A Warning-piece FOR THE Slumbering Virgins.  
OR, AN ALARM TO THE Friends of the Bridegroom, IN Some Awakening Meditations upon Christ's own Watchword, Matth. 26.41. Watch and Pray, that ye enter not into temptation, etc.  
By Geo: Scortreth, Preacher of the Gospel in Lincoln.  Revel. 16.15. 
Behold, I come as a thief, blessed is he that Watcheth, & keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, etc.  
London, Printed for Thomas Brewster, at the Three Bibles in Paul's Churchyard, near the West End, 1657.   

To the Friends and followers of the Lamb.  
Beloved in our Lord,  
I Had not thought to have printed any of my poor Labours in the Lord; though i'has been much upon my heart, they might be imprinted upon the hearts of the hearers by the Spirit of the living God: But some late impulses have been upon my spirit, (since infirmities have grown upon me) to leave a few Words with the servants of Christ before I leave them; looking up to him, to leave his blessing with them; and that upon these and the like Considerations: 1. The strange slumberings of so many backsliding Christians at this day, have somewhat awakened my drowsy spirit; and my eye hath affected my heart, to see so many sleepy eyes, and heavy hearts; so that I am not at rest; till I have eased my own soul in warning them openly, as in weeping for them in secret. 2. The Lord hath been following me with awakening dispensations; morning by morning awakening my ear to receive instruction: and while he hath shaken his rod of Fatherly Correction over me, a deep Conviction hath fallen from Heaven upon me, that it is the work of the day in its day, for the Watchmen to cry aloud, saying, Awake, Awake. 3. I have some sweet persuasions through mercy, that whiles I am at the Lords work, stirring up others to watch and pray, I shall find him at work within, stirring me up to take hold of him; and giving in some awakening heart-reflexions upon these Meditations of Watchfulness; and my heart tells me, the watchmans of all others would be well awakened, and ever upon their Watch at such a day as this. 4. Pity to slumbering Saints, who hear not the sounding of their own bowels to make them pity themselves, hath moved me to knock at their doors, and ask them how they do at heart; They little think (alas) now their hearts are asleep, of the sorrows, that are coming upon the men and women that are at ease in Zion, as sorrow upon a woman in travel. 5. The love of Christ constrains me to call upon his slothful Servants to arise and fall to their Master's work; who hath most to do i'th' last days, and would not be left alone at it: many heads, hands and hearts busy together, would make light work: 'twould go merrily on, and not so heavily, as now it does, whiles so many heads and hearts are heavy with sleep. 6. The stirring Appetites of some hungry craving one's, (endeared to me in the bonds of the Gospel,) who are daily waiting with longing for one cluster of grapes or other, from the Celestial Canaan, have made me the more willing to press this one grape for their sakes: happily they may find a little sweetness in it, (though none else should) as taking and tasting it with a good will, from his hand, whose heart is towards them. And if any of these should unhappily be overtaken with that dead sleep of midnight-security, which hath surprised so many at this day; who knows but the importunities of one that is their friend, may prevail with them, to rise and open the door of their hearts, when the Bridegroom himself shall knock, who is their best and dearest Friend i'th' World.  
These being the wheels which have set this Watch on motion, you may not expect any Eye or Ear-affecting curiosity, but heart-awakening Gospel Simplicity; the enticing words of man's wisdom have lulled many asleep: and 'tmust be plainness of speech in the demonstration of the Spirit, that must awaken them. I have most to do in this Work with Wisdoms Children, who have learned to become fools, that they may be wise, and had rather hear one word spoken to the understanding, than a thousand words in an unknown tongue.  
The corporal weaknesses and spiritual wants of one groaning under an heap of infirmities, will make a sufficient Apology for all wants and weaknesses as to matter or method: 'Tis broken meat, this, for broken hearts, who will be gathering up a few Crumbs here and there; and if it be well digested within, 'twill be the less matter, though it be so indigested without.  
I am very sensible, 'tis sown in great weakness, (alas, how can so poor a nothing Creature do otherwise?) yet I am not out of heart or hopes, through grace, but it may rise up in power, to the raising up of some that are asleep in sin, and the rousing up of others that are under a sinful slumber, by the power of the Spirit: which is his heart's design and desire, who would willingly bespeak your heart-remembrances, while he takes the humble boldness to be one of your weak, (though willing) Remembrancers in the Name of the Lord, that he may be accounted worthy to be found a Watchful Servant of Christ Jesus our Lord, and  
Your faithful Servant for Jesus sake, G. S. From my Chamber in little Queenstreet, Lond. M. 7. 1656.   

To my well-beloved Friends, endeared to me in the love and bonds of the Gospel, at Lincoln, or elsewhere.  
Dear Friends,  
BEing laid aside by the hand of my righteous Father, as to the public work of the Ministry amongst you; you have been much upon my heart, in my private Meditations, to stir you up and put you in remembrance to wait upon our Lord, and for him, who will meet those with rejoicing, 
Isa. 64.5.  that remember him in his ways. The openings of your hearts to me in much affection, and compassion, as many of your eyes witnessed at our parting, (not knowing whether we should see the faces of one another any more) and as your affectionate remembrances of me, while absent, and under present bodily pressures, do sufficiently testify, have much bespoke my heart on your behalf to leave this Watchword with you, if I should now take my Rest and sleep in Jesus. And if the Father of mercies should graciously raise me up by his strength, to spend and be spent amongst you, 'twould be a sweet mercy, to find you in a waiting, watching posture: 'Twill be the more seasonable to knock, where they are awakened, and to strike while the iron's hot; The Word of Life will be most welcome to quickened spirits.  
That you may read these following awakening Meditations with open eyes and hearts, let me present you with a few preparatory hints, to an awakened posture, happily your sight may be a little cleared by this foretaste (as Jonathans' was upon his tasting a little honey from the end of his rod) if you look up for eyesalve from Heaven, while you are looking on them.  
And first, by way of Counsel, 1. Harken as with both Ears to the glad-tydings of the Gospel; you'll find, that good reports from Jesus Christ, under Evangelical dispensations, will exceedingly affect, and effectually awaken your hearts. The sweetness of the bunch of grapes upon that staff of beauty feelingly tasted, will set you a longing after the choice fruits of the heavenly Canaan; and hungry souls will not easily sleep over their spiritual food. 2. Walk up to light received in the love and power of it; you'll find it a good thing indeed to behold the pure heart-quickening beams of the Sun of Righteousness: It's Soul-taking too; 'Twill follow you, as you follow it; Then shall you know, 
Hos. 6.3.  if you follow on to know the Lord; his go forth will be prepared as the morning, shining upon you, and within you, and causing your path to shine more and more to the perfect day: And you will find this Sunshine marvellously clearing and quickening the eyes of your understanding: 3. Knock oft at your own doors, you may be bold at home, and ask every day, How all does within; what strength of faith; what warmth of love; what growth in grace, etc. much Soulsearching, will very much prevent Soul-slumbring: Communing with Conscience will keep it awake, and it will cry loud in your ears to keep you awake. 4. Stir up one another, and that with importunity, to stir up the grace of Christ that is in you, to do good to all, etc. and all the good you can; and to do what you find in your hands to do for God, with all your might, and that while you have opportunity; 
Eccles. 9.10.  for there's no work i'th' grave, whither we are going. 'Twill be one of the best deeds of pure charity at this day, to visit crazy sickly souls, that lie languishing and slumbering under spiritual Consumptions, in the Name of the Lord; and to propound heart-searching Questions to quicken them, instead of heart separating Queries, which have deadened them. And sure it would be a very seasonable work in this hour of temptation, amongst Christian friends, (at distance) to take up that Primitive practice of the blessed Servants and Martyrs of Jesus, by quickening up one another's spirits with heart-awakening Letters. I cannot but commend this labour of Love to such as are present with one another in spirit and love, when absent in body, as that which some in our days have found a sweet blessing in, even as in that cluster mentioned, Isa. 65.8.5. Give all diligence in the frequent and fervent performance of all Gospel-duties with a Gospel-spirit, setting grace on work in all by the supply of the Spirit; and if you find your hearts ready to follow the Lord fully in all the work he has cut up for you, you'll find work enough ready at your hands and hearts to keep you awake. 6. Cast up your spiritual accounts every day, with an eye to that great Day, when every one must give an account of himself to the Judge of quick and dead; oft Soul-reckoning will rouse up your spirits much, to wait for the Bridegroom with loins girt, and lamps burning, 
Matth. 25.6.  as if you heard the cry at midnight.  
Secondly, by way of Caution. 1. Take heed of an heavy Ear under the Sound of the Gospel, lest your ears should tingle for it another day. The Seers eyes must needs weep in secret for you, if they behold you sleeping openly under the Lords allseeing eye; 'Twill sadden the hearts of weak Christians to see you heavy-hearted under that Gospel of grace, by which they and you have been often awakened; and carnal hearts will be the more apt to slight that spiritual food which they see you sleep over. 2. Take heed of resting in a form of godliness, without power, of taking up with the letter, without the Spirit; or being contented with a Name to live, without that new Name, and a new heart and life: you may lie dead at the letter, till you die, but the Spirit will quicken you, and put life into your spirit; you may easily slumber under the form of an outward profession, but the constant exercise of the power of godliness will effectually awaken you. 3. Dally not with any beloved lust, nor be dandled upon any Dalilahs' lap, lest you fall asleep upon't, and be betrayed; if your hearts go after any strange lovers, you must needs lose your first love, to your first husband, and be left heartless and spiritless; if you indulge any right eye, or right hand, how dark will the right eye be? and how dead the right hand of your inward man? you must watch over your own iniquity, yea, over every sin so, as ever you would be found watchful at God's Word, or cheerful in his way. Sensuality in any kind will breed spiritual security at first, and bring perplexity of spirit at last. Sin's calm must needs end in a sad storm. 4. Take heed of selfseeking, and seeking great things to yourselves. A selfish spirit will be sluggish in spirituals; if you once begin to take your fill of creature-comforts, you'll have no stomach to the things of Christ, but even sleep at his breast: The love of the world will eat out your love to God, his Word, his work, his people, etc. If you be all upon't, rising early to eat the bread of sorrows, 
Psal. 127.2.  you'll lose that sweet sleep he gives his beloved, and be cast into a false slumber, feeding yourselves with foolish fancies, saying, Soul, take thine ease; where little ease is to be found, when the heart is drunk with the strong wine of the World's cup, or drowned in the sweet waters of its own Cistern, 'twill certainly fall into a dead sleep; and Christians overloaden with thick clay, we see with sorrow, how heavily they drive. 5. Take heed of slighting any holy duties, and of a slight frame of spirit in them. 'Tis a slighting of God himself, who will lightly esteem such, and leave them to their own slothful spirits. A sluggish indisposition will ever attend sinful omissions; and such as dare be bold in the omitting of good, are in danger to become base and vile in the committing of evil: if your hearts backslide in secret from humble communion with God in his holy ways, he will turn his back upon you, and leave you to eat the fruit of your own ways; and then, alas, how weak will your hearts be, in, and to, any thing that's good? how woefully evil? 6. Take heed of grieving the good Spirit of God; lest he go away sadly, and leàve you to the heaviness of your own spirits. Oh, if you quench the heavenly sparks of his holy motions, the fire of your love and zeal will quickly be going out, and you'll grow cold at heart. Oh do not, do not tempt the Holy Ghost, no, not for a world, lest he withdraw his light, life, power, and peace from you; and then how dark and dead, heartless and helpless, 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 only his own Book with me) 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 patiented 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 rejoice 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 'tis the special Office of some men to be Watchmen, so 'tis the common duty of all men to Watch. That some men are appointed to watch over others, cannot excuse any man's 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 always 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 watchful 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, unless they be Watchers. The careless Soul is always a corrupt one; and Security layeth us open to all impurity. Satan watcheth to make us Halt, and evil men watch for our Halting; we shall never take either even or clean steps, unless we watch our own go, and ponder the path of our feet: Watchfulness 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 Author of this ensuing Discourse hath beaten such an Alarm, and shot off such a Warning-Piece in our Quarters, that if the Virgin's 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 evil, and bring it upon them? They who will not take warning, deserve to be made one. Having perused this Manual of Watchfulness, 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 cometh. 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 hours: 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 Watchful, is his Prayer, who readily Approves it for the Press, and public Use of this Slumbering Age,  
Joseph Caryl.   

