Catastrophe of our liues that so in death we may take hold by Faith of that our inestimable prize which is Eternall life Closing vp this our Race when wee shall come to the goale with that sweet and comfortable conclusion of our blessed Apostle Saint Paul in 2. Tim. 4.7.8 I haue fought the good fight of Faith I haue finished my course I haue kept the Faith from henceforth there is layed vp for me the Crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord that righteous Iudge shall giue vnto me and not to me onely but to all them that loue his appearing And so I come from this Metaphoricall word Race to that Theologicall grace or vertue it selfe wherewith our hearts must bee fortified fenced guarded for our more comfortable running and finishing of this our Religious race most liuely layed downe in that one word Patience Let vs runne with Patience c. Patience is described for to bee a most excellent gift or grace of God whereby all Gods militant Saints heere vpon Earth are enabled to beare quietly peaceably and contentedly all Crosses and Contumelies whatsoeuer it shall please the Lord for to lay vpon them And hence there ariseth this Doctrine or lesson for our learning that true Patience indeed in vndergoing of crosses is a most needfull and gainefull part of euery true Christians spirituall Armour for the fitting fencing and furnishing of him to runne this Religious race aright The first reason for proofe of this Doctrine is drawne à presenti conditione Sanctorum from the present troublesome estate of all Gods militant Saints For that euen a whole world of troubles tryals and crosses must be vndergone of them in this present world before they can come to the goales end enjoy euerlasting rest and happinesse in Heauen as in Ioh. 16.33 in Luk. 14.27 in Act. 14.22 and in Heb. 12.6.7 being the very Chapter it selfe from whence this my Text is taken you may runne and reade To all which places of Scripture for breuitie I referre you For that all these particuler places doe shew how rough and full of Thornes our way to Heauen is in this our Spirituall race Exeperience whereof the Histories of all ages doe most apparantly proue vnto vs. As namely of Abel Noah Abraham Isaac Iacob and his posteritie in Aegypt in the Wildernesse in Canaan vnder Iudges vnder Kings and in their Captiuities Quis Sanctorum sayth Saint Hierom sine certamine Coronatus est Which of all the Saints was euer Crowned without crossing without fighting without suffering Let vs but seriously consider with our selues the liues of Christ and of his Prophets and Apostles and the estate of Gods Church in the Apostles time and after their time and euer since to these our dayes and times and wee shall quickly find that it were an infinite worke to reckon vp onely all the persecutions troubles afflictions and sundry kinde of Crosses which Gods owne people his delicate ones from time to time haue endured in this present life And no maruell for that as impossible as it is for Sheepe to liue quiet amongst Wolues without hurt or for Noahs Arke to bee without floating vpon the Waters or for Christ his Ship to bee without danger of sinking vpon the Seas or finally for a Lilly to bee without pricking growing among Thornes so impossible is it for Gods militant Church to bee without troubles and tryals and persecutions in this present world Obiect But heere now me thinkes I heare some say vnto me that all Ages and Times haue not beene times of persecutions vnto the Church of God For that the Church of God in Kings Salomons dayes and so likewise vnder the raigne of many other good Kings and Princes had very great peace and quiet And in Act. 9.31 wee doe finde that in the Apostles dayes which were troublesome times the Churches had rest And so likewise in Constantines time and of other most worthy Christian Emperours And euen so likewise blessed bee God heere in this our Iland vnder the peaceable raigne of King Edward the sixt Queene Elizabeth and our most Gracious King IAMES whom the Lord of his goodnesse long continue amongst vs if it bee his blessed will euen as the dayes of Heauen Answ Though Gods militant Church and the members thereof bee freed for a season from all outward publike persecutions of the cruell Magistrates or from open inuasions of their forraigne Foes yet neuer fully free from all manner of troubles For that as in Psal 34.19 Many are the troubles of the Righteous yea euen in the most halcion and peaceable dayes and times that euer were And no maruell For behold in the bosome of Gods Church heere vpon Earth there haue alwayes beene still are and euer will bee some Ismaels as well as Isaacs some Esaus as well as Iacobs some borne carnally after the flesh onely as well as some new borne againe after the Spirit of God Which being so indeed there will therefore euermore bee persecution of Gods Church vpon Earth if not with Fire Sword Banishment Imprisonment and with such like outward tortures and torments yet with Ignominies reproches taunts and disgraces with such like Ismaeliticall persecutions which wil go as neere to the harts and pierce thorow the very soules of Gods Saints as deepely as the other And thus in the most quiet times of Gods Church militant hee that refraineth from euill maketh himselfe a prey Many and manifold iniuries both in body goods and name doe the true Saints of God receiue from their wicked neighbours being often disgraced and oppressed of the greater sort and many times reuiled and wronged of the meaner sort And if in this life they should haue peace abroad yet at home euen in their owne priuate Families shall they finde tryals and troubles enough arising ordinarily from their Parents Husbands Wiues Children Seruants Friends Kindred and the like Hence then from our present condition heere in this life wherein wee all are subject to so many stormes and doe daily meete with such an ocean of troubles I proue the truth of this my former Doctrine that of necessitie wee must striue to bee fenced and fitted with Patience for the finishing of this Religious race A second reason for proofe and confirmation of this Doctrine is drawne Ab vtili seu commodo Patientiae From the vnspeakeable gaine and profit of this most excellent pearle of Patience For that euen as the lidde is made by God to open and to shut againe to saue the Eye from
