my whole Text is this twofold Doctrine 1. Doctrin The whole duty of Man resembleth a race 2. Doctrin We should all of us more earnestly strive to run thorow our whole duty then they strive who run a race That the whole duty of Man resembleth a race I shall endeavor to illustrate Doctrine 1 1. From the Holy Ghosts usual way of speaking and so infinitely wise is the Holy Ghost proved that He at all times well knoweth how to shape his Discourse 2. From his own descants upon this his own dialect and of all Expositors which either may or can be consulted he is ever the best Interpreter of himself 3. From the Spirit and Life of this metaphorical Precept So run that ye may obtain and when I have represented this you will yet more perfectly understand my Text. Proof 1 viz from the phrase it selfe Caâ—tic 1.4 That the whole duty of Man resembleth a race will appear first from the Holy Ghosts usual way of speaking In the Old Testament Draw me by thy good Spirit we will run after thee in thy ways When thou hast enlarged my heart Psal 119.32 I will run the way of thy Commandments In the New Testament this Pen-man to name none else can scarcely point at our Gospel-duties and escape this metaphor He might have spoken his minde to the Philippians by saying Phil. 2.16 I have not labored in vain nevertheless he prefixeth I have not run in vain Gal. 2.2 To the Galathians he might have said Lest I should or had failed of my purpose but he phraseth it Lest I should or had run in vain And instead of saying Gal. 5.7 Ye did sincerely obey the Gospel he telleth them Ye did run well Neither doth he vary his language to the Romans when he avoucheth Rom. 9.16 It is not of him that willeth not of him that endeavoreth nor of him that runneth of him that performeth but of God who sheweth mercy both unto him that willeth and unto him that runneth too Sirs Think not these or other like instances wide and too too general you will finde them all pertinent and home to our purpose when at length ye consider how in all these expressions St. Paul ever intimateth a race set before us yea as if he there did it once for all Heb. 12.1 he most plainly so expresseth himself Proof 2 viz. From what the Holy Ghost enlargeth upon this phrase If the phrase suffice not to evidence that the whole duty of Man is a race set before him yet the Holy ghosts large descants upon this phrase will sufficiently prove it Heb. 12.1 where St. Paul adviseth Heb. 10.36 Let us run the race set before us there see how he descanteth upon this advice Like a partner in the betts he instructeth Let us lay aside every weight for Sin is burthensom and since we have need of patience if ever we will endure to the end he addeth Let us run with patience Gal 6.9 If we would obtain the prize for which we run though we be faint though we be weary hold on we must persist we must weary of well running we must not be therefore he exhorteth Let us run with patience Again one running a Race doth cloath himself as little and load himself as light as saving the Articles he may accordingly St. Paul counselleth Let us lay aside every sin every weight Phil. â— 13.14 And striving if by any means he might attain unto the resurrection of the dead he affirmeth This one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those before I press toward the mark Beloved so palpably would he have us run over our whole duty as over a Race set before us that he speaketh just just for all the world like one in the heat of his course Pectora nostra duas non admittentia curass therefore Ovid. saith he Hoc ago This Gospel-conversation I ply work out my salvation I do and for this onely I work forgetting the mileposts already by-past the Graces already attained and reaching forth unto that part of the Race yet before me the Vertues not yet perfected I press forward might and main toward the mark for the prize Brethren such a continued exercise such a life is beyond all seruple a Race a Race in every respect Proof 3 viz. from the present Text. This is yet more plain from the spirit and life of this precept So run that ye may obtain the spirit and life of which words is easie to him that understandeth so easie that it requireth more of your remembrance than of mine interpretation all of you will soon conceive their full intent and purpose if you call to minde 1. What race that is which is here set before us 2. What it is to run this race 3. What that is which is by running to be obtained 4. What it is so to run that we may obtain 1. Ye know the race here set before us is not simply life for although we sit still the dayes of our pilgrimage still run on I say the race here set before us is not simply life but liveing not living but leading a life it is our demenour during this life once for all 2 Cor. 1.12 it is our conversation in this world 2. Our running of this race is the guiding of our feet the ordering of our conversation 3. That which by running may be obtained is Heb. 13.7 Pet. 1.9 Esa 35.10 Phil. 3.14 Psal 50.23 