So run ye. The prize is heaven; and if
you will have it, you must run for it. You have another scripture for
this in the 12th of the Hebrews: "Wherefore, seeing we also," saith
the apostle, "are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." "And
let us _run_," saith he. Again, saith Paul, "I so run, not as
uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air."

But before I go any farther, let me explain the Nature and Reasons of
this Running.

As to its NATURE, this _running_ is called,

1. _Fleeing_. Observe, that this running, is not an ordinary, or any
sort of running; but it is to be understood of the swiftest sort of
running; and therefore in the 6th of the Hebrews, it is called a
fleeing. "That we might have a strong consolation, _who have fled for
refuge_ to lay hold on the hope set before us." Mark, "Who have
_fled_." It is taken from that xxth of Joshua, concerning the man that
was to flee to the city of refuge, when the avenger of blood was hard
at his heels, to take vengeance on him for the offence he had
committed. Therefore it is a running or fleeing for one's life; a
running with all might and main, as we use to say. _So run_.

2. _Pressing_. This running in another place is called a pressing. "I
press toward the mark;" (Phil. iii.;) which signifieth that they that
will have heaven, must not stick at any difficulties they meet with;
but press, crowd, and thrust through all, that may stand between
heaven and their souls. _So run_.

3. _Continuing_. This running is called in another place, a continuing
in the way of life. "If ye continue in the faith, grounded and
settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel." Not to
run a little now and then, by fits and starts; or half-way; or almost
thither; but to run for my life, to run through all difficulties, and
to continue therein to the end of the race, which must be to the end
of my life. "_So run_, that ye may obtain." And the REASONS for this
point are these:

1. Because _every one that runneth doth not obtain the prize_. There
be many that do run, yea, and run far too, who yet miss the crown that
standeth at the end of the race. You know that all that run in a race
do not obtain the victory; they all run, but one wins. And so it is
here; it is not every one that runneth, nor every one that seek