raigne with them in Blisse for euermore I haue heere made bold in loue as GODS poore Labourer though Apostolorum minimus Peccatorum maximus Sanctorum infimus the least of the Apostles named of GOD chiefest Sinner and the meanest Saint to commend this compendious Sermon of mine vnto thy Christian view for thy better instruction and daily direction in this present Life which is but for a moment how to runne most wisely and worthily indeed of this thine appointed Spirituall race The which poore Mite of mine if I shall finde thee courteous Reader with willingnesse and chearefulnesse to accept and with carefulnesse and faithfulnesse daily for to vse it shall then bee thine Otherwise if you doe gracelesly abuse it or else most grossely refuse it then it shall bee mine Reade and consider well I pray thee with good discretion what heere thou readest and the Lord giue vs all a right vnderstanding in all good things And if vpon thy reading or hearing hereof you shall finde any Spirituall and Ghostly comfort for to follow let GOD haue all the glorie to whom all Glorie chiefly appertayneth and let mee the Lords vnworthy Minister haue thy daily Prayers to GOD in my behalfe that GOD of his goodnesse may so blesse me in my Ministrie which I haue receiued from the Lord as that hereby I may from henceforth be boldly encouraged and enabled to prepare yet some few Meditations more of this kinde hereafter for thee And thus most heartily commending it to thy Christian and charitable consideration and my selfe with all my daily Studies and endeauours vnto thy most faithfull and feruent prayers I rest Thine in the Lord Iesus IOHN ATKINS North Parrot in Somerset this twelfth of September 1623. Fiue generall Doctrines or Instructions handled in this Sermon First from the word Vs. THat all the Elect of God This Doctrine which doe expect indeed that rich reward of Glory in the day of Death must labour now to be Cursores Spirituall runners of the Christians race heere in this present Life Secondly from the word Runne That all those which are sound professours indeed of true Christian Religion This Doctrine must neither stand still nor sit downe nor flinch nor looke backe but daily goe forward in this Religious race vntill they come in Death vnto that wished place Thirdly from the word Race That mans life heere vpon Earth This Doctrine it is exceeding short and passeth very swiftly Fourthly from the word Patience That true Patience indeed in vndergoing of Crosses This Doctrine is a most needfull and gainefull Grace for the fitting fencing and furnishing of our Soules to runne this Religious race Fiftly from these words Looking to IESVS That in running of this our Religious race This Doctrine the life of our Lord and Master Iesus must bee our speciall Card and Compasse our Coelestiall Circle and our Line for to guide vs by THE CHRISTIANS RACE THE TEXT Heb. 12. Part of the 1. 10. Verse Let vs runne with Patience the Race that is set before vs looking vnto IESVS IN these words my welbeloued in CHRIST IESVS our best beloued the Holy Ghost our coelestiall Schoolemaster of all true sauing Knowledge doth borrow a very plaine and familiar comparison as wee may all perceiue and see from the Earthly games of mortall Men which in a word wee may thus conceiue The Race which we are heere exhorted for to runne is not the voluptuous Race of vaine pleasure with Epicurus whose wanton Song was onely thus Ede bibe lude post mortem nulla voluptas Eate drinke and play for after death there is no further pleasure Nor yet the ambitious Race of vaine Glory with Alexander who hauing Conquered all this World wept because hee could not finde a second that so he might also conquer it Nor yet the enuious Race of beast-like reuenge with that accursed Caine who most insatiably thirsted after his Brother Abels innocent blood Gen. 4.8 Nor yet the couetous Race of this worlds bewitching wealth with that most greedie Cormorant mentioned in the Gospell Luk. 12.18.19 Qui modo â—â—lligat hordeum in horreum c. so as hee might fill his Barnes vp to the roofe This was the whole and sole compasse of his cares being crop-sicke as I may say out of his great abundance But onely that pious and Religious race of a new a holy a godly and a sanctified life with that regenerate and most worthy King Dauid running in the path of Gods Commandements Psal 119.32 Let vs runne with patience this race that is set before vs looking to Iesus Of which words that I may the more orderly speake and you in Gods feare the more profitably heare may it please you all for methods sake which is memories guide seriously to obserue herein these two generall and remarkeable parts to wit First the parties that are heere exhorted for to runne this Religious race in the first particle Vs And secondly there manner of practice in running of the same which is To runne with patience the race that is set before vs looking to Iesus The parties are not all men in generall without exception but onely Vs that is all the righteous and regenerate ranke which being made Spiritually new creatures in Christ Iesus are Iustified by the merit of Christ his obedience and Sanctified by his most blessed Word and Spirit And so this word Vs hath onely a reference to all that are of this righteous and regenerate ranke whither Iewes or Gentiles male or female noble or ignoble learned or vnlearned bond or free So that in this sence as you may perceiue and see the persons are