A Guide to Godliness, Book 5 · Chapter 12
CAP. XII.
Of the reaſons whereby wee may bee perſwaded to keepe this Chriſtian watch.
§. Sect. 1 That this watch is neceſſary, becauſe God requireth it.
THe next point to be conſidered, is the meanes whereby wee may both be ſtirred vp, and alſo inabled to keepe this Chriſtian watch, which are partly reaſons that may mooue vsus to vndertake it, and partly helpes inabling vsus to performe it. The reaſons which may perſwade vsus vntounto this watchfulneſſe, are diuers; all which may be reduced vntounto two heads. 1. Becauſe it is moſt neceſſary. 2. Becauſe it is exceeding profitable. The neceſſity of it appeareth diuers wayes. Firſt, becauſe God hath expreſly required it; Take heed to Deut. 4. 9. Luk. 12. 36.thy ſelfe, & keep thy ſoule diligently, &c. Let your loynes be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye your ſelues, like vntounto them that wait for their Lord, when he will returne from the wedding, that when he commeth and knocketh, ye may open vntounto him immediately. So Ioſhua exhorteth the people, to take diligent heed to doe the Commandement and the Law, to louelove the Lord their God, and to Ioſ. 22. 5. & 23. 11.walke in all his wayes, and to cleaue vntounto him, and ſerue him with all their heart, and with all their ſoule. And our Sauiour Chriſt exhorteth all to watch and Mar. 13. 33, 37.pray, becauſe we doe not know when the time of his comming ſhould be. And ſtirreth vp the Church of Sardis to be watchfull, and to ſtrengthen the things Apoc. 3. 2.which did remaine and were ready to die. The which his Commandement, he powerfully and effectually preſſeth by diuers parables; as of the goodman Luk. 12. 37.of the houſe, who carefully watcheth the comming of the thiefe, that hee may not rob and ſpoile him. Of the wiſe and faithfull ſeruant, who watcheth for the comming of his Lord, that hee may finde him imployed in his buſineſſe, who being found faithfull, is richly rewarded for his care and diligence. And of the euill ſeruant, who neglecting this watch, is fearefully puniſhed. And of the ten Virgins, whereof fiue were wiſe, and fiue Mat. 25. 1. to 14fooliſh; the wiſe watching diligently for the comming of the Bridegroome, and being found prepared, were receiued with him into the bridall Chamber of ioy and happineſſe; the fooliſh, through their careleſſe negligence, being taken at vnawares and vnprouided, were excluded from his glorious preſence for euermore. So that no duty is more ſtraightly inioyned and earneſtly inforced then the ſpirituall watch, to the end wee might obſerue it with the greater care and diligence, or if wee neglect it, hauing had ſo many and effectuall warnings, wee might bee left without excuſe.
§. Sect. 2 Other reaſons ſhewing the neceſſity of keeping this watch.
The ſecond reaſon to inforce the neceſſity of this watch, is taken from our eſtate and condition heere on earth. Firſt, becauſe through our corruption we are exceeding weake, and full of frailty and infirmity, by reaſon whereof we are prone vntounto ſinne, and eaſily ouercome with the tentations of our ſpirituall enemies, if wee neglect the keeping of this vvatch, and be taken vnprouided. The which reaſon our Sauiour vſeth to inforce the neceſſity of vvatching and praying. Watch and pray (ſaith he) leſt ye fall into tentation: The Spirit indeed is willing, but the fleſh is weake. So the Apoſtle Mat. 26. 41.in this regard, vvilleth him that thinketh he ſtandeth, to take heed leſt he 1. Cor. 10. 12.fall; and exhorteth vsus to worke out our ſaluation with feare and trembling. And the Wiſeman pronounceth him bleſſed, vvho in the ſight and ſence of Phil. 2. 13.his ovvne frailty and infirmity, feareth alwayes. For as it is neceſſary for Pro 28. 