They that had seen his glory in the Mount when his Countenance shined as the Sun c must now see him under a Cloude his glory vailed they beheld him in his Triumph and must see him in his trouble 'T is Christs familiar way to be before-hand with his suffering Servants to give them some hearty draughts of the Cup of consolation before he put into their hands the Cup of trembling And 't is a sweet heart-taking method well-becoming our tender-hearted Physitian who loves to be preventing his poore ones with tender mercies so preparing them for sufferings for him by declareing his lovelinesse and love to them In the 40th verse Vers 38 Christ finds his Disciples asleep when he had newly called upon them to watch so apt are we to sleep under awakning teachings when he was heavie and sorrowfull even to the death how heavie were their eyes how heartlesse they at such a time even as dead men they cannot watch with him or for him Vers 40. when his enemies were watching to take him Ah poore helplesse Spirit-lesse friends to him who had so befriended them His own disciples have least care to watch when greatest cause to watch now was their time if ever to watch when he so awakened and now they let their watchfall What not watch with me one houre Is it come to this no better Souldiers under so good a Captain what deale so ill with mee who have dealt so well with you Yea not watch with me one houre who have watched so long over you for good And now the houre is come too If not for mee yet for your selves for when the Shepherd is smitten the Sheep will be scattered But no warning will keepe them awake when the heart 's asleepe he comes once and againe yea the third time and finds them sleeping thus the sleepie evill growes upon us we are usually most secure when least safe and heaviest with sleep under heaviest awakning providences In the Text we have Christs faithfull watch-word or friendly alarme to his slumbring Disciples where observe 1. A double duty commanded 2. A double reason commended 1. A double duty commanded watch and pray an excellent present remedie against spirituall security A word in season an happie conjunction a blessed paire joyned together by Christ himself let no man put them asunder watching without prayer will be helplesse and prayer without watching will be heartlesse but both together heartfull and helpfull Prayer without watching will never awaken us and watching without prayer will never awaken the Lord to watch over us for good but both togeather will bring in many awakening quickning and comforting visits betwixt God and our Souls watching in prayer makes it a good watch and prayer in watching makes all things work for good 2. A double reason commended Lest ye enter into temptation The Spirit indeed c. 1. Ye are exposed to temptation 2. Ye are indisposed to opposition 1. Yee are exposed to temptation if you do not watch and pray you tempt the Lord to lead you into temptation and leave you there you tempt the tempter to tempt you if you do not watch and pray he 'l watch to make a prey of you And you tempt your selves you lie neerest to and fairest for temptations when you are farthest from watchfull supplication 1. You close with temptations you are in the mid'st of them before you be aware if you watch not to shut the doore against them you open the doore to them there will be temptations upon you within and without and you will be within them while you lie sleepie and prayerlesse upon a bed of ease you even lay a Cushion for Satan to lie down by you you enter into temptation and temptations will enter into you 2. Temptations will enclose you you 'l not know how to get out when once in you are in danger to be lost i' th croud you may be easily ensnared but not so easily enlarged 't is hard getting out of the Devills labyrinth 2. Ye are indisposed to opposition the flesh is weak and your temptations strong here observe 1. Christs candid concession the Spirit c. 2. His cleare conviction the flesh c. 1. His Concession the Spirit is willing your heart is good though your hand be short there 's sinceritie in you though you want abilitie Christ cannot find in his heart to break the bruised reed the broken heart he owns their willingnesse with a good will though much weaknesse in them 't may do one good at heart to see how his heart was upon their hearts when their heads were heavie how sweetly his Spirit sympathizeth with their Spirits 't is like himself the Spirit is willing saith he 2. His Conviction the flesh is weak Christ is willing to overlook their infirmities but will have them look upon them they must not indulge themselves for his indulgencie towards them Here 's Counsel implyed to take care of their Spirits that they may be quickned cherished and strengthened by his Spirit who helps to will and do of his good pleasure that to will may be present with them and to perform too And here 's Caution intimated to take heed to the flesh to keep them humble and sensible of their weaknesse that he might perfect his strength in weaknesse I shall summe up all under this one word and 't is Christs own Watch Oh that he would own it and follow it home to our hearts by his Spirits that we may own it for his sake Obs 'T is an Evangelical Duty to Watch. This is wisdoms own Counsel and must be her Childrens care The Captain of our salvation gives this word to his Souldiers to awaken them to work out their salvation c Now Souldiers upon pain of death must be at a word of command The watchfull Shepherd of Souls calls upon his sheep to watch and his voyce they most heare How oft is this hammer lift up to knock at the everlasting doors of our hearts even by the King of glory himself Ten times at the least we have this word expressed by the Evangelists from Christs own Mouth How apt are we to sleep on both eares that he must cry so hard and call so oft upon us saying Watch watch watch c how hardly are we awakened what a dead sleep is upon us that there must be such crying jogging knocking c How dangerous is carnal security that Christ should so importunately warn us and affectionatly watch over us as to this spiritual duty of watching there must needs be much in it when hee 's so much upon it and sure watching well will tend greatly to our best welfare and happinesse seeing our good Lord and Master makes it so much our businesse But what is this Gospel duty of Watching First in general 't is a busie work much goes to the doing of it in a Gospel way This one work well understood will find us all work enough The word is
pray at all in Gods account But that a true Israelite who has had power with God in prayer should cease to pour out a prayer before him this is strange and yet no more strange then true amongst slumbring Christians who cannot chuse but give over praying when they give over watching the Spirit of prayer must needs be silent under a spirit of slumber 3. Is not thy Spiritual warfare maintained dost not thou wrastle against spiritual wickedness c Dost thou not feel the Law of the mind warring against the Law in thy members Art thou not at odds with thy own heart every day and quarrelling with it for heart-sins Why then the heart is asleep whilest thy lusts lie sleeping within thee thou dost not watch whilest thou dost not war How shamefully wilt thou be foiled by the lusts thou fightest not against Sin will get head and heart too whiles thy heart is asleep thy lusts like so many flies will swarm about thy sleepie soul Thou dost not reckon with thy self about thy dying to sin self c. Alas how dead is thy heart in the mean time thou hast given over thy complaining of the body of death and yet thy lusts are more lively and thou livelesse they strong and thou art weak sure they are awake and thou sleepest 4. Art not thou sensible of the subtile insinuations and secret suggestions of Satan in this busie day of his Dost thou meet with none of his buffettings now he layes so about him dost thou feel none of his fiery darts now Hell is broke loose Mayst thou not be very suspitious that a spirit of slumber is upon thee and the evill spirit rocks thee Art not thou pleasing thy self with smooth things lying quietly upon a pillow of carnal security and Satan pleasing of thee too and loath to disquiet thee Art thou at ease in Zion singing a Requiem to thy Soul why thou mayst sleep on for him and take thy rest 'T is not for his purpose to awaken us out of false dreams this cunning Fowler is most busie with awakened spirits that are struggling from him that would be ever upon the wing Christward but he stirs little when men lie asleep at his feet onely watches over them he makes least noyse there but does most hurt Oh the mystery of iniquitie works most and worst amongst idle souls that work not watch not 5. Dost not thou sympathize with the suffering servants of Jesus Christ Is not thy heart affected with the afflictions