not definitely but indefinitely heere proposed For the Holy Ghost doth not say heere Let vs that are Noble or let vs that are Ignoble or let vs that are Mightie or let vs that are Meane or let vs that are Rich or let vs that are Poore or let vs that are Young or let vs that are Old but generally hauing a respect to all the regenerate onely hee expresseth it indefinte in this wise Let vs. Doctrine And hence à personis from the parties heere most powerfully exhorted for to runne this Religious race there ariseth this obseruable lesson for our further Learning that all the Elect of GOD which doe expect indeed that rich reward of Glorie in their day of Death must belabour now to bee Cursores Spirituall runners of the Christians race heere in this present life The reason is drawne à decreto Dei because that the Lord himselfe hath so Decreed That first we must bee all of vs Viatores Trauellers and Cursores Runners ere euer that we can be Comprehensores obtainers of eternall Life Insomuch that in this respect not the very true naturall Sonne of God himselfe as hee was the very Sonne of Man like vnto vs in all things excepting onely in sinne was in any wise exempted or priuiledged aboue his Brethren whiles that hee was heere
militant and conuersant vpon Earth But first he did Runne and then after that Obtayne first hee did Fight and then he did Conquer first he did Suffer and then after that hee did enter into his Glorie Luk. 24.26 So then my welbeloued in the best beloued this being the Militant estate heere vpon Earth of Christ himselfe our head this also must bee the Lot Estate and Condition of all and euery one of vs that are his members For that as in Math. 10.25 wee may runne and read from the mouth of our Master Christ himselfe It is enough for the Disciple to be as his Master and the Seruant as his Lord. And no maruel for as a learned Father saith Our God hath these three distinct or seueral houses Earth Hell and Heauen Earth for labour Hell for torment and Heauen for pleasure Earth for labour in this present life whereof that holy man Iob speaketh thus in Iob 5.7 Man is borne to labour as the sparkes to flie vpward Hell for torment to all the Damned in the life to come whereof Abraham spake thus to damned Diues in Luk. 16.25 Sonne remember that thou in thy life time receiuedst thy pleasures and contrariwise Lazarus endured paines but now hee is comforted and thou art tormented And Heauen for pleasure to all the Elect of God whereof our blessed Apostle Saint Paul writeth thus in 1. Cor. 2.9 That no Eye euer saw no Eare euer heard no Heart euer conceiued the joyes which God hath prepared in Coelo Empiraeo for them that loue him So then if heere wee haue no fighting striuing running encountring and conquering in this present life we can neuer then looke for any Coelestiall blessing immortall Crowning and most happie rewarding in the Life to come And therefore of force I must thus conclude à decreto Dei immutabili from Gods vnchangeable Decree the truth of this my proposed Doctrine raised a personis from the persons which are heere exhorted by the Holy Ghost for to runne this Christian race that if euer wee doe expect indeed that rich reward of Glorie in the day of our Death wee must labour now with might and maine for to bee Cursores Spirituall runners of this Religious race heere in this present life The vse of this Doctrine a Personis from the Persons serues to reprooue to checke and sharpely to rebuke many thousands amongst vs in these our dayes and times who being yet but Talpae in Diuinis blind Moales in Heauenly matters doe ignorantly and most absurdly thinke to goe to Heauen as it were vpon beds of Downe and that all other matters and businesses in this world this one thing is the easiest matter of all for a man to enter into Eternall life in his day of Death and in this Life to bee spiritually rich towards God with a Lord haue mercy vpon them at the last Whereas lumine Naturae by Natures light they can all confesse and say that a man cannot possibly bee rich to this slipperie world first beginning euen ex nihilo but of a slender Stocke without rising vp early going to bed late and taking of euery opportunitie offered for that end and purpose and yet alas these Naturalists doe thinke being yet but flesh and bloud which as our Apostle plainly tels vs from the Lord in 1. Cor. 15. vers 50. cannot possibly enter into the Kingdome of God to be spirituall rich to God-ward in their soules and suddenly in ipso articulo mortis at the very last gaspe to enjoy CHRIST with all his Merits Graces and Blessings which is mans best and chiefest gaine because the most true and perfect gaine though heere they doe stand still in the way of sinners or sit downe in the seate of the scornfull neuer running as we are here exhorted in this Religious Race nor yet strugling or striuing as Christians ought to doe either against Satans fiery suggestions or against this Worlds most dangerous hallucinations or against their owne carnall lusts and most filthy corruptions but that only one Miserere mei Deus at the last will suffice their turne To all which blind Moales in heauenly matters I must be a ghostly Remembrancer this day from the Lord of Heauen and Earth with this my present Doctrine raised à personis from the parties which must runne this our Christians Race That if euer they doe expect indeed that most rich reward of glory in the day of death they must labour now then to bee cursores spirituall runners of this Religious Race here in this present life Remembring still that as a godly Father sayth Nunc pugnandum tibi est fortiter nunc currendum viriliter vt tandem in die mortis triumphes suauiter Now wee must fight couragiously now wee must runne manfully if euer wee looke in our day of death to triumph most ioyfully And so I come à personis ad rem from the parties that must runne this Religious Race