Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 9:25

25 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 .

This is not all that is required of men that would go to Heaven, that they do not make an ill use of their liberty, using it to the dishonour of God, or to the prejudice of others; but look as it is with Wrestlers in those Games, in practice amongst you, they are temperate in all things, in the use of meats and drinks, or any pleasures, though in themselves lawful, they will so use them, as may best serve their end▪ upholding the strength of their body for the motion they are to use, and yet not clogging them, or so using them, that they shall indispose them to, or hinder them in that motion which they are to use.

We that are Christians, and striving for Heaven, should also do the like, so behaving our selves in the use of meats, drinks, apparel, pleasures, as the things so used by us, may serve us in our business for Heaven, and be no clog or hindrance to us.

And we have reason so to do, or we shall be shamed by those Gamesters; for they in that manner deny, restrain, and govern themselves to get a Crown, which when they have, is a pitiful, corruptible, perishing thing; we do it for a Crown that is incorruptible; An inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that [illegible: 1 letter]adeth not away, reserved in heaven for us, as the Apostle speaketh, 1 Pet. 1.4.

Marginal references: Eph. 6.12. 1 Tim. 6.12. 2 Tim. 2.5. & 4.7.; 2 Tim. 4.8. Jam. 1.12. 1 Pet. 5.4. Rev. 2.10. & 3.11.