The end of our conversation The end of our faith it is here v. 25 a crown incorruptible Everlasting joy upon our heads it is in a word The prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus 4. Our running our so'running that we may obtain this prize is The ordering of our conversation aright Put all this together and from all this put together more than manifest it is that the duty set before us is a race required of us which race so run that ye may obtain the prize Doctrine 2 Now as the Gospel-duties set before us make up a spiritual race so we must more earnestly strive to perform every Gospel-duty-thâ—n they strive who run to win a prize proved This is a hard saying never the less I doubt not to prove the truth of it from both text and context Proof 1 viz. from the preceding verses Our salvation is 2 Tim. 2.10 in Christ Jesus but if ever we will obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus we must more vehemently strive to obey the whole Gospel than they strive who run to win a race This you will soon discern 1 Cor. 9.24 if you first perceive that immediate dependance which this 24th verse hath upon the preceding verses If ye accompt so much upon your Christian liberty saith St. Paul consider Am I not an Apostle v 1 and therefore One more much more priviledged than any private Christian can be Have not
more say Never never had the plain-dealing Holy Ghost enjoyned them who obey the Gospel so to run that they may obtain if having run their best obtain they may not Consolation 7 Another advantage ariseth from the Opposition made against us and this opposition is our double advantage For First the that is begotten of God foreknowing what an adversary he hath will the more stoutly resist him 1 Ioh. 5.18 he that is begotten of God keepeth himself so pure that that wicked one toucheth him not prae-monitus praemunitus Next Esa 30.10 Say ye to the righteous it shall goe well with him viz. God will with the temptation find a way for thine escape He Psal 91.3 will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler He Prov. 25.15 will pluck thy feet out of the nett 2 Cor. 1.10 hath delivered yea and will deliver Jesus Christ was heard in what he praied for then when Ioh. 17.15 he petitioned keep them from evill Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who can be against us Psal 22.11 If there be none to help then will God be for us Malicious the wicked one is but touch thee he shall not unless then when thou tramplest him under thy feet This is a Seventh Refuge We are strong although not in our selves in the Lord Our power is His might Consolation 8 The Excellency of the prize that is worthily our next Comfort First It would never anger one to hazard his life for a Diadem of beauty mean while should we never obtain we are but where we were Sons of death we were and should we fail of our Crown we should still be but sons of death Quae si non potuit magnis tamen excidit ausis Next Let us strive to obtain and suppose we could fail yet since what we could we did we shall not be beaten with so many stripes as negligent runners shall I say suppose we could not avoid but die we must yet we shall not die so great a death Thirdly Were it so that our labour could be in vain in the Lord yet let none of us betray our trust serviamus lieet non liberati Let us continue honest let us continue loyal although we abide neglected But Fourthly have a respect as well unto the assuredness as unto the recompence of the reward our crown is layed up and it is layed up for us great is our reward in Heaven rich is the prize of our high calling The lips of an Angel would want words heavenly enough and the tongue of an arch-angel would stammer were it now attempting to set forth that everlasting joy that eternal weight of glory which when we have run when we have so run as we ought we shall all of us most assuredly possess View the prize and desist from running who so can This transcendent excellency of the prize may very well pass for an eighth comfort Consolation 9 But our last and greatest Consolation is The glory of our God First Since the glory of our God is concerned as well in our running as in our obtaining let none of Gods Elect doubt but that as certainly as they run so assuredly they shall obtain Know it is out of love out of free love that Almighty God appointeth us both to obtain and to run Nor need I tell you that this God of love changeth not Ye all acknowledge that for whom the gracious and merciful Lord hath a Fatherly love them as a Father he loveth unto the end Accompt upon it that the same God which for the glory of his free mercy enjoyneth us to run will for the glory of his free goodness enable us to obtain Fear not little flock it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom For this very cause he doth single you out to run this race that he may hereafter glorifie himself in exalting you unto an exceeding and eternal weight of glory How infinitely infinite is the unsearchable glory