To the Reader.  
Reader,  
THey who keep close to the Lord Christ in holiness of Life, and purity of Doctrine, are Virgins, whether particular Persons, or Churches: Such being exposed to many Temptations, and subject to much Slumbering, here is a Warning-Piece for them. The great Watchman of Israel warned 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, slumbered, and suffered much for want of Watchfulness. When Kings slumber, they may lose a skirt of their garments; 
1 Sam. 24.14.  and when Virgin's slumber they may lose their whole Garments, all their Ornaments, 
Rev. 16 15.  and the shame of their nakedness appear. The vigilant Author hath prepared and fitted this Treatise to prevent such evils; It's little, but of much worth, being Judicious, Succinct, and Spiritual. Bulky Volume, must give place. It's full of Apples of gold in pictures os silver, choice 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 above. 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 Slumbering 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 sorrowful, 
Math. 17.1.2.  &c: They that had seen his glory in the Mount, when his Countenance shined as the Sun, &c: must now see him under a Cloud, his glory vailed; they beheld him in his Triumph, and must see him in his trouble. 'Tis Christ's familiar way to be beforehand 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 'tis a sweet heart-taking method, well-becoming our tenderhearted Physician, who loves to be preventing his poor ones with tender mercies, so preparing them for sufferings for him, by declareing his loveliness 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 awakening teachings) when he was heavy and sorrowful even to the death, how heavy were their eyes? how heartless 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 poor helpless, Spiritless 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 hour? Is it come to this? no better Soldiers under so good a Captain? what, deal so ill with me, who have dealt so well with you? Yea, not watch with me one hour, who have watched so long over you for good? And now the hour is come too? If not for me, yet for yourselves for when the Shepherd is smitten, the Sheep will be scattered; But no warning will keep them awake when the heart's asleep; he comes once, and again, yea the third time and finds them sleeping (thus the sleepy evil grows upon us) we are usually most secure, when least safe, and heaviest with sleep, under heaviest awakening providences.  
In the Text, we have Christ's faithful watchword, or friendly alarm to his slumbering Disciples; where observe.  

1. A double duty commanded.  
2. A double reason commended.   
1. A double duty commanded, watch and pray; an excellent present remedy against spiritual security; A word in season; an happy conjunction, a blessed pair, joined together by Christ himself, let no man put them asunder: watching without prayer will be helpless; and prayer without watching will be heartless; but both together, heartful and helpful; Prayer without watching will never awaken us; and watching without prayer, will never awaken the Lord, to watch over us for good; but both together will bring in many awakening, quickening, 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, etc.  

1. Ye are exposed to temptation.  
2. Ye are indisposed to opposition.   
1. Ye 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'll watch to make a prey of you; And you tempt yourselves, you lie nearest to and fairest for temptations, when you are farthest from watchful supplication. 1. You close with temptations, you are in the midst of them before you be ware; if you watch not to shut the door against them, you open the door to them, there will be temptations upon you within and without, and you will be within them; while you lie sleepy and prayerless 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'll not know how to get out, when once in; you are in danger to be lost i'th' crowd; you may be easily ensnared, but not so easily enlarged; 'tis hard getting out of the Devil's labyrinth.  
2. Ye are indisposed to opposition; the flesh is weak, and your temptations strong, here observe, 

1. Christ's candid concession; the Spirit, etc.  
2. His clear conviction; the flesh, etc.    
1. His Concession; the Spirit is willing; your heart is good, though your hand be short; there's sincerity in you, though you want ability: Christ cannot find in his heart to break the bruised reed, the broken heart; he owns their willingness with a good will, though much weakness in them; 'tmay do one good at heart to see, how his heart was upon their hearts, when their heads were heavy; how sweetly his Spirit sympathizeth with their Spirits; 'tis 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 indulgency towards them; Here's Counsel employed, to take care of their Spirits, that they may be quickened, 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 weakness, that he might perfect his strength in weakness.  
I shall sum up all under this one word, and 'tis Christ's 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. 'Tis an Evangelical Duty to Watch.  
This is wisdoms own Counsel, and must be her children's care; The Captain of our salvation, gives this word to his Soldiers, to awaken them to work out their salvation, &c: Now Soldiers upon pain of death, must be at a word of command: The watchful Shepherd of Souls calls upon his sheep to watch, and his voice they most hear; 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 Christ's own Mouth: How apt are we to sleep on both ears, 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 affectionately watch over us, as to this spiritual duty of watching; there must needs be much in it, when he's so much upon it; and sure, watching well, will tend greatly to our best welfare and happiness, seeing our good Lord and Master makes it so much our business.  

But what is this Gospel duty of Watching?  
First in general; 'tis a busy 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 borrowed from the practice of Shepherds watching over their Flocks, as Jacob over Laban's; or from Soldiers upon the guard, who keep strict watch; both these must discharge their trust with great diligence and patience; special care and constancy, they must endure the heat by day, and the cold by night; Christ's experienced Soldiers do find, 'tis hard duty, this; much must be done and suffered upon this account, there's no giving over this watch, what ever it costs us, our life lies on't:  
This spiritual watch presupposes an awakened heart out of Natural Stupidity, and Formal Security.  
1. Out of natural, Carnal stupidity; they cannot possibly watch, who were never awakened; the natural man is spiritually dead, and as uncapable of this spiritual duty, as a man borne blind is to see the Sun, or a dead man to hear the thunder; he must first hear the voice of the Son of God saying, awake thou that sleepest, &c: before he can watch with him or for him; alas, how can they watch, who have eyes and see not? (like the idols in the psalm). He must be a spiritual man, that discerns spiritual things, that is fit to be a spiritual watchman, and to wait in the spirit.  
2. Out of formal security; A sleepy professor is ever crying, a little sleep, a little slumber, etc. he cannot keep his heart awake if he might have all the world, nor his eyes open; sluggish slumbering Christians are in no posture for watching, they are as silly Doves without an heart; they have no heart to this heartty duty, and no heart in it; they are not spirited for this work, their spiritual senses are bound up, they have let their watch fall, and will never take it up again without a sound awakening. The watchmen must cry aloud in the ears and consciences of such, or they'll lie down to sleep again and again; swooning Christians can never watch till the Lord rub them up to purpose; they had need be living and lively men, that are to watch as for life; ' 'tmust be a raised sinner, and roused Saint, that's set about this work.  
Secondly, more particularly, Evangelical watching implies these things following.  
1. Attention; 
Isa. 50. ●  a spiritual watchman must have his ear awakened morning by morning (as the prophets) that he may hear what the Spirit saith; 
Rev. 2. & 3.  this the Spirit calls for, over and over Let him that hath an ear, he are &c: he must have an hearing and harkening ear too, that would here the still voice, the whisper of the holy Spirit; he must have an ear to hear from God that keeps his watch, or he will have no eye to see him, no mouth to speak from him or for him; God has much to say to his awakened one's, that are upon his watch, they had need have their ears about them, yea within them; An heavy ear and a sleepy heart, 
Jer. 6.10.  go together; to whom shall we speak and give warning, (says Jeremy sadly) they have uncircumcised ears, &c: and cannot hear; alas the speakers may shut up their mouths there, 
Mach. 13.15.  where the people stop their ears; they are no hearers indeed, who have ears and hear not; And may we not take up that heavy complaint at this day (one of the saddest in all the Book of God) they have made their hearts and ears heavy; 
Isa. 42.19.  lest they should hear with their ears, &c: Who so deaf as many of God's Servant (to borrow that expression) much preaching (as great sounds) hath made many deaf, that what they would not hear, they cannot; And what are the wisest charm to such deaf Adders? well, Christ's watchmen must be swift to hear, for his motions are quick; he's sometimes, but a word and away; a knock, and he has done.  
2. Intention, a watchman must be very intent upon his duty; corporal watching, much more spiritual, should take up our Spirits; God must be much heeded, and his whole work well-minded, even with the whole heart, especially this work of watching; he's no servant for Christ that would serve him by halves; there's no being for him almost, but altogether, or not at all: all our spiritual forces must be mustered up, to keep this watch; we must stir up all our strength, and all too little in the discharge of this duty; 'twill take up the whole man; there's no halting here, lest evil overtake us: a lame Christian will never stand to it, but must be sitting down ever and anon. He had need be a man of another Spirit (Caleb-like) that would follow the Lord fully, in this spiritual watch. As natural things act to the uttermost, within their Sphere; so in this supernatural work of evangelical watching, we should act all we can for God, 
Eccles. 9.10.  within the Sphere of our spiritual activity; what ever we find in our hands to do for him (especially at so weighty and busy a work as this) we should do it with all our might; there must be an holy violence and fervency, accompanying Gospel vigilancy; spiritual force will do well here, indeed we can never Watch well without it; If it once come to a Spirit of indifferency, it will not be long, ere we be surprised by a Spirit of security: if we care not much (Gallio-like) we shall Watch but little; a slothful Spirit will be sleepy, do what you can. Oh what sad slumberings amongst us, since Christians have laid themselves down upon beds of ease! a lazy creature, is never likely to Watch with Christ or for him. he's nimble as a Roe; quick in his turns; No you must stir up yourselves in Christ's strength, to quit your selves like men in his service.  
3. Inspection. Christ's Watchmen must be all Seers, and have seeing eyes, as well as hearing ears; our spiritual Watch lies most within, 'tis an inward Watch especially: our eyes must be in our hearts and upon them; 'Tis a very considerable Watch word that, 
Prov. 42.3  Above all keeping keep thy heart; a strong and strict guard must be kept there; and indeed if the Watch be not kept strictly there, all our watching will be invain; 'Twil be to little purpose to set a Watch before our mouths, or make a covenant with our eyes; if the plague of the heart be not watched over, it will be ever breaking forth into putrified sores. Haddit we an hundred eyes, 
Jer. 17.9.  they had need be all at watch here, for our hearts are deceitful above measure, who can know them? And he that is not faithful in inward watching, will never be good for aught, either as to outward waiting on God, or watching over others; How many have been looking so much abroad, that they are to seek at home? watching the haltings of others, but not their own, busibodys in other's matters, and neglecting the business of their own Spirits; they are espying motes in the eyes of others, and lay out their eyes at home, or see not the beams in them. How oft does the Spirit knock at their doors, and they not within? when he comes to deal with their hearts, they are not to be found; 'Twas said of old, Fools will be meddling: that is, with others, not themselves; Oh, how many such fools are every where, whose eyes are in the Corners of the Earth, seldom in the Corners of their own hearts; most busy, where they have least to do, 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 storm them home, that scatter their ways abroad: will not the Judge (think you) be at their doors, who are all for judging others, but not themselves: Well; the Lord is about to find the heavy-headed and hearted Virgins work within their own doors, and to set them upon heart-watching again by some awakening dispensations; Oh, 'tis one chief business in our spiritual watch to try our own Spirits; and much communing with ourselves 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 watch.  
4. Circumspection; In this spiritual watch, as we should have our eyes in our hearts, so in our heads; as to look within, so without; As the Dove casts his head about, this way and that, before she take her flight; So should Christ's Doves look above them and above, them, yea every way, before they move any way; As the heart must be watched over, above all watch; so there must be a watch over the mouth, (as over david's); over the eye, (as over jobs): 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 always in season) so to Watch over all things; and to take a view always, above and below, at the right hand and the left; that we be not surprised any where, in any thing, at any time; As the virtuous Woman whose price is above Rubies, 
Prov. 31.10.27.  is said to look well into the ways of her household; So must the gracious Watchman do, he must be 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 spiritual Watchers, have an eye upon generation-work, an heart to it, an hand in it, serving their own generation (as David did) till they fall asleep; 
Act. 13.36  The spiritual 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 poor silly Creatures that we be, we meet with a snare in every Creature: temptations will be crowding 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 turn, 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 ways, &c: So should we Watch over ourselves, even all over at all times; our go out and come in, our down-sitting and uprising; we should beset ourselves with a strict Watch behind and before.  
