will go to heaven must run for it; because, as the way is
so long, so _the time in which they are to get to the end of it is
very uncertain_. The time present is the only time; thou hast no more
time allotted thee than that thou now enjoyest. "Boast not thyself of
to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Do not
say, 'I have time enough to get to heaven seven years hence;' for I
tell thee, the bell may toll for thee, before seven days more be
ended. When death comes, away thou must go, whether thou art provided
or not. And therefore look to it; make no delays; it is not good
dallying with things of so great concernment as the salvation or
damnation of thy soul. You know he that hath a great way to go in a
little time, and less, by half, than he thinks of, had need to _run_
for it.

5. They that will have heaven must run for it; because _the devil, the
law, sin, death, and hell, follow them_. There is never a poor soul
that is going to heaven, but the devil, the law, sin, death, and hell,
make after that soul. "Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." And I will assure you the
devil is nimble; he can run apace, he is light of foot; he hath
overtaken many, he hath turned up their heels and hath given them an
everlasting fall. Also the law, that can shoot a great way: have a
care to keep out of the reach of those great guns, the ten
commandments. Hell also hath a wide mouth; it can stretch itself
farther than you are aware of. And as the angel said to Lot: "Take
heed, look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain," that
is, any where between this and heaven, "lest thou be consumed;" so
say I to thee. Take heed, tarry not, lest either the devil, hell,
death, or the fearful curses of the law of God, do overtake thee, and
throw thee down in the midst of thy sins, so as never to rise and
recover again. If this were well considered, then thou, as well as I,
would say, they that will have heaven must _run_ for it.

6. They that will go to heaven must run for it; because _perchance the
gates of heaven may shut shortly_. Sometimes sinners have not
heaven-gates open to them so long as they suppose; and if they be once
shut against a man, they are so heavy, that all the men in the world,
or all the angels in heaven, are not able to open them. "I shut, and
no man can open," saith Christ. And how if thou shouldst come but one
quarter of an hour too late?