lively lovely companions joyned together by Christs own hand and would be linked together as with a chain of gold in every Christians heart Watching and prayer are mutually helpful and successeful First Watchfulnesse helps to lift up and keep up Prayer as Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses Exod. 17.12 1. It helps us to opportunities of Prayer A slumbring spirit loses many seasons of Prayer sleeps out sweet breathing-times of supplication Where there is deep spiritual sleep there 's deep silence a dumb spirit is there The Sluggard is folding his hands to rest when he should be lifting up his heart with his hands unto God in the Heavens If we watch not Satan will make a prey of our praying-times the World will be stealing away our time and hearts too Our praying times are precious times our enemies envy them and of all times will be interposing when we are any thing disposed this way they 'l lose no time to make us lose our best times and if they can but take us off the duty of the day they get the day Now a watchfull Spirit will keep time with God in whose hands all our time is who ever sayes Nay It thinks much to lose one meeting with him he must not be put off what ever is put by Vigilancie helps much as to constancie and frequencie in prayer an awakened heart will cry with David morning evening and at noon It will prevent the dawning of the Morning and the Night watches such a Soul only can continue in prayer Psal 55.17 Psa 119.147.148 and pray continually that is continually upon its Watch. Besides as watchfulnesse helps to find out time for prayer so to chuse out the fittest when we are most at leasure for Heaven in the best posture for prayer As Jesus Christ was much at fasting and prayer and best at it so he watched seasons and secrecie for prayer Mark 1.25 Hee 's early at it and solitarie And as he counsels us to pray daily so he cautions us to pray duly solemnly and secretly Math. 6.6 But thou when thou prayest enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy door pray to thy Father which seeth in secret c We should have nothing else to doe when we have to do with God in prayer T is work enough alone and he loves to have us much alone at this work A man that is wise for his Soul will watch a finding time in all his seekings and speak most to the Lord when ther 's most hopes he will be spoke with Psal 32.6 and he shall speed best Now a sleepie heart is for any time or no time 'T is apt to put God off with the least and last when it's Spirit 's low strength spent affections earthly when all out of frame no help at it no heart to it no time for it He neither looks for Gods Spirit in prayer nor at his own And thus the Lord of all must be served with anything or nothing by a sloathful servant whereas a vigilant soul watches Golden-Gospel-seasons when it may offer up incense in Golden censers When the heart 's ful as the Clouds then to be pouring it out when 't is as a bottle of new Wine wanting vent then to speak that it may be refreshed as Elihu did when the Spirit moves Job 32.18 19 20. when the heart is fixed when the affections are warme when most retired and inward These are the heavenly breatheing times with the awakened Virgins for this holy exercise These are the living lively Saints dayes for pure Spiritual recreation these are their extraordinary times on earth upon which they pray down more then ordinary blessings from Heaven 2. Watchfullnesse helps us to Importunitie in prayer A watchfull Soul is good at holding out with Gods sits up with him for him It will not keepe silence while God is silent It can take no rest and will give the Lord no rest till he heare in Heaven and speak to its heart Take an awakened heart upon deep conviction and how mightily will it cry unto the Lord saying Awake awake heare me speedily and How long Lord 'T is in great haste now Psa 40.1 Hebr. for an answer from Heaven and the more haste the better speed in this sense Now it cannot but wait in waiting pray with a prayer Jam. 5.14.17 Gr. cry all the day While its watch is up its soul is lift up that God would rejoyce the soul of his servant Psa 86.3.4 It s hard at work within at this heart-duty Now a slumbring spirit has soon done shortest prayers are sweetest to it It cares not for awakening the Lord lest he should awaken it It would be let alone and therefore 't will let him alone it likes well to give the Lord rest and it self too A sleepy heart cannot lift up the hands that hang down Heb. 12.12 and the feeble knees 'T is the awakened Soul which stretcheth forth the hand towards God whose eyes fail with looking up that wrastles with him as for life Jacob-like and will not let him go without a blessing Now importunity does much with God in prayer Luk. 18.1.7.8.82 Gr. Will not God avenge his Elect that cry unto him day and night I tell you sayes Christ who knevv his Fathers heart coming from his bosome he will Speedily assoon as may be Fervent prayer though long at it loses no time life and length in this duty will carry it at last It will not be put off not away till it has got an alms it has got the skill on 't and will not leave knocking till the door be opened It will have its will of God as one may say because it would have nothing but what God will What a great word was that from Christ to great faith and fervency in prayer Be it unto thee as thou wilt Mat. 15 28. Gr. Shee could wish no more and she must have no lesse 3. Watchfullness helps to idoneitie in prayer Awakened hearts are readiest to cry to the Lord and to heare him speak ' Its an instrument in tune to pray with such an heart God himself has prepared for himself and he will cause his eare to heare and prepare of his goodnesse for it too A Christian upon his spirituall watch may say My heart is readie O God my heart is readie Psa 10.17 'T is an excellent frame of spirit for any spiritual duty at any time A slumbring Spirit is most unfit for holy strivings and struglings with God none more indisposed to this stirring duty or lesse affected at it When the heart is asleep prayer is but a dream 'T is phansie works then not faith there 's onely a sound of words no sound words All 's but as sounding brasse or as a tinkling Cymball it makes no musick in Gods eare All 's to seeke in such a heart faith desires hope c it 's ever at a losse
