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T H E By J O H N.B U N Y A N. 1698. |
THE HEAVENLY FOOTMAN
o run, that ye may obtain.1 Corinthians 9:24.
Heaven and happiness is that which every one desireth, insomuch that wicked Balaam
could say, Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his
(Num 23:10). Yet for all this, there are but very few that do obtain that ever-to-be-desired
glory, insomuch that many eminent professors drop short of a welcome from God into
his pleasant place.
The apostle, therefore, because he did desire the salvation of the souls of the Corinthians,
to whom he writes this epistle, layeth them down in these words, such counsel, which
if taken, would be for their help and advantage. First, Not to be wicked, and sit
still, and wish for heaven; but TO RUN for it. Second, Not to content themselves
with every kind of running; but, saith he, So RUN, that ye may obtain. As if he should
say, Some, because they would not lose their souls, they begin to run betimes (Eccl
12:1), they run apace, they run with patience (Heb 12:1), they run the right way
(Matt 14:26). Do you so run? Some run from both father and mother, friends and companions,
and thus, that they may have the crown. Do you so run? Some run through temptations,
afflictions, good report, evil report, that they may win the pearl (1 Cor 4:13; 2
Cor 6). Do you so run? So run that ye may obtain.
These words, they are taken from men's running for a wager: a very apt similitude
to set before the eyes of the saints of the Lord. Know ye not that they which run
in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. That
is, do not only run, but be sure you win as well as run. So run, that ye may obtain.
I shall not need to make any great ado in opening the words at this time, but shall
rather lay down one doctrine that I do find in them; and in prosecuting that, I shall
show you, in some measure, the scope of the words.
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