of that great God who unto every one that obtaineth can bestow so rich a prize and can make whomsoever he pleaseth so to run that he shall be sure to obtain Next As God therefore causeth us to obtain the prize that he may take delight by glorifying himself in advancing us so his glory will he not give to another From what time the old Serpent fooled and foiled Adam that Serpent hath not ceased to blaspheme and revile our God as if make us he could but preserve us he could not But let the malice and the subtilty and the power of Satan speak and do their worst whomsoever the Lord reserveth to himself preserve them he can exalt them he will when Satan hath layed all the snares which his revengeful malice can invent the elect of God shall run and running shall obtain True should not the chosen of the Lord obtain the prize for which they run the Devil would then vaunt it indeed but assure your selves God standeth more upon his honor then so Esa 43.21 This people have I formed for my self they shall shew forth my praise Of every one which runneth his best God saith For mine own sake even for mine own sake I will do it I have brought him and he shall make his way prosperous Esa 48.11 Look back upon the glory of God in that Text It is not I the omnipotent God will but he he whom I have brought shall make his way prosperous A Giant can make a childe overcome a strong man The Conclusion Hear me ye that despair of this heavenly prize In our obtaining our God is interested as deeply as are we He is not onely of our side but of our party Are ye resolved to win the prize if ye can Know it is Gods determination that ye shall win it if you will That Jesus Christ made the lame to walk Mat. 15.31 Mark 7.37 Jer. 33.9 it was the glory of God the Father it is likewise the glory of God the Father that Jesus Christ enableth lame believers so to run that they may obtain Revel 4.11 Saints and Angels cry Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created they were created at first and are still created that is preserved Friends if the hous-keeper will not give way that any idle busie-bodies shall by any meanes disappoint him of his full retinue and of his full number of servants and attendants then of all those whom the great God hath chosen to fill up the number of his hoavenly Quire he will loose none 1 Pet. 1.5 None maugre all that sin or Satan shall or can doe Only take ye heed that ye exclude not your selves from being Kingly Priests unto our God Revel 1.6 The Devil he seeketh our pendition but as for Jesus Christ the same minde is ever in him towards us Phil. 4.1 Joh. 17.10 23. which was once in St. Paul toward the Philipians we are his dearly beloved his longed for his joy and his crown He died for us he layeth up for us an eternal weight of glory Oh let him see of the travail of his soul It is our Masters joy Matt. 25 21 as well as ours if we so run that we doe obtain Joh. 14.21 To him it is to him it will be a praise a delight Ephes 1.6 12. 1 Pet. 1.7 a rejoycing is we day by day so run through every present duty as in sinceritie we ought Let them cease form running Heb. 11.26 who forsake their own mercy but let us who have an eye to the recompence of reward 1 Pet. 1.2 let us through sanctification of the spirit to obedience so run on unto perfection 2 Thes 2.13 14. that we may obtain everlasting joy to our selves and what is more defireable everlasting glory to our Lord God To him even to God the Holy Spirit which worketh in us to will and to doe Phil. 2.13 unto God the Son who hath given us of his Spirit 1 Joh. 3.24 unto God the Father who hath given us his Son Esa 6.9 and with his Son all things pertaining to life and godliness 2 Pet. 1.3 be the perfection of the Race set before us the dayly comfort of dayly well running Rom. 8.32 and the prize which we shall everlastingly obtain with due humility and with unfained thankfulness for ever and ever ascribed Amen and Amen FINIS
THE RACE SET BEFORE US Shewing the Necessity laid upon Gospel-Believers to run with diligence thorow all Gospel-Duties A SERMON Preached in London May 11. 1665. AT MERCERS-CHAPPEL Unto that most Eminent Company THE Company of the Mercers Incipere multorum est perseverare perpaucorum Bernard By Giles Oldisworth Master of Arts and Rector of Burton on the Hill in Gloucester-shire Oxford Printed by A L Lichfield Printers to the University 1666. To the Right Reverend Father in God My singular good Lord HERBERT By Divine Providence Lord Bishop of HEREFORD My Lord THE more careless present times are the more vigilant your Lordship is to make and keep people zealous of good works The same was mine endeavour in this following argument which when I pressed I sought not applause but souls nor do I now publish it to have it praised but practised Mine easie stile and familiar method I hope none will condemn since plainness is the excellency of every race but much more of this for this is spiritual The more spiritual our race here set before us is the less it