by a strong hand through wonders of Providence Now when and where the Lord does much so much then and there he looks for much very much He may well call us to an account at such a time and say What doe you more then others Special mercy may challenge singular duty Math. 5.47 He has been at extraordinary charge and cost with us and he expects more then ordinary in our spirits and services T is not for us to serve him with that which costs us nought when we have cost him so deare one would think the weight of such obligations lying upon us should effectually awaken us to look up to Heaven for such a suitable and seasonable communication of his Spirit and grace as may more clearly informe us in that high and heavenly lesson most proper for the day and more fully enable us to take it out namely to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitfull in every good work Col. 2.10 c A low Spirit and lazie services are most unanswerable to high and mighty dispensations and will be most uncomfortable shall we do least for him when he has done most for us Has he watched over us and his eyes been alwayes upon us from the beginning of the yeare unto the end Deut. 11.12 and shall we slumber now like slothfull Servants as if we had neither eyes to see him working for us nor hands to work for him shall living mercies lie dead by us and we dying in the midst of them offering up the dead in sacrifice to the living God who has given us our lives for a prey shall we thus requite the Lord like a foolish people and unwise will it not be ill taken at our hands that we should be worst to him when hee 's best to us No wonder if he withhold his Spirit when we thus grieve tempt and quench it by a Spirit of securitie how can we look for other but that he should be taking away his Golden Candlestick Deut. 32.6 and the light too when so many do little else but play or sleep by it We must not think to lie alwaies sleeping with the breast i' th mouth he will be covering the blessed paps girt about with a Golden Girdle Application by way of Information 1. Is it a Gospel-duty to watch then see the necessitie of an awakening Ministrie in such a sleepie age as this there was never more need of awakened and awakening overseers to watch over us to lift up their voyce like a Trumpet cry to aloud and spare not Eccl. 12.11 saying Awake oh what need of goads and nailes to be fastened in our sides and upon our hearts by the masters of the assemblies from that one Shepherd 'T is time for wisdome to cry in the Streets Prov. 1.20 8.4 to utter her voyce in the chief places of concourse saying unto you O men I call c When the Virgins slumber thus both the wise and foolish 't will be a great mercy to have the Word of the Lord as a hammer at our doores yea as a fire within us and to feele the sword of the Spirit pricking us to the very heart o keep us awake in Spirit when so many are heavie with sleep there There was never more work then now for the Sons of thunder Ah that Spirit of slumber that is fallen upon this generation will make work enough for all the faithfull watchmen throughout the Nation And me-thinks the strong slumbrings of so many sleepie professors should exceedingly startle and awaken those that watch for Souls 'T is not for them to slumber of all others especially at such a time when so many lie sleeping round about them Oh woe woe to the blind Watchmen the dumb Dogs that cannot bark sleeping lying down Isa 56.10 loving to slumber who make beds of ease for bedrid spirits and sow Pillows to sluggards arm-holes who prophesie smooth things to a people that love to have it so that are all for easie prophesie or none at all Oh then let all the watchmen of the house of Israel whom the Lord hath set upon the Watch-Tower Watch and Pray and preach in season and out of season and give the people warning of this hour of temptation whether they will heare or whether they will forbear that they may deliver their own Souls and happily recover others also from the snare of the Devil who are asleep in his armes and taken captive by him at his will And let all the Lords people highly prize and heartily affect an heart-awakening searching quickening Ministrie and welcome that word most which comes most stirringly home and is most soundly set on by the power of the Spirit 2. Is it a Gospel-Duty to Watch then what a special mercy is it at this day to have an awakened heart The Keeper of Israel Watches very graciously over those he keeps watchfull 'T is no common favour to be kept alive at such a dead time sure the Father of mercies looks most sweetly to those Children and will smile most lovingly upon them whom he causes to lie broad-waken looking after him Oh blessed be his name that he reserves a little remnant by him waiting on him and for him What would become of us all if a few were not upon their watch would not the Lord awake to judgment were all asleep about him and none awaked to cry for mercy would not he lay about to purpose did not some hold his hands by lifting up their hands and hearts to Heaven Is he not readie to say Let me alone that I may consume them and is he not let alone by all but an handfull of wrastling Saints that have got within him would he not be gone think you but that his deare ones watch him cry mightily after him and will not let him goe Nay is he not going about to take his glory Spirit grace Gospel and all away with him 'T is well for us there are some watching waiting weeping about the bed of Solomon loath to let him goe valiant men Cant. 3.7 even the valiant of Israel Oh happie Souls that lie ever upon this heavenly watch who watch the more the rather because so many slumber It will goe well with them how ill soever things go for 1. They are neerest mercy of all other if any sweet influences fall from Heaven they are waiting with mouths wide open Job 29.23 as for the latter rain as of old they waited for Job If the Sun of righteousnesse arise they are like to see him first if his light shine their eyes are open and if his love breathe their hearts are open if good reports come to make the bones fat who but they will heare who are ever hearkening When ever the Lord shall open the door of hope they are next hand when the day breaks and the shadows flee away they 'l be the blessed spectators who watch more then they that watch for the morning
hopes would there be of a spiritual resurrection to many poor hearts that are even dead and buried in the grave of securitie Secondly double your duty of Prayer Pray Pray 1. For a plentifull and powerful effusion of the Holy Spirit to counsel comfort our foolish fainting Spirit in this hour of temptation T is sad to behold since we have caused the good Spirit to withdraw his gracious influences how the glory is departed in a great measure from Churches ordinances communions c in most places may we not sadly sigh out that heart-breaking word Ichabob and say Where is the glory how many choyse Gardens of the Saints are withered since the Lord has withheld the spiritual dewes of Heaven How thin and lean is Jacob become and waxen pale since a famine of the Spirit has been amongst us How spiritlesse faithlesse heartlesse fruitlesse lovelesse are most Christians grown since we have slumbred and sinn'd away the spirit of faith life love power c How is the Gold become dimme the fine Gold changed now he that has the seven Spirits is turned aside from the Golden Candlesticks Oh it is high time then to begge as for life that the Spirit would come down as floods upon the drie ground that the Churches may be as watred Gardens and the Saints may grow up as willowes by the water courses oh let all the awakened Servants of Christ cry as with one heart and mouth Cant. 4.16 Awake O North-wind and come thou South blow upon the Gardens that the spices thereof may flow out that our beloved may come into his Garden and eate his pleasant fruits oh when when shall a precious box of oyntments be broken over us to fill our hearts with its savour Oh when will the spirit come down amongst us as a refiners fire or fullers sope Mal. 3.3 4. to purifie us as Gold and Silver that we may offer up pure offerings of righteousnesse which may be pleasant to the Lord as in the dayes of old Oh that we could wait in the Spirit as old Simeon did for the consolation of Israel for that power from on high that so strengthens weak hearts hands that the feeble may be as David for such an anointing with fresh oyle as may cause us to move swiftly and sweetly after Jesus Christ And we have many precious cords of love let down to pull at for this gracious Gospel-promise Joh. 14. 15 16 As the special promise of the Father of mercies to send the comforter oft repeated for our better assurance and he is faithfull that hath promised he will not deny his people long nor alwaies for he cannot deny himself And the effectual prayer of our Lord Jesus who never prayes amisse but is heard alwaies of his Father This was that sweetest myrrhe which dropt from the lips of Christ as he was ascending up to Heaven his greatest last Testament-promise of a double portion of his Spirit Now is it so much upon the Lords heart to bestow this peculiar blessing and should it not be much upon our heart to aske it especially being that glorious ministration which is to continue for the support supply and solace of the Saints till the appearance of Jesus Christ without which no outward administration can be effectuall 2. Oh Pray Psa 2.6.8 Pray that Jehovah would set his King upon his holy hill of Zion that the Heathen may be his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth his possession that the government may be upon his shoulder Isa 9.6 who is clothed with a vesture dipt in blood Rev. 19.13.16.14 and hath on his thigh a Name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords that all things may be opened and shut by the Key of David Isa 2.11 17. The Lord is arising to shake terribly the Earth the loftinesse of man must be bowed down and the haughtinesse of men made low that the Lord alone may be exalted in his day Oh that the Sun of righteousnesse were at this height once there would be a glorious Sun-shine day indeed The God of heaven and earth has promised Heb. 12 26 27 28. he will once more shake heaven and earth to bring in that Kingdom that cannot be shaken and the things that shall remain and Heaven and Earth shall passe away rather then one tittle of his good promise shall fall to the ground The Fathers heart is all upon his beloved Son in whom his Soul delighteth to exalt Him highly Phil. 2.9 give Him a Name above every Name And shall not the hearts of his Children go in with him and work strongly that way It was for their sakes he humbled himself so low even to the death of the Crosse Oh how should their hearts break with longings that he may be extolled and be very high crowned with majesty and glory Why then let all the Lords Remembrancers make mention of this good thing promised Jer. 33.14 of which he loves to be put in remembrance before him night and day that Jesus Christ may take to himself his great power and reign On when shall the sounding of the seventh Angel be heard as the great voyces in Heaven all the world over saying The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11.15 and he shall reign for ever and ever Cant. 3.10 Oh that King Solomon would send his Chariot that is paved with love for the Sonnes and Daughters of Zion that they may enter with joy and gladnesse into the Kings Palace how would their spirits revive within them and they would say It is enough 3. Improve the Spirit of grace to the utmost for the chaining up the unclean spirit Oh try what power you have with the Father of Lights to set his power on work to shake the powers of darknesse If Fervent Prayer lift up by the hand of faith bind Gods hand and put him to say Let me alone will it not overcome him to bind up Satan and to bruise him under the feet of his Saints shortly The Devill is come down with great wrath because he knoweth he hath but a short time He followes his Kingdom with greatest violence towards its period hee 's hot upon 't throwing with fury his fiery darts round about The Adder's poyson is boyling up to the height This enemy is comming upon us like a flood Oh 't is high time to set upon the gates of Heaven with an humble and holy violence knocking day and night till the holy Spirit come down with prayer and lift up a Standard against him The old Serpent has now above 5000. years experience upon his back hee 's now master indeed of his black Art Oh what multifariety and Variety in his methods what Subtletie and secrecy in his snares how destructive and obstructive are his devices and depths Oh when will the Angel come down from Heaven with that great chain and lay