of Joseph Hast thou little or no fellow-feeling of thy brethrens calamities Canst not bleed in their wounds as thine own heart whose blood has been spilt like water upon the ground for the testimony of of Jesus Sure then thy spirit within thee is benummed under a spirit of security and almost past feeling Did not the sad cryes of the distressed Protestants in the Valleys of Piedmont and in Germany saying Have pity upon us O our Friends have pity upon us for the hand of the Lord hath touched us Did not I say their doleful complaints come to thine ears and did not this go to thine heart do not thy bowels sound within thee towards them who are sighing it out Our bowels our bowels dost thou not make lamentation over them crying Alas alas Is it nothing to thee there are so many mourners in Zion at this day hanging their harps upon the Willowes and dost thou put no tears i' th bottle for them And further how stands thy heart affected towards such as are afflicted in spirit Does not thy soul bleed within thee towards poor wounded souls who are even ready to bleed to death for want of the gracious presence of the Lord of life Canst thou not mourn in secret for such as walk mournfully without the Sun Time was when thine head was as water and thy eyes as fountains of tears that thou couldst not but weep with those that wept and mourn as the Doves of the valleys with them that mourned but now thy eyes are dry thy bowels strait and thy heart hard Oh what strong stupidity is upon thee if all the members should suffer when but one suffers how stupid and senselesse is that one that suffers not when so many suffer I cannot but pity such slumbring Christians who want yearning bowels of pitty when I consider what sharp medicines must be applyed to their insensible stupified spirits to cut them to the quick and fetch up their spiritual senses to sympathize with Christ in his members 6. Is not thy Soul vexed at the filthy conversation of the ungodly 2 Pet. 2.7 8. as Lots righteous Soul was Dost thou not bear the backslidings of Gods own people was a burthen upon thine heart before the Lord Dost thou not inwardly tremble at the dishonour put upon that Name which hath been proclaimed amongst us in so loud languages as glorious in holinesse c Are not the abominations of the Times the very abomination of thy soul Canst thou not mourn in secret for the open Pride prophanenesse profusenesse of so many thousands in our Israel at this day Why then believe it thy heart is asleep indeed when the crying sins of this adulterous generation do not awaken it Oh how many who have appeared as Children of the day have fellowship now with the unfruitfull works of darknesse who once seemed white as snow and are now black as a coal who some years since would not have touched the garment spotted with the flesh have now put on the Aethiopian skin again and the Leopards spots having once escaped the pollutions of the flesh and are again entangled therewith Hovv are the honourable things of the Law and Gospel too become contemptible in the eyes of many who seemed to prize them above thousands of gold and silver how are the precious pearls of Jesus Christ which are worth more then a world and of which the World is not worthy trampled under foot as if they were nothing worth Oh what loathing of Manna even amongst Israelites what turning of grace into wantonnesse Horrible things are done in our Israel and that in the sight of the Sun published in the streets of Ashkelon so that the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph And shall not the daughters of Zion sigh and mourn for these abominations which are more then enough to break ones sleep and heart too which break the Lords own heart And if thou lay them not to heart Ezek. 6.9 thy heart 's asleep Directions for Watchfulnesse 1. Even set before thee the All-seeing eye of Jehovah which is ever upon thee His eyes which are ten thousand times brighter then the Sun daily looked upon by an eye of Faith will be very awakening Think much upon those heart-stirring meditations Psa 139.1.2 3 4. of Gods glorious presence which were so much upon Davids heart as Gods encompassing thy path and thy bed besetting thee behind and before looking thee thorough in all places at all times watching
lively lovely companions joyned together by Christs own hand and would be linked together as with a chain of gold in every Christians heart Watching and prayer are mutually helpful and successeful First Watchfulnesse helps to lift up and keep up Prayer as Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses Exod. 17.12 1. It helps us to opportunities of Prayer A slumbring spirit loses many seasons of Prayer sleeps out sweet breathing-times of supplication Where there is deep spiritual sleep there 's deep silence a dumb spirit is there The Sluggard is folding his hands to rest when he should be lifting up his heart with his hands unto God in the Heavens If we watch not Satan will make a prey of our praying-times the World will be stealing away our time and hearts too Our praying times are precious times our enemies envy them and of all times will be interposing when we are any thing disposed this way they 'l lose no time to make us lose our best times and if they can but take us off the duty of the day they get the day Now a watchfull Spirit will keep time with God in whose hands all our time is who ever sayes Nay It thinks much to lose one meeting with him he must not be put off what ever is put by Vigilancie helps much as to constancie and frequencie in prayer an awakened heart will cry with David morning evening and at noon It will prevent the dawning of the Morning and the Night watches such a Soul only can continue in prayer Psal 55.17 Psa 119.147.148 and pray continually that is continually upon its Watch. Besides as watchfulnesse helps to find out time for prayer so to chuse out the fittest when we are most at leasure for Heaven in the best posture for prayer As Jesus Christ was much at fasting and prayer and best at it so he watched seasons and secrecie for prayer Mark 1.25 Hee 's early at it and solitarie And as he counsels us to pray daily so he cautions us to pray duly solemnly and secretly Math. 6.6 But thou when thou prayest enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy door pray to thy Father which seeth in secret c We should have nothing else to doe when we have to do with God in prayer T is work enough alone and he loves to have us much alone at this work A man that is wise for his Soul will watch a finding time in all his seekings and speak most to the Lord when ther 's most hopes he will be spoke with Psal 32.6 and he shall speed best Now a sleepie heart is for any time or no time 'T is apt to put God off with the least and last when it's Spirit 's low strength spent affections earthly when all out of frame no help at it no heart to it no time for it He neither looks for Gods Spirit in prayer nor at his own And thus the Lord of all must be served with anything or nothing by a sloathful servant whereas a vigilant soul watches Golden-Gospel-seasons when it may offer up incense in Golden censers When the heart 's ful as the Clouds then to be pouring it out when 't is as a bottle of new Wine wanting vent then to speak that it may be refreshed as Elihu did when the Spirit moves Job 32.18 19 20. when the heart is fixed when the affections are warme when most retired and inward These are the heavenly breatheing times with the awakened Virgins for this holy exercise These are the living lively Saints dayes for pure Spiritual recreation these are their extraordinary times on earth upon which they pray down more then ordinary blessings from Heaven 2. Watchfullnesse helps us to Importunitie in prayer A watchfull Soul is good at holding out with Gods sits up with him for him It will not keepe silence while God is silent It can take no rest and will give the Lord no rest till he heare in Heaven and speak to its heart Take an awakened heart upon deep conviction and how mightily will it cry unto the Lord saying Awake awake heare me speedily and How long Lord 'T is in great haste now Psa 40.1 Hebr. for an answer from Heaven and the more haste the better speed in this sense Now it cannot but wait in waiting pray with a prayer Jam. 5.14.17 Gr. cry all the day While its watch is up its soul is lift up that God would rejoyce the soul of his servant Psa 86.3.4 It s hard at work within at this heart-duty Now a slumbring spirit has soon done shortest prayers are sweetest to it It cares not for awakening the Lord lest he should awaken it It would be let alone and therefore 't will let him alone it likes well to give the Lord rest and it self too A sleepy heart cannot lift up the hands that hang down Heb. 12.12 and the feeble knees 'T is the awakened Soul which stretcheth forth the hand towards God whose eyes