to their practice in running and finishing of the same which is To runne with patience the Race that is set before vs looking to Iesus In which two generall parts of this my proposed Text may it please you methodically to note these three particular points First A word of Exhortation in that first word Run Secondly A most worthy direction how in these next words with patience the Race that is set before vs. And thirdly and lastly An illustration of this most worthy direction by a demonstration drawne ab exemplo Christi in these last words looking to Iesus Of these by the helpe of God in their order And first of the word of Exhortation Runne Running as wee all know is a violent exercise and therefore most painfull and laborious And so likewise is the militant present estate of euery man and woman amongst vs that will runne this Christians Race full of affliction miserie and of trouble insomuch that Sicut fluctus fluctum insequitur sic afflictio afflictionem as one waue followeth vpon the Seas in the necke of another so doe tryals and afflictions here pursue Gods deare Saints one after another And therefore Eccles counsell is this in his second Chapter and first Verse My Sonne if thou wilt come to serue the Lord prepare thy soule for temptations Moreouer in running which as afore I haue taught you is actio laboriosa a violent painfull and laborious exercise of the bodie mens bodies are still in motu progressu in action and in progresse vntill they doe come at length vnto the Goale And euen so likewise my welbeloued in the best beloued both in our speculatiue and practicall part of true Christian Pietie our whole man flesh and spirit must still be in motu progressu vntill we doe attayne to that wished Palace of felicitie And hence from this first word of Exhortation Run There ariseth this remarkable Instruction or Lesson for our learning that all such as doe now professe indeed true Christian Pietie and Religion must neither stand still nor
it vnder a Bushell but on a Candlesticke Seeking Christ we must not seeke him in our Beds of rest but in our Gardens and Vineyards of labour Cant. 3.1 Still casting off all such clogges and impediments as may hinder vs in this our Celestiall Race Herein resembling Ezechiels Waters that rose vp higher and higher in Ezec. 47.4 till we come to our Head which is the Sonne of God and that growing Wheate in the Gospel which waxed riper and riper Marke 4.28 till we come to that great Haruest Day which is in the end of the World A second Motiue to perswade vs to runne on with all possible perseuerance in this our Religious Race is for that in our great Audit Day the Day of the Lord it is not our only Faith of knowing much which the Deuils haue Iames 2. Vers 19. Nor yet our only Faith of assenting to much which our Hypocrites haue that will then suffice and serue our turnes but only this our true sauing Faith of knowing assenting and applying of Christ with all his benefits vnto our selues The which Faith of ours if it bee sound indeed as it ought to be it will haue these two principall properties to wit First a godly sorrow or vnfayned Repentance for her Gentleman Vsher as the Faith of the Ninouites sometimes had Ionas 3.10 and secondly those liuely fruits or effects of the Spirit of God for her Attendants and Companions mentioned in Gen. 5.22 Loue Ioy Peace long suffering c. This grace of true sauing faith being a most glorious Queene And as Saint Austen stileth her Ipsa Regina virtutum The very Queene of all the Theologicall Vertues most honourably attended euermore as a Queene with those Celestiall Virgins the fruits of the Spirit whereof I spake before as in Psal 45. Vers 14 15. you may runne and reade And so I come from our Apostles word of Exhortation Runne vnto his most worthy Direction how with patience the Race that is set before vs. In which Direction note I pray you these two particular Points First our Apostles Metaphoricall word Race by which Race is heere meant the whole course and compasse of this our mortall life and Secondly that Theologicall Vertue or Grace wherewith our soules must bee seasoned fenced and guarded for our more comfortable finishing of this our mortall Race in that one word Patience Let vs runne with patience the Race c. The word Race in the Originall as I find is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereof there were three seuerall kinds The first of Italy called Stadium Italicum the Italian Race contayning sixe hundred fiue and twentie feet The second Olympicum the Race of Olympus contayning only sixe hundred feet And the third and last Pythicum contayning no lesse then a thousand feet which is two hundred paces Now it is most probable that our Apostle in this place writing to the Hebrewes alluded to that Olympian Race or Course which of the three is found to bee the shortest much like to those Tyes as they tearme them in Kent which are but some thirtie or fortie Rods and then there stands the Goale And euen so likewise this life of ours as we see and know by daily experience is but only the lasting and continuance of a few yeeres moneths weekes and dayes at the vttermost and then at last comes this death vpshot Mortuus est So this man died which is the Epitaph of euery man either first or last So that as euery man had a day of Birth so shall he haue also that very shortly a day of Death For that all our whole course and compasse here is but as the extent or continuance of a Race which is but a few feet or paces of ground and there is the period or the vttermost bound Hence then from this Metaphoricall word Race there ariseth this Doctrine for our Learning that the lasting of this our life vpon Earth it is exceeding short and passeth verie swiftly Doctrine The reasons for the proofe confirmation of this Doctrine are principally three whereof the first is drawne from the Scripture à testimonio Spiritus sancti which is Spiritus veritatis the Spirit of Truth Iohn 14. ver 17. therefore his testimonie cannot but be true in Iob 14.1 Man that is borne of a woman hath but a short time to liue And it is most truely said Quod homo est animal aui breuissimi solicitudinis infinitae That mans dayes are few and euill as once old Iacob said to King Pharaoh in Gen. 47.9 and that his cares and sorrowes are infinite So that this our life is not short and sweete as Epicures vse to say though falsly but very short and sharpe as daily triall and experience prooues vnto vs all most plainly some giuing ouer at their first setting out in this their earthly Race euen in their very Cradles as did those Infants of Bethlehem in Matth. 