5. Exercitation; There is much worth in this Watch it is a very busy employment, full of duty, a duty in every duty; we should watch at every work; a slothful Servant is not fit for this stirring service, this is no work for lazy-bodies; It's not carried on by sitting still, or looking about us; 'Tis 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 spiritual watch, no not in the least and lowest work of it; when grace is not at work, there'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 propensity to slumbering and heaviness. 'Tis even so in spirituals, 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 security, and sluggish secure formality has stolen upon them, and stolen away their hearts too? 'Tis sad, very sad to see, how the Virgins are fallen asleep, since they have been all for easy work; careless ones have let their watch fall; they find themselves little to do in spirituals, and sleep much in spirit; and as they give over working, so they give over watching; as they cease from duty, they are seized upon by security; graces must be exercised, and habits actuated, by the help of the Spirit of grace, that our spiritual watch may be managed and maintained. Busy heads and hearts are most watchful; if we stir up the grace of Christ in us, it will stir us up to watch with Christ and for him.  
As appears plainly in new-converts, who are much wrought upon, and work much; they are full of spiritual struggle, wrestlings, search, pant groan, fighing, &c: Oh how watchful are these new creatures when new awakened? Christ's babes are not like other babes, in this. For they sleep least when newborn, and others most; How watchful in prayer, and watching unto prayer? 
Psal. 45.  their eyes even failing with looking up; watchful in meditation, their hearts are ever bubbling up, like a quick spring; watchful in hearing the good word of God, to hear a good word from God; how do they hang about Christ's lips (as it were) with both ears, for some drops of sweet smelling myrrh; how watchful 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 hear his voice. Now it is fare otherwise, with many ancient Christians, who having un-bent their Bow of holy purposes and practices, (which at first seemed to abide in strength like joseph's) grow remiss in Gospel-dutys, 
Gen. 49.  take their hands off from Christ's plough and look back, grow lose 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 fails? the longer they live, the less life in their Spirits and service, and all things are ready to die in them, before they die: how heavily they drive, when they once give over oiling their wheels with spiritual exercises.  
'Tis an high, hard great work to watch after a spiritual manner; they that are upon this work in good earnest, find a great deal of good work to do; there's much cut out to their hands; The Lord of the Vineyard will not suffer them to be idle upon his watch, he'll find them awakening work: there's head-work, handwork, heart-work, tongue-work, life-worke; there's work within and without, at home and abroad, their own and others, for this life and a better, there's work enough to keep one awake; And the more we work, in these spiritual exercises of faith, love, desires, &c: the more watchful we shall be, and the better watchmen, and workmen.  
And therefore the Lord will find new work for old idle professors (if he delight in them) he'll bring slumbering Virgins to Soul-travel again, and awaken them to purpose, they'll feel such hard labour therein, as will be hard to sleep upon; And when loitering Servants fall once to labour again hearty in God's harvest, how they'll sweat at it, and do most and best at last; when they see, how much work they have to do in a little time, how they'll work and watch, and watch in work?  
6. Expectation. Soldiers upon the watch, wait in expectation, either of an enemy to approach or a friend to appear, that they may be in a posture of opposition or reception, to resist their enemies and to relieve their friends; so in this spiritual watch, we must be daily in expectation of our enemies, who will be upon us on a sudden; and if they take us at unawares, we are in an ill taking (as we use to say) 'twill be to our great prejudice and their advantage; An enemy not looked for, will be beforehand with us, and will hurt us most when we can least help ourselves; 'Tis a time he would choose of all other, when he is least expected; as knowing, he shall be least resisted. Our adversary watches our slumbering times most, that he may take us napping, and take what he pleases from us; and therefore we must ever watch in expectation of him, that he may never come unlooked for: nothing will more dishearten and disappoint him. Our expectation frustates his; our unwearied watch will weary him out; whereas, it is a fair invitation to the envious one, to lay aside our expectation of him, who likes best to come unlooked for, and is most to be suspected, when he is least expected.  
We must be in expectation also of our best spiritual friend, who comes oft skipping like a Roe, and loves sometimes to take us on the sudden, to see how we are provided: He hath given us a fair warning, saying, Behold I come like a thief, that) is, secretly, suddenly) in the night; that we may ever have him upon our hearts, and he may not come in an hour, when we think not of him. Such a blessed guest would not come unlooked for, whose visits are so gracious, his love so precious; we are like to lose much of the sweet and comfort of holy and happy communion with him, if we wait little on him and for him; he'll not tarry long, where he is not long looked for and longingly; there he comes and goes suddenly, he thinks himself nothing-well or welcome there, where his company is not looked for; he takes it for a great neglect of him, when we do not expect him, and he will not be long or much there, where he is little looked for.   

What are the special times for a Christians Spiritual watch?  
As all Christians should watch, so at all times; there is a time for all things under the Sun, but no time to lose in spiritual slumber: there's not a spare-minute for sinful security; a Christian must never give over working, watching, Warring; his labours in the Lord must end with his life, when he dies in the Lord; and his watch must not fall, till he fall asleep in Jesus: This in general, but more especially.  
1. In times of spiritual desertion, when the Lord has withdrawn his spirit and grace, and seems to be asleep and silent to us; oh then 'tis high time to call upon ourselves, saying Awake, awake; and to cry mightily to the Lord, to awake and keep not silence; When our beloved is going, then 'tis time (as we love him and our own Souls) to stir up our strength, to take hold of him, and not let him go for a world; does he begin to estrange himself from us, Oh cry hearty to him in their language, oh thou hope of Israel, 
Jer. 14. ●.  why shouldst thou be a stranger, as a waifaring man that tarries but for a night, & c? Thou art in the midst of us, oh leave us not; Woe unto us, when he shall departed from us: how many evils will come when he goes away? We have all good, in the chiefest Good, and all evil without him; 'Tis loss unspeakable to want him, whose absence nothing in Heaven or Earth can make up: if he say, Depart from me, there will be a corner of Hell in it here, as it will be the very Hell in Hell hereafter, Depart ye cursed, etc.  
Woe and alas unto us, for we have sadly sinned away his gracious presence as ever any people did, by careless slumbering, and carnal security; how oft hath he found us slugging it upon beds of ease, when his finger has been put in at the hole of the door? We have made him wait, till his head hath been filled with dew, 
Can. 5.2.  and his locks with the drops of the night; and yet we have not opened the door to him, neither for his importunity, nor because he is our friend. Had it been an enemy or a stranger had done thus, he could have borne it; but that his own familiar friends should lift up the heel against him; that ever they should prove so hardhearted against so tenderhearted a Saviour; this goes to the heart indeed. And now our Beloved stands behind the wall, as one highly offended, that will scarce look at those, that have shut their eyes against his light, and their hearts against his love; this glorious Sun covers himself as with a Cloud, because we sleep out the shinings of his light, and slumber out sweet breathing-times shamefully, even in the sight of the Sun; and leaves us under thick spiritual darkness (even such as may be felt) and we are covered as with a Cloud in his anger; And shall we not now awake, and cry after him with open mouth, heart, eyes, saying as the daughters of Jerusalem, Whither is our beloved gone, 
Cant. 6.1.  whither is he turned aside? Oh return, return, make haste our Beloved, and be thou like a young Har● upon the Mountains of spices; 
Cant. 8.14.  Oh why should we be, as they that are vailed, and turn aside, & c? Ah, the longer he is absent from us, the worse it will be with us every day; and the greater distance from him, the greater our unhappiness: Oh then, as the two Disciples, when the Lord Jesus made as if he would go further, constrained him, saying, Abide with us, for 'tis towards evening, &c: So now when he carries strange to us, makes as if he would away, and carry all away with him too; we should even lay hands on him, and hold him by an humble holy force, saying, Abide with us, for 'tis towards evening; &c: The day declines.  
2. In times of spiritual declension: When noble Vines prove degenerate Plants, when Stars fall from Heaven; when many begin in the Spirit, and end in the flesh. Oh than we had need be upon our spiritual watch, and take special heed to our spirits; when so many lose first life and love, and leave their first works; we had need have our eyes about us, yea within us, and look into our own hearts, lest we be at a loss there too, and cool within; when so many fall away. Let him that thinketh he stands, take heed lest he fall; 'Tis a time of (almost) an universal consumption in Spirituals; never so great decays in inwards; Christian's Spirits fail and fall sadly; stomach's gone, every where, to the best sood; little spiritual Palate is left in any to relish the sweet savour of Christ's precious Ointments, all spiritual senses dull and heavy; And shall we not now awake? feele our own pulses; consult with spiritual Physicians, and make diligent use of all quickening and strengthening means of grace, lest we also be left under the same spiritual languish, and have woeful occasion to cry out another day, Our leanness, our leanness?  
3. When an hour of spiritual Temptation is upon us, when many are led Captive by spiritual wickednesses; Oh then that Counsel is most seasonable, Be vigilant, 
● Pet. 5.8.  because your adversary the Devil as a Roaring Lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; 'Tis not for us to slumber, when Satan Watches; nor to shut our eyes, when he's running up and down with open mouth; how easily may he make a prey of us; when we lie sleeping at his, Feet? The Devil is come down with great rage, he will be worst at last, and do much mischief in a little time; and if the envious one find us asleep, when he is most awakened, watching over us for evil, what a world of evil will he bring upon us? what havoc will he make amongst us, yea within us? what tares will he sow? If Satan belet lose, he will be working with all power and policy; and if he find us at a lose end, sleeping idly in the Devil's shop; he'll be very busy with us, and set us a-work to our own woe; we may expect, a flood of strong delusions, and strange temptations will be issuing out of his wide mouth, which gapes for us; and if we lie sleeping in his way, we shall be carried away in these filthy streams, like dead fish; The Prince of darkness is broke out, and smoke is broke out of the bottom less pit with him; there's great danger of being lost in it, or choked by it, especially if we walk as blind men in a spiritual sleep.  
Oh what need then to awake (if ever) and to call upon the Lion of the Tribe of Judah to awake, and rescue his darlings from the mouth of this roaring Lion, to arise for his prey, to divide the spoil with the mighty, and to lead captivity captive; If we lie down to sleep now with folded arms, leaving the guide of our spirits, and he leave us alone to the misguidings of our own deceitful hearts, how will the subtle Serpent deceive us at every turn, and turn us out of the way, to the right hand or to the left; especially now the old experienced deceiver, transforms himself into an Angel of light that he may drive on his Soulcoosening trade, the more mysteriously and mischievously, putting darkness for light, and light for darkness. Why then, 'tis more than time to awake out of sleep, to get our spirits quickened up by the influence of God's good Spirit, and to muster up all our spiritual forces, speedily and strenuously, putting on the whole armour of God on the right hand, and on the left; that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil on all hands, in this evil day, and having done all to stand.  
4. In times of great expectation: When we look for great things from Heaven, when Zion is in travel for glorious Births, when precious promises are nigh accomplishment, 
Jool. 3.18  the Mountain's ready to drop new Wine, and the Hills to flow with milk; As, the Spirit's powering out like floods, &c: A Spirit of Life i'th' witnesses, and a voice out of the Clouds, saying, Come up hither; A Nation to be borne at once! Is it not time to cry, Awake, awake, the glory of the Lord is rising, &c: Oh should we not look with both eyes, and listen with both ears, to hear when it shall be said; 
Jsai. 66.8.  Who hath heard such a thing, who hath seen such things? shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Were it not great pity to sleep out the awakening providences that are upon us, making way to fulfil such glorious promises? Is not this the language of awakened Saints, crying, Awake, awake, put on strength thou Arm of the Lord, as in the days of Old, &c: and shall we now cry, A little sleep, a little slumber, &c: God forbidden; Oh now, now, the Lords remembrancers must give him no rest, nor rest day or night under a spirit of slumber, till Jerusalem be made a praise in the Earth, and the Rest of his feet be glorious.  
'Tis the common cry amongst God's people (when they are in straits, and at a stand) Awake, O Lord, why sleepest thou? When as alas, 'tis they that are asleep, and must be awakened (or they'll be nonplused ever and anon) and assoon as they are awakened, they'll see it and say so; We wonder, the work goes on no faster, and that the Lord does no more for us; whereas 'tis a wonder, he has wrought so much for us, or does any thing at all for our good, who are grown so heedless, heartless, careless under mercies.  
