Troposchēmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. K

The Celestial Race: Or, the Saints com∣pared to Runners.

1 Cor. 9.4. Know ye not, that they which run in a Race run all, but one receiveth the Prize: So run that ye may obtain.

Heb. 12.1. Let us lay aside every Weight, and the Sin which doth so easily beset us; and let us run with Patience the Race that is set before us.

CHristianity, or the Life of a Christian, is in these Scriptures compared to a Race; So run that ye may obtain. A Christian is compared to a Man that runs a Race.

What sort of Race the Apostle principally alludes to, is not (as we conceive) so material; besides, many worthy Men do not agree about it, some be∣ing subject to think, the Apostle alludes to the Olympick Games. We shall there∣fore run the Parallel, with respect to such Things concerning a Race, which all gene∣rally agree in.

To run, is variously taken in Scripture. 1. To break through, Psal. 18.29. 2. To strive with the greatest Speed and Celerity, or to make haste, Prov. 1.26. 2 Kings 4.22. 3. Eagerly in Affection to be carried after. 1 Pet. 4.4. 4. To pass without Let, Psal. 147.15. 5. To labour with Earnestness. 6. To go forward, Gal. 5.7.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
A Man that runs in a Race, takes great care to begin well. It behoves him to be exact in his set∣ting out, 1. In respect of Time, 2. In respect of Place; he observes the Place from whence he must be∣gin to run. A little Time lost at the beginning of a Race is dan∣gerous.	SO a Christian ought to take great care how he begins or sets out in the Race towards eternal Life. 1. In respect of Time, it behoveth him to set out early enough; he must not defer the great Concernment of his Soul; Delays are dangerous.* 1.1 Seek the Lord whilst he may be found, call upon him whilst he is near. I love them that love me,* 1.2 and they that seek me early, shall find me. Behold, now is the ac∣cepted Time; behold,* 1.3 now is the Day of Salvation! Some Men begin too late, they mind not the Call of God. To day if ye will hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts. Because I have called,* 1.4 and ye have refu∣sed, &c. — I also will laugh at your Calamity. Then they shall call upon me, but I will not answer. 2. They ought to observe the Place from which they must depart. He that would go to Zion, must leave Babylon; as he would go to Zoar, so he must depart out of Sodom. He must leave the Way of Sin, yea, all the evil Courses, Customs, Traditions, and Inventions of Men: Ye did run well, &c.
II. A Man that runs in a Race, ought to know the Way well which he is to run; if the Path be not plain before him, he is not like to win the Prize.	II. So a Christian ought to know the Way to Salvation, to be well-instructed in the Path of eternal Life. Christ is the Way:* 1.5 No Man (saith he) cometh unto the Father, but by me. There is no other Name under Heaven given,* 1.6 whereby we must be saved. 1. Christ is the Way, as a Priest, who offered himself up as as a Sacri∣fice to God for us, to atone and make Peace between the Father and us. 2. Christ is the Way, as a King, who hath appointed us Laws and Ordinances, which we must obey and follow, to manifest our Subjection unto him:* 1.7 I will run the Way of thy Com∣mandments. 3. As a Prophet, who hath laid down all Rules and heavenly Directions necessary for us in Matters of Faith and Practice, whom we must hear in all things.* 1.8 4. Christ is the Way, in that holy Example he hath left, that we should follow his Steps. A Saint observes the very Footsteps of Christ, and of the Primitive Church; he sees the good old Way plain before him, as it is recorded in the holy Scripture, and thereby knoweth which way to steer his Course.

III. A Man that runs in a Race, must see to put himself in a fit Equi∣page. He puts off his upper Clothes, and gets meet and necessary Gar∣ments for the purpose; because the Clothes that a Man usually wears, would much encumber him in his Running.	III. So a Man that would set out in the spiritual Race, or in a speedy Course towards Salvation, must cast off the Rags of his own Righteousness, and put on the Righteousness of Jesus Christ by Faith; for that Garment, with the Gar∣ment of Holiness and Humility, is only necessary,* 1.9 and must be put on by all that would run the Race set before them, so as to obtain the Prize.
IV. A Man that would run in a Race, so as to obtain the Prize, must lay aside all Weights whatso∣ever: For all know, that if a Man have a Weight or Burden on him, it will greatly hinder or obstruct him in his running; nay, if he doth not cast it off, it will soon cause him to be weary, and faint in the Way.	IV. So a Christian that would run in this heavenly Race, must cast off every spiritual Weight. This the Apostle di∣rectly counsels the Saints to do: Let us lay aside every Weight,* 1.10 and the Sin that doth so easily beset us; and let us run with Patience the Race set before us. Now these Weights are, 1. The inordinate Affections. Our Hearts must not be set upon Things be∣low,* 1.11 not inordinately upon Father or Mother, Son or Daughter, House or Land; for he whose Heart runs out in a covetous manner after the World, as the Prophet shews,* 1.12 is like a Man that is laden with thick Clay. It is impossible for a Man to run this Race with the World upon his Back. What was it that weighed down the young Man in the Gospel, that came running to Christ, who seemed to be in a full speed towards eternal Life? Was it not the inordinate Love to the World? 2. Sin; Sin is a Weight: That Sin that doth so easily beset us. Some understand, the Sin of Unbelief is meant hereby; others, a Man's Constitution-Sin, or the Sin of his Nature, that which he is most easily overtaken with, whether it be Pride, Passion, &c. Sin, yea, every Sin must be cast off, take it how you will, (tho I rather adhere to the latter) if a Man would so run as to obtain; for nothing like Guilt tends to make a Christian grow weary, and faint in his Mind.
V. A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize, must not be overcharged with inordinate Eating and Drinking; for Experience shews, how that unfits a Man for running a Race, or for any other Enterprize whatever. And a Man that striveth for Mastery, is tempe∣rate in all things.	V. So a Christian must take heed he be not overcharged in a spiritual Sence; there is spiritual Gluttony and Drunken∣ness spoken of in Scripture. Hence saith our Saviour, Take heed to your selves,* 1.13 lest at any time your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting, Drunkenness, and the Cares of this Life, and so that Day come upon you unawares. What is meant by Surfeiting, Drunkenness, &c. but all kind of loose Living, 1 Thess. 5.7. wanton Riotous∣ness, excessive Delight in, or Desire after the Pleasures of this World, &c. Or on the other hand, being overwhelmed, and sorely afflicted or perplexed with inor∣dinate Cares about earthly Matters? All these things must be avoided by those, who would run the spiritual Race so as to obtain the Prize.
VI. A Man that would run in a Race, so as to obtain the Prize, must see he doth not lessen his Pace; he must run swiftly, and run constant∣ly; if he loyter, or grow careless, and idle, no wonder if he lose the Prize.	VI. So a Christian must run with speed, he must be very diligent, swift-footed, which is signified by running; and also he must be even in his Course. He must not be like the Galatians,* 1.14 only run well for a Time, but continue always to the end the same Pace, i. e. keep in a constant Course of godly Zeal and Holiness, ac∣cording to that of the Apostle, We desire that every one of you do shew the same Diligence, to the full assurance of Hope to the end.* 1.15 Some Men seem very zealous in a Fit, they are all on a Flame (as it were) none

more forward and lively in God's Ways, and in his holy Worship, than they; but on a sudden oft-times (as hath been observed) they flag, and grow weary. It may be, as the Proverb is, a zealous Apprentice, a lukewarm Journey-man, and a quite cold Master.
VII. A Man that would run so as to obtain the Prize, ought to be strong and healthy. A distempered Person, or one that falls sick in the Way, is not likely to obtain the Prize; a consumptive Man, or one that hath feeble Knees, or a distem∣pered Heart, is not likely to hold out.	VII. So a Christian, that runs the heavenly Race, ought to labour after spiritual Strength: Be strong in the Lord,* 1.16 and in the Power of his Might. Thou there∣fore, my Son, be strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus. Distempers are as subject to seize upon the Soul, as upon the Body, viz. the Tympany of Pride, the Feaver of Passion, the Trembling of the Heart through slavish Fear, the Stone of a hard Heart, the spiritual Consumption, or Decay of Grace; Want of Breath, or Difficulty in breathing out constant and fer∣vent Prayers and Desires to God, or any other Decay of the inward Man, or Disease of the Soul. If any of these seize upon a Christian in his Course to eternal Life, without sp••edy Cure, they will cause him to faint, and fall short of the blessed Prize.
VIII. A Man that runs in a Race, if he falls lame in the Way, is not likely to obtain the Prize.	VIII. So that Christian that falleth lame (in a spiritual Sence) in the Race to Glory, is in danger of miscarrying. Make strait Paths for your Feet,* 1.17 lest that which is lame be turned out of the Way, but rather let it be healed. Some by Lameness understand Want of Sincerity, when there is a Work upon one Faculty of the Soul, and not upon another; i. e. When the Conscience is awakened, and the Understan∣ding somewhat enlightned, and yet the Will and Affection is for Sin and the World. This Man is lame, he is no sound Man, he goes limping as it were along; he will not run long, as he runs not well. Others by Lameness understand more directly, a wavering Mind about some main Truths of the Gospel, or about the publick and visible owning and professing of Christ and the Gospel, in respect of those Truths that are most opposed by Men, in the Day and Generation in which we live. Some are like those in the Prophet Elijah's Time, they halt between two Opinions,* 1.18 stand wavering between God and Baal, and know not which to cleave to, whether to the Protestant, or Popish Religion. Now these are lame Professors; they are corrupt, or not sincere; they will not, unless healed, hold out to the end of the Race, but be turned out of the Way.
IX. A Man that meets with bad Way in running a Race, is thereby many times hard put to it, and in danger of losing the Prize: As when he is forced to run up-hill a great while together, or meets with a rough and untrodden Path, or is fain to run through a deep Mire, or a very dirty Lane; this tries his Strength, Courage, and Resolution.	IX. So when a Christian meets with hard Things, or passeth through great Difficulties in his Way to Heaven, he is much put to it, viz. when he is forced to mount the Hill of Opposition, and pass over the Stile of carnal Reason, and through the perilous Lane of Persecution, and Valley of the Shadow of Death; Being accounted all the Day long as a Sheep for the Slaughter.* 1.19 He then is tried to purpose. Many that have set out Hea∣venwards in a Day of Peace and Prospe∣rity, have in a Time of Tribulation and Persecution grown weary,* 1.20 or being of∣fended, have fallen away.
X. Men that run in a Race, have many Spectators, who stedfastly look upon them, to see how they run, and who will win; some ho∣ping one will gain the Prize, and others hoping the same Man will lose it.	X. So the Saints of God have many and eminent Spectators, who stedfastly look upon them, with great Expectation, to see how they behave themselves, whilst they run the Celestial Race, viz. God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy Spirit, the one Almighty and Eternal God. Yea, and all the holy

Angels, on the same side, behold them with great Earnestness, hoping they will hold out to the end, and obtain the Crown of everlasting Glory, and to that purpose help and encourage them in their Course. On the other side, there are all the Devils, or wicked Angels, who have their Eyes upon them for evil,* 1.21 who do not only hope and long to see them grow weary and faint in their Minds, but also strive, as much as in them lies, to hinder and resist them in their Race, so that they may lose the Prize.
XI. Some Men run a great while, and afterwards grow weary, and slack their Pace, nay, quite give over running, and so lose the Prize.	XI. So some Professors seem to run well, to be zealous for God and Religion a great while, it may be for many Years together; but when Trouble arises, or Temptation seizes upon them, they grow weary, and indifferent about these Matters, and (with Demas) cleave to this pre∣sent evil World, and so turn with the Dog to his Vomit again, and lose Eter∣nal Life.
XII. Some Men that have run in a Race, have run for a great Prize, yea, for a Crown, (as some have observed) and when they have won it, have been praised excee∣dingly, it being esteemed a mighty Honour; it hath not only enriched them, but been to their great Re∣nown and Glory.	XII. So the Saints of God, who run this heavenly Race, run for a great Prize, viz. a Crown of Glory.* 1.22 And every Man that striveth for the Mastery, is temperate in all things: Now they do it to obtain a corruptible Crown, but we an incorruptible. Be thou faithful unto Death,* 1.23 and I will give thee a Crown of Life. I have (saith Paul) fought the good Fight,* 1.24 I have finished my Course, I have kept the Faith: Hence∣forth there is laid up for me a Crown of of Righteousness, which God the Righteous Judg will give me at that Day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. This Prize will not only enrich the Soul that obtains it, but raise his Renown and Glory to Eternity. He shall be ho∣noured of all, nay, he is the Man whom the King delights to honour:* 1.25 They shall sit down with Christ on his Throne, &c.
XIII. The Man that runs, who resolves to win the Prize, breaks through all Difficulties, will not re∣gard any vain Allurements, but presses on with his utmost Strength, Celerity and Speed imaginable; the Thoughts of the rich Prize anima∣ting his Mind, and prompting him on so to do.	XIII. So a true Christian, who re∣solves for Heaven, he makes haste, he breaks through all Difficulties, and re∣gards not the Golden Balls Satan throws in his Path, viz. none of the vain Al∣lurements of this World, but with his ut∣termost Strength, Celerity, and Eager∣ness of Affection, presseth forward. I press towards the Mark, &c.* 1.26 He strives to enter in at the strait Gate. He strives against Satan, against the World, against Sin, strives in Reading, in Hearing, in Praying, being greatly animated and encouraged thus to do,* 1.27 by seeing him who is invisible (to the natural Eye) and by having a Sight of the excellent Reward, or that glorious Crown and Kingdom he knows he shall receive, when he comes to the end of the Race.
Metaphor.	Disparity.
SOme Men in running a Race do their best; they do whatever in them lieth to obtain the Prize, but nevertheless lose it.	BUt now a Christian, whoever he be, that doth his best, does what he can in all Uprightness of Heart, to believe, to close in with Christ, to love, serve, and obey him, shall never miss of eternal Life.* 1.28 Never was any Man damned, saith a wor∣thy Minister, that did what he could to be saved.
II. Many run in a Race, but one only obtains the Prize.	II. But tho Thousands run in this spi∣ritual Race, yet they may all obtain the Prize.

Inferences.

WE may infer from hence, That the Work and Business of a Christian is hard and difficult; Heaven is not obtained without running, wrestling, striving, warring, &c.

2. That many Professors, who set out Heaven-ward, and run well a little while, are not like notwithstanding to obtain eternal Life;* 1.29 'tis only he that endureth to the end, that shall be saved.

3. It may also inform us what the Reason is, that so many Persons faint or grow weary in this spiritual Race. (1.) Their Weights which they have upon him may occasion it. Or, (2.) The Way being bad, or up-hill. (3.) Their not being tem∣perate in all things. (4.) Their being diseased or lame. (5.) Satan beguiling them with his Golden Balls. (6.) They being not throughly affected with the Worth of that glorious Prize they run for. (7.) By means of their trusting in their own Strength, &c. (8.) Their growing lazy, loving present Ease, &c. (9.) And lastly, which is the Sum of all, their not being truly converted, never effectually wrought upon by the Spirit of Grace.

4. It may serve to stir us all up to the greatest Diligence imaginable, to the end. Whatsoever we meet with in the Way, Heaven will make amends for all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Isa. 55.6.
• * 1.2

  Prov. 8.
• * 1.3

  2 Cor. 6.1.
• * 1.4

  Prov. 1.24, 28.
• * 1.5

  Joh. 14.6.
• * 1.6

  Acts 4.12.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 119.
• * 1.8

  Acts 3 23. 1 Pet. 2.21.
• * 1.9

  Rom. 13.14.
• * 1.10

  Heb. 12 1.
• * 1.11

  Col 3.2, 3
• * 1.12

  Hab. 2.6.
• * 1.13

  Luke 21.24.
• * 1.14

  Gal. 5.7.
• * 1.15

  Heb. 6 11.
• * 1.16

  Eph. 6 10. 2 Tim. 2.1
• * 1.17

  Heb. 12.13.
• * 1.18

  1 King. 18.21.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 23.4.
• * 1.20

  Mat. 13.21.
• * 1.21

  Zech. 3.1, 2.
• * 1.22

  1 Cor. 9.25.
• * 1.23

  Rev. 10.
• * 1.24

  2 Tim. 4.7, 8.
• * 1.25

  Rev. 3.21.
• * 1.26

  Phil. 3.14. Mat. 7.13.
• * 1.27

  Heb. 11.
• * 1.28

  Joh. 10.2. Rom. 8.1.
• * 1.29

  Mat. 24.