despaireth of your good Lordships implored Patronage In very truth there is no small affinitie between our Apostles divine precept and your Lordships Apostolical pattern in as much as your Lordship is made unto us a daily example how so to run that we may obtain For instance Goodly are those heritages great are those revenues pleasant are those mansions ancient are those honours which the bountie of God hath derived unto your Lordship but although all these ennoble your quality they no whit 1 entangle your goodness So doth your Lordship over-rule Temporal Blessings that they do only administer unto your Lordships spiritual Dignities and Duties in them and by them serveing the Church and the glory of Christ Jesus for whose sake your Lordship most professedly advanceth as well godliness as excellent gifts and as well holiness as learning This is one principal cause why with such obsequious confidence I am bold to dedicate unto your Lordship not only this mean Sermon but it 's undeserving Authour who ceaseth not to pray for encrease of sanctified blessings both upon your Lordship and upon your Lordships Familie for this becometh this delighteth From my Study Nov. 7. 1665. Your good Lordships most obliged Servant most devoted Chaplain Giles Oldisworth Perlegi hanc Concionem cui Titulus The Race set before us in quâ nihil reperio quo minus summâ cum utilitate imprimatur ROB. SAY S. Th. D. Vice-Can Oxon. THE RACE SET BEFORE US Shewing The Necessity lay d upon Gospel-Believers to run with diligence throrow all Gospel-Duties 1 Cor. 9.24 So run that ye may obtain COrinth was a city of Greece the Grecians were a people hostile and War-like in fight 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he made the best Warriour who was 2 Sam. 2.18 like Asahel swiftest of foot to encourage a swiftness of foot at set Places at set Times were ordained were instituted solemn raceings crowns of baies or some other prizes were publickly produced for which run the race who so would run swiftest who so could he and he only who was the speediest runner wore the baies and won the prize Unto these solemnities S. Paul here alludeth The Text Saith he vers 24. I appeal from my practices unto your own customs I report myself unto your Olympick games unto your Isthmian races 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doe ye not see that they who are running a race doe indeed run all but one onely receiveth the prize So run that ye may obtain Paraphrased Beloved while our ready writer thus appar relleth his Argument with similitudes borrowed from Isthmian races Note I pray you as well his language as his exhortation The sense the meaning of his exhortation urgeth Know ye not that many are called but few are chosen So obey the Gospel that ye may with fear and trembling work out your salvation This you see is our Authors sense and meaning but while to express this his meaning this Master of Eloquence fetcheth about forms of speech from Persons running in races his phrase importeth more than his precept wherefore Observation 1 From this very phrase Learn how to win on mens capacities Perceive ye not that there is no better way to silence gain-sayers than by assaulting them with matters from within their own knowledge Oh convince the disputer of this World by things so evident that there-unto he him-self must be forced to allow his assent Sirs As people are not easily estranged from their old acquaintances so they are soon reconciled unto what they know Things already known if once they are mentioned as they leave a just impression upon the memorie so they set an edg upon the understanding A word thus spoken how good is it 1 Cor. 13.1 If I want charitie I become as sounding brass Full well raiseth the Holy Ghost unto these Corinthians a comparison from brass since no one City was so famous for Brass as was this City of Gorinth Fitly also doth he here in my Text speak unto them of running since these Corinthians excelled in the races at Isthmus This is then the first instruction If ye would be able to convince others be able to allude unto instances within their own knowledge Observation 2 Next in that this form of speech so immediately relateth unto histories of former times even unto sports and customs anciently used amongst the Graecians of old Observe secondly how ill-advis'd all such persons are who cry down humane learning for either needless or worse True 2 Tim. 3.15 God's written word is able to make us wise unto salvation mean while it seemeth good unto the same blessed Spirit which endited it that humane learning should make us wise in this written word I say If we would finde the Holy Scriptures able to make us wise unto salvation either we must contemn the good gifts of Gods good Spirit else we must acknowledge humane learning to be that which maketh us wise in these Scriptures But contra rationem nemo sobrius as for those of our times who appear such haters of knowledge S. Aug de Trir. their folly is already manifested unto all men so manifested that I trust they them-selves shall proceed no farther Nor will I Wherefore in the third place Observation 3 In that our Apostle maketh so profitable a use of these races whereunto he here refers us Observe thirdly To the pure all things are pure A holy mind can spiritualize secular transactions The whole creation is or at least ought to be every whit as serviceable to the inward as unto the outward man There is a kind of a religious chimestrie in a devout soul Gen. 24.63 Send Isaac into the field and he will meditate Once let the Greeks solemnize raceings and S. Paul will give them the starting word So run that ye may obtain But distillatio favi that which without any the least straining most naturally droppeth from