However, his work goes on in his own way, whether we sleep or wake; for his heart is upon't and he neither slumbers nor sleeps, but is running his coursasa Giant refreshed with Wine, and will leave his slumbering Servants behind, to follow him with shame and sorrow; The Ancient of days, will keep his time, not lose a day, nor miss a minute (however we lose time); And he'll, give a good account one day, what he has been doing for his poor Children, when they will not be able to answer one of a thousand, for their slumberings and wander.  
2. When the Lord looks for great things from us, having done great things for us, commanded mighty salvations, communicated choice mercies, commended peculiar Gospel-blessings to us, and all by a strong hand through wonders of Providence; Now when and where the Lord does much, so much; then and there he looks for much very much. He may well call us to an account, at such a time, and say, What do you more than others? Special mercy may challenge singular duty; 
Math. 5.47  He has been at extraordinary charge and cost with us, and he expects more than ordinary in our spirits and services; 'tis not for us to serve him with that which costs us nought; when we have cost him so dear; one would think, the weight of such obligations lying upon us, should effectually awaken us, to look up to Heaven, for such a suitable and seasonable communication of his Spirit and grace, as may more clearly inform us in that high and heavenly lesson, (most proper for the day) and more fully enable us to take it out; namely, to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, 
Col. 2.10.  &c: A low Spirit, and lazy services are most unanswerable to high and mighty dispensations, and will be most uncomfortable; shall we do least for him, when he has done most for us? Has he watched over us, and his eyes been always upon us, from the beginning of the year unto the end? 
Deut. 11.12.  and shall we slumber now like slothful Servants, as if we had neither eyes to see him working for us, nor hands to work for him? shall living mercies lie dead by us, and we dying in the midst of them, offering up the dead in sacrifice to the living God, who has given us our lives for a prey? shall we thus requite the Lord like a foolish people and unwise? will it not be ill taken at our hands that we should be worst to him, when he's best to us? No wonder, if he withhold his Spirit, when we thus grieve, tempt, and quench it by a Spirit of security; how can we look for other, but that he should be taking away his Golden Candlestick, 
Deut. 32.6  and the light too, when so many do little else, but play or sleep by it? We must not think to lie always sleeping with the breast i'th' mouth: he will be covering the blessed paps, girt about with a Golden Girdle.   

Application by way of Information.  
1. Is it a Gospel-duty to watch? then see the necessity of an awakening Ministry; in such a sleepy age as this; there was never more need of awakened and awakening overseers to watch over us, to lift up their voice like a Trumpet, cry to aloud and spare not, 
Eccl. 12.11  saying, Awake; oh what need of goads and nails to be fastened in our sides, and upon our hearts by the masters of the assemblies from that one Shepherd? 'Tis time for wisdom to cry in the Streets, 
Prov. 1.20 8.4.  to utter her voice in the chief places of concourse, saying, unto you, O men, I call, &c: When the Virgin's slumber thus, both the wise and foolish; 'twill be a great mercy to have the Word of the Lord, as a hammer at our doors yea as a fire within us; and to feel the sword of the Spirit pricking us to the very heart, o keep us awake in Spirit, when so many are heavy with sleep there: There was never more work, than now, for the Sons of thunder; Ah, that Spirit of slumber that is fallen upon this generation, will make work enough, for all the faithful watchmen, throughout the Nation; And methinks, the strong slumberings, of so many sleepy professors, should exceedingly startle and awaken those that watch for Souls; 'Tis not for them to slumber of all others, especially at such a time, when so many lie sleeping round about them: Oh woe, woe to the blind Watchmen, the dumb Dogs that cannot bark sleeping, lying down, 
Isa. 56.10.  loving to slumber; who make beds of ease for bedrid spirits, and sow Pillows to sluggards armholes, who prophecy, smooth things, to a people that love to have it so, that are all for easy prophecy, or none at all; Oh then let all the watchmen of the house of Israel, whom the Lord hath set upon the Watch-Tower, Watch and Pray, and preach in season and out of season, and give the people warning of this hour of temptation, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, that they may deliver their own Souls, and happily recover others also from the snare of the Devil, who are (asleep in his arms and) taken captive by him at his will; And let all the Lords people highly prise and hearty affect an heart-awakening, searching, quickening Ministry, and welcome that word most, which comes most stirringly home, and is most sound set on by the power of the Spirit.  
2. Is it a Gospel-Duty to Watch? then what a special mercy is it at this day, to have an awakened heart. The Keeper of Israel Watches very graciously over those, he keeps watchful; 'Tis no common favour to be kept alive at such a dead time; sure the Father of mercies looks most sweetly to those Children, and will smile most lovingly upon them, whom he causes to lie broad-waken, looking after him; Oh blessed be his name, that he reserves a little remnant by him, waiting on him, and for him; What would become of us all, if a few were not upon their watch, would not the Lord awake to judgement, were all asleep about him, and none awaked to cry for mercy? would not he lay about to purpose, did not some hold his hands, by lifting up their hands and hearts to Heaven? Is he not ready to say, Let me alone, that I may consume them? and is he not let alone by all, but an handful of wrestling Saints that have got within him? would he not be gone, (think you) but that his dear ones watch him, cry mightily after him, and will not let him go? Nay, is he not going about to take his glory, Spirit, grace, Gospel, and all away with him? 'Tis well for us there are some watching, waiting, weeping, about the bed of Solomon, (loath to let him go) valiant men, 
Cant. 3.7.  even the valiant of Israel; Oh happy Souls, that lie ever upon this heavenly watch, who watch the more, the rather, because so many slumber; It will go well with them, how ill soever things go, for, 

1. They are nearest mercy of all other; if any sweet influences fall from Heaven, they are waiting with mouths wide open, 
Job. 29.23.  as for the latter rain (as of old they waited for Job.) If the Sun of righteousness arise, they are like to see him first; if his light shine, their eyes are open; and if his love breathe, their hearts are open; if good reports come, to make the bones fat, who but they will hear, who are ever harkening? When ever the Lord shall open the door of hope, they are next hand; when the day breaks and the shadows flee away, they'll be the blessed spectators, who watch more than they that watch for the morning; If the Spirit be poured forth as floods, who'll drink so deep as these gaping thirsty Souls? When ever the King sits at table, and causes the spikenard to send forth a sweet smell, they must needs feel the savour of his ointments, who wait as Olive-Plants round about his table, when ever blessings are handed out, they are within reach; Oh 'tis 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 near hand, waiting for it, saying, What wilt thou have us do Lord? If a word of Command come, 'tis welcome, they are upon their Watch: If the Lord say, Come, they come; and if he say, Go, they go; their loins 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) only 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 Master's service, as he shall give them power to do, of his good pleasure: Whereas the slothful servant is ever to seek 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, he's all ungirt, and will be so long a getting ready, till the business might be half done: But the vigilant diligent servant, is at an hour's warning; he is the vessel unto honour, meet for the Master's 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 go of God in Providences and Ordinances; He will make most of his glory and goodness to pass before those, that watch and wait according to his appointment, 
Exod. 3 3.19.22.  (as Moses upon the Rock.) They'll meet with many choice pledges of divine love, many drops of myrrh from Christ's fingers, and Kisses from his lips, that watch at his feet; his steps will drop fatness upon such as lie in his way, waiting for him; he'll lay up much of his Heavenly treasure in holy awakened hearts, and reveal most of his secrets to his harkening, hidden ones; 
Math. 13.52.  The watchful, faithful Stewards will have out of their treasure to bring forth, new and old; they'll 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; Watchful Israelites will be the best provided of hidden Mannah, they'll be beforehand 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, midday or midnight, at what watch soever he comes, they are watching; yea when they sleep, their heart waketh; 
Cant. 5.2.  they are ready to go forth to meet the bridegroom, 
Math. 25.6  should he call at midnight; and his salvation will be most welcome, where it has been most waited for; What an happy 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 arms and heart too? where was Christ more welcome, 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 Christ's heart affected towards this poor waiting Soul? he looks up with a loving eye, to satisfy his longing looks; and how happy doth this good man think himself in so blessed a guest; he received him joyfully. 
Math. 24.28  Oh how ready will the quicksighted 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 hear seldom from him? will he scarce give thee a word? why than thou mayest be jealous of thyself, 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 months 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 only hear the voice of a man now; and so runs 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 criest, 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 slumbering 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 sigh come not before the Lord, as they have done, and thy groan 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; 'tis 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 always: and 'tis no wonder, for he cannot pray at all in God's 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 than true amongst slumbering Christians, who cannot choose 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 wrestle 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, whilst thy lusts lie sleeping within thee; thou dost not watch, whilst 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 sleepy soul. Thou dost not reckon with thyself about thy dying to sin, self, etc. 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 liveless: they strong, and thou art weak: sure, they are awake, and thou sleepest.  
4. Art not thou sensible of the subtle insinuations, and secret suggestions of Satan, in this busy day of his? Dost thou meet with none of his buffet, now he lays so about him? dost thou feel none of his fiery darts, now Hell is broke lose? Mayst thou not be very suspicious, that a spirit of slumber is upon thee, and the evil spirit rocks thee? Art not thou pleasing thyself 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. 'Tis not for his purpose to awaken us out of false dreams: this cunning Fowler is most busy 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, only watches over them: he makes least noise there, but does most hurt. Oh the mystery of iniquity works most and worst, amongst idle souls, that work not, watch not.  
5. Dost not thou sympathise 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 brethren's 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, than thy spirit within thee is benumbed under a spirit of security; and almost past feeling. Did not the sad cries 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 Willows? 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 straight, and thy heart hard. Oh what strong stupidity is upon thee? if all the members should suffer, when but one suffers? how stupid and senseless is that one, that suffers not when so many suffer? I cannot but pity such slumbering Christians, who want yearning bowels of pity, when I consider, what sharp medicines must be applied to their insensible stupefied spirits, to cut them to the quick, and fetch up their spiritual senses, to sympathise 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 burden 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 holiness, & c? Are not the abominations of the Times the very abomination of thy soul? Canst thou not mourn in secret, for the open Pride, profaneness, profuseness 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 unfruitful works of darkness? 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 Leopard's spots; having once escaped the pollutions of the flesh, and are again entangled therewith.  
How are the honourable things of the Law, and Gospel too, become contemptible in the eyes of many, who seemed to prise them above thousands of gold and silver? how are the precious pearls of Jesus Christ, which are worth more than 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 wantonness? 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 one's 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 Watchfulness.  
1. Even set before thee; the Allseeing eye of Jehovah, which is ever upon thee; His eyes, which are ten thousand times brighter than 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 God's glorious presence, which were so much upon David's heart; as, Gods encompassing thy path and thy bed, besetting thee behind and before looking thee thorough in all places, at all times; watching over every thought of thy heart, every word of thy tongue, &c: Oh say oft within thyself in the go out and come in Whither shall I go from thy presence & c? The keeper of Israel, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, looks upon thee in all thy slumberings, with a broad eye; thou art never out of his sight, sleeping or waking; he never looks off of thee; How sound was Jacob roused out of sleep, upon the apprehension of God's dreadful presence; 
Gen. 18.16 17.  He awaked out of sleep, and said, The Lord is in this place, and I knew it not, &c: Had I been ware of him, I had been awake. Serious thoughts of approaching glory, will put one beside their sleep, and startle one to purpose; 
Jer. 5.21.22.  Hear ye not me (saith the Lord) and will you not tremble at my presence? Why then, 'tis because you have eyes, and see not; ears and hear not; holy tremble will prevent heavy slumberings; Oh that our drowsy Spirits, were continually overawed with the deep meditations of the omniscience and omnipresence of the Father of Spirits, how effectually would they be awakened out of carnal and formal security? The eyes of God's glory looking full upon us, will keep open the eyes of our heads, and hearts too; visions of God will clear up our spiritual sight, and quicken it. Well, his eyes are always upon ours, and his heart goes along with ours, what need have we of Watchful eyes and hearts.  