fail with looking up that wrastles with him as for life Jacob-like and will not let him go without a blessing Now importunity does much with God in prayer Luk. 18.1.7.8.82 Gr. Will not God avenge his Elect that cry unto him day and night I tell you sayes Christ who knevv his Fathers heart coming from his bosome he will Speedily assoon as may be Fervent prayer though long at it loses no time life and length in this duty will carry it at last It will not be put off not away till it has got an alms it has got the skill on 't and will not leave knocking till the door be opened It will have its will of God as one may say because it would have nothing but what God will What a great word was that from Christ to great faith and fervency in prayer Be it unto thee as thou wilt Mat. 15 28. Gr. Shee could wish no more and she must have no lesse 3. Watchfullness helps to idoneitie in prayer Awakened hearts are readiest to cry to the Lord and to heare him speak ' Its an instrument in tune to pray with such an heart God himself has prepared for himself and he will cause his eare to heare and prepare of his goodnesse for it too A Christian upon his spirituall watch may say My heart is readie O God my heart is readie Psa 10.17 'T is an excellent frame of spirit for any spiritual duty at any time A slumbring Spirit is most unfit for holy strivings and struglings with God none more indisposed to this stirring duty or lesse affected at it When the heart is asleep prayer is but a dream 'T is phansie works then not faith there 's onely a sound of words no sound words All 's but as sounding brasse or as a tinkling Cymball it makes no musick in Gods eare All 's to seeke in such a heart faith desires hope c it 's ever at a losse
All 's dead in a manner here there 's no breathing almost Oh what a distempered distracted spirit in prayer where no watch is kept what aversions from it what diversions in it How will the heart wander up and down and give us the slip if not watched What strange withdrawings misgivings of spirit when we draw nigh to give up our hearts to the Lord what a croud of confused thoughts in a sleepie heart weak and low graces are soon lost in it 'T is such a thorow-fare for Sctans suggestions that Christ has little or no room there Now a watchfull Spirit will be sure to shut the door against all these that Christ may have all to himself the heart must be kept as a closet for him and the Soul to meet in 4. In point of Receptivitie watchfullnesse puts a Soul into a capacitie to take in much from God by prayer as to be much at it and to do much in it so to get much by it God will be ever giving to that Soul that gives it self unto prayer A man that is all prayer to allude to the expression in the original whose heart is all upon it Psa 109 4. Heb. as Davids must needs be a getting growing man hee drives so thriving a trade thoroughly Now there 's none better at it then awakened hearts and so none fitter to wait 1. For supply and support in prayer Spiritual supplications cannot be carryed on but by the supply of the Spirit of Jesus-Christ which Paul reckoned so comfortably on Phil. 1.19 these sweet spices will not flow without the breathings of the holy Ghost It 's well known to an awakened Soul that we cannot think a good thought of our selves 'T is onely Gods good Spirit that can teach us to indite good matter Psa 45.1 Hebr. his quicknings make our Spirits as a living Spring to buble up and boyle over in fervent prayer Isa 6.6 when he touches the lips with a living coale as one of the Seraphims did the Prophet Isaiah then our tongues will be like the pens of a readie writer Rom. 8.26 Gr. An experienced Christian when awake feeles at his heart he cannot help up himself in prayer and therefore he waites for the Spirit to help his infirmities he knows not how to turn his hand or heart to the work without an helping hand from Heaven at every turn and therefore he waits and weeps for the Spirit to help him out with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered and though he have no strength of his own yet he has power with God having power from God 2. For successe and satisfaction after Prayer He that watches unto prayer and in it will wait for the return of prayer day after day as Noah did for the Dove till it returned with an Olive leaf in its mouth when he has sowen in tears he waits for the precious fruits of a spiritual harvest till he reap in joy he looks long and longingly after his prayers and tears with an open eye and heart hee 's ever and anon hearkening what the Lord will say after all his speaking to him and pleading with him by a spirit of supplication he must hear and feel at his heart that God hears in heaven when he has done praying his faith is as busie with God at his promises as the Bee at flowers and will not have done till prayer comes home laden with honey Thus poor beggars that have the skill of waiting in prayer and after it get a good living by it 't is a good stock that brings in great store of new and old Now a slothfull spirit has no heart at all to look after his prayers that had no heart in them they die in the birth and are still-born how can he expect God should hear those prayers which he scarce hears himself They make no noyse in heaven and there can be no good newes of them on earth they 'l find Gods ear heavy who find their hearts so whereas a watchfull heart may reckon much of the incoms of prayers and shall have a good account of them one day Secondly Prayer helps to keep up our Watch it cannot fall down while Prayer is up with faith and fervency 1. It helps up a Christians Watch and keeps it up as it brings in the Keeper of Israel who neither slumbers nor sleeps to help us to watch The prayer of faith crys loud in his ears and awakens him to a waken us it followes him as for life to quicken up our spirits to this spirituall Watch It has power with God and fetches power from him to strengthen weak hands and feeble knees Isa 40.31 in this holy duty Prayer upon the wings of faith will fetch down Eagles wings in a promise to mount up with in this high and heavenly exercise of waiting on the Lord and watching for him Watching is hard work and long duty and alas we are soon tyred out in any thing of spiritual duty especially if any thing of difficulty in it we are ready at every turn to lie down to rest Now lively prayer stirres up the Lord to stirre us up It will set him awork at our hearts and his heart-workings are heartawakenings while we are knocking at the gates of Heaven and jogging as it were of Christs elbow by stirring and strong cryes his spirit will be knocking at the door of our hearts and jogging our spirits to keep them awake Let a poor heart but cry in the Ears of the Lord and it shall hear a voyce from heaven behind it yea within it saying Arise my Love and come away c. 2. Prayer helps in watching Psal 121. as it engages the Lord to watch over our watchings without whom all our watchings would be in vain he keeps a strict watch over his waiting servants day and night for he neither slumbers nor sleeps Alas we cannot keep our souls alive nor our heart awake but prayer takes the Lord into the Watch-tower with us and he sets a guard upon our hearts a watch before our lips c. Hee 's a tower of salvation to his people and keeps them as in a garrison by his own power 1 Pet. 1.5 while they are upon his Watch and at his Work The Watch must needs be safely and sweetly kept where Jesus Christ is Captain of the Guard we should be certainly surprized even upon our spiritual Watch by those spiritual wickednesses in high places who are too high and too many for us Were we not set upon the Rock that is higher then we Psal 61.2 that is higher then they the Rock Christ we should be taken as naked men even at our arms did not the Captain of our Salvation watch with us and over us now Christs waiting-servants are ever calling him in by the prayer of Faith to keep up their Watch for them by watching over them 1 Sam. 28.2 Achish to David their effectual prayers lay strong hands