wherein he is called therein abide with God Rom. 12 He that ministreth let him wait on his ministring he that teacheth on teaching and he that ruleth let him rule with diligence Bear with me Of late there is too great a want of this diligence in rulers Profaneness threatneth if not the cheif City yet many cheif places within this Kingdome It evil becometh a Christian Magistrate to bear the sword of his God in vain Instruction 2 Secondly If we would obtain that for which we run let every one of us mind the present duty Friends As every promise to us made implyeth a duty requisite from us so every place every moment requireth from us a present duty too Mat. 11.25 At that time Jesus answered and said Object No body spake to him Answ Iesus answered the then present opportunity viz. Unto every instant of time there is an answer due I doe not answer my duty now except I so speak as for edification and that too as from the Lord neither doe yee now answer your duties except ye now hear as persons desirous to inform awaken and strengthen your souls You of this Eminent Societie you the Honorable Company of Mercers will answer Your duties if you this day shew your selves faithful stewards of those blessings in behalf of pious and charitale uses wherewith the liberal hand of your God hath entrusted you you will this day answer your duties if your Feasting this day be among you an occasion not unto disorder and gluttony but unto love unfained and unto a rejoycing in the Lord I trust you will this day unite your hearts not only to delight in one another but to fear the Lord and his goodness Right Worshipful You are the chief and most eminent of the chosen Companies of this most famous City wherefore if at all times ye would answer your duties as your God hath placed you the first in order so endeavour ye I beseech you to lead and go before others in good examples in good works In a word every one of us then answereth present duty when he considerately endeavoreth to perform that at every present season wherein he may at every present season best glorifie his God We must do good and Gal. 6.10 good we must do as we have opportunity 1 Sam. 10.7 Do as occasion shall serve a good runner mindeth every step he will not lose no not one footing Whether mud or sands whether hills or meadows limit their banks toward their Sea rivers run they run and run continually and John 4.14 living Waters are ever springing upward We Christians throughout our Spiritual race must be like Soldiers ever upon duty This is my second instruction Instruction 3 Thirdly If we would so run that we may obtain what duty soever we do let us do it heartily as unto the Lord Then the diligent hand maketh rich when it maketh Religion its business Acts 11.23 We must cleave unto the Lord with a full purpose of heart Lev. 11.42 Whatsoever multiplieth feet is an abomination Why Answ It can but creep It is then a sign that we run well when we breath and pant viz. when we breath after holiness and when we pant after God Lovers have a language of their own their feet talk their hands talk their eyes talk so thou when by-standers when worldlings are not aware of it have a foot for thy God a hand for thy God an eye for thy God Psal 16.8 They that would not greatly fall do set the Lord alway before them much more they that would run well Then we run our best when the desire of our soul is toward the name of our God Instruction 4 Fourthly If obtain ye would Duly frequent Ordinances It is good being there where Princes scatter gifts It is good being there where the power of the Lord is present to heal Esa 64.5 Thou meetest them who remember thee in thy ways Quest. Where are the ways of God Answ Psal 77.13 Thy way O Lord is in the Sanctuary Gospel-blessings accompany Gospel-Ordinances Joh 5.4 While the good Angel moveth the waters of Life we should not absent our selves from the Pools of Bethesda John 13.30 When Judas forsook the disciples of Christ he left Christ as well as them but John 20 28. When Thomas was assembled with the rest of the Disciples he was then no longer faithless but believing Unto this hour Jesus Christ teacheth daily in the Temple though not by himself yet by his chosen Ministers That is then a fourth Instruction Let us not forsake the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is Instruction 5 Fifthly If ye will so run that ye may obtain In the use of all Gospel-Ordinances wait for the Spirit accompanying those Ordinances Jer 10.23 It is not in Man that walketh much less in man that runneth to direct his own steps but Esa 58.11 The Lord he shall guide us continually Psal 143.3 Our soul is like a barren and dry land it is God that Esa 58.11 maketh us like a watered garden Psal 143.10 Lead me but lead me with thy good spirit now this spirit is given Luk 11.13 to them who thorow very hunger ask for it If in every exercise of godliness we thirst after a communion with our God a communion we shall partake for our God hath told us Esa 44.3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty Matth. 7.7 Seek grace and finde grace Of old time they who ran races did first anoint themselves with oyl and we in this spiritual race should 1 John 2.27 use the ointment of the Holy Ghost 1 Sam. 10.9 When Saul was anointed God gave Saul another Spirit Beloved as Royal Vnction so Holy Vnction not onely declareth a right but enableth for duty Cant 1.4 We will run after thee Qu How so Answ v. 3 Thy name is as oyntment powred forth Once get the Ointment of the Holy One you will then so run that ye may obtain Instruction 6 Lastly Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Among other Excellencies in our English Liturgy this is not the least That almost every Prayer concludeth in Jesus Christ his name Jesus Christ he is as well the Omega as the Alpha he is the Amen Beloved the graces of Gods spirit are living-waters but Zech. 13.1 Jesus Christ is that Fountain from which these waters of life are drawn 1 Pet. 1.11 The Spirit which was in the holy Men of God was the Spirit of Christ Col. 3.3 Our life is hid in God but with Christ 2 Tim. 2.1 Be strong in grace Qu. In what grace Answ In that grace which is in Christ Jesus Micah 5.5 That Man shall be the peace Qu. What Man Answ 1 Tim. 2.5 The Man Christ Jesus Ye obtain Salvation Qu. What salvation Answ 2 Tim. 2.10 The salvation which is in Christ Jesus Ephes 6.10 If ye would be strong to run this race be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might lean upon
him trust in him make him your stay your strength and your good speed Yet this ye cannot do until ye first stir up your selves to lay hold on him I exhort therefore Exhortation 1 Since we should so run that we may obtain Let your loins be girt Every one of us have at the best bin ill-advised we have started too late we have run too slowly we have fallen too often Yet yet the prize abideth before us as yet the Crown is within veiw Oh while we have yet day-light let us work-out our salvation let us not fail of obtaining let us lay hold of eternal life even of that salvation which is in Christ Jesus Let every one of us redeem the time let us all run and so run as knowing the terrors of the Lord If we press not forward to apprehend that for which also we are apprehend the terrors of the Lord they set themselves in array against us For Terrour 1 First It is a Duty incumbent upon us that we run this race Other races are left unto the spectators liberty spare the prize and spare to run This not so This so run is not a permission but a command We are brought into this world not to be by-standers not to be gazers or lookers on that is the the Angels lot that but to be runners We are enjoyned we are commanded to run Terrour 2 Next Were there no command yet there is a necessity laid upon us Of them that doe run others if they so run that they doe not obtain they have their labour for their pains or if suffer they doe yet is it at most but some small loss some corruptible crown some little shame which will soon over With us not so To turn back is death behind us is hell to stand still is death beneath us is hell If we will not lay it to heart to give glory to Gods name Mal. 2.3 God will even bring a curse upon us Heb. 2.3 It is not how shall we obtain but how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation It is with us as 1 Sam. 14.13 it was with Ionathan climbing the rock with his hands if we get not up we fall and perish if we reach not the height of Sion we are cast out into the Valley of Hinnom It is with us as with pretenders unto supremacy if not a Throne a Scaffold if not a Crown a block if we obtain not the salvation which is in Christ Iesus we shall everlastingly abide under the condemnation of the Devil Terrour 3 Thirdly Consider the quality of the race here set before us It is another kind of task to run thorow all Gospel-duties then it was to run over the race at Isthmos 2 Pet. 3.11 What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness So much adoe to cleanse from vain thoughts from evil intaginations from all filthiness of the Spirit To watch against every idle word which we sure to answer for to lay aside every sin to put away the evil of our doings to purge our selves from dead works to put off the old