2. Wait for the glorious ministration of the Spirit, under every outward administration; This charge is given to the seven Churches, 
Rev. 2.3.  by him which had the seven Spirits of God, walking in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks, when he would earnestly provoke them to watchfulness, threatening to come upon them as a thief, if they did not watch: Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; This blessed Counsel is recommended seven times, in two Chapters, to add the greater weight to it, and to make deeper impression. Oh set that stone with seven eyes, before thine eyes, to awaken them and spirit them: 
Zech. 3.9.  All the workings of the eternal Spirit upon our spirits are awakening; when ever the word comes with life, in the power of the Spirit, it will raise us out of spiritual slumbers: Indeed a lower or less dispensation will not do it; Oh how dead we lie at prayer, hearing, reading, &c: till the Spirit of life breathe upon us; we are little moved, when the Spirit moves not; All's but as Elisha's staff upon the Child, there was neither voice nor hearing; 
2 Kings 4.31.  but if the holy Spirit stretch himself upon us, his eyes upon ours, (as it were), than our eyes will be opened; How easy a thing is it, to lie sleeping and slumbering in and under any Form, where there is no power; how dead we lie by the letter and it by us, without the Spirit? 
Ezek. 1.37.1.2.  Oh how heartless and Spiritless are most professors at this day, as the very dry bones in the open valley, resting and rusting in outward forms, not feeling inward power; and there they may rest till they rot, and lie till they die, if the Spirit do not breathe upon them, as upon those dry bones. How many of Christ's witnesses are spiritually dead, taking up in the letter without life? and in this unsuitable, uncomfortable posture will they lie languishing under spiritual Lethargies and Consumptions, till the spirit of life from God enter into them. That blessed resurrection of the spirits of the Saints, out of the grave of formality and security, which is more to be desired a thousand times then their raising up in power and glory it'h world, without a plentiful effusion, and powerful operation of the holy Spirit, may not be expected, cannot be effected; If the Spirit of judgement and burning fall upon their hearts, it will fire them out of formality, and startle them out of security; when he shall come down, with a sound from Heaven, as with a mighty rushing wind, upon the sluggish Spirits of the Slumbering Virgins, how will they be awakened to astonishment, as the Apostles were, when the Holy Ghost rested as fire upon them, & c?  
3. Be diligent, frequent, and fervent in spiritual Exercises, if you would keep up your spiritual Watch. Constant, conscientious discharge of duty, will be a special remedy against customary formality, and carnal security; pure Religion is no idle Trade; 'twill find us work enough (can we but find in our hearts to fall to it) and that full of variety and excellency, to keep us awake and at work all our days. 'Tis not for want of work that any stand idle in the Lord's vineyard, but for want of will to it. 'Tis a very busy time with Jesus Christ, his heart is upon his work; and 'tis so with his waiting-servants too, for his work is upon their hearts: and they that are lazy and sleepy-headed now, are like the Sluggard that sleeps in harvest, finding least to do, where there is most work: And they are slothful servants above all other, who are most sleepy, when they should do the most and best service. How busy will the Devil be with such drowsy ones, and hardest at work with them, while they are at easy work, to cast them into a dead sleep? His work goes on, where ours ceases: how much Work have we found Satan in these days, by neglecting Gods work? Since we have left our first Work, we have left our first Watch: and we find it now work more then enough to keep our souls awake. Omission of spiritual duties hath brought upon us an habitual indisposition to duties, that we find no heart to them, feel little heart or heat in them; Since Christians have ungirt their loins, and ceased from spiritual motions and actions, their vessels are empty, their lamps going out, and themselves laid down to sleep. How dull and heavy are their spiritual senses grown for want of holy exercises? how listlesse and liveless are their Spirits?  
Oh then, 'tis high time, that all the faithful servants of Jesus Christ, should fall afresh upon their Master's work with double diligence; to redeem that time which stole away while they slept, and can never be recalled. And indeed Christians, of all the men i'th' world, should not lose time, who have the best and most employment. Oh then, out of hand, take up that old thriving trade, of the practice of Piety in all Gospel-duties, from a pure principle; as ever these would be found watching, at the coming of their Lord.  
4. Converse much with lively Saints, who are much upon their Spiritual Watch; their company will be very awakening, who are well awakened. They will be knocking at the door of thy heart, feeling thy spiritual pulse, and ask thee, if all be well within; they cannot but be jogging at thy elbow, if thou keep thy hands in thy bosom, and lie slumbering with folded arms: As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the face of a man his friend. Watchful servants will be calling off the slumbering one's from beds of security; they will be whetting up the dull and lazy spirits of others, who have a good edge upon their own. Amongst sluggish Christians, 'tis a thousand to one, you'll grow sleepy too for company; Sluggards will infect one another with the sleepy Evil; they'll lay a Cushion for you to sit down by them, and take your fill of this false rest: There's no spiritual noise amongst them, nor heavenly news; no heart-awakening words: All's either finfull silence, or smooth words, hushing one another asleep with their soft language: Liveless 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 Watchful spirit, in this slumbering 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, awakening, enlivening company, (being well heated by the fire of the Spirit) for lukewarm, drowsy, liveless Christians.  
5. Be ever setting on work awakening 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'll 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 than the Eagles, excellent at Watching. 'Tis the spiritual man's Secr, and the overseer of his watch and workings; If this active grace be at work, it will keep the heart awake: the Watch cannot fall down, whilst Faith is up. It's a very busy grace, which will keep us from sleeping, if it sleep not. Faith will be daily improving awakening Providences, quickening ordinances, melting mercies, searching trials; It will be ever taking in, awakening considerations of the majesty of the Creator, the mutability of the Creature, of Mortality, Eternity, &c: It will be presenting awakening manifestations of the unconceivable love of God, the incomparable loveliness of Christ, the admirable beauty of holiness, the unspeakable blessedness of Heaven; It will be looking out at the eye, to see the King in his beauty, listening at care, to hear that voice, which his companions hear, waiting at heart to welcome his Spirit there: Faith is all life, full of Spirit, a quick Spring, which will set all on motion; 'Twill set the whole man on work, and actuate every habit of grace; Its operations are full of efficacy and variety; upward, inward, outward, it has a large sphere of activity; Oh could we live the life of Faith at a higher rate, how lively should we be, how watchful?  
2. Warm Love; It's all heart and heat, there's a flame in it, which will enliven and awaken the most drowsy and heavy heart; There's much life in love, much action in this affection; it's activity will keep thee from security: 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 sleep (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 easy to it, as Jacob's service for Rachel: Love lies 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 kiss from his mouth, the breathe of his love. An heart touched with Christ's 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; 'tis clear, and quick as the Doves; it will spy 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 surprisal: It is a wary and watchful grace, and cannot endure to be taken at unawares. It's ever attended with a godly jealousy, which will marvellously prevent carnal security. Indeed, they that have not this fear of God before their eyes, and upon their hearts, they'll close their eyes, stop their ears, harden their hearts, and grow careless and secure, as the men of Laish, even till fearfulness 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 fearless 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, careless, fearless spirit, and they be insensibly overtaken with spiritual security: 
Isa. 8.12, 13.  Oh Sanctify 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 less wilt thou be disquieted with false heart-tormenting Fears and Cares; Blessed is he that feareth always; he will be always upon his Watch, to the preventing of much sin and sorrow, slumbering and wand'ring, sensuality and security.  
4. Heavenly Joy; 'Tis 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 rejoice comfortably in the Lord, there his work will go on merrily; his Watch will be kept cheerfully; such a soul can sing in the ways 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 watch and workings. Job's soon out of heart, and cries, What a weariness? 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 easy) seems a burden to one that is a burden 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, spiritful 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 lively, lovely companions joined together by Christ's own hand, and would be linked together as with a chain of gold in every Christians heart: Watching and prayer are mutually helpful and successful.   

First, Watchfulness 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 slumbering 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'll 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 watchful Spirit will keep time with God, (in whose hands all our time is) who ever says Nay; It thinks much to lose one meeting with him, he must not be put off, what ever is put by. Vigilancy helps much, as to constancy and frequency 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 watchfulness helps to find out time for prayer; so, to choose out the fittest; when we are most at leisure 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 secrecy for prayer; 
Mark. 1.25.  he's early at it, and solitary; 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 seethe in secret, &c: We should have nothing else to do, when we have to do with God in prayer, 'tis 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 there's most hopes, he will be spoke with, 
Psal. 32.6.  and he shall speed best.  
Now a sleepy heart is for any time, or no time; 'Tis apt to put God off with the least and last; when its 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 God's Spirit in prayer, nor at his own; And thus the Lord of all must be served with anything, or nothing by a slothful servant; whereas a vigilant soul watches Golden-Gospel-seasons, when it may offer up incense in Golden censers. When the heart's full (as the Clouds) then to be pouring it out; when 'tis 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 warm, 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 days for pure Spiritual recreation; these are their extraordinary times on earth, upon which they pray down more than ordinary blessings from Heaven.  
2. watchfulness helps us to Importunity in prayer: A watchful Soul is good at holding out with Gods, sits up with him & for him.  
It will not keep silence, while God is silent; It can take no rest, and will give the Lord no rest, till he hear 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, hear me speedily, and, How long Lord! 'Tis 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 rejoice the soul of his servant: 
Psa. 86.3.4.  It's hard at work within at this heart-duty.  
Now a slumbering 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 'twill let him alone; it likes well to give the Lord rest and itself too: A sleepy heart cannot lift up the hands that hang down, 
Heb. 12.12.  and the feeble knees. 'Tis the awakened Soul which stretcheth forth the hand towards God, whose eyes fail with looking up; that wrestles 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, says Christ, (who known his Father's heart, coming from his bosom) 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.  She could wish no more, and she must have no less.  
3. Watchfulness helps to idoneitie in prayer; Awakened hearts are readiest to cry to the Lord, and to hear him speak: ' It's an instrument in tune to pray with; such an heart God himself has prepared for himself, and he will cause his ear to hear, and prepare of his goodness for it too; A Christian upon his spiritual watch may say, My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; 
Psa. 10.17.  'Tis an excellent frame of spirit for any spiritual duty, at any time.  
A slumbering Spirit is most unfit for holy strive and struggle with God; none more indisposed to this stirring duty, or less affected at it; When the heart is asleep, prayer is but a dream; 'Tis fancy works then, not faith; there's only a sound of words, no sound words; All's but as sounding brass, or as a tinkling Cymbal; it makes no music in God's ear; All's to seek in such a heart, faith, desires, hope &c, it's ever at a loss; 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 crowd of confused thoughts in a sleepy heart? weak and low graces are soon lost in it; 'Tis such a thoroughfare for Sctans suggestions, that Christ has little or no room there; Now a watchful 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; watchfulness puts a Soul into a capacity 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 itself 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 david's, must needs be a getting growing man; he, drives so thriving a trade thoroughly; Now there's none better at it, then awakened hearts, and so none fit to wait.  
1. For supply and support in prayer; Spiritual supplications cannot be carried 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 breathe of the holy Ghost; It's well known to an awakened Soul, that we cannot think a good thought of ourselves; 'Tis only God's good Spirit, that can teach us to indite good matter; 
Psa. 45.1. Hebr.  his quickenings make our Spirits as a living Spring, to bubble up and boil over in fervent prayer; 
Isa. 6.6.  when he touches the lips with a living coal (as one of the Seraphims did the Prophet Isaiah) than our tongues will be like the pens of a ready writer. 
Rom. 8.26. Gr.  An experienced Christian, when awake, feels at his heart; he cannot help up himself in prayer, and therefore he waits 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 success 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 sown 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; he's ever and anon harkening 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 busy 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; 'tis a good stock, that brings in great store of new and old; Now a slothful spirit has no heart at all, to look after his prayers, that had no heart in them; they die in the birth, and are stillborn; how can he expect God should hear those prayers, which he scarce hears himself? They make no noise in heaven, and there can be no good news of them on earth; they'll find God's ear heavy, who find their hearts so; whereas a watchful 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 cries loud in his ears, and awakens him, to a waken us; it follows him (as for life) to quicken up our spirits to this spiritual 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 tired 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 stirs up the Lord to stir us up; It will set him a-work at our hearts; and his heart-workings are heartawakening; while we are knocking at the gates of Heaven, and jogging (as it were) of Christ's elbow, by stirring and strong cries; 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 voice from heaven behind it, yea within it, saying, Arise my Love and come away, etc.  