14.thoſe vvho hauehave vveake and ſickly bodies, to obſerue a ſtrict diet; and for thoſe Citizens, vvho being beſieged by mighty and malicious enemies, and hauehave many breaches in their vvalls, to be very diligent to make them vp againe, and in the meane time, to keepe a carefull and ſtrong vvatch ouer thoſe vveake places, becauſe their enemies are ready to take all aduantages, and to giuegive the fierceſt aſſaults vvhere they are likelieſt to hauehave the ſpeedieſt entrance and leaſt reſiſtance: So vve vponupon the ſame grounds, muſt thinke it neceſſary to double our vvatch, becauſe our ſoules are ſickly, and full of vvants and vveakneſſes, and many breaches are made in the chiefeſt Bulvvarkes of our ovvne ſtrength, by the cruell and continuall aſſaults of our ſpirituall enemies. Secondly, our care is neceſſary in keeping this vvatch, becauſe naturally vvee are drovvzy and ſleepy, like thoſe in a Lethargy, vvho need to hauehave ſome continually ſtanding by, and to keepe them avvake, by pricking and pinching them, that they may not fall into the ſleepe of death. Yea, and after that vve are regenerate, and are eſpouſed vntounto Chriſt, vve are apt vvith the fiue vviſe Virgins, to nod often, and take a nap, vvhen as vvee ſhould vvaite for the comming of our Bridegroome. And if hee did not avvake vsus daily, by his Spirit knocking at the doore of our hearts, and his gracious call ſounding in his Word, ſaying vntounto vsus, Awake, thou that ſleepeſt: and Open vntounto me, my ſiſter, my louelove, my Eph. 5. 14. Cant. 5. 2.doue, my vndefiled, we would quickly fall into our old Lethargy of carnall ſecurity. In reſpect of which drowzineſſe of nature, by reaſon of the reliques of ſinne remaining in vsus, we are vnfit to keepe the ſpirituall watch, vnleſſe we continually rowze vp ourſelues, and ſhake off this ſloth of carnall ſecurity. And therefore as it is ſaid of the Nightingale, that being to delight her ſelfe with her night ſongs, and fearing leſt falling aſleepe, ſhee ſhould indanger her ſelfe to birds of prey, doth ſet her breſt againſt a thorne, to keepe her waking; ſo we, being to ſing the ſongs of Sion, and to ſpend our time continually in holy duties, muſt vſe all good meanes to keepe vsus waking, becauſe wee are eueryevery hand-while apt through our ſluggiſhneſſe, to take a nap, and thereby to indanger our ſoules to thoſe rauenous and helliſh fowles, who take their chiefe delight in the workes of darkeneſſe, and are ready to ſeaze vponupon vsus, if they find vsus ſleeping. Thirdly, this watch is neceſſary, in regard of the wickedneſſe and deceitfulneſſe Ier. 17. 10.of our owne hearts, which are ready continually to withdraw themſelues from God, to ſtart aſide like a deceitfull bow, when wee aime at any good Pſal. 78. 57.duty, and ſo make vsus to miſſe the marke; and to breake from vsus when wee ſet our ſelues to performe any religious exerciſes, diſtracting and pulling our minds from them, that they may wander about in worldly cogitations. And therefore ſeeing it is ſuch a ſlippery Eele, we muſt take the ſurer hold of it, ſeeing it is ſuch a falſe and flitting ſeruant, which hath often deceiued vsus, accompanying vsus into the Church, and euen vntounto our Pewes, and then ſecretly ſlipping frō vsus, that they may ſpend the time allotted to Gods ſeruice, in ranging abroad about worldly vanities; there is no way but to ſet it before vsus in Gods preſence, and to keepe it continually vnderunder the ſtraight watch of a vigilant eye, that it may not ſlip away at vnawares, as it hath done often in former times. And this the Lord requireth as neceſſary in this caſe; Take heed to your ſelues, that your heart be not deceiued, and ye turne Deut. 11. 16.aſide; that is, leſt you heart deceiue your heart, your corrupt and deceitfull heart, preuailing againſt your heart which is ſanctified and regenerate; for neither can the world, nor the deuill draw vsus away from God, till our ſinfull fleſh and corrupt nature betray vsus into their hands. And of this alſo the Apoſtle giueth vsus warning; Take heed (ſaith he) brethren, lest there bee Heb. 3. 12.in any of you an euill heart of vnbeliefe, in departing from the liuing God. Fourthly, this watch is neceſſary, becauſe without it we are apt to relapſe into our former condition of the ſleepe of ſinne. For wee are in this life like men not thorowly awaked, but betweene ſleeping and waking, ſo as we may ſay with the Spouſe, I ſleepe, but my heart waketh: and if we be not Cant. 5. 2.continually vſing all good meanes to keepe vsus waking, wee will but open our eyes and ſhut them againe, and (as it vvere) but turne vsus to the other ſide, and ſo returne to our former ſleepe. Wee are like men but nevvly recouered out of dangerous diſeaſes, vvhichwhich hauehave great need to looke vntounto themſelues, ſeeing vponupon eueryevery ſlight cauſe, the leaſt taking of cold, or diſtemper through ill diet, they are ready to relapſe into their former ſickeneſſe. Wee are like vveakelings, that can but hardly goe, and yet muſt needs trauell in ſlippery places, or (as it vvere) aloft vponupon a narrovv beame, vvhere vve often ſlip, and are ſure to catch grieuous falls, vnleſſe vvee carefully watch ouer our ſelues, and looke diligently to our footing; and being falne, are ſure to periſh, vnleſſe wee riſe vp againe, and recouer our ſelues by vnfained repentance; according to that of our Sauiour; Remember from whence thou art falne, and repent, and doe thy firſt workes, or elſe Apoc. 2. 5.I will come againſt thee quickly, &c. The which relapſes and falls be moſt dangerous vntounto our ſpiritual life, becauſe they make our eſtate worſe then it was before our conuerſion, when as we were ſicke in ſinne and death, ſeeing we are but like men who in their departure are dawed (as they ſay) and wakened by the out-cries of the ſtanders by, who reuiue not to liue, but to dye againe, and ſo to indure the paines of a continued ſickneſſe and double death; in which reſpect our Sauiour Chriſt ſaith, that the end of Math. 12. 45.ſuch is worſe then their beginning. And the Apoſtle Peter affirmeth, that it 2. Pet. 2. 21, 22.had been better for them, not to hauehave knowne the way of righteouſneſſe, then after they hauehave knowne it, to turne out of it, like the dog to his vomit, or the waſhed ſow to her wallowing in the mire. Laſtly, in regard of our ſelues this watch is neceſſary, becauſe without it we can hauehave no aſſurance that we are ſpiritually inlightened and awakened out of the ſleepe of death. For this is the difference which the Apoſtle maketh betweene the faithfull and the vnbeleeuer, that theſe ſtill lye ſleeping and ſnorting in the darke night of ignorance and errour, doing in the darke, the workes of darkneſſe, and wholly neglecting the Chriſtian Watch; but the other being children of 1. Theſ. 5. 5, 6, 7.the light, and of the day, doe not ſleepe as doe others, but watch and are ſober; and being of the day, doe the workes of the day, putting on the breſt-plate of faith and louelove, and for an helmet, the hope of ſaluation. And as there are great and manifold cauſes reſpecting our ſelues, which make this watch neceſſary; ſo alſo in reſpect of the enemies of our ſaluation, who being powerfull and politicke, farre mightier then we, and yet many to one, doe labour by all meanes to worke our deſtruction. The which argument alone ſhould keepe vsus waking, (for when ſhould we vvatch, if not in the time of our Chriſtian warfare, when as we are beſet on all ſides with ſuch dangerous and malicious enemies?) eſpecially if we conſider that the chiefe commander of all theſe forces, Satan, that roring & rauening Lion, neuer 1. Pet. 5. 8.ſlumbreth nor ſleepeth, but goeth continually about, and watcheth all opportunities of working our deſtruction. And therfore if they be ſo watchfull that they may worke our ruine, by caſting vsus into the deep ſleepe and ſpirituall lethargie of ſin & death, how vigilant and carefull ſhould we be, by preuenting their malice, to eſcape this imminent & deſperate danger?
§. Sect. 3 That this watch is moſt profitable, becauſe it helpeth vsus much to the leading of a godly life.