man For a mind naturally alienated from God to acquaint it self spiritually with God to bring every thought into the captivity of Jesus Christ to be renewed in the spirit of our mind to have our speech seasoned with Salt good for edifying setting forth the praises of our God! To bring forth much fruit not to lose our first love to grow in grace to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect multū fecitque tulitque Horat. sudavit alsit who is sufficient for these things To make what is for continuance a walk for swiftness a race to walk with God to follow God fully nay to run after him till we overtake him hic labor hoc opus est He that would at all times deny himself and at all times exercise himself in godliness must strive more vehemently then they strive who run a race Terrour 4 Fourthly View the trouble some place wherein we run Other races are run upon chosen hills upon champian plains upon carpetground but this is run Gal. 1.4 in this present evil world Whether we regard prosperity or adversity we have little good turfe here Every one of us as well as Magor-missabib Ier. 20.3 may be named Fearround-about If adversity make the world go heavy with us we are then apt to slip and fall like Abraham who Gen. 20.2 stumbled and equivocated like David who 1 Sam. 21.5 stumbled and lyed down-rightly like Iob Iob 3.1 stumbled and fell a cursing If prosperity heap worldly blessings though blessings they be they cumber the new man Hezekiah stuck presently when 2 Chro. 32.25 the world went well with him when Dives fared deliciously every day Luke 16 Dives forgot that there was a hell In stead of making friends by it many stumble at Mammon and Prov. 30.9 deny God Most how uncertain soever riches are set their hearts more upon wealth then upon their God who gave it In short dust would to dust and the more it is watered the more dirt it maketh Now to tread well in ill ground to run among thorns and not tear the feet to run wayes of holiness in a world of wickedness In disadvantagions groung to run at all yea so to run as to obtain this is more difficult then to run a race Terrour 5 Fiftly Cast up how small a pittance of time is here allowed us for the obtaining of this prize To one running for a prize what space of time is allotted Answ Not a minut to spare Span the length of our daies 60 70 80 years are soon passed over yea none can assure to himself so many houres of life no not so many minutes and yet if during life obtain we can well after death there is no further running Look we for and hasten to the prize what we are able if if we run not the faster our grave preventeth us Sirs were Methusalem now alive to work out his salvation were a project which would cost him every hour of his long life As for many of us we have scarcely found time enough to set our houses in order much less our hearts To perfect holiness is a task for Paul the aged David as he was full of grace so was he full of daies but none among us can boast himself of to morrow Up let us be running the day is farr spent Terrour 6 Sixthly Examine well thine insufficiencies and thou mayest be a terrour to thy self In other trials the racers singled out are men naturally agile and active men breathed and exercised men as light of foot as a wild Roe but we like Mephibosheth are lame of both our feet Psal 19.5 It is for a strong man to run a race but we are weak our souls are aguish made up of infirmities Impar congressus Our performances are as nothing if compared with our duties Look on the things behind on that part of
false way to lay aside every sin and to deny all ungodliness yea and blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are allowed to exercise our selves unto godliness and to imitate and resemble the Image of Gods glorious Holiness Godliness is great gain if we accompt all A new life is a new creation and a new creation is a recreation The wit of Man can not contrive a sort of life more desirable then is this which the Wisdom of the onely Wise God hath chalked out unto us For although the flesh be indeed infirm yet it rejoyceth in hope and as for the Spirit that is willing and obedient Verily new obedience is not onely profitable but pleasant if it be a yoke it is an easie one and the blessing of the Lord resteth upon it To seek holiness is to exchange curses for blessedness death for life shame for glory guilt for peace darkness for light and vexation for joy However Why ah why should Gods Commandements be grievous unto him who hath a love for his God As for the wicked if righteousness be an abomination unto him it is because he knoweth no better Of it self Esa 64.5 it is all one to work righteousness and to rejoyce A godly conversation is Phil. 3.20 a heavenly conversation No such liberty as is the Gospel liberty and if the Son and Heir of all things maketh us free then are we free indeed John 3.36 This is our third comfort Consolation 4 Our fourth comfort groweth in the place wherein this race is set before us even in this