Judgment Begun at the House of God, Sermon 2

Judgment Begun at the House of God · Sermon 2

p. 73The Neceſſity and Advantages OF Holy Watchfulneſs.

REV. XVI. 15.

Behold! I Come as a Thief: Bleſſed is He that WATCHETH, and keepeth his Garments; Leſt He Walk Naked, and Men ſee his Shame.

WE have no Reaſon to Complain, that we have no new Miracles now wrought, to Confirm unto our Faith, the Divinity of the Holy Scriptures, & Evangelical Religion, ſince we have the Infallible Hiſtory of the Miracles that have been Divinely Wrought for that End in former Ages; And ſince we alſo daily View the Divine Power and Efficacy of the ſaid Scriptures and p. 74Religion, in the Shining Inſtances of Perſons Supernaturally Changed thereby; GOD's Omnipotency working therewith, to free them from the Tyranny of Darkneſs and Corruption, and to Advance 'em to glorious Heights of Holineſs, Vertue, and Joy in a Life of Communion with GOD, thro' the LORD JESUS CHRIST; And ſince Many of theſe Sanctified Perſons, By the Spirit of GOD dwelling in them, and Influencing of them, have Courageouſly ſuffered Death by torture, in Teſtimony to GOD's Holy Truths and Religion; (The Seal of Martyrs not being much leſs powerful, than the Seal of Miracles:) And ſince it has been manifeſtly the Conſtant Work of Providence, to be fulfilling of the Propheſies contained in the ſaid Holy Scriptures; and Particularly that Propheſie Concerning the Great Antichriſt, one of the Greateſt Plagues that ever was Permitted and Inflicted upon Grace-Abuſing Nations.

That Propheſy was uttered by Daniel, above a Thouſand Years before its fulfilment; and by the Apoſtle John, in the Revelations, above Three Hundred p. 75Years. And our Context gives a Terrible Scheme of GOD's Dealing with that Enemy. It could never have Entred into Mens Thoughts, that ſuch a Prodigy ſhould ever have Appeared in the World, had it not been Foretold, by Him that Fore-knew; And being Fore-told, if it had not Appeared, 'twould have derogated from the Verity of Propheſie, and have Shockt our Faith; Whereas its Appearance, (tho' moſt Formidable,) both Seals the Truth of Holy Scripture, and the Faith of the Redeemed.

The World has ſeen Daniels fourth Monarchy, in all its Shapes & Alterations, until 'tis brot' very near to its Conſummation, wro't by the finger of Providence, and exactly anſwering it's Types in Viſion. It has ſeen Romes Mitre turn'd into a Triple Crown, Domineering over many Kingdoms within the Roman Empire, under the ſeveral Names of CHRIST and Chriſtianity, Uſurping Power to diſpoſe of Crowns and Nations, to Stamp Divinity upon Humane Inventions & Lyes, to Legitimate Idolatry, Maſs-Worſhip, Invocation, and Adoration of p. 76Ghoſts and Angels, Exorciſms, Maſſacres, Murders of Princes, Uncleanneſs, Lying, Perjuries (in ſome Caſes,) and making 'em Meritorious of Heaven, againſt the Will and Law of the Holy GOD, who Condemns them to Hell. Thus has the Roman Empire been Reeſtabliſh'd by a Myſtery of Iniquity.

Old Rome made Her Whole Empire to be One Great City, by Naturalizing and Endenizing all of Quality in its Remoteſt Provinces, and Extending its Priviledges and Franchiſes to Men and Towns of many Nations; and thus Paul a Jew was a Roman Born, a Freeman of the City of Rome: Thus Papal Rome makes one great Babylonian Myſtical City, of the Nations of the World: All in all Nations who are Papiſts are Members of Her Church, & Citizens of Her Imperial City; and no Papiſt, tho' of the Remoteſt Nation is a Foreigner to the Roman Church and See; But All are admitted to be Capable of Holy Orders, and Offices; Their Council conſiſts of Men taken out of all Her Provinces; and none of 'em by their Law ſhut out from Liberty to Qualify Himſelf to be Elected p. 77to Wear the Triple Crown.

This Roman Catholick Church (as it Calls it ſelf) is a Myſtical Babylon for Idolatry, Sorcery, and Univerſal Domination; and a Sodom for Wickedneſs, and Egypt for Cruelty and Oppreſſion. Rev. 11.8.

This Monſtrous Sham-Church Eſtabliſhes the Kingdom of Sin by its Simoniacal Vain Pardons, and Lying Miracles: and (in Times and Places of Smokey Ignorance) frights Men into its Boſom, (which it Pretends to be the only Place of Salvation in the World,) by its terrible Anathemas; where, when they are come, they become the fixed Marks and Butts, againſt whom are directly Levelled the Chain-ſhot and Fire-Arrows of the Curſe of Heaven.

It's impoſſible but that the Glorious SON of GOD (whoſe Sacred Name and Commiſſion have been helliſhly Abuſed, and bleſphemouſly Pretended and Profeſſed as a Cover and Warranty for the Greateſt Wickedneſs, and whoſe True Spiritual Kingdom is moſt of all maligned, contradicted, undermined, and impreſſed, by this Helliſh p. 78Upſtart, Uſurping, Idolatrous, Murderous Kingdom of Antichriſt) ſhould Pour out His Moſt Dreadful Plagues upon it; and this He doth Leiſurely and Gradually at firſt, like the running of Sand in an Hour Glaſs, and like the Pouring out of VIALS which have great Bellies, and narrow Mouths; & afterwards more ſuddenly, ſwiftly, and Abundantly, as out of a Wide-mouth'd Cup or Flaggon.

Of the VIALS, and of the CUP, you Read in THIS CHAPTER, where our TEXT is Placed, as it were in a Parentheſis.

Among Modern Authors, Mr. Junieu and Mr. Petto are of the Opinion, that the Vials are Poured out before the Witneſſes Reſurrection, and that the Seventh Hour Glaſs is at its laſt Sand then.

In the Viſion, the Vials are Poured out and Emptied on the Earth, and the Sea, and on the Rivers, and Fountains, and on the Sun, and on the Beaſt's Throne, and on Euphrates, and finally into the Air: and the Conſequents thereof, are a Noiſome Sore; Bloody Waters, and the Death of ſuch as Swim in p. 79them; Blood in Fountains to drink of Fiery Scorchings, and Blaſpheming, and Impenitency; Darkneſs, Pains, Hardneſs; A making way for the Kings of the Eaſt; Impious Leagues and War; Voices, Lightnings, Thunders, a great Earthquake; Diviſion of the Great City into Three Parts, and the falling of the City of the Nations.

Among the Various Modern Conjectures, this is One, viz. That the Seventh Vial has been for ſome time, a Pouring out. Yet many are Dubious whether paſt Hiſtory will afford unto diligent Enquirers, a Practical Interpretation of the Propheſie, in a Seven-fold Vengeance upon, and Mortification of the Earthly Antichriſtian Babylyon, or Roman-Catholick Church, already inflicted, adequate to the Viſion of the Vials: and it Deſerves to be Inquired and Conſidered

1. Whether the General and Judicial Abdication of Full Communicants of that Church (that Teaches Good Works to be Meritorious of Juſtification and Eternal Life) unto Diſmal and Affrighting Carnality and Wickedneſs, ſo as that they ſhould p. 80viſibly become a Leprous and Ʋlcerous Church, full of Noiſome and Aſtoniſhing Corruption of Manners; and whether Their Walking about with Ʋlcerated Conſciences, whoſe Guilt and Stings and Sores all their Dead Saints [Mediators] and Invocated-Angels, and all their Maſſes, Penances, Pilgrimages, and Popes Pardons could not Remove; Plague-Sores and Ʋlcers, that keep running to this Day; and whether their Civil State Ʋlcerated and Waſted by the Incurſions and Conqueſts of the Saracen Army, be the Noiſome Sores that are the Effects of the Firſt Vial, Upon what they Call Holy Church?

2. Whether the Gradual Swelling of their pretendedly Infallible Oracles of Life, unto a voluminous Ocean-Sea of really wrong and falſe Rules, and Fundamental Errours, Intolerable Impoſitions, Irrational and Corrupt Doctrines and Ordinances, and Damnable Blaſphemies and Idolatries, retained by 'em to this Day, in and by which, None could Obtain Spiritual Life and Everlaſting Happineſs? And whether the Drawing of Shoals, p. 81Ship Loads, and Mighty Armies of Croſſed-Souldiers from all Parts of the Roman Catholick Ocean or Dominions (with Promiſes of Plenary Pardons of all Sins, and of the Heavenly Inheritance,) Unto Seven fatal Expeditions for the Conqueſt of the Holy Land; (In the firſt whereof periſhed more than Two Millions of Roman Catholick Souldiers, and in the Laſt Sixty Thouſand, and vaſt Multitudes in the other; (were not ſome Effects of the Second Vial, in the Emblem of a bloody Ocean, to puniſh the Nations for their Subjection and Devotion to the Papal See?

3. Whether their being Confined to drink continually of the Deadly and moſt Poiſonous Sermons and Homilies of Monks and Friars, as of Rivers or Fountains, and to Depend on 'em for Counſel in all their Soul-Caſes, Being totally debarred from Reading of the Holy Scriptures; and whether their being, by the Inſtigation of their Popes and Cardinals, Hurried into Rebellions, againſt their lawful Emperours & Princes, whereby they brought themſelves to bloody Ends, were not ſome p. 82Effects of the Third Vial, and a Juſt Judgment upon the Empire, that ſo often and ſo long had been Glutting Her ſelf with the Blood of the Saints, under Pagan and Arian, and other Emperours, and under the Influences of Antichriſt?

