DISCOURSE II. 87 know our own spiritual state ; a consciousness of what we are ; a keeping all the spiritual senses in proper exercise, and main- taining a lively perception 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, frequent 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 un- guarded against it. Such was the sleep of Jonah 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 in- ward lusts and passions, nor against those outward temptations and perils to which lie is continually exposed, while he dwells in flesh and blood. Watchfulness, in this respect, is when a christian path 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 guard- ing 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 loósen ng 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 ap- pointment of his great Master. He is like a.centinel upon his watch - tower, ever awake, because dangers stand thick round him. 4. There is a sleep of sloth and inactivity ; Prov. xix. 15. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep. A little more sleep, a little more slumber, saith the lazy christian, who turns upon his bed, as the door upon its hinges, and makes" no progress or advance in his way to heaven. We are sleepy christians, when we do little for God, or our own souls, in comparison of the vast work, and important varieties of duty that lie upon us : When our zeal is cold, and our efforts of service slight and feeble : When the light of grace shines so dim, and the spark of holiness is so covered with ashes, that it is shard to say, whether it burn or no. As in natural things, so in spiritual, it is a difficult matter, some- times, to distinguish between a dead man and lethargic sleeper. Watchfulness, in opposition to this slumber, is a lively and vigor- r. 2
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