Page:Race for eternal life.pdf/9

 says God, has followed me, he has continually followed me fully; "he shall possess the land, Numb. xiv. 24. Almost all the many thousands of the children of Israel fell short of perseverance when they walked from Egypt towards the land of Canaan. Indeed, they went to the work at first pretty willingly, but they were quickly out of breath. It is an easy matter for a man to run a mile or twoː O but to hold ont for a thousand miles! he that does this must look to meet with the cross. Perseverance is a very great part of the cross. I could point out many, that after they had followed the ways of God three or four years, have been beat out of wind, have taken up their lodgings and rest, before they have got half way to heaven; some in this, and some in that sin; and have secretly; nay, sometimes openly said, The way is too strait, the race too long, the religion too holy, I can go no farther. It is the cross, which keeps those which are kept from heaven. It is that which spoileth all. Some, when they come at the cross, can go no farther: others stumble at it, and break their necks: others turn aside to the right hand or to the left, and so think to get to heaven another way. Therefore if thou meet the cross in thy journey, in what manner soever it be, take courage, knowing that by the cross is the way to the kingdom.

DIR. IX. Beg of God, that he would enlighten thine understanding, and inflame thy will. When men come to see what a heaven there is to be enjoyed, it will make them run through thick and thin. When a man's will is fully set to do a thing, it must be a very hard matter that shall hinder that man from bringing about his end. Ye self-willed