be closed with 1 Joh. 4.4 upon any terms For greater is he that is in us then he that is in the world And while we Watch and Pray our spirituall weapons will be mighty through God to bring down all the strong holds of the god of this world Luther was one of the most watchfull spirits in prayer we read of and he speaks of one of the highest experiences that we shall meet with That he was never tempted to Covetousnesse there was no fishing for his spirit with golden baits which was carried so high above the world in Faith and Prayer But alas Christians now adayes find the world a very great temptation a world of temptations in it How is the Moon got up to the heart in this our age that used to be under foot Rev. 12.2 to such as are clothed with the Sun Oh what hoarding up treasure on earth by such as seemed to be heires of Heaven as if their Heaven were upon earth and their hearts too How unbecoming is this to those that are born from above to live beneath themselves that ever so noble spirits of the blood-Royall should be so embased precious Sons and Daughters of Zion who were comparable to fine Gold should in this sense become as earthen pitchers How contrary is this to those heavenly principles of faith and love which should carry us as upon Eagles wings above the world towards heaven Oh where is the love of the Father where there is so much love of the World Have you ever tasted of the powers of the World to come who are thus brought under the power of the Creature What shall the Children of the Kingdom look no further live no higher then the Kingdoms of this World What called out of the World and at the Worlds call too These things could never be if watching and prayer had been kept up all this while with life and power 'T were not possible the World should steale upon the hearts of Gods people thus and steale them away too were they not asleep Now when prayer's down and the World up what a downfall will there bee They fall into temptation and asnare and into many hurtfull and foolish lusts which drown men in perdition Oh what a root of evil springs up where the World takes deep root how do they pierce themselves thorough with many sorrowes 1 Tim. 6 9 10. and choak the precious seeds of grace with these thornes and when the heart is overcharged with the inordinate love of this present World This soul-benumming Lethargie of carnal securitie will overspread it that we shall not feele this sin within us when it is even all over us what sense can we have of our living by Sense whiles Faith lies dead The love of the World will grow insensibly upon us if it can but lull us asleep in its Armes Secondly because we shall be indisposed to make any opposition in an hour of temptation if we do not Watch and Pray our temptations will grow stronger and we weaker in Spirit every day then other they will be as Gyants and we as Grashoppers to use the expression of the Spies And alas as we are so is our strength as Gideon said of Jether at the best but weaknesse and our spirituall enemies will gather up their strength to take the advantage of us when and where we are weakest How easily may they make a prey of us coming upon us vvhen vve are sore as Simeon and Levi did upon the Males Gen. 34.25 especially if vve consider 10. That the Strength of Israel has secretly vvithdravvn himself from his people vvhile their hearts have been asleep Num. 14 9. and novv their defence is departed from them and they are as bread to the devouring mouth of the hungry Lyon vvho never had a better stomack to them Sampson Judg. 16 19.20 vvho vvas so strong in the strength of God vvas as vveak as another man vvhen the Lord departed from him the Philistines may novv bind him as they please put out his eyes and make him grind it 'h Prison-house Ah since the Lord has turned his back upon a backsliding generation hovv are the strong become as bow and they that had the excellencie of dignitie and strength are as unstable as the water how miserably are they swallowed up of temptations on every side how easily lead captive by their corruptions at every turne And though they shake themselves somtimes as Sampson did and think to resist them as at other times alas they cannot do it for their strength is departed from them 2. That the Lord hath left them to themselves who have laid him aside and left off watching and prayer Now what can such naked men do in an hour of Temptation when they meet with the strong man armed must they not needs be spiritlesse like Saul in the day of distresse when he was left to his own Spirit 1 Sam. 28.20 and had no strength in him What a pittifull forlorn creature is that man whom God has given over and given up to himself even like a lamb in a large place Hos 4.16 as back-sliding Israel what more destitute and distressed where no Shepherd no flock how will it wander and lose it self The best of men in such a case are exposed to the worst of evills when David a man after Gods own heart was trusted but a while with his own heart how shamfully it deceived him and defiled him who would ever have thought that murthers and adulteries should have proceeded out of such a heart as his When Solomon Neh. 13 26. who was so beloved of his God was given up to himself how strangely was his heart changed within him and turned from the Lord God of Israel who had appeared to him twice even to strange gods 1 King 11.8 and strange wives The wisest of men when left to his own wisdom appears as one of the fools in Israel and whither does his shame go And good Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32.31 when the Lord left him to try him to know all that was in his heart what pride of heart does he discover though he had been so lately and so deeply humbled And though the Lord had newly emptied all worldly glory before his eyes 2 King 20.13 Yet he could not keep his eyes and heart off of the house of his precious things c. but glories in shewing all the treasures were faund there when he should have glorified God and shewed forth his wonders in bringing the Sun of his life back Isa 38. and the shadow upon the dyal of Ahaz c. Yea blessed Peter an holy Apostle of Jesus Christ when he trusted to his own strength and boldly professed above the rate of the rest of the Disciples Mat. 26 33 35. saying Though all men shall be offended because of thee yet will I never be offended and though I should die with thee yet will I
life power and peace from you and then how dark and dead heartlesse and helplesse will you lie in this hour of Temptations These are the broken thoughts of one of your poor heart-friends when afflicted and absent in body yet affected as present in spirit with the sense of the room he hath had in your hearts while the hand of the Lord hath touched him What in mercy he hath brought to my hand and heart while I had onely his own Book with mee I leave to the blessing of his own hand upon your hearts and mind Now the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patient waiting for of Christ And I beseech you Brethren for his sake and the love of the Spirit that you strive together and asunder in your prayers to God for me that he would consider my troubles and know my Soul in adversity that I may rejoyce in his mercy and that I may come unto you with joy by the Will of God and may with you be refreshed through the gracious presence of Christ to the praise of his grace to whose benediction direction and dominion I humbly commit you and rest Your much obliged Friend and Servant in the Gospel of Christ G. S. Christian Reader AS 't is the special Office of some men to be Watchmen so 't is the common duty of all men to Watch. That some men are appointed to watch over others cannot excuse any mans neglect of watching over Himself All the Ports of the Body the Eyes the Ears the Lips at which the Soul is continually issuing out by several acts or taking in from several Objects need a continual watch upon them how much more doth that most important Piece of all the Heart We should alwayes watch what God is doing we should watch what God is speaking what he speaks to us in his Word what he speaks to us in his Works We should watch what he speaks to move us unto prayer and what he speaks in answer to the motions which we have made in prayer How watchfull should they be who have all these and many more occasions of watching We read in Daniel Chap. 4. 