Chap. j ï[, about Circumfpeciion,and circumfpeEf zvaling. 2. It helps us much: as it enableth us to be con(}ant in this courfe, and to per- fevere in it even to the end. It flrengthens us againfi all difcouragements, enables us to avoid, or leap over all impediments, or oppofitionswhich might encoun- ter us in our Chri(liancourfe. 3. Its a notable means ofChriflian fecurigy : fo that keeping this courfe, we may fay with David,Pfal.23.4. Though t walkthroragh the valley of thefhadoi, of death, yet will sfear noevil : Such may lay themdownfafely, as he, mfal 4.8. and take their refs.. &c. It procures inward peace : For if gad6e with I'M , who can be againfl rse, Rom.8.3 r.Fromwhich peace arifesfpiritual joy alfo, I Pet.1.8. 4. By it we are fitted for all eflates, fo that profperity ¡hall not puff us upwhiffs we keep our watch,nor adverfity (hall difcourage us in our journy CO our heavenly Countrey. For; Aa.14.22. Heb.i2.6. 5. By this watch we are prepared againfl Chriffs comingto judgement, and pre- pared to enter into the joy of our Miller : aswe fee in the parables ofthe faith- ful Steward andwife Virgins. 6. By this watch we are alluredofbleffedne(fe, Luk. p.. 37, 38,43. Mat. 24. 46, 47. Rev. 16. i 5.. Quell. What means may weufe toenable to to this circumfpeí`f walking andk ep- ing our watch ? Anfw. Firft, we muff ufe fobriety and temperance, IPer.5.7,8. IThef.5.5,6. Luk.2i.34. which temperance mull extend, not onely to meats, and drinks, to carnal pleafures and delights : but it muff reach alfo to the right ordorino lòf our minds in the ufe ofall temporal bleflings in a due manner,and meafure,fo that they may be helps, not hindrances to us in all the duties ofa godly life. Secondly,we muff nourifh in ourhearts the true fear of God,not a fervile fear, whichwil make every llave to watchfor fear of the whip:butachild-like frar,which will caufe us todo nothing that may difpleafe our heavenly.Farber , who fo loves us and whomwe fo love : but todo all things fo as Godmay be well pleated in us, and we in him, Pfa1130.4. Thisfearispromifed, Jer.3z.42. This caufes ùs to depart from evil, Prov.14.16. and 16.5. Hence David,Pfal.4.4. Stand in awe and fn nor: the want of it is the caufe of all evil, den,zo.I I. Pi.36.1. R;m.3.18,19,2o. Thirdly,we muffoften call to remembranceGoisfearful judgements executed on fanners, efpecially on fuch as continue fecurely in fin, neglecting to keep this watch. So, Mar.24.33. Ifa.47.3,ç, Rev.3.3. hencePaul minds us of them , I `or.io.5. to I2. Fourthly, we muff continually remember the day ofour death, not as though it were far off, but near approaching, even at our doors. Qur lives are momentany, and this short time fo uncertain,that we haveno affurance to live till another day, nonot fo much as the next minute : whenwe go abroad,we knownot whether we (hall return home : when we go tobed, whether we (hall rife, &c. manyare fud- denly takenaway, and that which befalsone,may befal any , therefore itsour svif- dom toEland continually uponour watch , that we may be found in' readineffe whenfoever the Mailer comes, Fifthly, we mull often meditate upon that great and terrible day of the Lord; whenhe will comewith .thoufands ofAngels to judge both the quick and the dead, z Cor.5.ro. ofwhich day, becaufe'its uncertain when it will come,we fhould alwayskeep our fpiritual watch, thatwhenChri(l comes we may be found ready. This Chrifl himfelf teaches us, LAtar.13.3 2,3 3.fo,i Pet.4.7., Blelfed are all that do fo, Mat.24.4i,46 , Mr. Downams Guide togodlineffe. 3 29 II. V. U a CHAP.
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