and the adversary does with him
according to his pleasure. But the Christian is in a better condition when
he is wrestling with temptation, and getting sore blows. When he is at
peace and dwells securely, as the people of Laish, he troubles himself
with nothing, but dreams over his days, but that is a decaying condition.
(2) To watch, is to observe all things, 1 Sam. iv. 13, Luke vi. 7. This is
a special point of the watchman's duty, to let nothing pass by without
observation, whatever object would come in, to ask at it from whence, and
whither. The heart is a highway side that all things travel through. If
the Christian then be not exact in this to know what comes in, and what is
its errand, he may be surprised or he know. He should observe all the
motions of the enemy, and be well acquainted with all the subtleties of
temptations. He must know his own spirit, or his thoughts, he should also
observe all the Lord's motions and dealings with his spirit. It concerns
him also to know what is his enemy or friend. Therefore the Christian
should get upon the watch tower of the word, and look through the
prospect(513) of faith round about him, that he may know what his
spiritual condition is. But, (3) The watchman gives warning while it is
seasonable, and the enemy far off. He raises the alarm, and all must be in
readiness. So ought ye to be. Come to Jesus Christ with all ye observe,
inform the Captain of your salvation whose soldiers you are. It is best
dealing with temptation far off, and resisting the first motions of sin,
for when it comes near hand, it gets many friends within, and it is the
watchman's part not to give his judgment of what he sees, but to report
only. Do not ye sit down to pass the sentence on any thing, whether it be
good or evil, sin or not, but come unto Jesus, and let him speak, for
oftentimes we reason according to flesh and blood. (4) There must be no
interruption in this watching. He must give diligent heed to it, Mark
xiii. 33, 1 Thess. v. 6. It is a very laborious exercise for a Christian
to watch, all his senses will be exercised by it. He must look up, and
that steadfastly, he must stand, and when he hath done all, to stand. When
he hath overcome he must yet watch, lest he enter into temptation. He is
in greater hazard after victory than before, Ezra vi. 13. He must watch
when he is come out of one temptation lest he enter into another. The
greatest disadvantage that armies have gotten hath bee