and that, so long as saints are in the body, they are compassed with infirmity.
These things are written for our learning. Let us take heed that they are not written in vain. Let us ever be on our guard against the slothful, indolent, lazy spirit in religion, which is natural to us all, and especially in the matter of our private prayers. When we feel that spirit creeping over us, let us remember Peter, James, and John in the garden, and take care.
The solemn counsel which our Lord addresses to His disciples should often ring in our ears : u Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." It should be the Chris- tian's daily motto from the time of his conversion to the hour of his death.
Are we true Christians ? and would we keep our souls awake ? Let us not forget that we have within us a double nature — a ready " spirit" and weak " flesh" — a carnal nature inclined to evil, and a spiritual nature inclined to good. These two are contrary one to the other. (Gal. v. 17.) Sin and the devil will always find helpers in our hearts. If we do not crucify and rule over the flesh, it will often rule over us and bring us to shame.
Are we true Christians, and would we keep our souls awake ? Then let us never forget to "watch and pray." We must watch like soldiers — we are upon enemy's ground. We must always be on our guard. We must fight a daily fight, and war a daily warfare. The Christian's rest is yet to come. We must pray without ceasing, regularly, habitually, carefully, and at stated times. We must pray as well as watch, and watch as well as pray.