A VVarning-Piece FOR THE Slumbring Virgins OR AN ALARM TO THE Friends of the Bridegroom IN Some Awakening Meditations upon Christ's own Watch-word Matth. 26.41 Watch and Pray that ye enter not into temptation c. By Geo Scortreth Preacher of the Gospel in Lincoln Revel 16.15 Behold I come as a thief blessed is he that Watcheth keepeth his garments lest he walk naked c. London Printed for Thomas Brewster at the Three Bibles in Paul's Church-yard near the West End 1657. To the Friends and followers of the Lamb. Beloved in our Lord I Had not thought to have printed any of my poor Labours in the Lord though i'has been much upon my heart they might be imprinted upon the hearts of the hearers by the Spirit of the living God But some late impulses have been upon my spirit since infirmities have grown upon me to leave a few Words with the servants of Christ before I leave them looking up to him to leave his blessing with them and that upon these and the like Considerations 1. The strange Slumbrings of so many backsliding Christians at this day have somewhat awakened my drowsie spirit and my eye hath affected my heart to see so many sleepy eyes and heavy hearts so that I am not at rest till I have eased my own soul in warning them openly as in weeping for them in secret 2. The Lord hath been following me with awakening dispensations morning by morning awakening my ear to receive instruction and while he hath shaken his rod of Fatherly Correction over me a deep Conviction hath fallen from Heaven upon me that it is the work of the day in its day for the Watchmen to cry aloud saying Awake Awake 3. I have some sweet perswasions through mercy that whiles I am at the Lords work stirring up others to watch and pray I shall find him at work within stirring me up to take hold of him and giving in some awakening heart-reflexions upon these Meditations of Watchfulnesse and my heart tells me the Watchmen of all others would be well awakened and ever upon their Watch at such a day as this 4. Pity to slumbring Saints who hear not the sounding of their own bowels to make them pity themselves hath moved me to knock at their doors and ask them how they do at heart They little think alas now their hearts are asleep of the sorrowes that are coming upon the men and women that are at ease in Zion as sorrow upon a woman in travell 5. The love of Christ constrains me to call upon his sloathfull Servants to arise and fall to their Masters work who hath most to do i' th last dayes and would not be left alone at it many heads hands and hearts busie together would make light work 't would go merrily on and not so heavily as now it does whiles so many heads and hearts are heavy with sleep 6. The stirring Appetites of some hungry craving ones indeared to me in the bonds of the Gospel who are daily waiting with longing for one cluster of grapes or other from the Celestial Canaan have made me the more willing to presse this one grape for their sakes happily they may find a little sweetnesse in it though none else should as taking and tasting it with a good will from his hand whose heart is towards them And if any of these should unhappily be overtaken with that dead sleep of midnight-security which hath surprized so many at this day who knowes but the importunities of one that is their friend may prevail with them to rise and open the door of their hearts when the Bridegroom himself shall knock who is their best and dearest Friend i' th World These being the wheels which have set this Watch on motion you may not expect any Eye or Ear-affecting curiosity but heart-awakening Gospel Simplicity the entising words of mans wisdome have lull'd many asleep and ' tmust be plainnesse of speech in the demonstration of the Spirit that must awaken them I have most to do in this Work with Wisdomes Children who have learnt to become fooles that they may be wise and had rather hear one word spoken to the understanding then a thousand words in an unknown tongue The corporal weaknesses and spiritual wants of one groaning under an heap of infirmities will make a sufficient Apology for all wants and weaknesses as to matter or method 'T is broken meat this for broken hearts who will be gathering up a few Crums here and there and if it be well digested within 't will be the lesse matter though it be so indigested without I am very sensible 't is sowen in great weaknesse alas how can so poor a nothing Creature do otherwise yet I am not out of heart or hopes through grace but it may rise up in power to the raising up of some that are asleep in sin and the rowsing up of others that are under a sinful slumber by the power of the Spirit which is his hearts design and desire who would willingly bespeak your heart-remembrances while he takes the humble boldnesse to be one of your weak though willing Remembrancers in the Name of the Lord that he may be accounted worthy to be found a Watchful Servant of Christ Jesus our Lord and Your faithful Servant for Jesus sake G. S. From my Chamber in little Queenstreet Lond. M. 7. 1656. To my welbeloved Friends endeared to me in the love and bonds of the Gospel at Lincoln or elsewhere Dear Friends BEing laid aside by the hand of my righteous Father as to the publique work of the Ministry amongst you you have been much upon my heart in my private Meditations to stirre you up and put you in remembrance to wait upon our Lord and for him who will meet those with rejoycing Isa 64.5 that remember him in his wayes The openings of your hearts to me in much affection and compassion as many of your eyes witnessed at our parting not knowing whether we should see the faces of one another any more and as your affectionate remembrances of me while absent and under present bodily pressures do sufficiently testifie have much bespoke my heart on your behalf to leave this Watch-word with you if I should now take my Rest and sleep in Jesus And if the Father of mercies should graciously raise me up by his strength to spend and be spent amongst you 't would be a sweet mercy to find you in a waiting watching posture 'T will be the more seasonable to knock where they are awakened and to strike while the iron 's hot The Word of Life will be most welcome to quickned spirits That you may read these following awakening Meditations with open eyes and hearts let me present you with a few preparatory hints to an awakened posture happily your sight may be a little cleared by this foretaste as Jonathans was upon his tasting a little honey from the end of his rod if you look up for eye-salve from Heaven