13. Of a Watcher and a Holy one that came down from heaven And surely none on earth can be Holy Ones unlesse they be Watchers The carelesse Soul is alwayes a corrupt one and Security layeth us open to all impurity Satan watcheth to make us Halt and evil men watch for our Haltings we shall never take either eaven or clean steps unlesse we watch our own goings and ponder the path of our feet Watchfulnesse being so indispensible a Duty how glad should we be of any thing either to awaken us or keep us awake The Learned and Godly Authour of this ensuing Discourse hath beaten such an Alarm and shot off such a Warning-Piece in our Quarters that if the Virgins slumber still as their security will be inexcusable so their calamity will be unavoidable What can they look for who will not watch to pray But that God as he once did Jer. 31.28 should watch over them to pluck up and to break down and to destroy and to afflict What can they look for who will not watch to do good but that God as another Prophet saith he once did Dan. 4.13 should watch upon the evill and bring it upon them They who will not take warning deserve to be made one Having perused this Manuall of Watchfulnesse I commend it into the hands and to the hearts of all those who would find peace and be found in peace when their Lord commeth It was sad that the Disciples eyes were so heavy that they could not watch with Christ one hour when he was going out of the world And it will be more sad with those whose hearts are so heavy that they cannot watch for the return of Christ at all houres who therefore hath not told us the particular hour of his coming that we at all hours might be kept watching for it And Blessed will those Servants be whom when their Lord cometh he shall find watching and praying or watching unto prayer that they enter not into temptation and that they may be kept in the hour of temptation Reader That his Book may be blessed from above to make thee Watchfull is his Prayer who readily Approves it for the Presse and publick Use of this Slumbring Age Joseph Caryl To the Reader Reader THey who keep close to the Lord Christ in holinesse of Life and purity of Doctrine are Virgins whether particular Persons or Churches Such being expos'd to many Temptations and subject to much Slumbring here is a Warning-Piece for them The great Watchman of Israel warn'd his Apostles yea all to Watch Mark 13.37 so doth this good Watchman in Israel Watching is a Duty of grand importance Noah Lot David Peter and other Worthies were tempted slumbred and suffered much for want of Watchfulnesse When Kings slumber they may lose a skirt of their garments 1 Sam. 24.14 and when Virgins slumber they may lose their whole Garments all their Ornaments Rev. 16 15. and the shame of their nakednesse appear The vigilant Author hath prepar'd and fitted this Treatise to prevent such evils It s little but of much worth being Judicious Succinct and Spirituall Bulky Volume must give place It 's full of Apples of gold in pictures os silver choyce Truths in choice expressions Reader wouldst thou be a wise watchful and experimental Christian look seriously into this Treatise lay the Contents of it close to thy heart and be sure to have thy desire William Greenhill Geo Griffiths Errata PAge 9. line 3. read Spirit for spirits p. 13. l. 1. r. heart-duty for hearty-duty p. 21. l. 8. r. her for his l. 12. about for abou p. 23. ult work for worth p. 50. l. 3. r. work for prophecy p. 55. l. ult they for this p. 65. l. 16. as for at p. 71. Gen. 28. for 18. p. 72. l. 4. fear for hear p. 79. l 7. you for these line 9. your for their p. 86 l. 12 fully for full p. 87 l. 13 It 's for Jobs p. 93 l. 1. as for us line 9. God for Gods p. 115 Prov. 19. for 14. least for last p. 138 line 1. tow for bow p. 142 l. 11. with whose lips had for with those lips that p. 143 line ult and you for and put p. 145 line 4. rest for coast p. 152. the better could for the better could p. 153. Prov. 23.34 for Prov. 7.23 p. 155. l. 8. Can you for Yea can p. 164 l. 15. multiformity for multifariety p. 165. l. 23. and by swallowing for swallowing p. 172. l. 16. as this as they waited for as thus waited A Warning-Piece FOR THE Slumbring Virgins Matth. 26.41 Watch and Pray that ye enter not into temptation IN the 37th verse of this Chapter we find Jesus took Peter and the two Sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowfull Math. 17.1.2 c
upon him to keep him with them as the Keeper of their heads and hearts for ever 3. Prayer helps a Christian to Watch as it brings him in to commune with God who is glorious in holinesse fearful in praises doing wonders When a poor silly sinful Wretch comes to present himself before the Holy One who is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity How will the serious thoughts of the transcendent majesty and resplendent purity of Jehovah awaken him Will not his excellency make him afraid Job 13.11 and his dread fall upon him When Abraham drew near to commune with the Lord what awakened posture does he appear in Gen. 18 27. Behold sayes he I have taken upon me to speak to the Lord who am but dust and ashes Oh let not the Lord be angry c. When a Child of God finds in his heart to plead with his Father in Heaven he first pleades with himself in these or the like words Mic. 6.6 Wherewithall shall I appear before the Lord or bow my self to the mighty God of Jacob Awake O my soul awake and offer not the dead the lame and the sick in sacrifice to the living God Hee 's a great King Mal. 1.14 and his Name is dreadfull And as a gracious spirit communes with its own heart before it commune with him that tryes the heart so the Lord communes with it in and after prayer now the voyce of the Lord is a glorious voyce which shakes the Cedars and will it not then shake a bruised reed and make it tremble at his Word A broken heart that can speak its mind freely and feelingly to the Lord and hears him speaking home to his heart must needs be effectually awakened such heavenly entercourse maintained by a spirit of prayer will keep up a Christians spirit in a watchful frame till it go up to God that gave it 4. Prayer helps exceedingly at this heart-watch as it is marvellously heart-affecting In fervent prayer how does the softned heart melt in godly sorrow as snow before the Sun or wax by the fire mourning over the Lord and after him how does the thirsting soul pant and breathe and break with longings after the living God as a thirsty land how are the affections carried up towards heaven in a pure flame of Divine life and love ascending as pillars of perfumed smoke And will not such unconceiveable Soul-stirrings strugglings as these awaken the heart Sure there is a mighty spirit of activity goes forth in this Saints-exercise when performed in the power of the holy Spirit which will prevent heart-benumming security when a man of God wrastles with the Allmighty in his might as a Gyant refreshed with Wine what heart-raising and rowsing work must there needs be think ye 'T is too busie a time this to sleep in when an immortal soul is working as for life with the ever-living God about the things of Eternity A double ground in the Text why we should double our duty in Watching and Praying First Because we are exposed to temptation if we do not Watch and Pray For 1. We provoke the Lord to tempt us while we tempt him by neglect of these Gospel-Duties of his own appointment as 1. To lead us into temptation when we will not follow the leading and guidance of his Holy Spirit and Word 'T is that which Jesus Christ in tendernesse to our weak wandring spirits would have daily upon our hearts in prayer to beseech our Father not to lead us into temptation 'T is true as the Spirit of truth testifies that God cannot be tempted to evill neither tempteth he any man He is infinitely holy and righteous and cannot tempt any to sin and unrighteousnesse He is the chief good and cannot lead any into any evil temptation or temptation to evil And he is unchangeably and eternally holy and cannot possibly be tempted to unholinesse the just Lord will can do nothing that is unjust no iniquity Yet the Lord may be said in his own sense to lead us into temptation for himself hath said it As 1. By way of Probation When he tryes us like gold i' th fire as he did Job When he leads us into the Wildernesse to prove us as he did Israel of old when we fall into the hands of God as David and his Servants did Jam. 1.2 And though we are to account it all joy when we fall into manifold temptations for as the temptations and sufferings of Christ abound in us 2 Cor. 1.5 so our consolations also will abound by Christ 't is his peculiar method with which his secret ones are well acquainted to bring good out of evill and sweet out of bitter yet it is upon the account of his sympathy with us in sufferings and sanctifying them to us by keeping up the spirituall exercise of watching and prayer while we are exercised therewith otherwise as afflictions are never joyous in themselves so they will be ever grievous to those who have grieved the Holy Spirit by laying aside their spiritual watchfulnesse and prayer Those sufferings must needes befull of vexation and perplexitie which find us under presumption and securitie for First what bitternesse will it be to the soul when awakened in a day of adversity that it slept and slumbred out it's dayes of prosperitie that which was then a bed of ease to the flesh will be now a bed of thorns to the Spirit There cannot chuse but be much heart-aking under heart-awakening tryals to all slumbring Virgins and that is the pain of all paines the sharpest sting in sufferings sad thoughts of sinfull slumbrings will break ones sleep false rests will fearfully disquiet us when we find them out or they us in the day of calamity Affliction will be a root of bitternesse bearing gall and wormwood at such a time oh what an heavie burthen has the carelesse neglect of watching and praying been to some slumbring Christians in our dayes who have lived at ease in Zion while she has been in pain travelling to be delivered How have they mourned like Doves and chattered as a Crane or Swallow for want of that Spirit of grace and supplication which they had so long restrained and so much extinguished under a spirituall Lethargie how have their hearts been ready to dye within them like Nabals for want of life in and love to those holy duties wherein sometimes they had been lively and full of affection How will the hearts of all the slumbring Virgins smite them one day when distresse shall come upon them as sorrow upon a woman in travell will they not then weep out their sleepy eyes and sigh out their sluggish spirits crying Ah we fools that had a price in our hands and no hearts to use it We have lost many a good day trifling out choyce breathing times in the sight of the Sun and now the night is come upon us and we cannot work Alas alas for those daies of the Son of
beames in them How oft does the Spirit knock at their doores and they not within when he comes to deale with their hearts they are not to be found 'T was said of old Fooles will be medling that is with others not themselves Oh how many such fools are every where whose eyes are in the Corners of the Earth seldome in the Corners of their own hearts most busie where they have least to doe and least where most will not the Lord ere long search such as with Candles who put out their lights within that they may not see themselves will he not storme them home that scatter their wayes abroad will not the Judge think you be at their doores who are all for judging others but not themselves Well the Lord is about to find the heavie-headed and hearted Virgins work within their own doores and to set them upon heart-watching againe by some awakening dispensations Oh 't is one chief businesse in our spirituall watch to try our own Spirits and much communing with our selves will keep our hearts awake and indeed since the servants of Crist have idled it within and neglected this inward work of heart-searching they have left their first works and watchings 4. Circumspection In this spiritual watch as we should have our eyes in our hearts so in our heads as to looke within so without As the Dove casts his head about this way and that before she take her flight So should Christs Doves look above them and abou them yea every way before they move any way As the heart must be watched over above all watchings so there must be a watch over the mouth as over Davids over the eye as over Iobs yea over the whole man and the whole life As we should be ever upon our Watch-Tower to Watch at all times being a work alwayes in season so to Watch over all things and to take a view allwayes above and below at the right hand and the left that we be not surprized any where in any thing at any time As the vertuous Woman whose price is above Rubies Prov. 31.10.27 is said to look well into the ways of her houshold So must the gracious Watch-man do he must bee a seer an overseer to his own house And as the Children of Issachar are said to have understanding of the times 1 Chron. 12.32 and to know what Israel had to do So should the generation of spirituall Watchers have an eye upon generation-work an heart to it an hand in it serving their owne generation as David did till they fall asleepe Act. 13.36 The spirituall Watchman should have a discerning into all things not be Eagle-eyed only in some things and blind as Bats in other things but as the four beasts which were full of eyes within and full of eyes before and behind too Rev. 4.6 So should they that are upon the Lords Watch be full of eyes within and without Alas poore silly Creatures that we be we meet with a snare in every Creature temptations will be crouding upon us in every condition we are in danger on all hands to be defiled or deceived and therefore we had need watch at every turne and have our eyes turning every way as the flaming sword at the East of the Garden of Eden Psal 139. As the Lord who is all eye as it were Watches us all over over all our thoughts all our words all our wayes c So should we Watch over our selves even all over at all times our goings out and comings in our down-sitting and uprising we should beset our selves with a strict VVatch behind and before 5. Exercitation There is much worth in this VVatch it is a very busie imployment full of duty a duty in every duty we should watch at every work a slothfull Servant is not fit for this stirring service this is no work for lazy-bodies It 's not carryed on by sitting still or looking about us 'T is lively work and requires a living active quickened Spirit grace in the habit is not sufficient though in the highest and greatest measure to keep on foot this spirituall watch no not in the least and lowest work of it when grace is not at work ther 's no watch kept it lies sleeping in the soul and the soul 's asleep too when bodily exercise is laid aside and there 's a cessation from motion and action we find great propensitie to slumbring and heavinesse 'T is even so in spiritualls when the acts and exercises of grace are suspened we are easily overtaken with the Spirit of slumber Since professors have been idle and lived at ease in Zion what a strange Spirit of formal securitie and sluggish secure formalitie has stolen upon them and stolen away their hearts too 'T is sad very sad to see how the Virgins are fallen asleep since they have been all for easy work carelesse ones have let their watch fall they find themselves little to do in spirituals and sleepe much in spirit and as they give over working so they give over watching as they cease from duty they are seazed upon by securitie graces must be exercised and habits actuated by the help of the Spirit of grace that our spirituall watch may be mannaged and maintained Busie heads and hearts are most watchfull if we stirre up the grace of Christ in us it will stirre us up to watch with Christ and for him As appeares plainly in new-converts who are much wrought upon and work much they are full of spirituall struglings wrastlings searchings pantings groanings fighings c Oh how watchfull are these new creatures when new awakened Christs babes are not like other babes in this For they sleepe least when new-borne and others most How watchfull in prayer and watching unto prayer Psal 45. their eyes even failing with looking up watchfull in meditation their hearts are ever bubling up like a quick spring watchfull in hearing the good word of God to heare a good word from God how do they hang about Christs lips as it were with both eares for some drops of sweet smelling myrrhe how watchfull to enjoy communion with the Father amongst his Children how much upon thewing after the doves of Christ no company now like the companions of Christ that heare his voyce Now it is farre otherwise with many ancient Christians who having un-bent their Bow of holy purposes and practises which at first seemed to abide in strength like Josephs grow remisse in Gospel-dutys Gen. 49. take their hands off from Christs plow and look back grow loose in Spirit lose time let their talents lie rusting by them and their graces resting in them how suddenly and shamefully their watch falls as their work failes the longer they live the lesse life in their Spirits and service and all things are readie to die in them before they die how heavily they drive when they once give over oyling their wheeles with spirituall exercises 'T is an high
themselves when left to themselves We have remarkable proofs of this in those precious servants of the Lord of old David Solomon Peter c they made themselves vile yea even as beasts before him when they were left to themselves And we have many lamentable instances in our dayes of such who looked like the sheep coming up from the washing clean escaped from the pollutions of the world yet have turned like the dogge to the vomit 2 Pet. 2.20 21 22. and as the sow that was washed to the wallowing in the mire Would it ever have entred into their own hearts that they should ever have so fowlie defiled their garments which seemed to have been washed so saire in the blood of the Lamb 2 King 8.13 would they not have said with Hazael Are we as dogs that we should do such things Oh yes when a people are delivered up to themselves they will be readie to say with those of whom the Lord complaines We are delivered up to do all these abominations Jer. 7.10 If we leave the Lord and his watch and work we tempt him to leave us in temptation to our own hearts and then that plague will be upon them xod 9.14 which fell upon the heart of Pharoah which was worse to him then all the plagues of Egypt and we shall even harden our selves against the Lord. 2. We tempt the Divell that tempter to tempt us when we give over watching and praying He watches our slumbrings and lyes at catch for us when he may take us napping when we have a mind to fall asleepe upon a bed of carnal securitie the Devil will make our bed for us and lie down softly by us too when we give over