It is an easy matter for a man to run hard for a spurt, for a furlong, for a mile or two.  Oh I but to hold out for a hundred, for a thousand, for ten thousand miles!  That man that doth this, must look to meet with cross, pain, and wearisomeness to the flesh; especially if as he goeth he meeteth with briars and quagmires and other encumbrances, that make his journey so much the more painful.

Nay, do you not see with your eyes daily, that perseverance is a very great part of the cross?  Why else do men so soon grow weary?  I could point out many, that after they have followed the ways of God about a twelvemonth, others it may be two, three, or four (some more, and some less) years, have been beat out of wind,—­they have taken up their lodging and rest before they have got half-way to heaven, some in this, some in that sin; and have secretly, nay, sometimes openly said, that the way is too strait, the race too long, the religion too holy and they cannot hold out—­’I can go no farther.’

And so likewise of the other three, namely, patience, self-denial, communion, and communication with and to the poor saints:  how hard are these things?  It is an easy matter to deny another man, but it is not so easy a matter to deny one’s self; to deny myself out of love to God, to his gospel, to his saints, of this advantage and of that gain; nay, of that which otherwise I might lawfully do, were it not for offending them.  That scripture is but seldom read, and seldomer put in practice, which saith, “I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, if it make my brother to offend.”  Again, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

But how froward, how hasty, how peevish, and self-resolved are the generality of professors at this day!  Alas! how little considering the poor, unless it be to say, Be thou warmed and filled!  But to give, is a seldom work! also especially to give to any poor.  I tell you all these things are cross to flesh and blood; and that man that hath a watchful eye over the flesh, and also some considerable measure of strength against it, shall find his heart in these things like unto a starting horse, that is rid without a curbing bridle, ready to start at every thing that is offensive to him; yea, and ready to run away too, do what the rider can.

It is the cross which keepeth back those that are kept from heaven.  I am persuaded, were it not for the cross, where we have one professor we should have twenty; but this cross!—­that is it which spoileth all.

Some men, as I said before, when they come at the cross can go no farther; but back again to their sins they must go.  Others stumble at it, and break their necks.  Others again when they see the cross is approaching, turn aside to the left hand, or to the right hand, and so think to get to heaven another way.  But they will be deceived.  “For all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall,” mark it, “shall suffer persecution.”  There are but few when they come at the cross, cry, ‘Welcome cross!’ as some of the martyrs did to the stake they were burned at.