All 's dead in a manner here there 's no breathing almost Oh what a distempered distracted spirit in prayer where no watch is kept what aversions from it what diversions in it How will the heart wander up and down and give us the slip if not watched What strange withdrawings misgivings of spirit when we draw nigh to give up our hearts to the Lord what a croud of confused thoughts in a sleepie heart weak and low graces are soon lost in it 'T is such a thorow-fare for Sctans suggestions that Christ has little or no room there Now a watchfull Spirit will be sure to shut the door against all these that Christ may have all to himself the heart must be kept as a closet for him and the Soul to meet in 4. In point of Receptivitie watchfullnesse puts a Soul into a capacitie to take in much from God by prayer as to be much at it and to do much in it so to get much by it God will be ever giving to that Soul that gives it self unto prayer A man that is all prayer to allude to the expression in the original whose heart is all upon it Psa 109 4. Heb. as Davids must needs be a getting growing man hee drives so thriving a trade thoroughly Now there 's none better at it then awakened hearts and so none fitter to wait 1. For supply and support in prayer Spiritual supplications cannot be carryed on but by the supply of the Spirit of Jesus-Christ which Paul reckoned so comfortably on Phil. 1.19 these sweet spices will not flow without the breathings of the holy Ghost It 's well known to an awakened Soul that we cannot think a good thought of our selves 'T is onely Gods good Spirit that can teach us to indite good matter Psa 45.1 Hebr. his quicknings make our Spirits as a living Spring to buble up and boyle over in fervent prayer Isa 6.6 when he touches the lips with a living coale as one of the Seraphims did the Prophet Isaiah then our tongues will be like the pens of a readie writer Rom. 8.26 Gr. An experienced Christian when awake feeles at his heart he cannot help up himself in prayer and therefore he waites for the Spirit to help his infirmities he knows not how to turn his hand or heart to the work without an helping hand from Heaven at every turn and therefore he waits and weeps for the Spirit to help him out with sighs and groans that cannot be uttered and though he have no strength of his own yet he has power with God having power from God 2. For successe and satisfaction after Prayer He that watches unto prayer and in it will wait for the return of prayer day after day as Noah did for the Dove till it returned with an Olive leaf in its mouth when he has sowen in tears he waits for the precious fruits of a spiritual harvest till he reap in joy he looks long and longingly after his prayers and tears with an open eye and heart hee 's ever and anon hearkening what the Lord will say after all his speaking to him and pleading with him by a spirit of supplication he must hear and feel at his heart that God hears in heaven when he has done praying his faith is as busie with God at his promises as the Bee at flowers and will not have done till prayer comes home laden with honey Thus poor beggars that have the skill of waiting in prayer and after it get a good living by it 't is a good stock that brings in great store of new and old Now a slothfull spirit has no heart at all to look after his prayers that had no heart in them they die in the birth and are still-born how can he expect God should hear those prayers which he scarce hears himself They make no noyse in heaven and there can be no good newes of them on earth they 'l find Gods ear heavy who find their hearts so whereas a watchfull heart may reckon much of the incoms of prayers and shall have a good account of them one day Secondly Prayer helps to keep up our Watch it cannot fall down while Prayer is up with faith and fervency 1. It helps up a Christians Watch and keeps it up as it brings in the Keeper of Israel who neither slumbers nor sleeps to help us to watch The prayer of faith crys loud in his ears and awakens him to a waken us it followes him as for life to quicken up our spirits to this spirituall Watch It has power with God and fetches power from him to strengthen weak hands and feeble knees Isa 40.31 in this holy duty Prayer upon the wings of faith will fetch down Eagles wings in a promise to mount up with in this high and heavenly exercise of waiting on the Lord and watching for him Watching is hard work and long duty and alas we are soon tyred out in any thing of spiritual duty especially if any thing of difficulty in it we are ready at every turn to lie down to rest Now lively prayer stirres up the Lord to stirre us up It will set him awork at our hearts and his heart-workings are heartawakenings while we are knocking at the gates of Heaven and jogging as it were of Christs elbow by stirring and strong cryes his spirit will be knocking at the door of our hearts and jogging our spirits to keep them awake Let a poor heart but cry in the Ears of the Lord and it shall hear a voyce from heaven behind it yea within it saying Arise my Love and come away c. 2. Prayer helps in watching Psal 121. as it engages the Lord to watch over our watchings without whom all our watchings would be in vain he keeps a strict watch over his waiting servants day and night for he neither slumbers nor sleeps Alas we cannot keep our souls alive nor our heart awake but prayer takes the Lord into the Watch-tower with us and he sets a guard upon our hearts a watch before our lips c. Hee 's a tower of salvation to his people and keeps them as in a garrison by his own power 1 Pet. 1.5 while they are upon his Watch and at his Work The Watch must needs be safely and sweetly kept where Jesus Christ is Captain of the Guard we should be certainly surprized even upon our spiritual Watch by those spiritual wickednesses in high places who are too high and too many for us Were we not set upon the Rock that is higher then we Psal 61.2 that is higher then they the Rock Christ we should be taken as naked men even at our arms did not the Captain of our Salvation watch with us and over us now Christs waiting-servants are ever calling him in by the prayer of Faith to keep up their Watch for them by watching over them 1 Sam. 28.2 Achish to David their effectual prayers lay strong hands
upon him to keep him with them as the Keeper of their heads and hearts for ever 3. Prayer helps a Christian to Watch as it brings him in to commune with God who is glorious in holinesse fearful in praises doing wonders When a poor silly sinful Wretch comes to present himself before the Holy One who is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity How will the serious thoughts of the transcendent majesty and resplendent purity of Jehovah awaken him Will not his excellency make him afraid Job 13.11 and his dread fall upon him When Abraham drew near to commune with the Lord what awakened posture does he appear in Gen. 18 27. Behold sayes he I have taken upon me to speak to the Lord who am but dust and ashes Oh let not the Lord be angry c. When a Child of God finds in his heart to plead with his Father in Heaven he first pleades with himself in these or the like words Mic. 6.6 Wherewithall shall I appear before the Lord or bow my self to the mighty God of Jacob Awake O my soul awake and offer not the dead the lame and the sick in sacrifice to the living God Hee 's a great King Mal. 1.14 and his Name is dreadfull And as a gracious spirit communes with its own heart before it commune with him that tryes the heart so the Lord communes with it in and after prayer now the voyce of the Lord is a glorious voyce which shakes the Cedars and will it not then shake a bruised reed and make it tremble at his Word A broken heart that can speak its mind freely and feelingly to the Lord and hears him speaking home to his heart must needs be effectually awakened such heavenly entercourse maintained by a spirit of prayer will keep up a Christians spirit in a watchful frame till it go up to God that gave it 4. Prayer helps exceedingly at this heart-watch as it is marvellously heart-affecting In fervent prayer how does the softned heart melt in godly sorrow as snow before the Sun or wax by the fire mourning over the Lord and after him how does the thirsting soul pant and breathe and break with longings after the living God as a thirsty land how are the affections carried up towards heaven in a pure flame of Divine life and love ascending as pillars of perfumed smoke And will not such unconceiveable Soul-stirrings strugglings as these awaken the heart Sure there is a mighty spirit of activity goes forth in this Saints-exercise when performed in the power of the holy Spirit which will prevent heart-benumming security when a man of God wrastles with the Allmighty in his might as a Gyant refreshed with Wine what heart-raising and rowsing work must there needs be think ye 'T is too busie a time this to sleep in when an immortal soul is working as for life with the ever-living God about the things of Eternity A double ground in the Text why we should double our duty in Watching and Praying First Because we are exposed to temptation if we do not Watch and Pray For 1. We provoke the Lord to tempt us while we tempt him by neglect of these Gospel-Duties of his own appointment as 1. To lead us into temptation when we will not follow the leading and guidance of his Holy Spirit and Word 'T is that which Jesus Christ in tendernesse to our weak wandring spirits would have daily upon our hearts in prayer to beseech our Father not to lead us into temptation 'T is true as the Spirit of truth testifies that God cannot be tempted to evill neither tempteth he any man He is infinitely holy and righteous and cannot tempt any to sin and unrighteousnesse He is the chief good and cannot lead any into any evil temptation or temptation to evil And he is unchangeably and eternally holy and cannot possibly be tempted to unholinesse the just Lord will can do nothing that is unjust no iniquity Yet the Lord may be said in his own sense to lead us into temptation for himself hath said it As 1. By way of Probation When he tryes us like gold i' th fire as he did Job When he leads us into the Wildernesse to prove us as he did Israel of old when we fall into the hands of God as David and his Servants did Jam. 1.2 And though we are to account it all joy when we fall into manifold temptations for as the temptations and sufferings of Christ abound in us 2 Cor. 1.5 so our consolations also will abound by Christ 't is his peculiar method with which his secret ones are well acquainted to bring good out of evill and sweet out of bitter yet it is upon the account of his sympathy with us in sufferings and sanctifying them to us by keeping up the spirituall exercise of watching and prayer while we are exercised therewith otherwise as afflictions are never joyous in themselves so they will be ever grievous to those who have grieved the Holy Spirit by laying aside their spiritual watchfulnesse and prayer Those sufferings must needes befull of vexation and perplexitie which find us under presumption and securitie for First what bitternesse will it be to the soul when awakened in a day of adversity that it slept and slumbred out it's dayes of prosperitie that which was then a bed of ease to the flesh will be now a bed of thorns to the Spirit There cannot chuse but be much heart-aking under heart-awakening tryals to all slumbring Virgins and that is the pain of all paines the sharpest sting in sufferings sad thoughts of sinfull slumbrings will break ones sleep false rests will fearfully disquiet us when we find them out or they us in the day of calamity Affliction will be a root of bitternesse bearing gall and wormwood at such a time oh what an heavie burthen has the carelesse neglect of watching and praying been to some slumbring Christians in our dayes who have lived at ease in Zion while she has been in pain travelling to be delivered How have they mourned like Doves and chattered as a Crane or Swallow for want of that Spirit of grace and supplication which they had so long restrained and so much extinguished under a spirituall Lethargie how have their hearts been ready to dye within them like Nabals for want of life in and love to those holy duties wherein sometimes they had been lively and full of affection How will the hearts of all the slumbring Virgins smite them one day when distresse shall come upon them as sorrow upon a woman in travell will they not then weep out their sleepy eyes and sigh out their sluggish spirits crying Ah we fools that had a price in our hands and no hearts to use it We have lost many a good day trifling out choyce breathing times in the sight of the Sun and now the night is come upon us and we cannot work Alas alas for those daies of the Son of