2. Prayer helps in watching, 
Psal. 121.  as it engages the Lord to watch over our watch, without whom all our watch 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 Watchtower with us, and he sets a guard upon our hearts, a watch before our lips, etc. he'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 surprised 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 than we, 
Psal. 61.2.  that is higher than 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 Christ's 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 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 holiness, 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 (says he) I have taken upon me to speak to the Lord, who am but dust and ashes. Oh let not the Lord be angry, etc. When a Child of God finds in his heart to plead with his Father in Heaven, he first pleads with himself in these or the like words; 
Mic. 6.6.  Wherewithal shall I appear before the Lord, or bow myself 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: he's a great King, 
Mal. 1.14.  and his Name is dreadful: And as a gracious spirit communes with its own heart, before it commune with him that tries the heart; so the Lord communes with it in and after prayer: now the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice, 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 intercourse 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 softened 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 long 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 unconceivable Soul-stirring & struggle 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 wrestles with the Almighty in his might as a Giant refreshed with Wine; what heart-raising and rousing work must there needs be (think ye)? 'Tis too busy a time this, to sleep in, when an immortal soul is working, as for life, with the everliving 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: 'Tis that which Jesus Christ, in tenderness to our weak, wand'ring spirits, would have daily upon our hearts in prayer, to beseech our Father, not to lead us into temptation.  
'Tis true, as the Spirit of truth testifies, that God cannot be tempted to evil, neither tempteth he any man. He is infinitely holy and righteous, and cannot tempt any to sin and unrighteousness: 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 unholiness: 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 tries us like gold i'th' fire, as he did Job. When he leads us into the Wilderness, 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; 'tis his peculiar method (with which his secret ones are well acquainted) to bring good out of evil, 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 spiritual 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 watchfulness and prayer: Those sufferings must needs befull of vexation, and perplexity, which find us under presumption and security; for,  
First, what bitterness will it be to the soul, when awakened in a day of adversity, that it slept and slumbered out its days of prosperity; that which was then a bed of ease to the flesh, will be now a bed of thorns to the Spirit. There cannot choose but be much heart-aking, under heart-awakening trials, to all slumbering Virgins; and that is the pain of all pains, the sharpest sting in sufferings; sad thoughts of sinful slumberings will break one's 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 bitterness bearing gall and wormwood at such a time; oh what an heavy burden has the careless neglect of watching and praying been, to some slumbering Christians in our days, 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 spiritual Lethargy? how have their hearts been ready to die 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 slumbering Virgins smite them one day, when distress shall come upon them, as sorrow upon a woman in travel? will they not then weep out their sleepy eyes, and sigh out their sluggish spirits, crying, Ah we fool's, that had a price in our hands, and no hearts to use it? We have lost many a good day, trifling out choice breathing times, in the sight of the Sun; and now the night is come upon us, and we cannot work: Alas, alas, for those days of the Son of Man; 
Job 29.2, 3.  Oh that it were with us as in the months of old, when the candle of the Lord shined upon our heads, etc. What slothful servants have we been, hiding our Master's Talents in a napkin, when we should have ministered one to another, 
1 Pet. 4.10.  as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God? And now the rust of them witnesses against us, as the worldlings gold and silver. We have shut our ears and hearts against the Lord and his good Word, and now the Word of the Lord is against us. We have slighted the sweet counsel and comforts of the holy Spirit, and now we feel its sharp Convictions: We would not hear the checks of Conscience, and now we must hear its chide. Oh the sting and the smart of a self-condemning Conscience, when it is once awakened out of self-pleasing, and self-easing security, by the scourging rod of the Almighty.  
Secondly, what Averseness and frowardness, will fill thy Spirit in sad hours, who hast sinfully slipped and slept out so many good ones? When thou feelest thy sufferings weighty, and thy shoulders weak; thy pressures great and thy patience small, thy body languishing, thy soul fainting, thy faith failing; How will thy Spirit be distempered; thy peace disturbed, thy heart will be ready to fret against the Lord; 
Pro. 14.3.  thou'lt be angry as Jonah, even to the death; to see death looking thee in the face, when thou last looked for it, and the evil day, nearest, when thou puts it farthest from thee; And now thy slumberings and wander will be set in order before thee, and thou hast neither set thy house or heart in order before the Lord; and now the Judge standeth at the door, to call thee to an account and thou hast not made up thy reckon for many a day; thy time misspent, thy stock spent; thy experiences lost, thy evidence to seek; Oh how discontented will thy disappointed heart be at such a day? Thou hast long neglected the ruling of thy own spirit, and now 'twill be too unruly for thee, as a wild bull in a net; how apt wilt thou be to kick against the pricks (Ephraim-like) as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. An heart not watched over, will be much out of frame for doing well, much more for suffering. When the weight of affliction falls upon a lazy, lame spirit; what haltings will be discovered, and uneven carriage under the rod?  
2. By way of Permission. As the Lord may be said to lead us into temptation by way of Probation, when he takes us into his own hand; so by way of Concession, when he takes off his own hand; and suffers Satan to put forth his hand against us. 'Tis true, the evil one is always limited by the Holy One, that he cannot do his worst; or else he would play the devil indeed: he's under Divine restraint (and in a prison, as it were) when most at liberty; this strong man armed is reserved in chains, by a stronger than he; Yet his heart is set upon the servants of God, 
Job 1.8. Hebr.  (as 'twas upon Job) with as much ill will, as it can hold, (though through mercy, he cannot have his will on them) The roaring Lion gapes with open mouth to swallow them up. How earnestly did he desire to sift the Disciples of Christ? 
Luk. 22.31. Gr.  he was greedy of such a prey as this: and if the Lord did not put an hook in the nostrils of this Leviathan, what a piercing Serpent would he be? How ready was the evil spirit to offer his service, 
Isa. 27.1.  to be a lying spirit in the mouth of the Prophets? he would fain be deceiving, 
1 King. 22.22.  that he might be destroying. Now if we neglect our spiritual Watch, we grieve the Spirit, and tempt him to leave us to the temptations of the evil spirit, who will be ever grieving and vexing our spirits, and doing us all the mischief he can, and 'tis much he can do with God's leave: if the Lord take away the hedge, this wild Boor will be in upon us, and root up all.  
2. We tempt the Lord to tempt us, when we give over watching and praying, by leaving us in temptation, as by leading us into it; and that's a very Sad Case.  
As, 1. By withdrawing himself and his holy Spirit from us, when we are under trials: And this must needs be a dark time, when God covers us with a cloud in his anger, and covers himself as with a cloud too. What a terrible Eclipse will that be, when the light of his Countenance is withheld, in a day of darkness and gloominess? This indeed is the burden of all afflictions, and lies heaviest upon honest hearts: This is plain to see in the several perplexed cases and distressed conditions of Job, 
Job 13.21. Psa. 88.14. Psa. 13.1. & 30.7.  Heman, David, etc. under variety of afflictions and temptations. The hiding of God's face was the forest trouble, the saddest trial; this struck deepest into their hearts, and made their faces gather paleness: how were their spirits drunk up with the terrors of the Almighty? Now 'tis most righteous with the Lord, to leave us in a day of adversity, when we leave him in days of prosperity; to leave us at a loss in our straits, when we leave and lose him in liberty. He will withdraw from us, when evil draws near, if we have withdrawn and wandered from him, when he drew near to do us good: He will turn his back upon them in times of calamity, who have given him the back and not the face in times of tranquillity.  
2. 
Psa. 81.11, 12.  By delivering us up to ourselves and our own spirits. When God's people would have none of Him, He gave them up to their own hearts lusts; they would not own the Lord, and be his servants; and he leaves them to be slaves to their own lusts, lording it over them. Ah, when a people grow weary of God, have done with him as to Watching in prayer, and let him alone, coming seldom at him; he'll be a stranger to them, and leave them alone, as he did Ephraim: he's joined to Idols, 
Hos. 4.17, 18.  let him alone, (says God) he will not join himself to the Lord, and the Lord will have nothing to do with him, but leave him to himself, and to his Idols; and now all goes ill with poor Ephraim: his drink is sour, or is gone, (as in the Hebrew) all is gone, when God is gone; and he commits whoredom continually; all sours on his hands, and in his heart too. Ah, when we slight the Lord, and slumber in his sight; he will let us slip out of his hands, and then (as a bowl falling out of the hand, down a steep hill) we follow the Bias of our own corrupt hearts, and run headlong without stop or stay Hellward. 'Tis not to say, How fearfully and shamefully the best of men will leave the Lord and lose 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 days, 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 dog 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 entered into their own hearts that they should ever have so foully 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 ready to say with those, (of whom the Lord complains) 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 Pharaoh) which was worse to him then all the plagues of Egypt; and we shall even harden ourselves against the Lord.  
2. We tempt the Devil, that tempter, to tempt us, when we give over watching and praying; He watches our slumberings, and lies at catch for us, when he may take us napping; when we have a mind to fall asleep upon a bed of carnal security, the Devil will make our bed for us, and lie down softly by us too: when we give over God's work, we are out of his way; and lie sleeping in Satan's walks, and that as dry Tinder to his fiery 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 room and time for his works of darkness; he drives his wicked trade most and best i'th' dark; 
Job 24.14, 15.  The eye of this Arch- thief 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 darkness are upon us; and how easily may he steal away our hearts, and the heavenly treasure out of them, at such a time as David did saul's spear 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 faithful keeper watch him, and watch over us: Oh what danger are we in every hour, to become a prey to this roaring Lion, while we lie sleeping at his feet? the fowls of the air have the greatest advantage against us that may be, whilst we lie as silly doves, heartless and spiritless before them. And is not this a very foul business, to set the Devil on work to do us mischief, who will hurt us and hinder us all he can, and that by neglecting our Master's business, who has done us good and no evil, all our days.  
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 enticed, 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 lays his train of 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 variety 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 policy could not prevail at all, no not, once against the weakest, simplest Saint, if sin did not take his part. 'tis the party within betrays us; 'tis 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 swarm about us, as flies about a dead carcase: Sins not watched over, will get head and heart whilst we indulge ourselves saying, Soul, take thine ease; we pamper our sins and make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof! Spiritual watching and prayer will starve our lusts, ease out their very hearts, but carnal slumberings and sleepings feed them.  
While prayer is kept up in power, sin is kept down and overpowered; if our sins 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, unbelief, &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 spiritual wickednesses in high places, and that to victory; our souls shall tread down strength (to use Deborahs' expression in her triumphant 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 Centre; and 'tis 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 be closed with, 
1 Joh. 4.4.  upon any terms; For greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world. And while we Watch and Pray, our spiritual 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 watchful 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 Covetousness; 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 adays 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 heirs 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-royal, 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 eagle's 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 than 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; 'Twere not possible the World should steal upon the hearts of God's people thus, and steal them away too, were they not asleep: Now when prayers down, and the World up, what a downfall will there be? They fall into temptation and asnare, and into many hurtful 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 through with many sorrows, 
1 Tim. 6 9, 10.  and choke the precious seeds of grace with these thorns: and when the heart is overcharged with the inordinate love of this present World; This soul-benumming Lethargy of carnal security will overspread it, that we shall not feel 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 Arms.  
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 than other; they will be as Giants, and we as Grasshoppers, (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 weakness; and our spiritual 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 when we are sore, as Simeon and Levi did upon the Males? 
Gen. 34.25.  especially if we consider.  
10. That the Strength of Israel has secretly withdrawn himself from his people, while their hearts have been asleep, 
Num. 14 9  and now their defence is departed from them, and they are as bread to the devouring mouth of the hungry Lion, who never had a better stomach to them. Samson, 
Judg. 16 19.20.  who was so strong in the strength of God, was as weak as another man, when the Lord departed from him; the Philistines may now bind him as they please, put out his eyes, and make him grind it'h Prisonhouse! Ah, since the Lord has turned his back upon a backsliding generation; how are the strong become as bow, and they that had the excellency of dignity 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 turn; And though they shake themselves sometimes (as Samson 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 spiritless, like Saul in the day of distress, when he was left to his own Spirit, 
1 Sam. 28.20.  and had no strength in him? What a pitiful 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 itself? The best of men in such a case are exposed to the worst of evils; when David a man after Gods own heart, was trusted but a while with his own heart, how shamefully it deceived him and defiled him? who would ever have thought that murders 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, etc. but glories in showing all the treasures were faund there: when he should have glorified God, and shown forth his wonders, in bringing the Sun of his life back, 
Isa. 38.  and the shadow upon the dyal of Ahaz, etc.  