The reaſons which may induce vsus to keepe this watch reſpecting our profit, are alſo diuers. Firſt, becauſe it helpeth vsus much to the leading of a godly life, in which we thriue and profit, or decline and goe backward, as we either keepe and obſerue, or intermit and neglect this Chriſtian watch. For when we watch ouer our ſelues, God likewiſe watcheth ouer vsus, and by the aſſiſtance of his holy Spirit, inableth vsus to ſtand againſt all tentations, and to goe forward in our Chriſtian courſe: but when through our ſlackneſſe and negligence, we runne wilfully into tentations, hee leaueth vsus to be foyled of them, that we may learne the next time to take better heed. More eſpecially, the Lord will inlighten the eyes of our minds, that we may diſcerne the right way in which we ſhould walke; according to that of the Apoſtle, Awake, thou that ſleepeſt, and ſtand vp from the dead, Epheſ. 4. 14.and Chriſt ſhall giuegive thee light. And ſeeing the way, we ſhall hauehave our faith ſo ſtrengthened, and our courage and reſolution ſo confirmed and increaſed, that we ſhall manfully proceed in it, notwithſtanding all oppoſition; whereof it is that the Apoſtle conioyneth and linketh all theſe together as inſeparable companions; Watch ye, ſtand faſt in the faith, quite your ſelues 1. Cor. 16. 13.like men, be ſtrong. For as thoſe who for want of heed and circumſpection fall into ſecret ambuſhments at vnawares, are ſoone diſcomfited, and by running away, leaue to their enemies an eaſie victory; whereas thoſe who by their watchfulneſſe diſcouer them, are no whit daunted in their courage, becauſe they can eaſily auoyd them; or defeating the ſtratagem of their enemies, can circumuent and catch them in their owne ſnare: ſo is it alſo in the Chriſtian warfare; wherein the diſcouery of our enemies policies, by our carefull watch, is a principall meanes of preuenting them, the finding out of their ſecret ambuſhments, more then halfe the way vntounto aſſured victory, and the very ſight of their nets lying neere their ſtales, and of their deadly hookes of ſinne lying hid vnderunder the baits of worldly profits and pleaſures, are ſufficient warnings to make vsus ſhunne and eſcape them, if we hauehave any care of the ſaluation of our ſoules. So that there is no readier and ſurer way to auoyd all manner of ſinne, the bane and poyſon of our ſoules, then by our watch to eſpie the danger when it is offered vntounto vsus in theſe golden cups; no meanes more forcible to make vsus flie the helliſh imbracements of this painted ſtrumpet, then by our diligent watch and circumſpection, to pull off the deceiuing vizard of momentany gaine and delight, and to behold her in her naturall deformity and vgly filthineſſe. Whereas contrariwiſe, the neglect of keeping this carefull watch, is the ready way to all wickedneſſe; the mind being let looſe to vaine and ſinfull thoughts, the heart to ſinfull concupiſcence and vnlawfull luſts, the tongue to light, wanton and wicked words, the hands to act the workes of darkeneſſe, and the whole man expoſed to the dangerous aſſaults and tentations of our ſpirituall enemies, wherewith being vanquiſhed, we are eaſily led captiue into all ſinne. Of which we hauehave lamentable experience in Noah, Lot, Dauid, Peter, and many others, who whileſt they carefully kept the ſpirituall watch, triumphed ouer the enemies of their ſaluation, and went on couragiouſly in the wayes of godlineſſe; but when they did but for a little while intermit and neglect it, receiued dangerous and ſhamefull foyles. But moſt euidently doth this appeare in the example of our firſt parents, who ſo long as they obſerued this watch, continued conſtant in their integrity; but remitting their care and circumſpection, and letting looſe their eares to heare the voyce of the Tempter, their hearts to admit, through fond credulity, his falſe ſuggeſtions, their eyes to gaze on the forbidden fruit, their hands to touch, and their mouthes to taſte it, they were ſoone ouercome, and caught both themſelues and for all their poſterity, a fearfull fall. And therefore if they fell in the ſtate of innocency by intermitting this watch, who can neglect it in the ſtate of corruption and imperfection, and yet hope to ſtand? Finally, it conduceth and furthereth vsus much vntounto a godly life, as it maketh vsus fit and ready for the well-performing of all Chriſtian duties. For when all our parts are hereby kept in a good and conſtant order, they are alwayes prepared for all good imployments; and if wee take care that our Inſtruments be well ſtringed and kept in tune, no more remaineth but to touch them with a skilfull hand, and there will be a melodious harmony between the heart, tongue, and outward actions. And therefore Dauid demanding how a young man might order his ſteps, and cleanſe his wayes, that they might be pure and vpright in the ſight of God? doth thus reſolue the queſtion, that it is to be done by taking heed thereto according to Gods Pſal. 119. 9.Word.
§. Sect. 4 That by this watch we are made conſtant in the courſe of Chriſtianity.
