Bunyan on The Race

“Strip thyself of those things that may hang upon thee to the hindering of thee in the way to the kingdom of heaven, as covetousness, pride, lust, or whatever else thy heart may be inclining unto, which may hinder thee in this heavenly race . . . It is but a vain thing to talk of going to heaven, if thou let thy heart be encumbered with those things that would hinder. Would you not say that a man would be in danger of losing, though he run, if he fill his pockets with stones, hang heavy garments on his shoulders, and great lumpish shoes on his feet? So it is here; thou talkest of going to heaven, and yet fillest thy pockets with profits and pleasures. Alas, alas, thou are widely mistaken! If thou intendest to win, thou must strip, thou must lay aside every weight, thou must be temperate in all things.” John Bunyan, The Heavenly Footman, p. 13.