2.16 Some others when they haue run some three or foure paces in their youth as did the young man in the Gospel Luke 7.12 Some others about the middest of their Race as did Lazarus the Brother of Martha and Marie in Iohn 11.14 And some when they are almost come to the Goale as old Simeon did in Luke 2.29 Yea and most men and women are out of breath before they can reach the stayed paces of threescore yeeres and if any doe liue till eightie yeeres we repute him then exceeding old as appeares out of Psal 90. vers 10. the dayes of the yeeres are threescore and tenne and if by reason of strength they reach to fourescore yeeres yet is there strength then but labour and sorrow for it is soone cut off and we flye away And thus à testimonio Spiritus Sancti I prooue the truth of this my former Doctrine from this our Apostles Metaphoricall word Race that the lasting of this our life here vpon Earth it is exceeding short c. A second Reason is drawne ab experientia quotidiana from daily experience which is the surest Schoole-mistris in the World in that we doe find perceiue and see by experience that there are as many small sculs in our Golgothaes which are our Churches Churchyards as there are great and that for one Apple which falleth ripe from our Trees tenne are pulled before they be ripe and that the Parents do as often naturally mourne for the death of their children as the children doe for the death of their Parents Thus being our Aprill and our Iune as I may terme in which we flourish for a while but very shortly will come our September and Nouember in which as leaues wee must fall to the ground and what a wonderfull change will this be that within these fourescore yeeres at the most scarce one of all this Congregation shall remayne aliue but another Pastour and other people another Preacher and other hearers shall supply these roomes The Rauen and the Phenix the Elephant and the Lion and the Hart liue
out their hundreds of yeeres but Man dyeth when his sunne is yet but risen before his Eye can be satisfied with seeing or his Eare with hearing or his Heart with lusting Death knocks at the very doore of his heart and will not suffer him to studie for an excuse before hee must appeare to giue an account of his Stewardship for he can bee no longer steward Luk. 16.2 3. And euen thus Ab experientia quotidiana by experience I proue also the truth of this my former Doctrine raised from the word Race That the lasting and continuance of our life here vpon earth it is exceeding short c. A third reason for further proofe confirmation of this Doctrine is drawne à Comparatis from Comparisons taken out of the pure fountain it selfe of Gods blessed Booke In that this present life of ours is compared by the Holy Ghost in Scripture sometimes to a Pilgrimage in which is vncertaintie as in Gen. 47.9 The dayes of my Pilgrimage are an hundred and thirtie yeeres Sometimes to Grasse and Flowers in which is mutabilitie as in Esay 40.7 Sometimes to a Smoake in which is vanitie as in Psal 102.3 Sometimes to a house of Clay in which there is miserie Iob. 4.19 Sometimes to a Weauers shittle in which is volubilitie as in Iob. 7.6 Somtimes to a Shepherds Tent in which is varietie as in Esa 38.12 Sometimes to a Ship vpon the Seas or to a Post vpon the Land in which is great celeritie as in Wisdom 5.9.10 Somtimes to a Race as in 1. Cor. 9.24 And so likewise heere in this my Text. Sometimes to a Dreame whereof wee haue many in one night as in Iob 20.8 Sometimes to Vanitie which is nothing in it selfe as in Psal 39.5 And sometimes to nothing or a thing of nought which hath no being in this world as in the selfe same Psalme and Verse By all which comparisons taken out of the written Word of God I proue the truth of this my former Doctrine as by a third reason that the lasting and continuance of our liues here vpon Earth it is exceeding short passeth very swiftly And no maruel for that the holy Ghost resembleth Mans present estate besides all those transitorie things which afore I haue mentioned sometimes to a Shadow which is as nothing to the body as in Iob 8.9 And sometimes to a vapour which quickly vanisheth as in Iam. 4.14 Now then all these things of so short a continuance what else doe they intimate vnto vs all but a serious consideration with our selues of our most short vnconstant and variable estate The chiefest of mans glory heere vpon Earth being resembled as before I shewed you but to a Flower and a Flower as in Summer wee doe see is a thing of no long continuance for that the cold nips it the heate withers it and lastly the sithe will quickly cut it downe And euen so is our life in length but as a spanne yea a very nothing in respect of Eternitie Psal 144.4 The vse of this my former Doctrine raised from our Apostles metaphoricall word Race is of admonition to warne vs all that sith this present life of ours is so exceeding short as I haue most euidently prooued vnto you by three most pregnant and powerfull reasons So that in truth in comparison of that which followeth it is but Punctum temporis quod hîc viuimus imò puncto minus But a very moment of time that heere wee all doe liue And yet as Saint Austen