ty
willingly; but they were very short-winded, they were quickly out of
breath, and in their hearts they turned back again into Egypt.

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 t