4. Whether the Scorchings of Emperours and Realms, under the Rays of the Sun of the Papal World, by the Popes Excommuications and Curſes, and by his Abſolving of their Subjects from their Oaths of Obedience and Allegiance to 'em, and ſtirring up of their Neighbouring Princes to Invade and Deſtroy 'em in a Wicked Manner; (The Popes Power being Exuberant, and his Spirit Diabolical;) and whether one Pope's Condemning the Infallible Edicts of a Former Pope; & the Emperours Depoſing of Popes, and ſetting up of General Councils above 'em; and whether their Pope's Infallible Holineſs being notoriouſly known to be Blaſphemers, Murderers, Poiſoners, Adulterers, Sodomites, or Inceſtuous, or Conjurers for many years; and Rome that Lady-City and Sear of Empire, that formerly drew to its ſelf p. 83the World's Riches and Glory, Her being Deſerted of Her Popes and Grandeur for Seventy Years; and whether that Monſtrous Kingdom of Antichriſt, it's having More Heads upon it than One, for Forty Years; One Pope at Avignion, and another at Rome; and Both of them Excommunicated and Accurſed, (one by another; with all their Adherents; ſo that almoſt all Europe lay under the Papal Anathema; (So Rendring the Popes Curſes, that all the World trembled at before, Weak and Ridiculous, and Puting the Papal Dignity, and Deification, and all His Throne, Kingdom and Territories under Darkneſs;) and whether thereupon their Judicial Obſtinacy and moſt Criminal Unreformedneſs and Blaſphemies (continuing to this Day) Popiſh Princes and Nations complaining of the Popes, but not forſaking their Idolatry; Were not ſome of the Effects of the fourth and fifth Vials Poured out upon the Papal Sun, and upon the Throne of the Beaſt?

5. Whether (as Artopaeus and Mr. Jurieu think) the Irruptions, Depredations, and Conqueſts of the Turks p. 84upon the Roman Empire, with their Impious Doctrines, and Religion, and Barbarities, they being Kings of Natolin (or the Eaſt,) having once Euphrates for their Bounds, be One Thing intended in the Sixth Vials, (as in the Sixth Trumpet; Rev. 9.13—17.)? And whether a moſt Judicial Abdication of the Roman Popes and their Conclave, unto a Diabolical Spirit of Hatred againſt Goſpel-Truth and Holineſs, and of moſt Implacable and Bloody Revenge, and WAR againſt the Profeſſors thereof, be not Another Thing intended? A Diſpoſition to Murder the Saint's, moſt certainly is a Plague of GOD upon Men's Hearts, an Effect & Stroke of the Fierce Wrath of Heaven, and Renders Men very Viſe in the Eyes of all that have any Sparks of Humanity in 'em: and that the Romaniſts are not Free from this Plague, We are informed from Hiſtories; The Excommunicating, Condemning and Burning of Godly Perſons who Diſſented from Popery, was Notorious in the Twelfth Century,; and has Continued ever ſince: The Pope Stirred up Secular Princes againſt 'em, 1140. Eighty were p. 85burnt at Strasburg; Their Cruelty againſt 'em was notorious at Oxford; Anno 1160. A bloody Inquiſition was Eſtabliſh'd againſt 'em, Anno 1176; which for 540 years has been Martyring and Murdering of 'em. Anno 1198, They were by Thouſands delivered to Executioners to be hang'd and burnt; So that all Moderate Perſons in Chriſtendome were moved to Compaſſion. The Roman Beaſt that Continues forty two months, is given over to make WAR with the Saints: and (when appearing in the Two horned Shape) has Power to Cauſe 'em to be killed. Rev. 13.5, 7.15. And 'tis Propheſied that the Ten Kings, who give their Power to the Beaſt, ſhall make WAR with the LAMB, who is KING of Kings, and Whoſe Army are Choſen and Faithful. Rev. 17.14. This, a Good Anotator Conceives to Fall under the Sixth Vial: In or about the Year 1194. The Godly were forced to Defend themſelves, by Arms, againſt the Force of the King of Arragon, whom Antichriſt had inſtigated againſt 'em. In the Year 1400, they were Aſſaulted from Time p. 86to Time in Pragela, and that Country. In the Year 1460. at Fraſinere They were dreadfully Deſtroyed. In the Year 1488, The Kings Lieutenant of Dauphine, with His Troops, at the demand of Pope Innocent, very Guiltily Slaughtered many of the Godly Innocent Waldenſes. An Army was raiſed to root 'em out in the Year 1560; but effected it not, by Reaſon of the Death of King Francis; Yet again, For the ſame End at another Time, was another Army Raiſed of Eighteen Thouſand Men; and at another Time, the Prince of Savoy ſent His Forces againſt 'em, who came upon 'em ſuddenly, Waſting all before 'em. Again, upon the Solicitations of Pope Paul the Third, An Army under the Lord of Trinity, marched againſt 'em, Exerciſing great Cruelty. But ſtill they Multiply; wherefore Armed Troops, under the Violent Alexandrino, were ſent by the Impious Pope Pius the 4th, to Extirpate them; who made dreadful Deſtruction of 'em in Calabria; & the Viceroy of Naples alſo, and His Soldiers, Slaughter'd all the Men, Women and Children of the Godly that they p. 87could light upon. As for the Godly on the Borders of Germany, An Army of Soldiers wearing the Croſs, Went and Slew 'em all. Moreover, Two Hundred of 'em were taken in One of the Caſtles of Tholouſe, and Martyred, Anno 1242. (Beſides Many in Millain; and Many in Dalmatia, and Bofina before:) And in the Year 1262. Pope Ʋrban made a Decree, wherein He ſaith,—We Enjoyn you upon the Remiſſion of your Sins, that you do your Ʋtmoſt for their Extirpation, and I will implore the Aid of all Chriſtian Kings and Princes; that Heaven and Earth may be moved againſt 'em.

They were Harraſſed in the County of Albi, Anno 1281. at Provence. Once at Beziers the Papiſts ſlew 60000. An Hundred Thouſand Croſſed Soldiers from the Nations came againſt 'em, Anno 1218. The Godly were all Slain in Spain, and Parts adjacent about the Year 1235. In the Beginning of the Fifteenth Century, the Pope Excommunicated the Godly in Bohemia, Exciting the Emperour, Kings, Princes, and others to take up Arms againſt 'em, Intreating them, By the Wounds p. 88of CHRIST, and Their own Salvation, Unanimouſly, to Fall upon 'em, and utterly to Extirpate that Curſed Generation; Promiſing Pardon of all Sins to the moſt Wicked Perſon that ſhould kill any One of 'em: Whereupon Great WARS were raiſed againſt 'em, and all Manner of Cruelty Exerciſed, and no leſs than Fourteen Thouſand and Forty of the Godly at Cuttenburg were caſt into one Great and Deep Pit of the Old Metal-Mines. And Seventeen Thouſand into another, and Ten Hundred and Thirty and Eight into another. And they had the Victory over the Proteſtant Army, in the Year 1620, and took their Great City, & Uſed Cruel & Crafty Artifices to deſtroy 'em Moreover, Pope Martin ſtirr'd up the Emperour and Princes again, againſt the Godly: The Army Entred into the Prachatice and Slew Sixteen Hundred Men, Women and Children, ſparing none but ſuch as Fled or Hid. Again, the Pope gave CHARLES the Fifth, Two hundred thouſand Crowns in Money, and Obliged Himſelf, to maintain Him an Army of Twelve Thouſand Foot, and p. 89Five Hundred Horſe; and Impowred Him to Sell of Abby Lands, to the Value of Five hundred thouſand Crowns; and Allow'd Him, moreover One half of the Revenues of the Clergy, Engaging Him to Imploy all Theſe for the Extirpation of the Proteſtants; And Anno 1547, The Proteſtant Forces (which were raiſed for, and which ſtood upon their Defence,) were Vanquiſhed, and a great Perſecution enſued; Many being Cruelly Beheaded, Hanged, Drowned, and Burned. Many were deſtroy'd at Magdeburg about the Year 1551. The bloody Duke of Alva boaſted that He had been diligent to Root out Hereſy, for beſides thoſe Proteſtants which He had Slain in the Wars, He had in Six Years time put into the Executioners hands above Eighteen Touſand Perſons.

In the Year Sixteen Hundred and thirty, the Proteſtants of Germany ſuffered horrid Cruelties; Eſpecially in Magdenburg, Hiedelburg, Griphenburg, Frankendale, and Hoxter, as alſo in Saxony and Pomerania. being Proſecuted with Fire and Sword. In France (beſides the Multitudes which the Papiſts p. 90deſtroyed in the WARS, which they Waged with the Proteſtants, commonly called the Civil-Wars,) they Maſſacred and Slaughtered in time of Peace, above Sixty Thouſand Proteſtants, in a few Days; the Maſſacre beginning at Paris on Bartholomew-Day, Anno 1572. And the Helliſh Barbarities which the Armies of Dragoons Executed upon Hundreds of Thouſands of Proteſtants about thirty Years ſince, viz. Anno 1658; what Hiſtorian can Relate them without Trembling? Nor may the Bloody Maſſacre in Ireland be forgotten, Anno 1641; wherein are ſaid to be ſlain 300000. And the Cruelties in other Nations, tho' too many to be now mentioned.

Yet the Legate Bertrand, in His Letter to the Pope, Complains of the Bad Succeſs of the Wars againſt the Godly Profeſſors of the Reformed Religion in the Thirteenth Century, and thus Expreſſes Himſelf; This War has Coſt us very Dear; for within leſs than Fifteen Years, there have died above Three Hundred Thouſand Croſſed Soldiers; but all p. 91will be Loſt, except theſe Hereticks be utterly Deſtroyed.

It may then be Queried, Whether 'twas then the Beginning of the Great Day of GOD ALMIGHTY, that Critical Day of Vengeance, intended in the Context? Pope Innocent the 3d, Offered Pardon of all their Sins, to ſuch as wearing the Sign of the Croſs would come and fight againſt the Godly Albigenſes, and Deſtroy 'em; the Popiſh Biſhops, Monks, and Friars (like Vile Spirits) Preached theſe Proffers and Pardons in the Nations; The Pope wrote alſo to all Chriſtian Princes, to ſtir 'em up to Get this Pardon, by Joining in this, which He Called, the Holy War; and many Noble men, with Armies of Croſſed Souldiers, came from year to year; the Pope promiſing Paradiſe to 'em all: Earl Montfort was made their General; The Grand Place of their Rendezvouz, and Head Quarters, was in that Reformed Country of the Good Albigenſes, which the Pope had Anathematized and Curſed, and where GOD pour'd out His Curſe upon the Popiſh Armies to their Deſtruction: p. 92and whither they were hurried and Congregated for fear elſe of their Suſtaining the Popes Curſe themſelves. Now, foraſmuch is Armageddon in the Syriack Hebrew ſignifies Cutting off by a Curſe, It may be Inquired, whether Proteſtant Countries may be Called Armageddon, and whether this Holy War be pointed it by the Battel at Armageddons, in our Context, as well as not Excluding the other Wars againſt the Proteſtants, which have been for a long time Waged ſince? But Pareus tells us of ſome that write Armageddon with ſuch Hebrew Letters as ſignifie the Mountain of the Goſpel. Whether the Great Day or GOD Almighty can be thought to be …ng a Day? Or, Whether the … Plagues Poured out on the Antichriſtian Party under former Vials, to Cleave to 'em, and continue to Work, is Poiſon, in their Bowels, even while the other Vials are Pouring out upon 'em? Whether Viſions, and Propheſies that Divide Times, and Events by Periods, do Divide 'em in ſuch a Manner, that one Period ſhould begin where another Ends or rather on the contrary (to p. 93Uſe Mr Jarieus, and Mr. Beverley's Words,) Whether they are not always Jointed and Inlaid one within another? (As the Roman Monarchy, Although it was of above 400 Years ſtanding, & had Conquer'd Her Neighbours, when Alexander founded the Grecian Monarchy, and laſted all the Time of the Grecian Monarchy, and kept Her Grandeur intire, is in Propheſie yet Reckoned the 4th Monarchy, being Placed after the Grecian; Its Grandeur greatly increaſing, a long time after the fall of the Grecian:) and whether ſome Storms were not a Gathering under ſome former Vials, the Clouds diſpenſing ſmall Showers, tho' they Came not down with an Overwhelming Violence, 'till the latter Vials were poured out? Alſo whether ſome of the Plagues poured out on Antichriſt did not Effect two things at once, viz. Both to make Him a Greater Plague to the World, by the exceſſive advancement of His Power and Wickedneſs, than He had been before; and alſo (by making the Nations Weary of ſuch an Intolerable Burden, and by opening their Eyes to behold His p. 94Villanies and Impoſtures,) to Prepare and Diſpoſe 'em to Caſt Him off?

The God of Heaven has ſufficient Reaſons of State for Permitting, and ſo Ordering and Over-ruling of things, that the full Meaning of ſome Propheſies ſhall not be fully underſtood, by the Generality of Men in the World, and in His Church, until after their Accompliſhment, yea until a long time after.

It's Lawful and a Duty with Humility, Reverence, and Modeſty to Compare GOD's Works with His Word.

The Diverſity of Conjecture about the Meaning of ſome of the abſtruſe Hieroglyphicks of Heaven, (Relating to the Deſtinies of Nations,) in the Writings of our Worthies, ſhews 'em ſtill to be Men, and that as yet they know but in Part.

The Reformation that was made in Luther's and Calvin's Time, when many Provinces and Kingdoms fell off from Myſtical Babylon, (which Mr. Mede ſuppoſed to fall under the Second Vial,) Mr. Jurieu aſcribes to the Seventh, and 'tis His Perſuaſion that now is the 7th Seal, 6th Trumpet, and p. 957th Vial; and that when the Profeſſors of the Weſtern Empire Came to be THREE Parties, viz. Papiſts, Lutherans, and Calviniſts, there was an Accompliſhment of the Viſion or Propheſy in our Context) of the Great Cities being Divided into Three Parts; & that the Laſt CUP of Fierce Wrath, and the Mighty HAIL STONES, and the falling away of the reſt of the Nations from Antichriſt, are now a Preparing for that Execrable Monſter, the Roman-Catholick Church and Papacy; and that the Vintage and the Third Woe are at hand.

But which ſoever it be of the Vials, (The Glaſſes of TIME & JUDGMENT,) that is now a Running out, the WATCH-WORD Given in the Prophecy of the Sixth Vial, is not Unſeaſonable for Us at this Time to Conſider and Improve.

And in the TEXT we may Conſider, The Day, the Danger, the Duty, and the Benefit.

1. The DAY Praedicted; a Day of Surprizing, Amazing and Jealous Viſitation. "Behold! I come as a Thief.

p. 962. The DANGER. "Leſt He Walk "Naked, and tney See His Shame.

3. The DUTY. "To Watch and "Keep His Garments.

4. The BENEFIT of Doing the Duty, viz. Bleſſedneſs. "Bleſſed is He.

"Behold! I Come as a Thief:] The LORD Comes in the Chariot of Terrible Providences to Try His People, as well as to Ruine His Enemies: and He comes as a Thief, ſuddenly, ſurprizingly, Terribly, Irreſiſtibly, In the Dark Night, and at an Hour, when Men think not, and expect Him not. 1 Theſ. 5.2. Luk. 12.39. Rev. 3.3. I will Come on Thee, as a Thief; and Thou ſhalt not Know, what Hour I will Come upon Thee. The LORD has Times of Sore Temptations and Sharp Trials for His Own Dear People, and has a Watchful and Jealous Eye over 'em in Such Times.

"Bleſſed is He, &c.] He ſhall Eſcape the Curſe that falls upon Antichriſt, and the Ʋnhappineſſes that befal Ʋnwatchful Chriſtians; The Pope's Cauſeleſs Curſe againſt Him ſhall not be Ratify'd in Heaven: He ſhall Enjoy the Complacential Preſence of God, and His Guiding, Sanctifying, Upholding, p. 97and Comforting Influences; He ſhall be Bleſſed with Peace of Conſcience, and with abundance of Grace and Uſefulneſs, and Exemplary Fruitfulneſs. Life and Death, and all things ſhall work together for His Good.

"He that Watcheth,] He is the Bleſſed Perſon; Not the Sluggard, that ſaith, Yet a little Sleep, a little Slumber, a little folding of the Hands to Sleep, and that is Lazy and Drowzy, and Sottiſh, and Fearleſs, and Blind, & Fool-hardy, or that is Careleſs, & hath an Indifferency of Spirit, and is Regardleſs of GOD, thoughtleſs of Danger, and Heedleſs of His Ways; Such a Man is not the moſt Happy Man, but is in a Miſerable Frame, and Caſe, and Danger: But the Man that is ſingularly Bleſſed (with Divine Liberty, Integrity, Purity, Activity, Utility, Favour, Peace, Safety, and Joy) is the Watchful Chriſtian, the man that (like Solomon's Wiſe man) has His Eyes in His Head; and keeps them open too, and Endeavours as much as He can, (in a Spiritual Sence) to Imitate the Keeper of Iſrael, who never Slumbers, nor Sleeps. His Soul being ſubordinately p. 98Committed to His own Watching and Keeping, He Endeavours to diſcharge the Part of a Faithful Steward, Watchman, Obſerver and Overſeer. He is Wiſe and Wary, Prudent and Circumſpect, Suſpicious of the Serpent in the Way, and of the Adder in the Path; Diffident and Jealous of His Heart, with a Godly Jealouſy; it having much Darkneſs, and Corruption yet remaining in it; and Afraid of touching too hard the Pitch of Outward Objects, leſt He be Defiled.

He makes it His Care and Buſineſs, like a Good Sentinel, to Look to His Charge, to Liſten to all inward and outward Motions, to Deſcry Dangers at a Diſtance, to Spy and Examine Comers and Goers, to Diſcover and Suppreſs, & Extinguiſh Unhallowed Flames, at their firſt breaking out, to keep off Subtil and Importunate Intruders, and to Call up his Affections timouſly unto Duty. Barrenneſs and Inactivity of THOUGHT (which be the Bane of many Chriſtians) are far from Him. He makes Conſcience of it, every day, to keep THINKING of the Greatneſs. Holineſs, Jealouſy, and Nearneſs of p. 99GOD, and of His moſt awful Severity againſt Looſe and Careleſs Profeſſors, as well as of His Tender Mercy to ſuch as are Serious, Circumſpect and Diligent; and THINKING, Oh! I have a Great and a Chief End, viz. to Glorify and Pleaſe GOD, and to Live in His Peace and Favour, and Communion, thro' the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and to Promote His Saving Kingdom daily; And ſaying, O my Soul, then Suffer not thy ſelf in this, or other Caſe, or Buſineſs, to be chiefly Sway'd and Govern'd by any Inferiour Ends. Is He in Company, What is His THOUGHT? Lo! Here's an Opportunity Thinks He; How ſhall I Improve it? What would GOD have me to do now? LORD! Teach and Help me! LORD! Let not the Guilt of the Ʋnprofitable and Barren Fig-Tree come upon me: Now, my Soul! Be for ſome Good Word, ſome Good Work. Again, Here's Company, but with all, here's Indwelling Sin in Thee and Them, ready like Fire, to break out, and an Evil Angel is near, to tempt; Oh! Let not Eye, Ear, Taſte or Touch deceive Thee; Let not the Pretence of Lawful Liberty deceive Thee; 'Tis no Eaſy p. 100thing to avoid Tranſgreſſion; Look to Thy Self; Thou art near the Brink; Take Heed; Tread Soft and Warily; Danger is Near. Is Good Started? follow the Chaſe; Is Peace? Purſue it, Promote it, Recover it. Guard Thee againſt taking of Evil Contagion from Others, and let not a Miſbeſeeming Word fly out of thy Mouth, to Infect Others. Be not, O my Soul! like the Simple, who Paſs on (forgetfully, thoughtleſly, careleſly, at all adventures, with a ſtupid Preſumption,) and are Puniſhed. The Angels of Heaven are called Watchers, and Holy Ones; and Watchful Believers, in Spirit, in Practice and in Bleſſedneſs, are not Unlike to the Bleſſed Angels of GOD.

"Bleſſed is He that Watcheth, and Keepeth His Garments.] GARMENTS are Purchaſed, Made, and Provided for Him, and Beſtow'd upon Him; They are HIS Garments; and HE has the Wearing of 'em, and the Benefit of 'em, and under GOD, the Keeping of 'em alſo: and 'tis to be Obſerved, that the Text ſpeaks of Garments in the Plural Number, as if there were more than One of 'em, and they are Called p. 101Finc Linnen, Pure and Bright, or Radiant, even the Righteouſneſs of Saints, in Rev. 19.8. Now the Saints have a double Righteouſneſs; a Juſtifying, & a Sanctifying Righteouſneſs. (1.) A Righteouſneſs that is wrought out for them by CHRIST, and Imputed to 'em by GOD the FATHER, for their Juſtification; & this is moſt Clean, Pure, Perfect, Spotleſs, Rendring the Soul (which GOD ſees Cloathed with it,) very Glorious in His Eyes: …ct (2) A Righteouſneſs that is Wrought in 'em, and is Inherent in them, and is alſo Exerted, and Practiſed by 'em, in their Sanctification.

Now the Righteouſneſs of the Saint's Words, Carriage, and Works is Viſible, and Bright, and Shining before Men, when as a Believer's being Cloathed with CHRIST's Righteouſneſs is not Viſible, but Hidden from Men's Eyes; Eſpecially when GOD's Davids happen to be defiled and ſmutted with Scandals, thro' Which, the Juſtifying Righteouſneſs that is upon them, ſhines not forth, until ſuch Time, as They are Recovered from thoſe Scandals, by a very Viſible Repentance and Reformation. p. 102Mat. 5.16. Luk. 1.6. 2 Job. 3.7. Thus there is a Righteouſneſs expreſſed in the Converſations of Believers, that is Bright and Shining, (but not Perfectly Pure, and ſince We cannot Juſtify it according to the Law, It's impoſſible that it ſhould Juſtify us, and be our Merit and Plea for Eternal Life;) and there is another … the Obedience of the Second Adam, by which many are Made Righteous,) moſt Pure, and Untainted, (and more than Adequate to the Demands of the Law from finite Creatures;) and alſo is Infinite in Value; (the Perſon Offering it being Infinite;) in which therefore Believers have Merit and Plea enough.

Mankind by the Fall, are Made Naked, and Shameful, and Vulnerable, and Diſintitled to the Divine Favour and Fruition, and Diſenabled to the Divine Communion, and Service, and to their Active Glorifying of GOD, and Manifeſting of His Vertues, and Perfections; Judicially Diveſted of the Divine Life and Image; and are become Children of Wrath, and Heirs of Hell▪ and are under the Power of Spiritual Death, and are Expoſed to p. 103all Manner of Evils and Miſeries: But Believers, their Nakedneſs of Title Ceaſeth, as ſoon as They are Cloathed with the Robe of CHRISTs Righteouſneſs, & their Nakedneſs of Strength ▪ (Their total Diſability) Ceaſes, when the New Principle of Spiritual Life is Created and Infuſed; Proportionable unto the Increaſe, Strength and Activity whereof is the Decreaſe, Weakning and Suppreſſing of the Old Bad Principle, the Remains and Actings of which were the Saint's Remaining Nakedneſs, Rendring them Liable unto Blemiſhes, Defilement, and Shame, & unto Divine-Fatherly Diſpleaſure, and Puniſhments; In Reference hereto, ſome of the Saints, Their Particular Nakedneſs may in ſome degree, be Covered from (to ſhamefully) Appearing before GOD and Men; their Growth in Particular Graces, being Manifeſted by their Words and Actions: Thus their Increaſed Knowledge, ſo far as it Reaches, Covers the Nakedneſs of their Ignorance; and their Increaſed Faith Covers the Nakedneſs of their Unbelief, ſo their Noble Humility Covers the Nakedneſs of their Shameful Pride, and their Heavenly p. 104Zeal Covers, or removes out of Sight, the Nakedneſs of their baſe Earthly Lukewarmneſs; ſo their Prudence, Juſtice, Temperance, Fortitude, Faithfulneſs, Chaſtity, Purity, Patience, Charity, Liberality, and other Graces, and Vertues increaſed, and reſplendent, Cover the Nakedneſs which accrued from their Want of 'em. But as to the Vindictive Eyes and Views of GOD; It is only CHRIST's Righteouſneſs that can Cover all the Saints Nakedneſs there-from.

Now the Dragons of Hell, and Draconick Powers on Earth, and the Beaſt or Roman-Catholick Church, and the Falſe Prophet, (the Sinful Head of that Earthly Church, and blaſphemous Pretender to Infallibility,) have Uſed all Wicked Arts and Force to Pluck away the Saints Garments; Surrogating inſtead of the Juſtifying Righteouſneſs of CHRIST, and the true Holineſs of Saints▪ that which they call Good Works, viz. Idolatrous Worſhip, Prayers to Angels, and Saints Departed, Penances, Pilgrimages, Croſſings, Oblations to Temples and Monaſteries, Pope's Pardons, and the like fig-leaves, p. 105which are utterly inſufficient for any to make Garments of, to Cover their Souls Nakedneſs, and yet Declared by them to be Able to Save Men from Hell, and to be Meritorious of Heaven, and—Impoſed on Men, under Penalty of Deſtruction, by Fire, and Sword, and by the Great Anathema.

WITH their Sophiſtries, and Signs, and Lying Wonders, and Diabolical Miracles, they would deceive (if it were Poſſible,) the Elect themſelves; but GOD's Decree and Promiſe have made it Impoſſible that they ſhould totally, finally deceive Them, and utterly Cheat and Strip 'em of their Saving Garments.

YET the Elect themſelves muſt Watch, and Hold their Garments faſt about 'em, and rather Loſe their Lives than let 'em go.

BLESSED is He that keeps the Righteouſneſs of CHRIST girt about Him by Faith, and His Evidences of His Intereſt therein, and His Enjoyment of the Fruits thereof in Holineſs, and the Godly and Vertuous Life.

"Left otherwiſe He Walk Naked, and They See His Shame.] Chriſtleſs p. 106Carnal Sinners have no Garment to Cover their Shameful & Loathſome Guiltineſs and Filthineſs; and not being Juſtify'd by Faith in JESUS CHRIST, (as the LORD Their Righteouſneſs, they have no Peace with GOD, but he Naked and Open to His Wrath and Everlaſting Vengeance: and therefore Profeſſors of the true Religion muſt ſee to it, that they Get a Saving Intereſt in CHRIST, by Faith and Regeneration. Moreover, Regenerate Saints muſt be Careful to Keep their Garments upon Them: Have they Put on CHRIST (as their Righteouſneſs,) they muſt not Put Him off; and if they keep not this Garment Cloſe to 'em, they will loſe much of the Warmth of it, and much of the Defence of it, and their own Conſciences will be Wounded and Aſhamed. If they draw the Tattered and Vile Garment of their own Imperfect Polluted Righteouſneſs, and of their Errors, Vices and Evil Works, over the Garment of CHRIST's Righteouſneſs, (ſo that they ſhall not be able to ſee whether they have CHRIST's Righteouſneſs upon 'em or no,) they'l find Themſelves Naked of Comfort, p. 107and far off from the Joys of the HOLY GHOST, and Unprepared to offer their Lives for the Truth, (in the Time of Trial) as good Martyrs of CHRIST; And if being Criminally Unwatchful, they ſhould be Left to Deny the Lord, Abjure the Truth, and Apoſtatize from GOD's Holy Ways for a Time, how Shameful would this be; O! How will it turn to their Diſparagement and Reproach among their Enemies; and what Shameful Puniſhments will they Procure thereby to themſelves; and How will they Take Shame to themſelves, when GOD ſhall give 'em Repentance, and Recovery. If they don't Watch, and keep Cloſe to CHRIST, and keep on their Garment of Holineſs, (tho' they have made a Glorious Profeſſion, and Done Great Service for Many Years;) They will be in danger of Diſhonouring of CHRIST more in One Hour, than they have Glorify'd Him before, in Many Years: and by preſent Wickedneſs will they make all their former Righteouſneſſes to be Forgotten, or at leaſt Reputed by Men to be the Shameful Brats, altogether and only of moſt p. 108Loathſome Hypocriſy; Nor will the LORD's Remembrance of their Former Righteouſneſſes, prevent His proceeding to manifeſt His Fatherly Anger againſt them, by Terrible Severities upon them; ſo Naked will they find themſelves to be, and ſo will Men ſee their Shame.

From the Text thus Opened, The DOCTRINE is this; Viz.

That One Means, and Sign, and Part of a Chriſtian's Bleſſedneſs, is His Chriſtian and Spiritual Watchfulneſs; which is very neceſſary unto His Keeping of His Spiritual Garments; the Loſs whereof would Shamefully and Dreadfully Expoſe Him, Eſpecially, whenever there ſhall Come a Day of Terrible Viſitation from the LORD.

Thro' Ʋnwatchfulneſs Our Firſt Parents Loſt their Garments of Innocency, and the Divine Image, and became Naked, and ſo Loſt their Bleſſedneſs alſo, and became Miſerable; and We in Them, became Guilty and Miſerable alſo. And Man had no Hopes, and no News of any poſſibility of p. 109His Recovery of Bleſſedneſs, 'till from the Mouth of GOD He had the Heavenly Tidings of That, and of the Seed of the Woman, (the LORD JESUS, the Worker of our Juſtifying Righteouſneſs,) both together.

As in the Day of Antichriſt's Exaltation, ALL men ſhould not be left to Shut themſelves out utterly from having a Part in that Glorious Promiſed Seed and His Righteouſneſs, (for SOME had their Names Written in His book …: and ſuch others only Worſhip… Antichriſt, (utterly Revolting from CHRIST,) whoſe Names were not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb, Slain from the Foundation of the World; Rev. 13.8.) So ALL ſhould not be utterly Miſerable, either in that Day of the Reign of the Man of Sin, or in the Days of Antichriſt's Execution: For our Text Contains and Exhibits a Propheſy, that ſome ſhall be Happy and Bleſſed; and deſcribes and declares, Who ſhall be ſo. In the Worſt of Times, the LORD▪ Has His 7000 in Apoſtate Iſrael, and His 144 thouſand in Armageddon, which ſome tranſlate the Mount of the p. 110Goſpel, and which alſo is the Place of Antichriſt's Curſe. In the Times of the Curſe, Theſe are Subjects of the Bleſſing: In the Midſt of the Great Carnage made by Popery, Theſe are Spiritually Alive, and Awake, and Sleep not (the Sleep of Death) as do others; for they Watch; and none but Living Perſons are Capable of Watching: and Theſe are not Naked, but have Garments upon them, and they make it their Buſineſs to keep 'em.

We ſee their Duty, … Commendation: And that which they Diſcharged ſo Well, is Charged as a Duty, upon Us, and others alſo. Search the Scriptures, and you will find it ſo: Read Luk. 21.34,—36. Take heed to your ſelves, Leſt at any Time, your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting, and Drunkenneſs, and Cares of this Life; and ſo That Day come upon you unawares; For as a Snare ſhall it Come on all Them that dwell on the face of the whole Earth; Watch ye therefore, &c. Mark 13.35,—37. Watch ye therefore; (for ye know not when the Maſter of the Houſe Cometh, at Even, or at Midnight, or at the Cock-crowing, or p. 111in the Morning;) leſt Coming ſuddenly, He find you ſleeping: And what I ſay unto you, I ſay unto ALL; Watch. 1 Cor. 16.13. Watch ye; Stand faſt in the Faith; Quit you like men; Be ſtrong. 1 Theſ. 5 5, 7.—We are not of the Night, nor of Darkneſs; therefore let us not Sleep, as do Others; But let us Watch and be Sober. 1 Cor. 10.11, 12. Theſe things hapned to them for Enſamples; and were written for our Admonition,—Wherefore let Him who Thinketh He Standeth, TAKE HEED Left He Fall. 2 Joh. v. 8. Look to your ſelves, that we loſe not thoſe things which we have Wrought (or Gained) 2 Pet. 3.17. Beware leſt ye alſo, being led away, with the Error of the Wicked, Fall from your own Stedfaſtneſs. Heb. 3.12, 13. Take Heed, Brethren! leſt there be in any of you an Evil Heart of Unbelief, in Departing from the Living GOD, &c. leſt any of you be Hardned, thro' the Deceitfulneſs of Sin. Rev. 3.2,—4. Be Watchful, and Strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to Die; —Remember—Hold Faſt—Repent; If Thou ſhalt not Watch, I will Come on p. 112Thee, as a Thief;—Thou haſt a few Names,—which have not defiled their Garments—. Thus from the Holy Oracles, the Duty of Watchfulneſs is as Evident, as Indiſpenſable.

'Twill Appear alſo to be a Means, a Sign, and a Part of a Chriſtian's Bleſſedneſs, to ſuch as Conſider, How 'tis ſingularly Appropriate to the Saints, and how it Prevents the Crimes, Guilt, and Miſchiefs, which it's Contraries (viz. Fearleſsneſs, Heedleſsneſs, Careleſsneſs, Preſumption, Stupidity, Sloth, Drowſineſs, Security, Thoughtleſsneſs, Forgetfulneſs, and the like) do Expoſe Men unto, and Overwhelm 'em with; And alſo How it is it Self a Special Part of Obedience to the Divine Command (which is the Way of Life, and in the keeping whereof there is Great Reward;) and Conduces to the keeping of a Good Conſcience, and to the Gaining of ſweet Peace of Conſcience, which belongs to Bleſſedneſs; and is alſo a Defence and Preſervator to every Grace, and Keeps our Graces in Exerciſe, and is alſo eſſentially neceſſary, and powerfully Inſervient to the maintaining of the Life and Power of Godlineſs, p. 113and neceſſary for our Living unto GOD daily in the World in an Even, Conſtant, and Zealous Courſe of Devotion and Univerſal Obedience; (O bleſſed Watchfulneſs!) and Quickens us to a ſpeedy Recovery by Repentance, when fallen into Sin; and to a Right Demeanour under, and Improvement of Proſperity and Adverſity; and to a Wiſe and Profitable Redemption of Time, and Opportunities; and moreover Greatly furthers the Saints in their Warfare againſt their Enemies, Sin, Satan and the World▪ and arms 'em againſt Surprizes; and ſpeeds 'em in Running their Chriſtian Race, and is very helpful for their Freedom and Frequency of Communion with GOD, in Heavenly Meditation, Faith, Love, Prayer, Thanksgiving, &c. and Gives 'em a good Life towards their Diſcovery and Aſſurance of the Good Eſtate, & Promotes their abundant Ʋſefulneſs, by their Shining Examples, and Ʋnwearied Activity, for the Good of Men, and for the Advancement of the Saving Kingdom of GOD, and our LORD JESUS CHRIST in this World. Oh! How many Ingredients of a Saints preſent p. 114Spiritual Bleſſedneſs are here! (all of them Conducing to His Eternal Bleſſedneſs; (and yet (Under CHRIST, and His SPIRITS Care and Influences,) The Chriſtian's Powerful Watchfulneſs, is (within Himſelf) the Mother that helps to Produce, & Continually to Keep 'em alive, the Eye that Looks to 'em, the Hand that Quickens 'em and Stirs 'em up, the Inward faithful Steward that Overſees 'em, guards 'em, and Cultivates 'em.

When GOD is graciouſly pleas'd to Give a man a Wakeful, Awful, Vigilant and Sagacious Mind, and to keep it up in its Watchful Activity, What Paſt-Crimes can eſcape Unobſerved and Unrepented? How will His Inward Aim and Thoughts be Call'd to Account, and kept under due Regulation! How will Earthly and Infernal Snares be Eſpyed and Avoided, and the Saint be freed from Scandalous Enmities, Reduced from Wandrings, and Advanc'd on the Wing for Heaven! Bleſſed then is the Man whom the LORD when He Comes, ſhall find thus Watching.

BUT, on the Contrary, the Men (tho' Regenerate) are not So Bleſſed, who Sleep when they ſhould Watch, p. 115and ſo (tho' not totally and univerſally, yet) ſo far Loſe their Spiritual Garments, and the Ʋſe of 'em, as to be Shamefully and Dreadfully Expoſed, & Naked, by their Want of 'em: Foraſmuch as they will be moſt unhappily EXPOSED; (I.) To the Corrupt Principle that remains yet within 'em, which will have a mighty Advantage from their Unwatchfulneſs, to betray 'em into the Hands of Blind Leaders, and Shameful Errors, and to make a Woful Slaughter upon their Morals, & to act diſmal Tragedies upon their Conſciences and Converſations. Luk. 24.34,—36. Jam. 1.14. Eph. 4.18 Jer. 17.9. Prov. 4.23. (II.) To their Adverſary the Devil, to His [Mille Nocendi Artes] Wily Suggeſtions, Crafty Inſinuations, Cruel Accuſations, Moleſtations, Executions. (1 Pet. 5.8, 9.) Therefore Men ſhould Watch, becauſe of their Adverſary the Devil. Mat. 26.41. (III.) To the World, to be ſhamefully intangled in it's Snares, Bewitched with its Enchanting Objects, Defiled by it's Examples, and Inflam'd unto Rebellion againſt GOD by it's Incendiaries, and into Idolatry by the Legends p. 116of the falſe Miracles of Popiſh Idolaters. Thus the Ʋnwatchful, (tho' Righteous, is yet naked of their Garments and Strength) will be found Falling before the Wicked, (who will both Inſult and Scorn 'em, and be hurt and hardned thereby, Prov 25.26. 2 Sam. 12.14. Jer. 50.7.) and ſo Shame will be brought upon all their Glory. (IV.) To the Church; To Her Juſt and Terrible Cenſures will they be Expoſed, for their moſt Sinful Ʋnwatchfulneſs, and Loſs of their Spiritual Garment of Holineſs. 2 Theſ. 3.6. 1 Tim 1.29. 1 Cor. 5.4, 15. (V.) To their own Conſciences. For though their Sleepy Conſciences do not watch and obſerve their Hearts and Ways, ſo as to Call them up to Duty, and Call 'em off from Sin, and Put by the Arrows of Temptation that Indanger 'em, and the Enemies that would rob 'em of their Garments; and to Call in ſeaſonable Help for 'em from Heaven, as their Monitors and Guardians; yet they do Watch and Obſerve them ſo far as to Diſcern their Negligences and Iniquities, and to become (when they are thorowly Awakened) Witneſſes againſt p. 117'em, and will Accuſe, and Condemn 'em, Shame, and Sting 'em intolerably for 'em. Gen. 42.21. Jonah 1.12. (VI.) To their GOD & SAVIOƲR: To His Jealous and Heart-Searching Eye, and Puniſhing Hand. He'l Chaſtize 'em on Earth (and Perhaps with Scorpions,) for their Neglect of their Watch, and for their not keeping their Garmens, and for their Diſcovering their Shame, tho' He may Preſerve 'em from Hell. GOD Commanded Iſrael to Watch, and Beware, and Take Heed, and not forget, Deut. 49.23. & 6.12. & 8.11, 14, 19. and threatned them for their former Forgetfulneſs, (that Expoſed them to Idolatry) See Exod. 32.34.—Mine Angel ſhall Go before Thee; Yet in the Day when I Viſit, I will Viſit their Sin upon 'em. So Rev. 2.5, 16. and 3.2, 3.

THE USE is of EXHORTATION unto Evangelical Watchfulneſs; which is a Choice Duty Preſs'd upon us by our Beſt Friend, and on the Strong Motive of Bleſſedneſs, and under the Pain and Penalty of Woful Loſs and Shame.

THE Bleſſing is Sure, becauſe Pronounced p. 118by CHRIST's own Mouth, and the Penalty Certain, for HE has Declared it.

Not any Time is allow'd to Security, or to that which Breeds it, (viz. the Opiate of Senſuality and Worldlineſs; (Luk. 21.34. Take Heed leſt at any Time, &c. Happy is the Man that fears always; Prov. 28.14. and ſo Watches; and who keeps in the fear of the LORD all the day long; Prov. 23.17.

YET let no man Idolize His own Endeavours, or Truſt in His own Watchfulneſs; Except the LORD Keep the City, the Watchman Wakes in vain; Pſal. 127.1. So Except the LORD vouchſafe to Watch, and keep Thee, thy Vigilant-Soul Watches over Thee in Vain. CHRIST is not Engaged in Honour to Keep ſuch a Man as deſigns (Setting CHRIST aſide) to be His own Supream Keeper.

KNOW that if you Watch well, 'tis CHRIST that Works in you to Will and to Do ſo; and if you have Benefit by your Watching, it is all from the Bounty and Bleſſing of CHRIST.

Yet Watch You muſt, though in p. 119CHRIST's Arms, and not upon your own Legs. Nor may you Expect that CHRIST JESUS will Graciouſly Watch over you, if you don't Watch over your ſelves.

I. Firſt then, WATCH over your HEARTS, and Watch againſt their Nakedneſs; I ſay, Watch and Keep your Heart with all Diligence. Prov. 4.23. Keep it, that it ſuffer no Impairment in its Gracious Qualities, By Departing from the Living God, and Hearkening to the Deceitfulneſs of Sin. Heb. 3.12.

The Work of Watching and Keeping the Heart from Sin, and with GOD, is a Buſier Work than any other in the World; and it is the Greateſt Buſineſs We have to Do in the World; and it is the Leaſt Attended and Done of any Buſineſs in the World, by the moſt of Men, Yea even by the moſt of Chriſtians; (We may ſpeak it with Grief and Shame;) and this is a Main Cauſe, why there is ſo little Difference between Many Chriſtians, and the Men of the World.

There are Remainders of Corruptions in the moſt Sanctified Heart on Earth, p. 120which muſt be narrowly Watched and Kept under.

The Heart is Slippery, Treacherous, Deceitful above all things, and Deſperate Wickedneſs is in it, while the Sinning Principle is in it; againſt which the New-Creature, (the Heavenly Principle,) muſt Watch.

Our Thoughts and Affections muſt be kept under Conſtant View and Obſervation by Us: Let us then moſt Conſcienciouſly Inſpect 'em; and let us Call 'em up, If they be Dull and Backward, unto Good; and Call 'em in, and Reclaim 'em, If they be Wandring unto Evil. Let us Watch and Examine what are our Aims, Ends and Deſigns; as alſo What our Thoughts are moſt upon; and What Frames our Hearts are in daily, both when we are Worſhipping of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, and when we are about Secular Buſineſs; When we are in Company, and when we are alone; When we are in Affliction, and under Temptation, and Meet with Affronts, and Injuries, and When We are in more Comfortable Circumſtances: and let us Cry to GOD for 'em; and make Haſte to Apply Suitable Remedies p. 121to 'em, if We diſcover any Diſorders in them.

CHRISTIANS! We ſhould Watch unto the Mortification of Inordinate Self-Eſteem, and Self-Love, and Self-Dependance, and Truſt and Delight in Carnal and Worldly Objects, (both Perſons and Things;) and we ſhould Watch againſt Sloth, Wearineſs of Duty, Impatience, Faintings, and Diſcouragements of Spirit under the Croſs; and we ſhould Watch unto an Inward Reſt in the LORD, a Living Truſt in CHRIST JESUS, and in the Sufficiency of His Sacrifice and Righteouſneſs for us, and in the Promiſe of Peace we ſhall have with GOD thro' JESUS CHRIST our LORD; and we ſhould beware of Drawing Back from the LORD; Heb. 10.38. And we ſhould Watch to Furniſh, Provide, and Imploy our Thoughts, Wills, Affections and Conſciences and Memories well; and to Make and Keep 'em Ready for the LORD, Rev. 19.7, 20. (Looking for, and Haſtning to the Day of God;) that they may be in ſuch Plight as CHRIST Looks for, in a Day of Viſitation, and as we may then Rejoyce, that He ſhould find our Souls in it.

p. 122O! How can We poſſibly Live the Heavenly Life, without thus Watching and Well-Ordering of Our Thoughts, Aims and Affections, and Keeping Our Minds in Frame? Since in our Loving of GOD above all with All our Hearts, and in our Conſtant moſt Awful Fear of Him, and in our Dependance on Our Glorious Head, and Saviour, and Communion with GOD thorow Him, the Life and Power of Godlineſs do Conſiſt, which can never be Upheld without a daily Watching to Keep our Hearts with GOD.

