in any thing. This therefore thou shouldst do.

Let thy study be much exercised about Christ, who is the way; what he
is, what he hath done, and why he is what he is, and why he hath done
what is done; as why he took upon him the form of a servant, why he
was made in the likeness of men; why he cried; why he died; why he
bare the sins of the world; why he was made sin, and why he was made
righteousness; why he is in heaven in the nature of man, and what he
doth there. Be much in musing and considering of these things. Be
thinking also, enough for thy warning, of those places which thou must
not come near; but leave, some on this hand, and some on that hand; as
it is with those that travel into other countries. They must leave
such a gate on this hand, and such a bush on that hand, and go by such
a place, where standeth such a thing. Thus therefore you must do.
Avoid such things as are expressly forbidden in the word of God.
"Withdraw thy foot far from her, and come not nigh the door of her
house; for her steps take hold of hell, going down to the chambers of
death." And so of every thing that is not in the way; have a care of
it that thou go not by it; come not near it; have nothing to do with
it. _So run_.

THE THIRD DIRECTION.--Not only thus, but, in the next place, thou must
_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. Men that
run for a wager, (if they intend to _win_ as well as _run_,) do not
use to encumber themselves, or carry those things about them that may
be a hindrance to them in their running. "Every man that striveth for
the mastery is temperate in all things." That is, he layeth aside