to throw obstacles in the way of the Christian, to slacken him in his pace, or to turn him aside out of the way, and so to prevent him from receiving the prize. These enemies of the Christian are called principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness, or wicked spirits, in high places.39 These use all their subtle devices to hinder the Christian in his progress, and to prevent him from obtaining the prize, though they cannot procure it for themselves. The people of the world also, who care not for the prize, yet take a pleasure in endeavouring, if possible, to deprive the Christian of it, and to persuade him that the course which he is pursuing, in obedience to the word of God, is not the way to obtain it. On account of these opponents, many who seem to run well for a time are hindered, and turned out of the right course, so that they do not reach the goal, but fail of receiving the prize. In this respect, they are in the situation of the persons in the races referred to, who came to the end of the course too late. If we profess to have set out in the Christian course, and to be looking for the Christian prize, we must be on our guard against these our spiritual enemies. They were renounced in our name at our baptism; but if, notwithstanding, we follow or be led by them, 39 Ephesians vi. 12. we shall fail of obtaining the prize, which it was then professed we should keep in view to our life's end; and the obtaining of which will be for the eternal happiness of the believer in Christ. When the apostle Paul described himself as a runner in this race, he said, 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.40 All who are partakers of this heavenly calling, who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who enter in at the strait gate, and press forward in the narrow way to the kingdom of heaven, will obtain this glorious prize. In this heavenly course the race is not to the swift;" but all who run with patience the race that is set before them shall receive it. In this heavenly contest, the battle is not to the strong for all who war the good warfare, who fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto they are called.43 , .41 But as there are many impediments in the way, by means of which numbers, who seemed to set out with a good resolution are hindered, are drawn aside or offended, the apostle subjoins the exhortation in the text, So run that ye may obtain. How grievous will it be found to have fallen short of the prize, in consequence of having 40 Phil. iii. 13, 14. 41 Eccl. ix. 11. 42 Heb. xii. 1. 43 1 Tim. v. 12. turned aside out of the course, after having seemed to enter upon it. To this exhortation we shall revert, after having made some observations on the remaining part of the Epistle for this day. The apostle proceeds to remark, Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Those who designed to be competitors or antagonists in the Grecian games, were under the necessity of submitting to a course of restraint and self-denial; to go through a regular course of training, in preparation for the trial of skill, or agility, or strength, to which they looked forward. They thought no pains too great, no privation too severe, by the enduring of which they might hope to attain their object; though after all, it was a matter of uncertainty whether they would be able to obtain the prize or not. But in order to have the least hope of success, it was absolutely necessary for them to be temperate in all things for a long period before they could be candidates for it. What labour and pains are many willing to take, if thereby they may acquire a little worldly honour or fame, which after all will be of no permanent benefit, should it afford them even a momentary gratification. The successful racer or combatant in the Grecian games obtained as his reward a crown of laurel, or other green leaves, which in a short time withered away; and was a fit emblem of the transitory honours which he had obtained, the are mary impediment in the 2. mamma g′ v met numbers, viu seemed My ma tu with a good resolution are hindered. are down wads or offended, the apostle subjoins the exhortation in the text, So run that ye may How guevous will it be found to have fallen short of the prize, in consequence of having Puma 14#BI #Heb. xii. 1. 43 1 Tim.v. 12. |