truely sayth Hoc est momentum vnde pendet Aeternitas This is that onely moment whereupon dependeth Eternitie For that if this time bee well spent then of our liuing in euerlasting Felicitie but if this bee mispent then of our liuing in eternall Miserie That therefore we bee now mindfull and carefull euery day for to spend it well and to make good vse indeed of this so short a moment of our time in running of this our Christian race aright by liuing Religiously towards God Soberly towards our selues and justly and squarely one towards another taking especiall heed of all carnall securitie Considering that which way soeuer we cast our eyes we haue great cause of vigilancy but none at all of securitie For if wee looke vpward let vs thinke vpon God whom by our sinnes wee haue most justly displeased if downeward vpon Hell which wee haue all of vs deserued if backward vpon our Sinnes which we haue formerly committed if forward vpon our Death and Iudgement which cannot bee auoyded if inward vpon our owne Consciences which wee haue defiled if outward vpon this wicked World which to too much wee haue loued Let vs all now consider whence first we came and blush where wee are and sigh whither we are going and tremble and lastly how short this our life is and prepare And now to this end that wee may all of vs the more directly runne in this our Religious race as we ought to doe without standing sitting fainting flinching or looking backe Two speciall rules must bee well learned of vs to wit First a due Preparation before and secondly a right Disposition of our selues in running of this Religious race aright as wee ought to doe For the first rule Our due Preparation before doth chiefely consist in these two principall points First in dyeting of our selues afore-hand from forbearing the pleasing and delightsome practice of all our old and wonted sinnes euen as earthly Runners in a corporall Race doe keepe themselues to a bodily dyet before their Running day Secondly in the stripping and shifting cleane of our selues from the filthy rotten ragges of our owne supposed righteousnesse which is all but like to a menstruous Cloath as in Esay 64.6 euen as earthly Runners strip and shift themselues of their daily wearing Cloathes before they doe set forth And as for our second and last former rule viz. Our right Disposition in running it consisteth in these three principall things First in our beginning well for that as the Poet sayd of old Dimidium facti qui bene caepit habet Hee that hath made a good beginning hath therein halfe finished this his Running being guided herein by the Word of God and Prayer Secondly in going on well not in the wry way of Paganisme nor in the by-way of Papisme but only in that old way which is the good and right way of Christianisme That is In semita Dei statutorum onely in the path of Gods Commandements Thirdly and last of all In ending well For that wee vsually say and not vntruely if the End bee well then all is well As our Sauiour himselfe doth teach vs in Math. 24.13 Qui perseuerat vsque ad finem saluus erit He alone which continueth vnto the end shall bee saued For that sola perseuerantia Coronatur onely our perseuerance in this Race will enrich vs with the Crowne And in deed and truth as a godly Father sayth Incassum in hoc stadio curritur si
to liue both by his Precepts and Examples of Pietie doth daily flutter and houer ouer vs in this present life In Iohn 13.15 When our Sauiour would perswade his Disciples and followers vnto Humilitie and Loue hee sayth Dedi vobis exemplum c. I haue giuen you an Example that you should doe as I haue done to you And in the 1. of Pet. 2.21 When as Saint Peter would perswade vs to patient Suffering hee sayth CHRIST also suffered for vs leauing vs an Example that wee should follow his steps And in 1. Cor. 11. Verse 1. When Saint Paul would incite the Corinthians for to follow him hee tels them plainely that his meaning was that indeed they should follow CHRIST saying Be yee followers of mee euen as I follow Christ And in Ephes 4.32 When as the same Apostle would perswade the Ephesians to forgiue one another hee sayth Forgiue yee one another as CHRIST forgaue you And finally in the 1. of Ioh. 2.6 Saint Iohn layes downe this point of Doctrine most plainly vnto vs saying Hee that abideth in him ought himselfe to walke euen as hee walked still looking to Iesus euen as Saylers doe to their Sterne and as Runners to their Goale And thus Ab ipsissima vita Christi I prooue the truth of this my former Doctrine that in Running of this our Religious Race the holy Life of our Lord and Master CHRIST must bee our Coelestiall Card and Compasse it must bee our onely leuell and our line for to guide vs by First Vse is of reprehension to checke and sharpely to rebuke the Spiritually blinde I meane the ignorant Papists of these our dayes and times who in stead of their looking vnto the life of IESVS and to his Precepts Practice and Presidents as this our Text doth teach them looke either to the Pardons and Indulgences of the holy Father the Pope or else to the Diabolicall and damnable rules of his Iesuites those Iebusites his Seminary Priests preferring most grossely the rules of his Franciscan and Benedictine Friars c. before this one onely most excellent rule of the life of Christ or else they looke altogether to their own Merits Works which will vtterly deceiue them at the last if they renounce not all these and looke onely vnto Iesus For that of the first they are taught by IESVS himselfe That they are but blind leaders of the blinde and if the blind leade the blind they both shall fall into the Ditch Math. 15.14 And of their second which are our owne good workes wee are taught out of his most blessed Booke that Opera nostra per se nihil mereri possint the best good Workes that heere wee can doe deserue rather damnation then saluation in themselues