when there is any remarkable out-pouring of the Spirit; when the word of the Lord runs, and is glorified. Then converts run too; and then a minister's work goes on pleasantly. No need of many arguments and entreaties then. Elisha, when Elijah passed by him as he was ploughing, and cast his mantle upon him, instantly left the oxen, and ran after Elijah (1 Kings xix. 20.) So it was when our Lord only spake to Matthew, at the receipt of custom he immediately rose up, and followed Christ. So Peter and James, and Andrew, left their nets, and their boats, and their father, and went after Christ. And so it is with all, when the Spirit of the Lord comes, and

like a voice behind walk ye in it.". Let business, or in the

them says, "This is the way, them be in the midst of their midst of their recreations! wherever they are, or whatever they are about: they leave all, and run after Christ, with a "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

2. Perseverance and diligence.

It is not every progressive motion that can be called running, as was hinted under the former head. A man may not absolutely stand still, and yet his motions may be so slow-one step to-day, and another to-morrow-that it is difficult to perceive that he moves but the motion used in running is quick and animated: and that not for a step or two, but for a considerable way, even to the end of the course. It implies, therefore, not merely a forwardness in the setting about a good design, but diligence in prosecuting it, and to perseverance finish it. Our endeavours to please God, and win the glorious prize, must be strenuous and ardent.

Running was one of the ancient Olympic games; and they who engaged in it, took great pains before-hand, by exercise and abstinence, to prepare their bodies, that they might move with greater ease and agility. The Apostle often refers to this, to kindle our zeal, and shame us out of our languor and sloth: "And every one that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. (1 Cor. ix. 25.)

Ah, my fellow-christians! who, that looks at us, and observes our indifference and our dilatoriness, would imagine that we were running a race, and that we were aiming at heaven! Our affections so cold, almost frozen; and our precious time running away to waste, while we are so much behind-hand, and while we suffer the world, or the flesh, or Satan, or perhaps all of them to hang their weights about us, and retard if not sometimes stop, our progress !---I say, doth this look like striving for the mastery? Is this working out our salvation? Is this looking for, and hasting to, death and heaven?---Surely very different behaviour is expected from us.---When a person is running for a considerable wager, he doth not loiter, nor enter into trifling conversation with every one he meets. No: he looks at nothing but the prize set before him: he will not suffer himself to be hindered by any one: he pushes on, with unremitted ardour, to the end of the race. "Now they do it," as the Apostle says, for a corruptible crown, but we for an incorruptible. We are running for our lives: the avenger of blood is at our heels; and, if we loiter he may quickly overtake us.--There must be an invincible diligence, to break through all obstructions, and carry us with alacrity and speed through all

the labours of religion, and to enable us to lay hold on the hope set before us. The Apostle hath set us an example of it: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do; forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. iii. 13.)

II. How far may those, who thus run, expect to be supported, and kept from growing weary?

I answer, They shall never be so far weary as to lose their inward delight in religion, or totally to throw off the outward practice of it.

I. They shall not lose their inward delight in religion.

A natural weariness they may be subject to, through the indisposition and decay of this vile body; and this may sometimes flatten their taste--I mean, as to the present lively feeling of joy and comfort;---but, still, the principle of delighting in God doth not expire. We read of Jesus himself, that he was weary with his journey, and sat down by Jacob's well, and wanted natural refreshment, (John iv. 6) but this did not lessen his attention to the work which his Father had sent him to do, nor abate his delight in it. Far otherwise. At that very time he had a most heavenly repast, in converting a sinful woman, and in the prospect of doing good to many more, whom he saw coming out of the city to hear him. Some drops of this oil of gladness there are in the hearts of diligent, fruitful, Christians; by which they are enabled to go on from one service to another with ease and rapidity and though the flesh sometimes flags and

tires, the willingness of the spirit still continues; and their love to Christ, and their eagerness to serve him, are as strong as ever. They are quite vexed and impatient when they find that nature cannot keep up with grace, and that those devotional exercises, which are their element and delight, are so soon interrupted by the failure of animal strength and spirits, which will not suffer them to go on. So that I say their inward delight

continues.

2. They shall not be so weary as to throw off the practice of religion.

They may, as I said just now, through the weakness of the flesh, be obliged to intermit the acts of duty, and give time for exhausted nature to recruit. Nay, I must further confess, that, through the prevalence of temptation and occasional languor in the spiritual life, they may grow slothful in business; they may forget themselves, as Peter did in the High Priest's hall; and speak and act very inconsistently with their professed attachment to Christ. But, yet, if they be really born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever, they cannot continue in sin, they cannot delight in sin; for their seed remaineth in them: grace will recover again from this temporary fainting; and a look from Christ will set all right again. Where diligence is kept up, a principle of love to God and his ways will be cherished, and final apostacy prevented. When the Apostle aggravates the sin and misery of such as fell away from the faith and practice of the Gospel, he declares his better hope concerning those who were zealous and

laborious (Heb. vi. 10). They shall run and not be weary"-the pains they take shall not tire them, and the difficulties they meet with shall not turn them back. 66 My sheep hear my voice, and `I know them, and they follow me: and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." (John x. 27.)

And this leads to the next general-viz.

III. What reason those have, who run as they ought, to depend upon being supported and strengthened.

1. They have the power and promise of God to depend upon.

And what God hath once engaged to perform, is absolutely and eternally sure; for he can never depart from his word, and can never be at a loss for means to fulfil it. Now the Lord God, unchangeable and omnipotent, hath promised that they shall not be weary: he hath undertaken to supply them with strength, as much and as often as they can have occasion for. What a precious promise is that: "Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness!" (Isai. xli. 10.) But I need not go farther than the two or three verses immediately preceding our text, for the most satisfying proof of the divine power and compassion: "Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?

There is no