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 not deny thee. When Christ trusts him with himself and his own strength, (but for a little season) how foully he shows his weakness, and shames himself; and very sinfully offends him more than they all, by being so shamefully offended because of him; denying before them all, that he knew his Master, upon the word of a damsel that said, Thou wast with Jesus. And the Holy Ghost sets a brand of Cowardice upon this self-confiding Champion; leaving this upon record to all Ages (to shake and shame all the Lords people out of themselves), that when another Maid said, This fellow was with Jesus, he denied with an oath, 
Ver. 71.  I know not the man. Would any of the Disciples have ever believed such a thing as this of Peter? or he, of himself? that a cursed oath should have ever been found within his blessed lips, and that to deny his Lord and Master with those lips that had so oft blessed him; that he should so desperately disown him with his mouth, whom he owned, honoured, and loved so dearly at his heart.  
Oh how have the mighty fallen, how have the mighty fallen! when they have been left to themselves, and have fallen into their own hands. Such remarkable examples as these taken into our serious consideration, may happily (if the Lord strike in with them) awaken some sleepy hearts from a presumptuous self-ful security, to a religious watchful jealousy; that they who think they stand, may take heed lest they fall; as certainly they shall, (though they seem to be pillars, as Peter did) if they stand upon their own legs, and not upon his, that are as Pillars of Marble set upon sockets of fine gold. 
Cant. 5.15.    

Upon this double Account, that they are so exposed to Temptation, and so indisposed to Opposition, who do no Watch and Pray: Let me call for double diligence in the Name of the Lord, to this double Duty.  
First, Double your Watch; Oh watch, watch,  
1. Over your own Hearts; 
Jer. 17.9.  for they are most deceitful, and the Deceiver lies most at catch there: the subtle Serpent he knows where our guile lies, which he would willingly make use of, to beguile us with. 'Tis his Commission, only to bruise the heel; 
Gen. 3.15.  but 'tis his covetous ambition to break into the heart. How he watches day and night, works without weariness, and winds about every way, to surprise this Royal Fort of the King of Glory? if he carry that, he commands all, and will lead us captive at his will; if he can but get his head into our hearts, and keep his hand upon this great wheel, he has his heart's desire, and will turn all about with it. Oh therefore lay to heart that blessed Counsel of our great heart-keeper; 
Prov. 4.23.  Keep thy heart above all keeping, (so the Hebrew has it) for out of it are the issues of life. 'Tis matter of life and death, this; 'Tis as much as thy life is worth, to watch the heart well; and not to watch it, is death. The Devil knows, if there be any good treasure within thee, it is laid up in thine heart; and he would fain have the key of this Cabinet, to rob thee of thy Jewels: If he can but corrupt this fountain, all the streams will be filthy, out of it will proceed the worst of Evils; when it becomes the worst part, which should be the best.  
The Father of spirits doubles his Charge upon our spirits; The Lord God of Israel saith, Take heed to your spirit, 
Mal. 2.15, 16.  take heed to your spirit. Here the unclean spirits muster up their Forces, and therefore here must our main Guard be; Watch but the heart so, as to keep him out there, and put the Devil out of heart, he'll despair of you.  
2. Watch the good Spirit of God, in all its motions, impressions, convictions, allure, comfort, etc. as ever you would escape the temptations and delusions of the evil spirit: and therefore,  
First, Watch the good Spirit, to welcome him; make much of his sweet breathe, there's much life and love in them. If the Spirit come to Convince you, saying, (as Nathan did to David) Thou art the man; say, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth. Be ready to hear of that ear, though he speak such things as make it tingle, as you love the peace of your own spirits. If he come as a Spirit of glory and power to subdue your iniquities, to cut off your right hand, etc. with his two edged sword: Oh say, Let him go on and prosper, till he have slain his thousands, &c: and made all his enemies become his footstool; If he come to coast as a Dove upon you, to meeken and sweeten your Spirits; Oh put forth your hands to take him in (as Noah did the Dove with the Olive-leafe); make both much of, and set much by the good Spirit and Word of God, and the evil Spirit will not be able to do you much hurt. Oh prise the gracious manuductions of this faithful guide at an high rate, and be as glad of his heavenly conduct, as the wise men were to see the star that pointed out Christ to them, 
Math. 2.10.  they rejoiced with exceeding great joy; Lie as even as you can under his celestial influences, and sweet distilings of the precious dews of grace and peace; Attend his glorious ministration all along, let him have his whole will upon you, and do his work wholly and fully within you, say him not Nay in any thing; & he will work mightily within you, and witness manifestly to you.  
2. Watch the workings and witnessings of the Holy Spirit, so as you may not hinder him, when he comes to help you, nor grieve him, when he comes to comfort you, take heed of tempting him, who only can help you against the Tempter, oh shut not out his glorious light for all the glory of the World; imprison not any of his precious truths for all the specious libertyes under the Sun; resist not the stirring power of his grace upon you, when he's shaking the powers of darkness within you; refuse not the free and familiar tenders of his heart-renewing and reviving love, for thousands of Gold and Silver; Lose not willingly one syllable of the secret whisper of this messenger of peace, lest he with draw his light, love, power, and peace, and leave you to the power of Satan, and he lead you into Prison, and keep you in darkness; Alas, alas, we have given the greatest occasion and advantage, to spiritual wickedness in high places to tempt, vex, disturb and divide us; by tempting, vexing, and quenching the Holy Spirit; as ever any in the World have done; And; are not now the shadows of the evening upon us, for slighting his go forth as the morning? How strangely have the lying Spirits deceived us; since the Spirit of truth has been rejected, and the truths of the Spirit? What a thick, black, dark hour of temptation is come upon us since we have refused the clear counsel and pure comforts of the Holy-Ghost, in the day of his gracious visitation; what strong delusions and strange declinings to the right hand or the left, since we have forsaken the guide of our spirits?  
3. Watch your spiritual enemies; they watch us, 
Luk. 4.13.  as Satan did Christ; when the Tempter is gone, and his temptation, seems to be quite over, he does but watch another season, and therefore we must watch in season and out of season; As Nehemiah and the people of God with him, did with Sanballat and the enemies of God, 
Neh. 4.7.8.9.  they prayed and set a watch day and night; the enemy was very wroth, and they were very watchful; a sword in one hand, when at work with the other: So should we at this day; watch at the Lords work; Watch and Pray, watch and hear, watch and speak, &c: 'Tis very seasonable that counsel of the mighty Counsellor? Take heed no man deceive you, for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ & deceive many. Oh how much are we concerned in that blessed caution, upon whom the ends of the World are come? 
Math. 24.4, 5, 11, 24, 25.  How affectionate and importunate was Paul the aged and experienced, in warning the people night and day, and that with tears to beware of such as should seek to withdraw them from the Gospel of Christ. Do not spiritual dangers multiply upon us every day, whiles we are under a Spirit of slumbering security from our soul-enemies, and that on every side; Oh what need of the whole Armour of God, on the right hand and on the left; what need of a diligent spiritual watch, over our heads and hearts, words and ways, teachings and hear! Oh gather up your spiritual forces every day, and call in auxiliaries from Heaven, and follow the Captain of your salvation, Watching and Praying (as the armourbearer did Jonathan climbing upon heads and feet) contend eamestly for the faith which was once given to the Saints; and as you're fight the good fight of faith, be ever looking up to Jesus, 
1 Pet. 1.5.  and you shall be kept as in a Garrison (so the word imports) by his power, through faith unto salvation.  
4. Watch over, and for one another, for good, in an evil time; 'tis very seasonable to be knocking at one another's doors, and jogging at each others elbows in the Spirit of meekness, to keep as many awake as you can, in this slumbering time, through the good hand of God upon you; and surely they, whose hearts are awakened in such a day as this, by the Lords speaking from heaven to them, cannot keep silence, but must be speaking to their brethren in the name of the Lord saying, awake, awake; As our hearts should dwell much upon awakening meditations, so our mouths should be filled with awakening salutations and exhortations, when we meet with the servants of Christ (as it was with the lively Christians in the primitive times) saying behold he comes like a thief; and, The Judge standeth at the door, and the like: When so many watch one another's haltings; let us watch to be helpers of one another's faith and joy, by provoking one another to Watching and Prayer; when many fellow-servants are smiting one another with words of violence and verulency, let us smite one another with words of truth & soberness; and the deeper they pierce the heart in the Spirit of Love, the better could we hit one another o'th' heart-vein, 'twould be a mercy: Oh that the righteous would thus smite one another, with gracious words of reproof, to restore one another, and all in much mutual soul-love what a kindness would this be? Such precious ointments would not break the head but mollify and meeken the heart: Such wounds would be welcome from the hand of a friend. Alas, we complain every where of the Saints slumbering, wand'ring, and wantonness; 'twere better we turned our complaints inward, and left them upon ourselves, that we do not stir up one another to Watching and Prayer; we do but bear one another as burdens upon our spirits, when we should bear one another's burdens, and help at a dead lift, as with one shoulder; we see poor Christians in a dead sleep on every hand, and we lie dying by them, but who calls upon them, to be watchful, and strengthen the things that are ready to die? 
Rev. 3.2.  How many have our eyes beheld lying as a man asleep upon the top of a Mast, and floods of temptation under them too, 
prov. 7.23.34.  ready to swallow them up; but how few have we laboured to awaken to this day? 
2 Sam. 16.17.  may we not reflect upon ourselves in the words of Absalon to Hushai: Is this our kindness to our friends? Is this nothing to you, all ye that pass by, do you not take notice how many foolish Virgins lie slumbering and languishing upon beds of sensuality and security, and the house ready to be set on fire over their heads; and do you take no care to awaken them; would it not pity your very heart; to see the flames seize upon them, while they are asleep? How long has the keeper of Israel watched over them, and kept them as the apple of his eye, notwithstanding all their slumberings and wander; and does he not expect (think you) that you should be your brethren's keeper for his sake, and cry unto them in all haste to prepare to meet him, lest he withdraw the wing of his protection from them, and leave them naked; if you see your brethren sleeping, starving, dying, and shut up the bowels of your compassions from them in such a case, how dwells the love of God in you? And if you say, 'tis not in man's power to awaken another's heart, who cannot awaken his own; can a man raise the dead? 'tis true, the low voice of a weak man can never make those hearts hear, which can sleep under the loud thunderings of Heaven; why but can you weep over them, as the Jews did over Lazarus in his grave? yea can feelingly sigh over them, saying, Can these dry bones live? Who shall roll away the stone, and open their graves; why he that is the resurrection and the life, can awaken them out of the deepest sleep, and quicken them with a word of his mouth; If Jesus will but groan in Spirit with you, and say, awake, arise, come forth, the dead shall hear his voice and live. You cannot lift up their sleepy hearts, no alas, they are too heavy for you; but cannot you lift up a prayer for them? If any man see his brother sin a sin not unto death, he shall ask, 
1 joh. 5.16.  and he shall give him life; what high encouragement is here to praying-souls to lift up their voice on high, for such as are sinning and sleeping in sin almost to death; oh then if the Spirit of prayer were raised again from the dead (as one may say) what blessed hopes would there be of a spiritual resurrection, to many poor hearts, that are even dead and buried in the grave of security.   

Secondly double your duty of Prayer; Pray, Pray.  
