this understanding clear in our minds, let us proceed to examine
the relation of vigilance and prayer to temptation.

II. _The Spirit of Vigilance_

"_Watch._" This implies much more than a mere guarding ourselves in a
general way. It means that a systematic and regular guard is to be
kept over our _whole life_, over _all_ our senses and faculties, over
_all_ circumstances and conditions so far as we can by any means direct
them.

Here again we may find our illustration in the world about us.
Approach the camp of a well disciplined army. How quickly you are
challenged. Seek to enter it on any side, and a sentinel, alert and
suspicious, keeps you at a distance. The foe may be hovering in the
darkness of the neighbouring forest, or he may be a hundred miles away,
but this makes no difference in the vigilance of the guard. They take
{79} no chances. The enemy is abroad, and no man sleeps on his post.
Nor is it the known weak points only, or only the side from which the
attack is expected, that receives attention. Everywhere strict
watchfulness is maintained, while the threatened points are doubly
sentinelled.

We have in this the picture of what the watch about the beleaguered
soul should be. The soul that means to give a good and generous
service to God must guard itself at every point. How frequently, when
attention is called to some sin, do we think, "Oh, that is not my
weakness," or, "That would constitute no temptation to me whatever."
Vain, boasting spirit!--trusting to escape from evil by merely natural
means! How Satan gloats as he marks one point that is being left
unguarded, and waits, alert and observant, for a favourable opportunity
for attack. Through long time, months and years it may be, he
maintains a steady, subtle work of suggestion, leading the mind little
by little, unconsciously because no guard is kept, into an attitude
where the temptation we boastingly defied will prove a terrible foe
before whose sudden onslaught we shall go down in grievous and
ignominious fall.

If in truth God has spared us the fall into some sin that happens in
the lives of those about us, our safety will lie not in
self-congratulation, {80} but in humble thanksgiving that only through
the mercy of God have we been spared this stain. "But for the mercy of
God, there goes John Bradford," exclaimed a rugged old Christian as a
condemned murderer passed by on his way to death.

Again, our vigilance must be e