be closed with 1 Joh. 4.4 upon any terms For greater is he that is in us then he that is in the world And while we Watch and Pray our spirituall weapons will be mighty through God to bring down all the strong holds of the god of this world Luther was one of the most watchfull spirits in prayer we read of and he speaks of one of the highest experiences that we shall meet with That he was never tempted to Covetousnesse there was no fishing for his spirit with golden baits which was carried so high above the world in Faith and Prayer But alas Christians now adayes find the world a very great temptation a world of temptations in it How is the Moon got up to the heart in this our age that used to be under foot Rev. 12.2 to such as are clothed with the Sun Oh what hoarding up treasure on earth by such as seemed to be heires of Heaven as if their Heaven were upon earth and their hearts too How unbecoming is this to those that are born from above to live beneath themselves that ever so noble spirits of the blood-Royall should be so embased precious Sons and Daughters of Zion who were comparable to fine Gold should in this sense become as earthen pitchers How contrary is this to those heavenly principles of faith and love which should carry us as upon Eagles wings above the world towards heaven Oh where is the love of the Father where there is so much love of the World Have you ever tasted of the powers of the World to come who are thus brought under the power of the Creature What shall the Children of the Kingdom look no further live no higher then the Kingdoms of this World What called out of the World and at the Worlds call too These things could never be if watching and prayer had been kept up all this while with life and power 'T were not possible the World should steale upon the hearts of Gods people thus and steale them away too were they not asleep Now when prayer's down and the World up what a downfall will there bee They fall into temptation and asnare and into many hurtfull and foolish lusts which drown men in perdition Oh what a root of evil springs up where the World takes deep root how do they pierce themselves thorough with many sorrowes 1 Tim. 6 9 10. and choak the precious seeds of grace with these thornes and when the heart is overcharged with the inordinate love of this present World This soul-benumming Lethargie of carnal securitie will overspread it that we shall not feele this sin within us when it is even all over us what sense can we have of our living by Sense whiles Faith lies dead The love of the World will grow insensibly upon us if it can but lull us asleep in its Armes Secondly because we shall be indisposed to make any opposition in an hour of temptation if we do not Watch and Pray our temptations will grow stronger and we weaker in Spirit every day then other they will be as Gyants and we as Grashoppers to use the expression of the Spies And alas as we are so is our strength as Gideon said of Jether at the best but weaknesse and our spirituall enemies will gather up their strength to take the advantage of us when and where we are weakest How easily may they make a prey of us coming upon us vvhen vve are sore as Simeon and Levi did upon the Males Gen. 34.25 especially if vve consider 10. That the Strength of Israel has secretly vvithdravvn himself from his people vvhile their hearts have been asleep Num. 14 9. and novv their defence is departed from them and they are as bread to the devouring mouth of the hungry Lyon vvho never had a better stomack to them Sampson Judg. 16 19.20 vvho vvas so strong in the strength of God vvas as vveak as another man vvhen the Lord departed from him the Philistines may novv bind him as they please put out his eyes and make him grind it 'h Prison-house Ah since the Lord has turned his back upon a backsliding generation hovv are the strong become as bow and they that had the excellencie of dignitie and strength are as unstable as the water how miserably are they swallowed up of temptations on every side how easily lead captive by their corruptions at every turne And though they shake themselves somtimes as Sampson did and think to resist them as at other times alas they cannot do it for their strength is departed from them 2. That the Lord hath left them to themselves who have laid him aside and left off watching and prayer Now what can such naked men do in an hour of Temptation when they meet with the strong man armed must they not needs be spiritlesse like Saul in the day of distresse when he was left to his own Spirit 1 Sam. 28.20 and had no strength in him What a pittifull forlorn creature is that man whom God has given over and given up to himself even like a lamb in a large place Hos 4.16 as back-sliding Israel what more destitute and distressed where no Shepherd no flock how will it wander and lose it self The best of men in such a case are exposed to the worst of evills when David a man after Gods own heart was trusted but a while with his own heart how shamfully it deceived him and defiled him who would ever have thought that murthers and adulteries should have proceeded out of such a heart as his When Solomon Neh. 13 26. who was so beloved of his God was given up to himself how strangely was his heart changed within him and turned from the Lord God of Israel who had appeared to him twice even to strange gods 1 King 11.8 and strange wives The wisest of men when left to his own wisdom appears as one of the fools in Israel and whither does his shame go And good Hezekiah 2 Chron. 32.31 when the Lord left him to try him to know all that was in his heart what pride of heart does he discover though he had been so lately and so deeply humbled And though the Lord had newly emptied all worldly glory before his eyes 2 King 20.13 Yet he could not keep his eyes and heart off of the house of his precious things c. but glories in shewing all the treasures were faund there when he should have glorified God and shewed forth his wonders in bringing the Sun of his life back Isa 38. and the shadow upon the dyal of Ahaz c. Yea blessed Peter an holy Apostle of Jesus Christ when he trusted to his own strength and boldly professed above the rate of the rest of the Disciples Mat. 26 33 35. saying Though all men shall be offended because of thee yet will I never be offended and though I should die with thee yet will I
we have refused the cleare counsel and pure comforts of the Holy-Ghost in the day of his gracious visitation what strong delusions and strange declinings to the right hand or the left since we have forsaken the guide of our spirits 3. Watch your spiritual enemies they watch us Luk. 4.13 as Satan did Christ when the Tempter is gone and his temptation seemes to be quite over he does but watch another season and therefore we must watch in season and out of season As Nehemiah and the people of God with him did with Sanballat and the enemies of God Neh. 4.7.8.9 they prayed and set a watch day and night the enemie was very wroth and they were very watchfull a sword in one hand when at work with the other So should we at this day watch at the Lords work Watch and Pray watch and heare watch and speak c 'T is very seasonable that counsell of the mightie Counsellour Take heed no man deceive you for many shall come in my name saying I am Christ deceive many Oh how much are we concerned in that blessed caution upon whom the ends of the World are come Math. 24.4 5 11 24 25. How affectionate