Gods work we are out of his way and lie sleeping in Satans walks and that as drie Tinder to his fierie darts And there come but a spark from Hell and fall upon our hearts it takes presently when we put out the light and fall to sleep we give him roome and time for his works of darknesse he drives his wicked trade most and best i' th dark Job 24.14 15. The eye of this Arch thiefe waiteth for the twilight when no eyes may see him he looks at us most with his envious eyes when our eyes are shut and the shadows of spiritual darknesse are upon us and how easily may he steale away our hearts and the heavenly treasure out of them at such a time as David did Sauls speare from his bolster 1 Sam. 26.12 when a deep sleep was upon him And indeed this thief in the night to allude still to that place in Job would rob us of all our Jewels when a dead sleep is upon us did not our faithfull keeper watch him and watch over us Oh what danger are we in every houre to become a prey to this roaring Lyon while we lie sleeping at his feet the fowles of the ayr have the greatest advantage against us that may be whilst we lie as silly doves heartlesse and spiritlesse before them And is not this a very foule businesse to set the Divel on work to do us mischief who will hurt us and hinder us all he can and that by neglecting our Masters businesse who has done us good and no evill all our dayes 3. We tempt our own lusts to tempt us when we lay aside our spiritual watch we entice them to entice and allure us And indeed here lies the great temptation within our own hearts Jam. 1.14 15. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and entised and sin when conceived bringeth forth death The privy sore in the heart the deadiy wound the womb that conceives lust sin death Here the Devil layes his train ef powder and were there no fire of lust there he could never blow us up temptations without could take no hold if there were no corruption within Satan set up on Jesus Christ with varietie of temptations Joh. 14.30 but could find nothing in him and so could do nothing against him The Prince of this world was ever warring against the Prince of peace but had no power against him because he had no party within him Nay the subtle Serpent with all his power and policie could not prevaile at all no not once against the weakest simplest Saint if sin did not take his part T is the partie within betrayes us T is the worst enemy that within it opens the door to our enemies without yea to the worst of them or they could not get within us Now when we are fallen into a dead sleep and have lost the life of prayer our lusts will swarme about us as flies about a dead carcase Sinnes not watched over will get head and heart whilst we indulge our selves saying Soul take thine ease we pamper our sins and make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Spiritual watching and prayer will starve our lusts ease out their very hearts but carnal slumbrings and sleepings feed them While prayer is kept up in power sin is kept down and overpowered if our sinnes do not stop our mouths nor straiten our hearts in prayer our prayers will cry them down and stob them at heart when our hearts are lift up powerfully in prayer our heart-sinnes as pride passion unbeliefe c will come down wonderfully as the Amalekites fell while Moses lift up his hands oh while we continue wrestling with God by fervent prayer we may wrestle with spirituall wickednesses in high places and that to victory our souls shall tread down strength to use Deborahs expression in her tryumphant Song Judg. 5.21 while they are lift up and poured out in prayer for the Help that is laid upon that One that is mighty Whereas if our hands be let down and our hearts fall our corruptions will get up and carry it against us with a strong hand if we be not watchful and prayerful sin will grow exceeding sinful Job 15. If we restrain prayer before God our mouths will utter iniquity as Eliphaz said to Job who seems to plead thus with him How comest thou to be so distempered in spirit so vain and distracted in speech if prayer were not restrained Fervent constant prayer would bring the heart into a good tune and temper and keep it so 4. When we neglect our Spiritual Watch we lie naked to temptations without as to corruptions within the creatures are full of snares and we shall be catched in them at every turn if a spirit of slumber be upon us The love of the world is connatural to us bred i' th bone most suitable to flesh and blood our hearts hang downward and move towards earth and earthly things as a stone to the Center and 't is impossible to keep them up without watching and prayer Indeed while we keep close to God by faith in prayer we keep him close to us and then the world may not interpose must not
If the Spirit be powred forth as floods who 'l drink so deep as these gaping thirstie Souls When ever the King sits at table and causes the spikenard to send forth a sweet smell they must needs feele the savour of his oyntments who wait as Olive-Plants round about his table when ever blessings are handed out they are within reach Oh 't is a rich mercy to be heerest mercy 2. They are fittest for Duty Is there any work to do for God his Cause his People they are neer hand waiting for it saying What wilt thou have us do Lord If a word of Command come 't is welcome they are upon their Watch If the Lord say Come they come and if he say Go they go their loyns are girt If the King of glory look out and cry Who is on my side who they are ready to look out of the window towards him Isa 41.2 saying Here are we Lord. They are called to his foot as the man of the East onely waiting for a word from his mouth they set themselves in a posture on purpose to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth Yea awakened hearts whose eyes have seen the King in his beauty have and holy ambition in them to do as much and as well in their Masters service as he shall give them power to do of his good pleasure Whereas the slothful servant is ever to seeke both in will and power when his Master has work for him he will either slip out of the way or sleep at work If Jesus Christ call o th' sudden and have any haste of work hee 's all ungirt and will be so long a getting ready till the businesse might be half done But the vigilant diligent servant is at an houres warning he is the vessel unto honour meet for the Masters use and prepared for every good work 3. They are like to be richest in experience this must needs be men of great observation whose eyes are ever open to behold the gracious and glorious goings of God in Providences and Ordinances He will make most of his glory and goodnesse to passe before those that watch and wait according to his appointment Exod. 3 3.19.22 as Moses upon the Rock They 'l meet with many choise pledges of divine love many drops of myrrhe from Christs fingers and Kisses from his lips that watch at his feet his steps will drop fatnesse upon such as lie in his way waiting for him Hee 'l lay up much of his Heavenly treasure in holy awakned hearts and reveale most of his secrets to his hearkening hidden ones Math. 13.52 The watchfull faithfull Stewards will have out of thier treasure to bring forth new and old they 'l have all manner of pleasant fruits laid up at their gates for the Beloved Cant. 7.13 they will be able to give the best account what God does for their Souls who watch their own hearts best and wait most for him there He will be much with them whom he finds much at home and make out much of himself to them Watchfull Israelites will be the best provided of hidden Mannah they 'l be before-hand with all others in respect of the most experience and best intelligence from Heaven 4. They are readiest for the appearance of Christ If he come at morning or evening mid-day or mid-night at what watch soever he comes they are watching yea when they sleep their heart waketh Cant. 5.2 they are readie to goe forth to meet the bridgroome Math. 25.6 should he call at midnight and his salvation will be most welcom where it has been most waited for What an happie and heavenly posture was good old Simeon in Luk. 2.25.26.27.28 to meet Christ in the Temple who had so long waited in the Spirit for the consolation of Israel how ready was he to receive that blessed Child with open armes and heart too where was Christ more welcom then to little Zachaeus Luk 19.3.4 5. who was got upon this Watch-Tower the Sycamor-Tree desiring to see him how sweetly was Christs heart affected towards this poore waiting Soul he looks up with a loving eye to satisfie his longing looks and how happie doth this good man think himself in so blessed a guest he received him joyfully Math. 24.28 Oh how readie will the quick-sighted Eagles be to gather about him whose eyes are ever looking towards this rising Sun Behold I come quickly saith