Secondly, this watch is exceeding profitable, not onelyonly as it preſerueth vsus from all ſinfull wayes, and fitteth vsus to walke in the wayes of godlineſſe, but alſo as it inableth vsus to be conſtant in this courſe, and to perſeuere in it euen to the end. Seeing hereby we are ſtrengthened againſt all diſcouragements, auoyd or leape ouer all impediments, that like ſtumbling blockes are caſt into our way, and are prepared and armed againſt all the aſſaults of our ſpirituall enemies, and all other oppoſitions which might incounter vsus in our Chriſtian courſe. Thirdly, it is a notable meanes of Chriſtian ſecurity, ſo as keeping this watch, we may with Dauid, grow ſo confident, that though wee ſhould walke thorow the vale of the ſhadow of Tſal. 23. 4.death, yet we will feare no euill, becauſe God alſo watcheth ouer them, who thus watch ouer themſelues, ſo as hauing once ſet their watch, they may lay them downe ſecurely and take their reſt, becauſe the Lord maketh them to Pſal. 4 8.dwell in ſafety. So alſo vponupon the ſame grounds it cauſeth vntounto vsus inward peace, euen peace with God, and the peace of a good conſcience, when as by helpe of this watch we carry our ſelues ſo in all things, as that wee and our works are accepted of him, and pleaſing in his ſight. The which peace cannot be impeached with the malice and might of all our enemies; for if God be with vsus, who can be againſt vsus? If he ſpeake peace vntounto our conſciences, Rom. 8. 31.though all the world ſhould proclaime warre, it needs not to diſmay vsus, for though thouſands fall on one ſide, and ten thouſand on the other, it ſhall not hurt vsus or diſturbe our peace; for either the Lord will bee a wall of defence, and tower of ſtrength to preſerue vsus from all danger, and to make vsus ſhot-free euen at the Canons mouth; or elſe wee ſhall bee, with Ioſiah, taken away in peace, although we fall by the hands of our enemies. 2. Chron. 34. 28. and 35. 23, 24. 1. Pet. 1. 8.From which ſecurity and peace, ariſeth ſpirituall ioy, vnſpeakable and glorious, when as we are ſure that nothing can hurt vsus, or hinder our ſaluatiō, but all things, euen afflictions themſelues, ſhall worke together for the beſt. Now what is this, but to hauehave a heauen vponupon earth, when as in this momentany life thoſe eternall ioyes are begun in vsus? For as the Apoſtle telleth vsus, The Kingdome of God is righteouſneſſe, peace, and ioy in the holy Rom. 14. 17.Ghoſt. Fourthly, by this Chriſtian watch we are fitted to beare all eſtates, ſo as the great ſaile of proſperity ſhall not ouer-ſet vsus, whileſt vvee take heed vntounto our hearts, that they be not vvithdravvne from God, and faſtened vponupon vvorldly things; nor be forced by the ſtormes of afflictions, to ſtrike ſaile, and deſiſt in our courſe tovvards our heauenly Countrey, much leſſe to daſh againſt the rockes of deſpaire, being aſſured that they Heb. 12. 6.are the ſignes of our adoption, euidences of Gods louelove, and that by theſe manifold tribulations we ſhall enter into the Kingdome of heauen. Fifthly, by Act. 14. 22.this vvatch vve are made ready for the comming of Chriſt vntounto Iudgement, and prepared to enter into the ioy of our Maſter, as we ſee in the parable of the faithfull ſeruant, and the wiſe Virgins; ſo as when the time approcheth, the terrours of it need not to daunt vsus, but rather expecting him with his reward in his hand, we may with confidence and ioy hold vp Luk. 21. 28.our heads, becauſe our full Redemption draweth neere. Finally, by this watchfulneſſe we are aſſured of bleſſedneſſe; ſeeing our Sauiour hath pronounced ſuch as thus watch for his comming, bleſſed in ſo doing. Bleſſed (ſaith he) Luk. 12. 37, 38, 43. Math. 24. 46, 47.are thoſe ſeruants whom the Lord when he commeth ſhall finde watching. Verily I ſay vntounto you, that he ſhall gird himſelfe, and make them to ſit downe to meate, and will come forth and ſerue them, and make them owners of all his goods. In which regard he calleth them Bleſſed, bleſſed, and the third time bleſſed, to Apoc. 16. 15.ſhew that they are thrice bleſſed, and euen perfected and conſummate in bleſſedneſſe which keepe conſtantly the ſpirituall watch, and are thereby alwayes in readineſſe and prepared for his comming.