present evil world For be it that this world is a seducing world be it that it is a world of wickedness yet within this world the Church of Jesus Christ is the pillar and ground of truth Be it that this world is a wilderness in this wilderness Hos 2.14 God will allure us Christ as he is the way so he setteth up way-marks he Psal 5.8 will make his way straight before us Rather then we should conform unto the evil of the world wherein we live this Apostle of us Gentiles calleth upon us cap. 11.1 Be ye followers of me yea Christ himself hath given us an example Wherefore not a man among us but may say with David Psal 31.8 Thou hast set my feot in a large place even Esa 18.7 in the place of the name of the Lordof hosts Beloved wheresoever the glory of Christ his Gospel shineth there upon all that glory is a defence Secondly Go out of the Church into the world Iesus Christ he hath overcome the world for us Thirdly The more dis-advantageous the ground the greater praise unto him that runneth well To be holy in heaven is no thanks to us to be righteous in Sodom to be Saints in Nero's Court this is praise-worthy It was 2 Sam. 15.21 the commendation of Ittai that he would accompany his Prince in a strait he was resolved to follow David as well in death as in life To be then on Gods side when all the world sideth against God this is Loyaltie Fourthly The more wickedness aboundeth in the world the more easily may Gods children learn to detest it to abstain from sweet wines is no easie matter but even he who is given to his appetite may soon be disswaded to desist from quaffing off full draughts of Vinegar doth Naturally beget in us a detestation Again If the whole world lieth in wickedness it is now worthy our while to watch against this enemie this will be not a light skirmish but a pitched Battail we have now some hopes of growing victorious Faith will find some pleasure if it may encounter with a world so dangerous as is this wherein we live To conclude this The more wicked the world is the more honour have all those Saints which keep themselves unspotted of it Phil. 2.15 We then behave our selves like the sons of God when in the midst of a crooked and perverss generation we abide blameless and harmless Therefore so farr is the world from making against us that it maketh for us This is then our fourth comfort Consolation 5 Your Fift Consolation is That the time wherein we run is but short Although the spirit be willing I wiss flesh and blood is weak and although the commandement is good corrupt nature fancieth it greivous allow this never the less can we not watch with Jesus one hour Chear up beleivers this world shall not last alwaies Esa 57 The righteous are taken away from that which is evil If compared to the everlastingness of the prize all that we doe or can suffer is but for a moment Yet a little while and we shall rest from our labours yet a little while and the race will be ended Know ye not that we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Know ye not that what race we run is but stadium is at most but a furlong in lenght Sirs if the race here set before us be in length but one furlong how easily may we hold out This is therefore a Fift Comfort Consolation 6 Our next Consolation springeth from a sense of our natural insufficiency And here a threefold Cord strengtheneth us For First God accepteth the will for the deed Rom. 8.34 Who is he that condemneth It is Christ who died and died for us As Christ the head Esa 50.8 so every member of Christ may safely say He is nere that justifieth me Secondly Psal 94.18 When I said my foot slippeth thy mercies O Lord held me up Prov. 2.8 The Lord preserveth the way of his Saints He Psal 21.3 preventeth thee with his goodness He Psal 58.13 sets thee in the way of his steps Prov. 3.23 Thy foot shall not stumble or if it doth He Psal 19.11 shall bear thee up He Prov. 3.23 will hold up thy steps in thy wayes nay Micah 7.8 When I fall I shall arise Thirdly Not I but grace So long as the child can not goe at all the nursing-father carrieth him in his bosome Of our selves we can doe nothing to any purpose therefore doth Christ strengthen us to do all things that he expecteth from us That God might teach Israel to goe He Hos 11.3 took him by the armes Jesus Christ he knoweth that we are altogether unable to fulfill his good pleasure wherefore he giveth us a helping hand he performeth our work for us Christ he knoweth that we are altogether desicient that we are altogether unprofitable therefore he putteth to his own strength and reputeth his strength ours Jesus Christ hath stored up grace yea and the spirit of grace too against the times of our need Now that we are to run this race he furnishes us with ointment The wind which bloweth where it listeth listeth to set in our backs and to blow us forward Holy Angels they are made our ministring spirits and the spirit of the Lord he leadeth he draweth us on When the spirit of the Lord came upon Elijah Elijah ran farr What shall we