friends, much more shall we by such animating considerations as these.]
Together with this earnest exhortation, the Apostle gives us, II. Directions to ensure success —
1. We must put away whatever obstructs our pro- gress—
[They who are about to run a race need not be reminded of the necessity there is to cast off all unnecessary weight, or any long garment which may impede their motion. But in running our spiritual race we are apt to be forgetful of this obvious and necessary caution. Many things there are which operate as a burthen to weigh down our spirits ; and to exhaust our strength. How often do the cares or pleasures of the world divide our attention, enfeeble our efforts, and prevent our advancement in the divine life ! There is in every one some " sin that more easily besets him," and which, like a flowing robe^, diminishes his activity in the service of his God. What sin this is we should be careful to inquire. It will in general be found to be some inward lust that is constitutionally wrought into our frame, or some evil, incident to our situation, our company, or our employment. Whatever it be, whether pride, or passion, whether covetousness or uncleanness, whether sloth or intemperance, whether unbelief or impenitence, whe- ther self-righteousness or self-dependence, we must " put it away." Whatever tends to divert us from the path of duty, or to embarrass us in it, must be sacrificed, if we would " so run as to obtain the prize."]
2. We must direct our eyes to Jesus Christ — [Jesus is here proposed to our view both as our successful
pattern, and as our almighty friend. Never had any other person such a difficult course to run : nor could any other ever have persevered in it. The cross he bare was heavier than we can possibly conceive : nor was the ignominy of it less than the pain : but " he endured the cross and despised the shame :" he looked to " the joy that was set before him," the joy of glorifying his heavenly Father, the joy of delivering a ruined world, the joy. of being for ever the acknowledged author of their salvation : and in the prospect of having all this con- summated, he disregarded all his trials and difficulties, he even " longed to be baptized with his bloody baptism," and con- tinued with unabated ardour till he could say, " It is finished ;" and till, in consequence of his victorious career, he was ex- alted to the " right hand of the throne of God."
^ l^vnepiaTciTov ui^tnpTiav,
2334.] Christ's persevering diligence. 453
How should we be encouraged by the sight of this oicr suc- cessful pattern ! for, what are our trials in comparison of his ? How richly too are his exertions recompensed, even as ours also shall in due time be, in the full possession of the prize that was set before him !
But the Apostle directs us to look unto Jesus also as our almighty friend. It is he who mai'ked out for us our course, who called us forth to run in it, who holds out to our view the prize, who sits as umpire to award the prize to every one that wins it, and who will bestow it on us with his own hand. He is moreover " the author and the finisher of our faith ;" from him proceeds that faith whereby we are stimulated to engage in the race, and that whereby we are enabled to persevere in it to the end. Let us then look at him, and see how sufficient he is to renew our strength, and how interested he is in crown- ing our efforts with success.
There is a peculiarity in this direction which we must by no means pass over. The Apostle tells us not merely to look unto Jesus, but, in so doing, to look ojf^^ from every thing else. We are apt to look at our own weakness, at the length and difficulties of our way, at the strength and number of those who are endeavouring to cast us down, or at any thing that tends to discourage us : but we shovdd look off from all these things, and keep our eyes steadily fixed on Jesus as our pattern, and our friend : and then our difficulties will appear as nothing; and we shall proceed cheerfully in an assured expectation of the prize '^.J