II. Watch over Your WORDS, and Watch againſt their Nakedneſs. David could ſay, Lord! There is not a Word in My Tongue, but Thou knoweſt it altogether, Pſal. 134.4. If there be any evil in the World, ſomething of it may be found in Words ſpoken by the Tongue; and How often do they break all the Commandments! The Tongue is an Ʋniverſity of Evil; Jam. 3.6. That, and the Pen are Chief Secretaries of State to all Eſtates of Sin and Sinners. The Tongue is an Inſtrument abuſed in all Caſes. The Devil could not make His Matters do, 'till p. 123He abuſed the Tongue of the Serpent. What Pleads the Vileſt Caſes, and is a Pimp to all Wickedneſs, but the Tongue? It is the Dexterous Inſtrument of a Vicious Heart for all manner of Evil. It is Atheiſtical, Blaſphemous, Profane, Idolatrous, Sabbath-Breaking, Abuſive to Superiours and Others, Curſing, Provoking, Spiteful, Venemous, Scornful, Reproachful, Murderous, Adulterous, Ʋnclean, Slanderous, Falſe, Cheating, Avaricious, Diſcontented, Ʋnbelieving, Impenitent, and Perverſe, and 'tis a Laſting Evil; when a Wretch in Old Age is able to do little Elſe, Yet He can Handle His Tongue, and Hinder abundance of Good, and Inſinuate and Propagate a World of Vanity and Villany by it: and No Laws and Humane Puniſhments can Tame it. Bad Words alſo are, in ſome Reſpect, Worſe than Bad Thoughts; for if you compare Bringing forth with Conceiving, you'l ſay, that to Bring forth is a further degree of Perfection, than at firſt to Conceive; (ſo ſaith Mr. Hooker) Now the Evil which the Heart firſt Conceives is Brought ſorth by the p. 124Tongue; and what in the Heart was ſecret, in the Tongue is Open and Manifeſt, and what the Mind contrived, is in part, Executed by the Tongue; and While the Evil was kept ſecret and cloſe in the Heart, the Heart and Perſon were only the Worſe for it; But foming out at the Tongue, Many are guiltily Infected and Defiled both in Heart and Manners thereby; for Evil Words Corrupt Good Manners; 1 Cor. 15.33. Much fair Speech is forcing unto foul Crimes. Prov. 7.21. Words (and Writings which are the Characters of Words) are Unhappy Incendiaries many times, and like unto a few Coals or Sparks of Fire, that are ſo Catching and Spreading, as to be ſufficient to Set whole Towns, Cities, Provinces, and Nations into a Flame; Witneſs Sheba's and Sacheverell's, and Multitudes of Others; Not to ſpeak of the Words and Bulls (or Writings) of Antichriſt: And 'tis moſt Certain, (How Light ſoever Men make of Words,) that Evil Words will Damn Men, if not Repented of: He that ſaith to His Brother, (in raſh Anger ("Thou Fool! is in p. 125Danger of Hell-Fire. Why, LORD! They are but Words! Ay, but they are Guilty of Atrocious Evil. In the Day of Judgment, CHRIST will Convict the Ungodly of, and Condemn 'em for their Hard Speeches; See Jude, ver. 14, & 15. And Of every Idle Word that men ſhall ſpeak, they ſhall give an Account in the Day of Judgment, &c. Mat. 12.36. With the Mouth Confeſſion is made unto Salvation; Rom. 19.10. But if We Confeſs not CHRIST before Men, He'l not Confeſs us before the Father; Mat. 10.32. If We Deny Him, He will Deny Ʋs; 2 Tim. 2.12. It's Certain then, that Words are of Great Conſequence; And if a Man's Words be Carnal, Earthly, Vain, Proud, Lewd, Profane, Falſe, Bitter, Wicked, and Ʋnreformed, His Profeſſion won't bring Him to Heaven, His Prayers, Thanksgivings, Hearings, and other Services then are Inſincere, Ʋnſound, and Vain. Jam. 1.16. If a man ſeem to be Religious, and Bridleth not His Tongue, that man's RELIGION is VAIN. Now if the Tongue be not Set on Fire of Heaven, It will be Set on Fire of Hell; If Grace don't fill and act the Tongue, Sin and p. 126Satan will; and the Tongue will Put off and Loſe the Garment of Holineſs, and Walk Shamefully Naked, If it be not well Watched and Reſtrained. Let us then ſuffer our ſelves to be Perſuaded to follow the Example of the Holy Pſalmiſt, in Pſal. 39.1. And let us Watch and Take Heed to our Speech, that we Sin not with our Tongues; Let us Keep our Mouth (as it were) with Bit and Bridle; and let us Pray, (Pſal. 141.3. Set a Watch (O LORD) before my Mouth. Let us Watch, that no Corrupt Flames from within Break out ſcandalouſly at our Tongues. Let no Words Contrary to Piety, Truth, Seriouſneſs, Modeſty, Sobriety, Humility, Equity, Charity, Patience, Chaſtity, and Goodneſs Come out of our Mouths; and Let us Watch unto Good Diſcourſe that is for the Uſe of Edifying, and Contrive, and Study for it; and when Idle Words, and Vain Talk would Croud out ſuch Good Diſcourſe, Let us Endeavour to Croud in a Remembrance of the Day of Judgment. And You who Love to Chat Unprofitably with your Companions, (as you Love your Life) and take pleaſure in Waſting p. 127your Precious Hours in Meer Vanity, If not what is Worſe, Look to it, for Evil is before you; GOD won't put it up ſo; but in the Day when He Viſits, He'l ſeverely Reckon with you for it, in this World; and it will coſt you Shame, and a Bitter Repentance; and (Beſides other Puniſhments Here,) you may ſuffer much Loſs; and moreover you may Miſs of ſuch Great Degrees of Glory in the other World, as otherwiſe you might have Obtained; and tho' you ſhould be Saved, yet you'l be Saved as by Fire, 1 Cor. 3.15. Pſ. 50.21, 22. Rev. 20.12, 13. Mat. 12.37.

III. Watch over your WORKS and LIVES. Inſpect and Conſider your Ways; Haggai. 1.5, 7. Search and Try your Ways; Lam. 3.40. Remember your Ways, with Repentance of the Evil of 'em; Ezek. 20.43. Cleanſe your Ways by taking Heed to 'em, according to GOD's Word; Pſal. 119 9. Think on your Ways, and Turn your feet into GOD's Teſtimonies; Pſal. 119.59. Take Heed to your Ways, that you Sin not, thro' p. 128Careleſsneſs and Unwatchfulneſs. Pſa. 39.1. The Prudent Looks well to His Goings. Watch and See that you have your Converſations without Coveteouſneſs, and Oppreſſive Practices. Heb. 13.5. See that they be Honeſt; 1 Pet. 2.12. Sober, Juſt, Godly, Tit. 2.12. Peaceable, Rom. 12.18. Chaſte, 1 Pet. 3.2 Temperate, Holy, Innocent, and Blameleſs, and not Scandalous, not Vicious; 2 Pet. 3.11. Pſal. 26.26. Watch and take Opportunities to be abundant in Good Works; 1 Cor. 15.58. and be not Weary in Well-Doing; Gal. 6.9. Watch Diligently that your Converſation be ſuch as Becometh the Goſpel; Phil. 1.12. That you Live no Longer in Sin, Working the Works of Darkneſs; Rom. 1.1. But that you Live to the LORD; Ro. 14.8. and Walk in ALL the Commandments, and in ALL the Ordinances of the LORD; Luk. 1.6. If you Neglect but One Ordinance, But One Sacrament, or only Secret Prayer, or any other Inſtitution, You interpretatively and practically Deny CHRIST's Ʋniverſal Soveraignty, as Lord and Lawgiver, and are dreadfully Guilty: p. 129Jam. 2.10. Let ſuch Chriſtians as Careleſsly and Contentedly from year to year, Neglect the LORD's Supper, Conſider This. The LORD's Royal Edict is, Jer. 7 23. Walk ye in ALL the Wayes that I have Commanded you. Again, Watch to Redeem the Time, and to do Good to all Men, even to your Perſonal Enemies, (as you have opportunity,) eſpecially to the Houſhold of Faith: and Watch to do Good to Poſterity; and to Advance the Kingdom of CHRIST; Gal. 6 10. The LORD Calls for your Watchfulneſs and Circumſpection for the Doing of theſe Things: Eph. 5.15, 16. See that yon Walk Circumſpectly,—Redeeming the Time.

Rulers, Subjects, Teachers, Hearers, Husbands, Wives, Parents, Children, Maſters, Servants, Tutors, Phyſicians, Trades-men, Labourers, and Others, [Friends, Neighbours,] have a multitude of Relative Duties to Imploy their Goodneſs, incumbent upon them; (and if they be not Good, as to their Relative Capacities, they are not Good Chriſtians; Eph. 5.5.) But p. 130if they are not Extraordinarily Watchful and Circumſpect, Thoſe Duties will be left, undone, or ill done; and Men's Religious Profeſſion will he Scandalized thereby; Yea, the NAME of GOD will ſuffer alſo; the Thought whereof muſt Needs Pierce the Heart of a Child of GOD, and make Him to Look well to His Ways.

Chriſtians! Waken up, I beſeech You; For You muſt not Sleep as do Others; 1 Theſ. 5.6. You muſt Watch even in all Things;—and Watch at all Times, in Proſperity and Adverſity; and Watch in all Places, when in Company, and when Alone; and in all Caſes, and on all Occaſions, and againſt All Sins and Temptations, and unto all Duties which the LORD Calls yon unto, 'till the LORD ſhall COME unto you; Pſal. 101.2. and you muſt be Watchful and Careful to Acknowledge the LORD in all your Wayes; Prov. 3.6. and to attend on Him without Diſtraction. 1 Cor. 7.36.

O Chriſtians! It's a Great Fault, and very Woful, that We Neglect our p. 131Watch; and Becauſe of this, We Enter into Temptation, and are Foiled miſerably thereby. Mat. 26.41.

Oh! How Few do make their Own Wakeful,) Awful, and Self-Watching Conſciences, Their Conſtant Companions, as They ought to do! and the moſt, being Careleſs of Themſelves, do not duly and charitably Watch over One Another; and cannot bear to be Faithfully Watched over by any Others.

How Few Diſcern and Suppreſs the Tares, when they firſt Spring up in their Hearts!

How few take Pains with their Hearts to deliver 'em from their Carnal Frames!

How Few do duly Watch againſt Unbelief, and Coolings of Faith and Deſires towards JESUS CHRIST! (Heb. 3.12.)

How Few Spy the Firſt Motions of Pride, Idolatrous Self-Dependance; and the firſt Motions of Idolatrous Love of p. 132Creatures and Outward Comforts, and Pleaſures; and the Firſt Motions of Undue Jealouſies, Harſh Reſentments of Injuries, Wrath and Revengefulneſs; to Cruſh 'em in the Egg, before they break forth, and become Cockatrices.

How Few So Watch as to keep up their Minds and Hearts in the Contemplations of the Glories of GOD, and in Communion with Him!

Alas! He that Watches Beſt, Sleeps ſometimes, and Let's fall His Watch. Even the Five Wiſe Virgins were ſo Fooliſh, that they Slumbred and Slept, and let their Lamps go out of Trim. Mat. 25.5. Right Emblems of the Churches, and Chriſtians of our Days. None Watches ſo Warily, as to be wholly Free from offences: Yet ſome are More Watchful than Others; and the more Watchful any are, the Fewer and Smaller are their Faults, and Hurts; and ſuch as happen, are the ſooner Recovered and Heal'd. We have no Allowance of GOD to Sin, at any time, and we are Commanded to be in GOD's fear Continually all p. 133the day; We muſt therefore Continually Watch.