he Amen say they Rev. 22.20 Even so come Lord Jesus Observe how sweetly that lovely word Amen is couched betwixt them and their hearts together in it Use of Examination Let us give our Souls a visit in the Name of the Lord and commune secretly and seriously with our own hearts about our Spiritual Watch. Discoveries of Spiritual Slumber 1. Is the Lord silent to thee who hath used to speak much to thy heart to bespeak it Dost thou heare seldom from him will he scarce give thee a word why then thou mayest be jealous of thy self that thy heart is asleep for he will have a mouth to speak where there is an ear to hear Canst thou not remember the moneths of old when he gave in many words in season has he not oft spoke to thy heart when man spoke to thy ear And does he now keep silence Dost thou onely hear the voyce of a man now and so runnes to Ely as Samuel did Dost thou hear much without and little or nothing within Does not thine ear affect thy heart Is not the Word as a fire within thee dost thou hang upon the bare outward administration and art thou a stranger to the glorious ministration of the Spirit Why sure thy Watch is down and he seems to slumber And now he hides his ear from thy breathing thou cryest and he will not answer thee Ask thy soul solemnly What 's the matter is his ear heavy Is there not a cause within is not thy heart heavy Has not he called and thou hast not heard has not he knocked and thou not opened Is it not thus O slumbring Soul speak out and tell the Lord how it is within 2. Art not thou silent before the Lord who usedst to cry mightily after him Is not thine heart shut up now which thou was wont to pour forth thy sighings come not before the Lord as they have done and thy groanings are hid from him Art not thou a stranger to thy own closet where thou hast much sought him in secret Surely thy heart is fallen into a dead sleep 't is a sad swooning-time with thy sluggish spirit how hast thou lost thy heart in point of love to prayer and life in it Oh wer'st thou throughly awakened thou wouldst not for a world give over this thriving Trade of spiritual begging thou couldst not keep so long out of his presence who hath given thee so many sweet visits in prayer Job 27.10 the hypocrite will not pray alwaies and 't is no wonder for he cannot
As iron sharpneth iron so doth the face of a man his friend Watchful servants will be calling off the slumbring ones from beds of security they will be whetting up the dull and lazie spirits of others who have a good edge upon their own Amongst sluggish Christians 't is a thousand to one you 'l grow sleepy too for company Sluggards will infect one another with the sleepy Evill they 'l lay a Cushion for you to sit dovvn by them and take your fill of this false rest There 's no spiritual noyse amongst them nor heavenly nevves no heart-awakening words All 's either finfull silence or smooth words hushing one another asleep with their soft language Livelesse Christians are like dying coals which deadden one another till there be never a coal to warm at Oh then if thou wouldst have a Watchfull spirit in this slumbring age look after communion in spirit with the most quick and lively-spirited Saints heavenly sparks that are ever flying upward as to their proper Region they will be warm avvakening enlivening company being well heated by the fire of the Spirit for luke-warm drowsie livelesse Christians 5. Be ever setting on work avvakening Graces by the assistance of the Spirit of Grace Stir up the Graces of Christ that are most stirring 2 Tim. 1.6 and they 'l stir up thee quicken thee and set thee on fire as sparks blown up c As 1. Lively Faith This is the new Creatures eye quicker then the Eagles excellent at Watching 'T is the spiritual mans Secr and the overseer of his watchings and workings If this active grace be at work it will keep the heart awake the Watch cannot fall down whilest Faith is up It 's a very busie grace which will keep us from sleeping if it sleep not Faith will be daily improving avvakening Providences quickening ordinances melting mercies searching tryals It will be ever taking in awakening considerations of the majestie of the Creatour the mutabilitie of the Creature of Mortalitie Eternitie c It will be presenting awakening manifestations of the unconceiveable love of God the incomparable lovelinesse of Christ the admirable beauty of holinesse the unspeakable blessednesse of Heaven It will be looking out at the eye to see the King in his beauty listning at care to heare that voyce which his companions heare waiting at heart to welcome his Spirit there Faith is all life full of Spirit a quick Spring which will set all on motion 'T will set the whole man on work and actuate every habit of grace Its operations are full of efficacie and varietie upward inward outward it has a large sphere of activitie Oh could we live the life of Faith at a higher rate how lively should we be how watchfull 2. Warme Love It 's all heart and heat there 's a flame in it which will enliven and awaken the most drowsie and heavie heart There 's much life in love much action in this affection it 's activitie will keepe thee from securitie Love is good at watching it will sit up long for the Beloved It cannot rest till he rest in his love upon it Zeph. 3.17 it would not sleepe with its good will till it may lie in his bosom Psa 127.2 and there it may rest safely and sweetly when he gives his Beloved sleep Love will wait and watch long endure much hard duty is easie to it as Jacob's service for Rachel Love lyes with eyes and heart open too as loath to shut out Christ at either It will wait long and longingly for a look of his eye a kisse from his mouth the breathings of his love An heart toucht with Christs love cannot rest as the needle touched with the Loadstone but when and where it should Love has a single eye and will watch well 't is clear and quick as the Doves it will spie out its Beloved Cant. 4.9 and pierce his heart Oh could we but love much we should watch much and wait to meet our Beloved at every turn Cant. 7.12 in his garden in his banqueting-house in his vineyards to give up our loves to him Earnest love will be early and late at work and watch for Jesus Christ 3. Holy Fear It will keep strict watch and strong guard for fear of surprisall It is a wary and watchful grace and cannot endure to be taken at unawares It 's ever attended with a godly jealousie which will marvellously prevent carnal security Indeed they that have not this fear of God before their eyes and upon their hearts they 'l cloze their eyes stop their ears harden their hearts and grow carelesse and secure as the men of Laish even till fearfulnesse and trembling come upon them and they of all others are in greatest danger of the fear and the snare who fear least the deepest fear-lesse security will bring on the heaviest fearful calamity Oh then let all the servants of the Lord watch over their own hearts lest they forsake the fear of the Almighty and he leave them to a common carelesse fearlesse spirit and they be insensibly overtaken with spiritual security Isa 8.12 13. Oh Sanctifie the Lord of hosts himself let him be your fear let him be your dread that you may neither fear their fear nor be afraid And indeed the more full thine heart is possessed with a filial reverential fear of that glorious and fearful Name The Lord thy God Deut. 28.58 the lesse wilt thou be disquieted with false heart-tormenting Feares and Cares Blessed is he that feareth alwayes he will be alwayes upon his Watch to the preventing of much sin and sorrow slumbring and wandring sensuality and security 4. Heavenly Joy 'T is very enlivening and heart-awakening Like that of the best wine Cant. 7.9 which goes down sweetly causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak Where the spirit can rejoyce comfortably in the Lord there his work will go on merrily his Watch will be kept chearfully such a soul can sing in the wayes of the Lord and upon his watch even at midnight as Paul and Silas Act. 16.25 Whereas an heavy heart drives heavily in all its watchings and workings Job's soon out of heart and cryes What a wearinesse and Why should I wait on the Lord any longer Every Command is grievous to one that is grieved in spirit and every word and work though easie seems a burthen to one that is a burthen to himself Now Spiritual Joy is like aqua coelestis it will recover a languishing swooning spirit This refined wine drunk out of the cup of salvation is full of quickening spirits and will make a Christian hearty spiritfull and watchful They that suck and are satisfied with the breasts of consolation as they are cast into a sweet and sound sleep in the arms of Christ so they will cast off sinful sluggish security 6. Let Watching and Prayer go hand in hand and they will lend an helping hand to one another they are