3. Consider when and how long we are to watch. The time is kept from our knowledge for this very end, that we may always be watch- ing: Mat. xxi. 36, 'Watch and pray always;' 2 Tim. iv. 5, 'But watch thou in all things.' There must be a constant and continual watch. When we are secure Ave lose our actual fitness, and our common enemy breaks in upon us. There is a working, warring principle in our hearts.
4. There is a blessing promised to those that watch : Kev. xvi. 15, * Blessed is he that watcheth ;' and Luke xii. 37, ' Blessed are those
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servants whom their Lord when he cometh shall find watching.' "What do we lose by watching but a few trifling pleasures, which are abundantly recompensed here and hereafter by solid rejoicing in Christ? It is irksome to the flesh, but the reward sweeteneth it.
5. The hazard and danger of not watching. It is notably repre- sented in this parable : only the ready enter. Take heed, therefore, the like do not happen to you as to the foolish virgins : they are excluded, and that irrevocably ; if they would never so fain enter, Christ will not hearken unto them : Rev. iii. 3, ' If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee like a thief in the night;' 1 Thes. v. 3. Woful is their condition that are secure and unprovided.
6. Consider what men would do to avoid temporal inconveniency : Mat. xxiv. 43, ' If the good man of the house had known when the thief would come, he would have watched ;' much more should Christ's disciples to avoid eternal destruction. It is an advantage to put the case in outward things, Mai. i. 8 ; it showeth the disproportion of our respects to temporals and spirituals. If we are so careful in looking to our bodies and goods, we are or should be more careful in watching over our souls, where the danger is greater. The world's diligence and double diligence in earthly things will condemn our neglect in spiritual things.
Use 1. I may from hence take occasion to bewail the neglect of i\\\-,- duty. Oh ! how much is watching laid aside ! Thence cometh our decay of grace. The church of Sardis was even dead for want of it, Eev. iii. 2. Thence comes our want of comfort, and of assurance of God's love. Our peace of conscience is gotten by diligence, and kept with watchfulness. Thence comes our loathness to die, and our cold- ness to everlasting life. We do not ' gird up the loins of our minds, and watch.' Thence come all our afflictions. God is fain to use dreadful means to awaken his servants out of their drowsiness. We are apt to be drowsy and sleepy ; God useth sharp discipline to awaken us ; some smart cross or sickness to bring us to ourselves again. We should bewail the neglect of watching in two things : —
1. Our not watching for the coming of the Lord. Some can live merrily and quietly in a careless unprepared estate ; but do these men consider what it is to meet with their Redeemer, before they have gotten any benefit by his blood ? We cannot draw nigh to him with any comfort till we feel the benefit of his death, Heb. x. 22. His business is ' to present his people faultless to God/ Jude 24. These men do not consider what it is to meet with the judge, 1 Peter iv. 5. There is no plea but innocency and pardon in Christ, Rom. viii. 1 ; 1 John iii. 8. These do not consider how they shall look Christ in the face, when so unlike him, 1 John iii. 1, 2, and 1 John iv. 17. These do not consider what it is to meet the bridegroom when their filthy garments are yet on.
2. Bewail the neglect of watching against present evils with care and circumspection. What is the matter ? Is Satan less busy to tempt, or is the heart of man and human nature grown better, and sin less dangerous ? Is our weakness and inability so far strengthened and cured, that we are out of danger of falling ? Were the servants of God such weaklings, that prayed, as David, Ps. xxxix., ' I put a
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watch upon the door of my lips ;' and Job, that ' made a covenant with his eyes'? Job xxxi. 1. But rather are not we more foolhardy and negligent, do not mind our business, and consider not the incon- veniency of not watching ?
Use 2. To press us to this duty ; there is a God that watcheth, and enemies that watch, and conscience watcheth, and will do its office first or last ; a day of judgment, when you are to answer for all that you have done ; and will not you watch ? When you consider how much you are in danger of sin, and in danger by sin, can you be negligent and secure ? Oh ! watch your hearts, Prov. iv. 23 ; watch your tongue, Ps. xxxix. 1 ; watch your senses, Job xxxi. 1 : gratify them and you wound your hearts. Watch your ways, Prov. iv. 24 ; but above all watch your state. Let us examine well our case, that we may be found in Christ, and have the ' seal of his Spirit,' Eph. i. 13. That is your warrant.