Object. 1. But this is too Strict!

Anſw. I know that the Generality of Chriſtians Count it ſo, and Many do vigorouſly Argue againſt it, and have a Secret Hatred to it; as they have alſo to ſome Other Points of Strict Godlineſs; and they would fain Perſuade themſelves that GOD don't Require, what They are too Lazy and Sluggiſh to Perform: But as we have already Proved the Duty, from Infallible Texts of Scripture, ſo Their Objecting againſt it, and Unwillingneſſes to it, Prove that there's too much of Carnality (yet Unmortify'd) in their Hearts. And that They have not Delight enough in Heavenly Things. Nor a due Hatred of Sinful Thoughts, Words, and Actions. Nor a Sufficient Awe of GOD upon their Spirits: But when once they ſhall come to know the Terrours of the LORD, and to Fear Him exceedingly, and to have a dreadful Abhorrence of all Sin, and a Great Delight in GOD's Commandments, p. 134and in Communion with the LORD, and ſhall have had good Experience of the Practice of Watchfulneſs, and of the Gains and Sweets of it, all Objections will vaniſh away, and They'l Repent of their former Careleſsneſs, and would not Live ſo Unwatchfully, and Ungirtly again, for all the World.

Object. 2. We Cannot Watch; and it's enough to Tire out any Man Living.

Anſw. I know You Cannot, in Your own Strength; and this Work is not Tireſome only, but Killing to Corrupt Nature; But you that are True Believers have a New Nature, (a Divine Principle, Created in You,) and alſo a Title to the Daily, invigorating and ſtrengthening Influences of Heaven to Friend with; You muſt then Watch unto Prayer, (Col. 4.2.) Making daily Petitions for freſh and abundant Diſpenſations of theſe Divine Influences from CHRIST and HIS HOLY SPIRIT; and in HIS Name, Confiding therein, You muſt Try and Uſe p. 135Your Utmoſt Endeavour to Watch over your Hearts, Words and Ways, in Obedience to His Holy Commands. This Matter is not to be Deſpaired of; It belongs to you, and GOD will be with you; Be Strong, and Do it.

As for Thoſe that Complain, It's too much for 'em to be ſo Strict and Holy as they ſee ſome Saints to be, and that to be ever taking heed to themſelves and watching of their Hearts and Ways is Unattainable; thereupon Contenting themſelves to live at a looſe End; They Speak and Act as Becomes not Chriſtians, to whom the Evangelical Command is Poſſible, and who can (in a degree) do all Things thro' CHRIST ſtrengthening them. Phil. 4.13.

You perhaps have long been Accoſtomed not to Watch; But One Cuſtome may be Remov'd and Taken away (tho it be a Second Nature) By the Bringing in of Another Cuſtome; and Acts often Multiply'd, make a Cuſtome. Suidas Relates concerning the Watchful Marcellus, that by long Uſe p. 136and Cuſtome, He had brought Himſelf to that Paſs, as to live without Sleep, or at leaſt, with ſo Little, as could hardly be Obſerved by any Others. Would Chriſtians but a while Inure themſelves to the Practice and Exerciſe of Watchfulneſs, they would find it Eaſy and Pleaſant, & that they could not bear to Live without it. As Colon the Famous Diver, (mentioned by Pontanus) who by the Long Practice of Swimming, could not bear to Live out of the Water; and the Siculan-Diver, if He was long upon the Land, He was ſo Griped, as to be forced to go into the Water again, and that Other Perſon, whom the Fiſhermen uſed (in an huge Veſſel of Water) to Carry about for a Show. So Julius Viator, who (as Sennartus Relates) to Save His Life in a Dropſy, by little and little, uſed Himſelf to abſtain from Drinking, and Held His New Cuſtome even unto Old Age, Living to be an Old Man without Drink. Ʋſe makes Perfectneſs in any Art, Calling or Myſtery; and Contributes greatly to the Dexterity, Facility and Delight of Action. Preſent Difficulty then ſhould not affright us from Engaging in what is p. 137Good and Neceſſary, but Next to Supernatural Helps, (which we ought to Look and Seek to Heaven for, and Depend upon,) we ſhould betake our ſelves to the Power of Uſe and Cuſtome, (to Uſe Polybius's Phraſe,) By which (ſaith He) all that is Good and Laudable is Poſſible to Man. Then Try the Experiment (as to this Duty of Spiritual Watchfulneſs) as other Saints have done before you; and This Way of Wiſdom, which now ſeems Intoterable and moſt Grievous, You'l find it a Way of Pleaſantneſs, as well as a Path of Peace; Prov. 3.17. This Yoke ſhall be Eaſy to You, and this Burden Light. Mat. 11.29.

'Tis then, greatly to be Lamented, that Men Who are Profeſſors of the Goſpell, ſhould make ſo little Uſe of this ſo Gracious, ſo Sweet, and ſo Neceſſary an Help in the Godly Life, that is ſo much and often, and upon ſo many Clear Texts of Holy Scripture, preached and recommended to them, and Urged upon them. We are dreadfully and Judicially Hardned, p. 138If neither Commands, Promiſes, nor Threatnings can Move us, Nor Executions neither, nor the Concerns and Intereſts of the Divine Glory, Not yet the Senſe of our own Danger and Neceſſity.

It has been the Practice of the Beſt Saints to Watch over their Hearts, Words and Ways. Job 3.26. Pſal. 39.…. & 123.2. And if they have fallen into Iniquity, it has been when they have given Way to Security: And the Beſt have offended, when they have not been Watchful. Holy Eve in the State of Innocency, needed to Watch diligently; much more We then who are far from Innocency, and have Corrupt Luſts and Affections within Us. She ( Ʋnwatchful as She was, Satans Word Stupfying of Her) took the deadly Infection, and was the firſt (of all Mankind,) in the Tranſgreſſion; and Her Holy Husband (being Ʋnwatchful) took from Her the Contagion, and tranſmitted it (together with an Intailment of Pollution and Deſtruction) to Vaſt Millions of His Poſterity. David was a p. 139Wiſe Man, a Man after GOD's own Heart, and One whom We may ſuppoſe to have Meditated in the Law of God as much as any One Living, and had as Awful a Fear of the Deity in his Sanctified Soul as Any, yet once and again, is Wiſe as He was, when it happened that He had that Piece of His Armour (viz. Strict Watchfulneſs) a little looſe, and not well girt about Him, the Devil catch'd Him with His Bait and Hook, and Fired Him into thoſe Groſs Sins, for which He and His Royal Family, and Realm, Smarted, a long time after. Godly Peter alſo was led into Temptation, and into Groſs Abjuration of His Knowledge of the LORD JESUS, for Want of Faithfulneſs.

Tho' their ſeeing the Salvations of GOD, in Calamitous Times of Viſitation, depend upon it, Yet Chriſtians neither do nor can Order their Converſations aright, for Want of Watchfulneſs, and ſo they Paſs on and are Puniſhed. How Hot, Haſty, Furious, Proud, Revengeful, and Foul-Mouth'd are ſome! Not fit to be lived p. 140with; How Worldly, Selfiſh, Crafty, Over-reaching, Fraudulent, Injurious are Others! So that it is Unſafe to have Dealings with 'em; What an Eaſy Prey to the Tempter are Many! How dull, weary, and wanting in Duty are many! How Unprofitable! How Unreformed! How often Relapſing, and Returning to Folly! How BOLD are they when Occaſions of Sinning are Preſented! How Perfidious in Breaking their Vows to GOD! and all thro' Want of Watchfulneſs. How Little do the Means of Grace Profit 'em! How long e're a Luſt is Subdued! How backward Do They Grow in Grace! How Barren of Good Works! and all for Want of Watchfulneſs! How wofully doth a Creature Comfort Inchant 'em! How doth a ſmall Croſs Diſtract 'em! and How doth Death's Alarm Terrify 'em! and How do the Conſolations of GOD ſeem ſmall to 'em, for WANT of Watchfulneſs! A Fatal Want indeed, and enough to Undo a Man, and Spoil His Trade for Heaven! On the other Hand, the Bleſſing is on the Head of Watchful Chriſtians.

p. 141Watchful Chriſtians, are Humble, and broken-Hearted for Sin, and Prayerful, and Holy, and Heavenly-Minded, and Joyful, and Exemplary, and very Fruitful Chriſtians. Watchfulneſs is a Means to Prevent their Falls, to Suppreſs their Luſts, to Promote their Peace, and Put the Adverſary to Flight, to make their Tongues a Tree of Life, and to Render their Actions defenſible againſt their Accuſers. Watchfulneſs is a Nurſe to the New Creature, Paves the Way to the Beſt Evidences, and Richeſt Experiences, and furthers their Holy Boldneſs at the Throne of Grace, and their Attainment of the Refreſhing Shines of the Light of GOD's Countenance. All Other Gifts are Beautifyed by this of Watchfulneſs; and GOD is Honour'd; Chriſtianity is moſt advantageouſly Recommended to the Obſerving World; Religion is Made a Delight; the Saints are put into a Glorious Transfiguration; Believers live at an High Rate; and the Bleſſed GOD delights in their Perſons and Services; And what p. 142High Degrees of Glory ſhall Crown the Heads of the moſt Watchful Chriſtians, We ſhall Know to our Joy (if We be Such) When We Come to Heaven.

Now the Good LORD Bleſs theſe Words to Us, and Quicken us to Watch, and to Keep our Garments, that We may be Bleſſed at His COMING. Amen.

Tibi DOMINE! et a Te.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Danforth, Judgment Begun at the House of God (1716)