First Quia non sunt nostra sed Dei opera in nobis Not our owne but the workes of God in vs as in 1. Cor. 4.7 Quid habes quod non accepists If a good Thought this is Grace infused if a good Word this is Grace effused if a good Worke this is Grace diffused Secondly Quia non sunt gratuita sed debita Not free at our owne pleasures to doe or else to leaue vndone but which we must doe by bounden dutie as in Luk. 17.9 10. Verses Thirdly Quia non snnt perfecta sed imperfecta Not perfect but full of infinite imperfections as in Rom. 8.23 We haue heere but onely the first fruits of the Spirit and an earnest penie onely and no more Fourthly and lastly Quia non sunt pura sed multis peccatis sunt permixta They are not pure but like poluted Cloutes Esay 64.6 Verse So that Eternall life which we looke for in the end of our liues is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Debitum a Debt or Dutie which our God doth owe vs but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Donum the free Gift of our God as in Rom. 6.23 Eternall life is the gift of God through Iesus Christ our Lord. So that notwithstanding all our owne good Workes yet wee must looke to Iesus And onely to his Actiue and Passiue workes which hee alone hath both done and endured for vs. Concluding with that Learned Father Saint Austen Quod meritis quidem nostris damnamur sed non saluamur nisi tantum meritis Iesu Christi By our owne good Workes wee are damned but cannot bee saued at all saue onely by the Merits and good Workes of our Lord and onely Sauiour IESVS Obiect But heere now me thinkes I heare some ignorant Papists say If wee are not saued at all by our owne good Workes Why then is life Eternall stiled Merces our wages or our hyre Math. 20.10 Which is euermore payed amongst men for their Workes sake I answer the wages which is so payed amongst men is merces Legalis a Legall wages or hyre but this of Eternall life from GOD is merces Euangelica an Euangelicall hyre not merces debita a deserued hyre as the Legall is but onely indebita altogether vndeserued and yet most truely an hyre for these two causes First Ob consecutionem because it followeth after our good Workes although freely giuen vs of Gods fauour in Christ And secondly Ob promissionem because that God himselfe hath Promised it vnto all his Saints And thus as most excellently sayth Saint Austen Non debendo sed permittendo Deus se fecit debitorem Our good God is now become a debtor vnto vs not of any dutie that hee owes vs at all but onely out of his most Gracious promise which hee hath openly made vnto all his Elect. Be ashamed therefore O yee ignorant Papists of all your best good workes that you can doe and notwithstanding all these yet Oculo fidei with the Spirituall eye of a liuely Faith learne and labour with our Apostle in this short Race of your liues still to looke vnto Iesus In quo omnia habemus In whom alone wee haue all things necessarie to Saluation as Saint Ambrose sayth Whose blessed Birth was and is our new Birth whose Victorie ouer the Tempter was our Triumph his Labours our Peace and quietnesse his Prayers our Intercession his Pouertie our Riches his Soares our Salues his Wounds our Medicines his Righteousnesse our Merits and lastly his Death our Life My second and last vse of this my last Instruction raised from these last words Looking to Iesus Is of admonition to warne vs all in the Running of this our Religious Race wherein euery true Christian is a Runner that we may so runne indeed as to enioy the prize which is Eternall life with Christ in Heauen in our day of Death Let vs now make Christ our onely Marke our Copie Goale and Guide both in beleeuing and in liuing as wee ought to doe So that first if wee would know what we ought to beleeue let vs looke to Iesus who is made vnto vs of God his Father Wisedome Righteousnesse Sanctification and Redemption 1. Cor. 1.30 And who alone is both the Alpha and Omega the beginning
and the end the first and the last of our Redemption Reuel 22.13 There being none other Name giuen vnder Heauen whereby wee can bee saued but onely the Name of IESVS Act. 4.12 Secondly if wee would know how we ought for to liue and leade our Liues heere let vs looke vnto Iesus First for that the most Holy life of Iesus whiles heere hee liued and remayned vpon Earth both was and is Omnium virtutum perfectissima idea The most perfect Patterne of all true Vertues Insomuch that whereas Enoch is commended in the sacred Scriptures for his Pietie Abraham for his Faith and Perseuerance Iob for his Patience Isaac for his Coelestiall meditation Ioseph for his Chastitie Moses for his Meeknesse Phinea for his Zeale Samuel for his vprightnesse Tobias for his Mercie Daniel for his Prayers and Deuotion and lastly Salomon for his Wisedome Yet behold though wee put all these together euen as a Cloud of witnesses the onely example of this our Iesus is in stead of them all These holy Men hauing all of them but a measure of Grace whereas the Sonne of Man alone had Grace aboue measure And therefore hee is stiled Sanctus Sanctorum the Holie of Holies as in Heb. 9.3 No maruell for as in the most Sacred place was contayned the Golden Censer the Arke of the Testament the Golden Pot that contayned Manna the Rod of Aaron which being dead budded againe and the winges of the Cherubins ouershadowing the Mercie Seate So in CHRIST alone is contayned that Arke of the Euangelicall Couenant betwixt God and vs together with the Censer which is the acceptation of the Prayers of the Saints and the Golden Pot which contayneth the Manna to wit the blessed Sacrament and Aarons dead Rodde that budded againe which is the hope of our Resurrection and lastly the two Cherubins that looke face to face which are the two Testaments the Old and the New looking to that one Mercie seate which is this our IESVS Whom Esay calleth the Prince of Peace Esa 9.6 Aggat the desire