1. For a plentiful and powerful effusion of the Holy Spirit to counsel & comfort our foolish fainting Spirit in this hour of temptation; 'tis sad to behold, since we have caused the good Spirit to withdraw his gracious influences how the glory is departed in a great measure from Churches, ordinances, communions, &c: in most places; may we not sadly sigh out that heart-breaking word Ichabob, and say, Where is the glory; how many choice Gardens of the Saints are withered, since the Lord has withheld the spiritual dews of Heaven? How thin and lean is Jacob become, and waxed pale, since a famine of the Spirit has been amongst us? How spiritless, faithless, heartless, fruitless, lovelesse are most Christians grown, since we have slumbered and sinned away, the spirit of faith, life, love, power &c: How is the Gold become dim the fine Gold changed, now he that has the seven Spirits is turned aside from the Golden Candlesticks? Oh it is high time then, to beg as for life, that the Spirit would come down as floods upon the dry ground, that the Churches may be as watered Gardens, and the Saints may grow up as willows by the water courses; oh let all the awakened Servants of Christ, cry as with one heart and mouth, 
Cant. 4.16.  Awake O Northwind, and come thou South, blow upon the Gardens, that the spices thereof may flow out; that our beloved may come into his Garden, and eat his pleasant fruits; oh when, when shall a precious box of ointments be broken over us, to fill our hearts with its savour? Oh when will the spirit come down amongst us as a refiners fire or fullers soap, 
Mal. 3.3 4.  to purify us as Gold and Silver, that we may offer up pure offerings of righteousness, which may be pleasant to the Lord, as in the days of old? Oh that we could wait in the Spirit (as old Simeon did for the consolation of Israel) for that power from on high, that so strengthens weak hearts & hands that the feeble may be as David; for such an anointing with fresh oil, as may cause us to move swiftly and sweetly after Jesus Christ?  
And we have many precious cords of love let down to pull at, for this gracious Gospel-promise; 
Joh. 14. & 15 16  As the special promise of the Father of mercies to send the comforter, oft repeated for our better assurance; and he is faithful that hath promised; he will not deny his people long, nor always, for he cannot deny himself. And the effectual prayer of our Lord Jesus, who never prays amiss, but is heard always of his Father; This was that sweetest myrrh which dropped from the lips of Christ, as he was ascending up to Heaven his greatest last Testament-promise of a double portion of his Spirit: Now, is it so much upon the Lord's heart to bestow this peculiar blessing, and should it not be much upon our heart to ask it; especially being that glorious ministration, which is to continue, for the support, supply, and solace of the Saints, till the appearance of Jesus Christ, without which no outward administration can be effectual.  
2. Oh Pray, 
Psa. 2.6.8.  Pray, that Jehovah would set his King upon his holy hill of Zion, that the Heathen may be his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth his possession: that the government may be upon his shoulder, 
Isa. 9.6.  who is clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, 
Rev. 19.13.16.14.  and hath on his thigh a Name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; that all things may be opened and shut by the Key of David. 
Isa. 2.11, 17.  The Lord is arising to shake terribly the Earth, the loftiness of man must be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men made low, that the Lord alone may be exalted in his day. Oh that the Sun of righteousness were at this height once, there would be a glorious Sunshine day indeed. The God of heaven and earth has promised, 
Heb. 12 26, 27, 28.  he will once more shake heaven and earth, to bring in that Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and the things that shall remain; and Heaven and Earth shall pass away, rather than one tittle of his good promise shall fall to the ground. The Father's heart is all upon his beloved Son, in whom his Soul delighteth, to exalt Him highly, 
Phil. 2.9.  give Him a Name above every Name. And shall not the hearts of his Children go in with him, and work strongly that way? It was for their sakes he humbled himself so low, even to the death of the Cross. Oh how should their hearts break with long, that he may be extolled, and be very high, crowned with majesty and glory? Why then let all the Lords Remembrancers make mention of this good thing promised, 
Jer. 33.14.  (of which he loves to be put in remembrance) before him night and day, that Jesus Christ may take to himself his great power and reign. On when shall the sounding of the seventh Angel be heard, as the great voices in Heaven, all the world over, saying; The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, 
Rev. 11.15.  and he shall reign for ever and ever. 
Cant. 3.10.  Oh that King Solomon would send his Chariot, that is paved with love, for the Sons and Daughters of Zion, that they may enter with joy and gladness into the King's Palace; how would their spirits revive within them? and they would say, It is enough.  
3. Improve the Spirit of grace to the utmost; for the chaining up the unclean spirit. Oh try what power you have with the Father of Lights, to set his power on work to shake the powers of darkness. If Fervent Prayer, lift up by the hand of faith, bind God's hand, and put him to say, Let me alone; will it not overcome him, to bind up Satan, and to bruise him under the feet of his Saints shortly. The Devil is come down with great wrath, because he knoweth he hath but a short time. He follows his Kingdom with greatest violence towards its period; he's hot upon't, throwing with fury his fiery darts round about. The Adder's poison is boiling up to the height. This enemy is coming upon us like a flood: Oh 'tis high time to set upon the gates of Heaven with an humble and holy violence, knocking day and night, till the holy Spirit come down with prayer, and lift up a Standard against him.  
The old Serpent has now above 5000. years' experience upon his back; he's now master indeed of his black Art. Oh what multifariety and Variety in his methods? what Subtlety and secrecy in his snares? how destructive and obstructive are his devices and depths? Oh when will the Angel come down from Heaven with that great chain, and lay hold on the Dragon and bind him? 
Rev. 20.1, 2, 3.  Ah, what a world of mischief will he do, if he be let lose awhile? For now this Prince of darkness transforms himself into an Angel of light, to bring in the greatest darkness; and the Devil in white, or the white Devil, is most dangerous and deceitful; now, like the adulterer mentioned Job 24.15. he disguiseth himself, or sets his face in secret, (so the Original) that he may beguile and defile us, and we never know it; and be most and best at his wicked work, when least in sight. He has put on a vizard of profession, and now plays the thief in grain, stealing away the power and heart of pure Religion. He has oil in his mouth, and truth in his tongue; but war and a lie in his heart. And how many are betrayed with his flattering kisses, killed with his false kindness, and by swallowing down his sugared, poisonous pills greedily? How many are taken with the fine hair of the Locusts that ascend out of the bottomless pit, 
Rev. 9.8, 10,  who sting them with their tails as Scorpions. Oh than if ever you pitied poor silly souls, laden with sin, and led Captive by Satan; now pity and pray for them much more: Oh cry out (as the betrothed Damsel fearing ravishment) to the Captain of your Salvation, to lead Captivity Captive, to rescue his darlings from the Lions, and to shorten this hour of temptation.  
4. Oh Pray, Pray, for a glorious spiritual resurrection of the hearts and lives of the Saints, after so great a death has passed upon them; that times of renewing and reviving may come from the presence of the Lord, to the decaying and desponding Spirits of his people; Oh what a blessed, beautiful sight, would such an heavenly Spring be, 
Can. 2.11.12. c. 7.12.13.  after this heart-withering winter season? Would the flowers of the spouses' Garden flourish once, the Pomegranates bud forth, and the tender grape send forth a good smell: then would the singing of birds, and the voice of the turtle be heard in our land, and we might cheerfully, get up early to the Vineyards. Oh be earnest with the Father of Spirits to send down a special anointing from on high, for the new-spiriting of his people, for the work of their generation; A common Spirit will not carry them through special service; no, it must be that other Spirit that Caleb had; or they'll never follow the Lord, fully; The Sons and Daughters of Zion must be awaked, to put on beautiful garments, and shake themselves from the dust, as they that are redeemed from the earth, and from men, as ever they would appear in a good Gospel-posture to follow the Lamb, witherfoever he goeth; they must be putting on that new Man, which after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness, and be renewed in the Spirit of their minds, or they'll have no heart, to think of the New Heaven and new Earth, wherein righteousness shall dwell. That work which the Lord is carrying on in the world, is high and heavenly, much above the world. A low-spirited & earthly-minded Generation can never reach it, their poor flat spirits must needs shrink from it, or sink under it, at one time or other. Oh they had need of gracious, excellent spirits, changing from glory to glory, by the Spirit of glory resting on them; who look to keep pace or hold any considerable, comfortable correspondency and compliance, with those glorious Works which the Lord will bring forth in the latter days, who is Wonderful in Counsel, and excellent in Working.  
Why then, 5. let us look upon it as one main work of the day, to set saith on work at the promises by prayer, for Judges as at the first, and Counselors as at the beginning; men of choice spirits answerable to Jethroes choice: able men, 
Exo. 18.21.  fearing God, men of truth, hating covetousness; And while I am stirring you up, to make supplications to the Lord our righteousness, that he would graciously vouchsafe, a peculiar unction and qualification, to such as are in authority; let me set before your eyes, one of the first and fairest patterns, deserving to be set in letters of Gold, and engraven upon our hearts, as with the point of a Diamond; the purest Primitive mould of Mercy and Justice, sweetly meeting together in the righteous breast of Job, and striving (as it were) for super-eminency and victory: As for righteousness; he clothed himself with it; 
Job. 29.11.12.  and judgement was to him as a diadem; he broke the Jaws of the oppressors, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth; and delivered the poor that cried, and the Fatherless, and him that had none to help him. As for mercy, his condescension and compassion is very remarkable; when he sat chief, and dwelled as a King in the Army; he was as one that comforteth the mourners; A Father to the Poor and Fatherless; eyes to the blind, and feet to the tame, who caused the heart of the widow to sing, and the blessing of such as were ready to perish came upon him; Oh that Jesus Christ, that blessed and only potentate, would make all our Governors and Magistrates willing in the day of his power, to kiss the Son, in humble subjection & hearty affection to his righteous Sceptre; and to lay down both sword and Sceptre at his feet (as the Elders did with their Crowns): Oh that there were in them such an heart; as to say with the inhabitants of Judah, in their hearts? The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be our strength, in the Lord of Hosts their God. That they may be as nursing Fathers to the Saints, the Children of the most high, yea the least of Christ's brothers; accounting it their greatest glory and praise, to promote the glory of the King immortal and eternal, the only wise God; to be a praise to those that do well, and a terror to evil doers, putting sinners to shame: oh that the Rock of Israel that spoke it, would make it good; That they that rule over men, must be just, 
2 Sam. 23.3.4,  ruling in the fear of God: And they shall be as the light of the morning, when the Sun ariseth, even a morning without Clouds, as the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain. Why let us open our hearts and mouths wide (by the help of the Spirit) for such a blessing, as thus waited for Job, even as for the latter rain.  
And spread those good old promises before the Lord, which are as fresh upon his heart as ever, to renew them in these latter days; That Saviour's shall come upon Mount-Zion, to judge the mount of Esau, and the Kingdom shall be the Lords; 
Obad. v. 21.  That he will raise up Carpenters to break the horns, that scatter Judah, 
Zech. 1.20.21.  so that no man can lift up his head; That he will put that honour upon his Saints, To execute the Judgement that is written, 
Psal. 149.6.9.  with a twoedged sword in their hands, and the high praises of God in their mouths. That the faithful chosen and true, clothed in fine and white linen, shall give blood to drink, 
Rev, 18.6.14.  to the woman, which is drunken with the blood of the Saints, and the Martyrs of Jesus, and shall destroy that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth; and shall overcome all his and their enemies in the blood of the Lamb; for he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. Oh then let the prayers of all the Saints meet upon the golden Altar, 
Rev. 8.3.4.  that the smoke of the incense may ascend up before God day and night; and let them cry with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, & c?  
Lastly, Pray, pray, for the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ, upon all pure Evangelicall administrations; 
Rev. 1.13.16.  That Jesus Christ would walk in the midst of the golden Candlesticks; hold the stars in his right hand, that the golden pipes may empty the golden oil out of themselves from the Olive tree; 
Zech. 4.11.12.  and his servants be anointed with the oil of gladness, 
Jer. 3.15.  who desire to keep the Commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus. And that he would send Pastors according to his own heart, that may feed the people with knowledge and understanding; able Ministers of the New Testament, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit; and send them forth in the power and spirit of Elijah, to turn many to the lord 
Joh. 10.3, 4, 9  And that the good Shepherd would call his own sheep by name, lead them out and go before them; that they may know his voice, and follow him, and go in and out and find pasture.  
That his little flock receiving the Gospel not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, 
1 Thess. 1.5.  and in much assurance; may have that glorious Character of the Church of Philadelphia, as a Crown of twelve Stars upon their heads; that they have kept the Word of his patience, and have not denied his Name; 
Rev. 3.8.10.  who will keep them in this hour of Temptation.   
FINIS.