eth,
nor every one that striveth for the mastery, that hath it. "Though a
man do strive for the mastery," saith Paul, "yet he is not crowned,
unless he strive lawfully;" that is, unless he so run, and so strive,
as to have God's approbation.

What! do you think that every heavy heeled professor will have heaven?
What! every lazy one? Every wanton and foolish professor, that will be
stopped by any thing; kept back by any thing; that scarce runneth so
fast heavenward as a snail creepeth on the ground? Nay, there are
some professors that do not go on so fast in the way of God as a snail
doth go on the wall; and yet these think that heaven and happiness is
for them. But stay; there are many more that run than there be that
obtain; therefore, he that will have heaven must _run_ for it!

2. Because you know that though men do run, yet, _if they do not
overcome, or win, as well as run, what will they be the better for the
running_. They will get nothing. You know the man that runneth, doth
do it that he may win the prize; but if he doth not obtain it, he doth
lose his labor, spend his pains and time, and that to no purpose. I
say, he getteth nothing. And ah! how many such runners will there be
found in the day of judgment? Even multitudes--multitudes that have
run, yea, run so far as to come to heaven's gates, are not able to get
any further; but there stand knocking, when it is too late, crying,
Lord, Lord; when they have nothing but rebukes for their pains.
'Depart from me; you come not in here; you come too late; you ran too
lazy; the door is shut!' "When once the master of the house is risen
up," saith Christ, "and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand
without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us;
he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not, depart," &c. O sad
will the state of those be that run and miss I Therefore if you will
have heaven you must _run_ for it; and "so run, that ye may obtain."

3. Because _the way is long_, (I speak metaphorically,) and there is
many a dirty step, many a high hill, much work to do; a wicked heart,
world, and devil to overcome. I say there are many steps to be taken
by those that intend to be saved, by running, or walking, in the steps
of that faith of our father Abraham. Out of Egypt thou must go
through the Red Sea; thou must run a long and tedious journey,
through the vast howling wilderness, before thou come to the land of
promise.

4. They that