of the Nations Aggai 2.8 Malachi the Sonne of Righteousnesse Mal. 4.2 And lastly the Angell Gabriel IESVS Math. 1.21 that is a Sauiour who alone shall saue all his people from their sinnes And secondly let vs looke vnto this our Iesus for that Omnis Christi actio nostra est institutio Euery action of our Lord and Master CHRIST it is our instruction And therefore to whatsoeuer Christian dutie hee hath exhorted vs in his Word as our principall Teacher In the very same hee hath also gone before vs for our imitation as a most perfect obseruer euermore liuing as hee taught In Math. 5.3 as he taught vs in his Word to bee poore in Spirit So in his life who euer poorer then hee who became from being equall with his Father in Heauen farre lower then the Angels yea a very scorne of men and out-cast of the people In Math. 11.29 as hee taught vs in Word to bee meeke and lowly So in deed who euer more meeke then hee who was as a Sheepe before the Shearer not once opening his mouth In Math. 5.4 as hee taught vs to Mourne and heartily to Lament So who indeed euer mourned and lamented as hee did for that as in Heb. 5.7 In the dayes of his Flesh he offered vp prayers and supplications with strong Crying and Teares vnto him that was able to faue him from Death In Math. 5.6 as he taught vs to hunger and thirst after Righteousnesse So in this who euer hungred and thirsted more then hee who gaue his Life for the Righteousnesse of many Last of all as in Math. 10.37 Hee hath taught vs in Word to leaue all for his Loue. So first he left all for the Loue of vs when he left his Kingdome and his Throne in Heauen Thus you see as hee taught vs by his Word so was hee in like manner our Fore-runner by his Workes still leuelling and laying out vnto vs the way wherein wee should walke which leadeth vnto Life whose way if in this Life wee labour to make ours then shall his joyes bee our joyes in the Life to come Wherefore generally from hence forward in all our sayings and our doings let vs euer looke vnto this our IESVS so that when wee doe speake let vs thinke how hee hath spoken and when wee keepe silence let vs thinke of his silence and in all our Actions let vs looke to him for our Imitation seeing that his whole life was an Instruction for our liues who had Modestie in his Countenance Grauitie in his Behauiour Deliberation in his Speeches Puritie in his Thoughts and Righteousnesse in all his doings When Mariners vpon the mayne Sea doe want markes to direct them by in their course of sayling they then take their marke which is the surest from the Heauens in like manner for vs all that are Runners in this Race our surest marke to direct vs by is to looke vp to IESVS whose habitation is in Heauen which will preserue vs safely betwixt Silla and Charibdis Presumption and Desperation all our whole journey vnto the port of Paradice whom truely to follow as to know is euerlasting Life Euery one of vs I know would most willingly haue and enioy this Iesus in the Life to come and yet many of vs now make no Conscience to follow him in this present Life But let vs all assure our selues that vnlesse wee bee his Disciples and faithfull followers now we shall neuer bee triumphant Christians with him in his Kingdome And therefore this our IESVS is Rubicundus Candidus White and Ruddie Cant. 5.10 So must we also beloued be not onely Ruddie by the application of his Passion but also White by the daily imitation of his most Sanctified life and conuersation knowing well that as a Learned Father sayth Non solum Christi Passio est nostrum meritum sed etiam Christi actio sit vitae nostrae exemplum Not onely CHRIST his Passion is our Merit but also his most Holy and Vertuous life must bee our Example Who hath commanded vs saying Sequimini me Follow me Luk. 9.23 It was sayd of Caesar that in his greatest Attempts hee vsed not the word of Authoritie Ite Goe yee but after a better manner and more louing Eamus Let vs goe Which was most true in this our Master CHRIST before all others who as wee finde euer led the way himselfe before his Disciples in all Holinesse of Life in all Tryals and Tribulations in all Conflicts and Temptations which are heere wont to arise in the life of Man And therefore our Apostle wils vs heere To runne with Patience the Race that is set before vs looking to Iesus The which that from henceforth wee may doe let vs euermore most carefully keepe and obserue these foure Spirituall steppes or degrees in this our Religious Race First Mature to begin betimes for that as in Lament 3.27 It is good for a man that hee beare the Lords yoake in his Youth Secondly Propere To make hast for that Mora trahit periculum Delayes are dangerous Thirdly Recte To keepe on carefully in this way for that as in Esay 30.21 This is the way walke in it turne not aside either to the right hand or to the left And fourthly Constanter To continue to the Goales end for that as in Rom. 2. Hee which ouercommeth and continueth vnto the End shall not bee hurt of the second Death And these foure former Steps or Degrees that in Running of this our appointed Race wee may now the more happily and comfortably keepe and obserue wee must fully and faithfully resolue with our owne selues of these sixe particular and principall Points First that wee haue neuer Runne farre enough heere Secondly that our onely ayme and marke must bee this IESVS Thirdly that wee must forget all our Ground that is behinde vs that is all those steppes which wee haue trodden in Fourthly that wee must daily endeauour our selues to that which is before which is to the practice of those Christian duties that wee haue left vndone Fiftly that wee must cast off all impediments in this Race And last of all That when wee haue runne heere as fast and as farre as possibly we can yet that our Reward and Crowne is in Heauen To the which our Lord IESVS bring vs all Amen Soli Deo Gloria FINIS