and shillings that he idly spends, nor considers the loss wliich follows upon his daily negligence ; whereas would he coniit what in this way was lost, he might find that it amounts to more than the other. Thus the Christian sometimes is troubled for one great sin into which he hath fallen, but withal, he observes not how negligently he performs his duties ; how he sometimes prays coldly, for want of due preparation, and what little fruit comes for want of watchful- ness after it, whereby in time he falls low ; whereas if ho could bring the several items of these particular losses together, he would ilnd them swell into a sad reckoning, except, with these losses, he hath also lost the tenderness of his conscience. And shall a careless Cln-istian add to his stock? Did you ever go by the sluggard's field, and not find it overgrown with thorns? Wouldst thou but make it thy business daily to watch thy heart, how thou prayest, and how thou walkest after prayer, thou shouldst find a blessed change in thy spiritual affairs ; this strictness will at first be uneasy, but every day will wear it off', and a sweet facility follow, when thou shalt see thy gains come rolling in by it. He that finds how well he is paid for his diligence, by the increase of his estate, will not envy the sluggard his ease, when he shall see him walk by his door in rags. It was the saying once of a rich man, who by God's blessing on his diligence had raised a vast estate, that at his first setting up in the world, he got a little with much trouble ; but afterwards he got his great gains with little trouble. And thou, Christian, wilt find the same in thy spii'itual trade ; thy trouble will be most at first, but thy gains most at last ; because the way of godliness, by use and expei-ience, will become easy and delightful. ■ Sixthly, Consider what others lose by thy not watching ; he that lives in a town, wrongs his neighbour as well as himself, by not looking to his fence. Thus one Chris- tian may injure many, by not keeping his own watch. First, Tliy vexy example is a wrong to others, for this sleepy disease is catching ; thy loose conversation may make others do the same : it is no small blessing to live among active Christians, whose zeal and forwardness in the ways of God is exemplary ; this puts courage in those that follow them ; the heavenly, holy conversation of amastei', is a help to the whole family. Secondly, Thou indisposest thyself for doing thy duty to them ; we are conmianded to watch over one another in love, as those that are concerned in our brethren's welfare. Now how unfit is he to watch over others, that doth not watch himself; — to provoke others to love and to good works, who needs himself the spur? Lastly, Consider Christ's watchful care over thee. Look upon him in his providence ; that eye which neither sleeps by night, nor slumbers by day, is tliy constant keeper : consider him in his intercession, there he prays for thee, watching thereunto with all perseverance ; ' For he lives to make intercession for his saints :' consider him in his Spirit ; what is he, but Christ's messenger, sent as our guardian, to take care of the saints in his ab- sence ? Consider him in the gospel ministry, which is set up for this very pur- pose, to watch for your souls ; yea, every private saint hath a charge to be his brother's keeper ; this well considered, would make thee, first, watchful to pro- mote his glory that so carefully provides for thy safety. What put David into such a rage against Nabal, but the disrespect that his servants found at his hands, to whom he had been so serviceable? 'In vain have I kept all that this fellow hath.' Secondly, it woidd make thee the more watchful over thy own soul, if thou hadst so much ingenuity as to fear grieving of thy God, who expresseth his tender cai-e over thee : what greater grief can the indulgent parent have, than to see his child not mind his own good, after all his care and cost upon him ?
CHAPTER XVIL
WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE.
These words contain the first branch in the apostle's direction for prayer; which I shall despatch briefly in four heads.
Section L — For the importance of the phrase. Here is perseverance, yea, all perseverance retpiired in prayer. First, The woid TrpoaKaprfpz/rrft, here used, comes from Kuproc the same with Kparor (a letter only transposed to melt the sound,) signifies ' strength' and 'victory ;' and hence its compound, irpoffKuprfptiv, is to prosecute any business with an unwearied constancy, till
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Y70 WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE.