John Trapp on Hebrews 12:1

CHAP. XII. Verſe 1. With ſo great a cloud]

OR cluſter of witneſſes, whoſe depoſitions we ſhould hearken to, and reſt in. Iuſtin Martyr confeſſeth of himſelf, that ſeeing the pious lives, and patient ſufferings of the Saints, he concluded that that was the truth that they profeſſed, and ſealed with their bloud. Theſe, in things imitable, are as the cloud that led Iſrael; but in things unwarrantable (for in many things we fail all) as the black of the cloud, which who ſo followeth with the Egyptians, is like to be drowned, as they.

Let us lay aſide every weight] Or burden, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. or ſwelth. He that runs in a race will not have a burden upon his back, or ſhut up himſelf in a ſtrait-bodied ſuit.

The ſinne which doth ſo eaſily beſet us] Or that ſticks ſo cloſe to us, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. or that troubles and puzzles us, or that curbs us and girds us in, that we cannot run at liberty. Inordinate paſſions (ſaith one) come like foul weather, before we ſend for them; they often prevent all action of the will: but good affections are ſo overlaid with ſin (which compaſſeth us about) that if we gather not winde under their wing (ſo ponderous the fleſh is) they cannot mount up to purpoſe.

Let us run with patience] This ſeems to be a contradiction (as one obſerveth) for running is active, patience paſſive: but he that here runs without patience, never gets to the end of the race; for in the race of Gods commandments, men have foul play: one rails, another ſtops him, &c.

The race] Gr. [non-Latin text not transcribed]. The ſtrife-race, for we muſt run, and fight as we run, ſtrive alſo to out-ſtrip our fellow-racers.