BUNYAN

1628-1688

THE HEAVENLY FOOTMAN

So run that ye may obtain.—­I Cor. ix., 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.”  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 this 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.

Secondly, 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, begin to run betimes, they run apace, they run with patience, they run the right way.  Do you so run.  Some run from both father and mother, friends and companions, and thus, they may have the crown.  Do you so run.  Some run through temptations, afflictions, good report, evil report, that they may win the pearl.  Do you so run.  “So run that ye may obtain.”

These words were taken from men’s funning for a wager; a very apt similitude to set before the eyes of the saints of the Lord.  “Know you that they which run in a race run all, but one obtaineth 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.

The doctrine is this:  They that will have heaven, must run for it; I say, they that will have heaven, they must run for it.  I beseech you to heed it well.  “Know ye not, that they which run in a race run all, but one obtaineth the prize?  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 xii. of the Hebrews, the 1st, 2d, and 3d verses:  “Wherefore seeing also,” saith the apostle, “that we 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,” etc.

But before I go any farther: