The Heavenly Footman; Or, A Description of the Man That Gets to Heaven

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John Bunyan. The Heavenly Footman; Or, A Description of the Man That Gets to Heaven

THE AUTHOR'S EPISTLE TO ALL SLOTHFUL AND CARELESS PEOPLE

CHAPTER I. HEAVEN MUST BE RUN FOR

CHAPTER II. DIRECTIONS FOR THIS HEAVENLY COURSE

CHAPTER III. MOTIVES TO PURSUE THIS HEAVENLY COURSE

CHAPTER IV. APPLICATION OF THE POINT

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Heaven and happiness is that which every one desireth, insomuch that wicked Balaam could say, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" Yet for all this, there are but very few that do obtain that ever-to-be-desired glory, insomuch that many eminent professors drop short of a welcome from God into this pleasant place. The apostle, therefore, because he did desire the salvation of the souls of the Corinthians to whom he writes this epistle, layeth them down in these words, such counsel, as if taken, would be for their help and advantage.

First, not to be wicked, and sit still, and wish for heaven; but to run for it. Secondly, Not to content themselves with every kind of running; but, saith he, "So run, that ye may obtain."

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2. Pressing. This running in another place is called a pressing. "I press toward the mark;" (Phil. iii.;) which signifieth that they that will have heaven, must not stick at any difficulties they meet with; but press, crowd, and thrust through all, that may stand between heaven and their souls. So run.

3. Continuing. This running is called in another place, a continuing in the way of life. "If ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel." Not to run a little now and then, by fits and starts; or half-way; or almost thither; but to run for my life, to run through all difficulties, and to continue therein to the end of the race, which must be to the end of my life. "So run, that ye may obtain." And the REASONS for this point are these:

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