thought both animate and humble every sincere soul? Be not discouraged, because to appearance you are almost left to serve God alone. If the vail of flesh and blood could be drawn aside, you would see you are not alone; all the host of heaven are on your side; the glorious company that are before the throne of God, day without night, rejoicing, are engaged in your cause, and drink of the same fountain from which you are, supplied. The spirits of just men made perfect, who are now all eye, all ear, all love, were once as you are, partakers of the same infirmities, sorrows, and cares ; and you ere long shall be as they are, clothed with light, and freed from every burden. And Jesus, the Lord of angels, the King of saints, beholds your toil and conflict with complacence, and says, "Hold that fast which "thou hast, that no man take thy crown*." He is always near to succour, strengthen, and to save. Rejoice, therefore, that you run not as unnoticed, but rejoice with trembling. Be ashamed to think how disproportionate your efforts are to the company that behold you, and to the prize that awaits you. Remember likewise other eyes are upon you; Satan envies your privileges, and scorns your profession he is every minute waiting permission to sift you as wheat: he is incessantly spreading snares for your feet, and preparing his arrows against you; therefore be not highminded, but fear, and give all diligence so to run that you may obtain.

IV. The judge who presides at the end of the race is Jesus, the judge of all. He holds forth the prize full in view to the eye of faith, and shall shortly crown the conqueror with his own hand. How sweetly does the

Rev. iii. 11.

t Luke xxii. 31.

apostle spiritualize upon this circumstance! "I have "fought a good fight, I have finished my course; I "have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of life, which the Lord, the righteous "judge," (who does not decide by appearances, nor can be influenced by partiality, as is too frequent amongst men,) "shall give me at that day; and not to me only, "but to all who love his appearing*." Be of good cheer, believer; your case may be misrepresented, or misunderstood by men; but the Lord, the righteous and unerring judge, will vindicate, approve, and reward in the great day, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe.

Thus much concerning the resemblance of the Christian life to a race, to which the apostle alludes. I shall briefly take notice of some particulars in which the resemblance fails; and a very interesting and important difference may be observed.

J. In the reward. The bodily exercise†, (employed in the games, for to these the apostle refers,) profited little: a crown of oak or laurel, or some such bauble, was their highest aim, and this the most of the competitors came short of; for though all ran, but one received the prize. Of little more value, and equal uncertainty, is the prize that has engaged the time and thoughts of many. But godliness, (the whole course and conflict in which the believer is engaged,) is profitable for all things, or in every view, having promises to support the life that now is, and to crown that which is to come. "He that overcometh, saith the Lord, shall " inherit all things. I will be his Father, and he shall my son. I will give him to eat of the tree of life,

be

* 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.

VOL. II.

† 1 Tim. iv. §.

SZ

"which is in the midst of the paradise of God. I will "make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he "shall go no more out; yea, I will grant him to sit "down with me in my throne*." The Lord will give grace here, and will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly; and hereafter he will crown grace with glory, and place his servants out of the reach of every trouble and enemy, in the kingdom which his love has prepared for them from before the foundation of the world. "Having therefore these promises, dearly be

loved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of "the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of "the Lordt."

2. In races, though many run, one only can receive the prize. But thanks be to God, it is not so in the Christian race. All who run as the Lord has appointed, shall be sure to win. No opposition can prevail against them, nor will the number of the candidates be any diminution to the happiness of each individual. The inheritance of the saints in light, like the light of the sun, is not diminished by being shared amongst many; each one possesses the whole, in the same perfection as he could do if there was none to enjoy it but himself. 3. In the races the apostle alludes to, none were compelled to run. The proclamation was general; but those who did not choose to engage, suffered no disadvantage. But it is not so in the race to which you are invited by the Gospel. The Lord is greatly offended with those who slight the message, and refuse to enter the lists. If you only give his ministers a hearing and return to your farms and merchandise,

*Rev. ii. 7.; iii. 12–91.; xxii. 7.; Psal. Ixxxiv. 11.

t2 Cor. v. 1.

Matth. xxii. 5.

forget the worth of your precious souls, and suffer your thoughts to be engrossed with the cares and pleasures of this life, to the neglect of this one thing needful, the Lord will account it a contempt offered to himself, and will ere long call you before his tribunal to answer for it.

4. Those who run and did not win the prize, only lost their labour, or at the worst were exposed to shame; but they were liable to no positive punishment. But you who are professors of the Gospel, if you come short at last, will be lost forever. "So run that you may "obtain." Be not content with having set out; the promise is made to perseverance. "He that endureth

"to the end shall be saved*;" but if any draw back, or stop short, the Lord will have no pleasure in them. They will not only lose the prize, but will receive a heavy and aggravated doom. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. If you were forced to run for your lives, you would be very thoughtful about the event. But if you are not found amongst those who come in for the prize of eternal life, you will be cast into outer darkness, and sink under the curse of God for ever.

Fain therefore would I persuade you to address yourselves with earnestness to run the race set before you. Flee from approaching wrath. The wrath of God is already revealed against all unrighteousness, and soon it will be poured forth upon the head of every transgressor. Though God is patient and forbearing, he is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he

* Matth. x. 22.; Heb. x. 38.

will whet his glittering sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he hath ordained his arrows against those who shall finally disobey his great command, to receive the Gospel of his grace. It is impossible to elude his eye, or to withstand his power. You are upon the brink of danger, if you are not already entered in this race; you stand upon a precipice, and hell from beneath has opened its mouth to receive you. But a respite is still afforded; the Lord waits to be gracious; and as yet there is room. The gate of mercy is not yet shut; "turn therefore to the strong hold, as prisoners of hope;" no longer refuse his gracious invitation, or trifle with your precious souls; seek to Jesus that you may live; apply to him for faith and repentance; and, in his strength and name, prepare to run this important race. Meditate upon the glorious prize which is provided for all who endure to the end; it is freely proposed to all who run. Pardon, grace, and eternal life, are promised and bestowed, without money, and without price. If after so many repeated calls, you still harden your hearts, and stop your ears, and determine that you will not come unto Jesus that you may have life, you must assuredly perish, without mercy and without excuse.

But if you are desirous to run, remember the admonition in my text, "So run that you may obtain." Your steps must be regulated by the word of God, or you will wander wide from the good old way; you must derive your sufficiency and strength from Christ by faith and prayer, or you will faint, and be unable to endure to the end. We read of some* that run well

* Gal. v. 7.