DISC. II.3 THE WATCiiFUL CHRIBTIAë1 DYINß IN PEACE. 363- unconcerned about his most important and eternal af- fairs ; and, in this temper, he hardly knows what his state is toward God, nor keeps up a lively sense or no tice of divine and eternal things upon his spirit. Watch» fulness, inopposition to this sleep, implies a holy soli- citude and diligence to know our own spiritual state ; a consciousness of what we are; a keeping all the spiritual senses in proper exercise, and maintaining a lively per., ception of divine things. It implies an acute, painful sense of indwelling sin, and the irregular propensities of the heart, a delightful relish of heavenly objects, fre- quent thoughts of death and eternity, constant waiting for those awful events, with a quick apprehension and resentment of all things, that help or hinder the spiritual life. This is the character of a wakeful christian, and such an one as is ready to receive his returning Lord. 3. There is a sleep of security and foolish peace, when a person is not apprehensive of imminent danger, and is much unguarded against it. Such was the sleep ofJonah in the storm, of Sampson on the lap of Delilah, when the Philistines were upon him, and of the disciples, when Judas, and the band of soldiers, were just ready to'seize their master. This is the case of many a slumbering christian: He is not upon his guard against his inward lusts and passions, nor against those outward tempta- tions and perils to which he is continually exposed, while he dwells in flesh and blood. Watchfulness, in this re- spect, is when a christian bath his eyes open, and turns them round on every side, to foresee approaching evil, and prevent it; when he is prepared for every assault :of every adversary, whether sin or the world, whether death or the devil ; he bath his spiritual armour girt upon him, and is ready for the combat. He is every hour guarding against the powers of the flesh, and watching against its allurements and attractions, lest he be defiled thereby, and unfit to meet his returning Lord : He is daily loosen- ing, his heart from all sensual attachments, and weaning himself from the world and creatures,' because he knows he must quickly take his long farewell, and part with them all, at the call and appointment of his great master.. He is like a centinel upon his watch- tower, everawaket, .lvecause dangers stand thick around him. 4. Thereisasleepof sloth and inactivity, Prov.xix.t8, A2
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