and importunate was Paul the aged and experienced in warning the people night and day and that with teares to beware of such as should seeke to withdraw them from the Gospel of Christ Do not spiritual dangers multiply upon us every day whiles we are under a Spirit of slumbring securitie from our soul-enemies and that on every side Oh what need of the whole Armour of God on the right hand and on the left what need of a diligent spiritual watch over our heads and hearts words and wayes teachings and hearings Oh gather up your spiritual forces every day and call in auxiliaries from Heaven and follow the Captain of your salvation Watching and Praying as the armour-bearer did Jonathan climbing upon heads and feet contend eamestly for the faith which was once given to the Saints and as you 're fighting the good fight of faith be ever looking up to Jesus 1 Pet. 1.5 and you shall be kept as in a Garrison so the word imports by his power through faith unto salvation 4. Watch over and for one another for good in an evil time 't is very seasonable to be knocking at one anothers doores and jogging at each others elbowes in the Spirit of meeknesse to keep as many awake as you can in this slumbring time through the good hand of God upon you and surely they whose hearts are awakened in such a day as this by the Lords speaking from heaven to them cannot keep silence but must be speaking to their brethren in the name of the Lord saying awake awake As our hearts should dwell much upon awakening meditations so our mouths should be filled with awakening salutations and exhortations when we meet with the servants of Christ as it was with the lively Christians in the primitive times saying behold he comes like a thief and The Judge standeth at the door and the like When so many watch one anothers haltings let us watch to be helpers of one anothers faith and joy by provoking one another to Watching and Prayer when many fellow-servants are smiting one another with words of violence and verulency let us smite one another with words of truth soberness and the deeper they pierce the heart in the Spirit of Love the better could we hit one another o' th heart-vein 't would be a mercy Oh that the righteous would thus smite one another with gracious words of reproof to restore one another and all in much mutual soul-love what a kindness would this be Such precious oyntments would not break the head but mollifie and meeken the heart Such wounds would be welcome from the hand of a friend Alas we complain every where of the Saints slumbring wandring and wantonnesse 't were better we turned our complaints inward and left them upon our selves that we do not stir up one another to Watching and Prayer we do but bear one another as burthens upon our spirits when we should beare one anothers burthens and help at a dead lift as with one shoulder we see poore Christians in a dead sleep on every hand and we lie dying by them but who calls upon them to be watchfull and strengthen the things that are readie to die Rev. 3.2 How many have our eyes beheld lying as a man asleep upon the top of a Mast and floods of temptation under them too prov 7.23.34 readie to swallow them up but how few have we laboured to awaken to this day 2 Sam. 16.17 may we not reflect upon our selves in the words of Absalom to Hushai Is this our kindnesse to our friends Is this nothing to you all ye that passe by do you not take notice how many foolish Virgins lie slum-bring and languishing upon beds of sensualitie and securitie and the house readie to be set on fire over their heads and do you take no care to awaken them would it not pitty your very heart to see the flames seize upon them while they are asleep How long has the keeper of Israel watched over them and kept them as the apple of his eye notwithstanding all their slumbrings and wandrings and does he not expect think you that you should be your brethrens keeper for his sake and cry unto them in all haste to prepare to meet him least he withdraw the wing of his protection from them and leave them naked if you see your brethren sleeping starving dying and shut up the bowels of your compassions from them in such a case how dwels the love of God in you And if you say 't is not in mans power to awaken anothers heart who cannot awaken his own can a man raise the dead T is true the low voyce of a weak man can never make those hearts heare which can sleep under the loud thundrings of Heaven why but can you weep over them as the Jewes did over Lazarus in his grave yea can feelingly sigh over them saying Can these drie bones live Who shall roul away the stone and open their graves why he that is the resurrection and the life can awaken them out of the deepest sleep and quicken them with a word of his mouth If Jesus will but groan in Spirit with you and say awake arise come forth the dead shall heare his voyce and live You cannot lift up their sleepie hearts no alas they are too heavie for you but cannot you lift up a prayer for them If any man see his brother sin a sin not unto death he shall ask 1 Ioh. 5.16 and he shall give him life what high encouragement is here to praying-souls to lift up their voice on high for such as are sinning and sleeping in sin almost to death oh then if the Spirit of prayer were raised again from the dead as one may say what blessed
hold on the Dragon and bind him Rev. 20.1 2 3. Ah what a world of mischief will he do if he be let loose awhile For now this Prince of darknesse transforms himself into an Angel of light to bring in the greatest darknesse and the Devil in white or the white Devil is most dangerous and deceitful now like the adulterer mentioned Job 24.15 he disguiseth himself or sets his face in secret so the Original that he may beguile and defile us and we never know it and be most and best at his wicked work when least in sight He has put on a vizard of profession and now playes the thief in grain stealing away the power and heart of pure Religion He has oyl in his mouth and truth in his tongue but warre and a lie in his heart And how many are betrayed with his flattering kisses killed with his false kindnesse and by swallowing down his sugred poysonous pills greedily How many are taken with the fine hair of the Locusts that ascend out of the bottomlesse pit Rev. 9.8 10 who sting them with their tailes as Scorpions Oh then if ever you pitied poor silly soules laden with sin and led Captive by Satan now pity and pray for them much more Oh cry out as the betrothed Damsel fearing ravishment to the Captain of your Salvation to lead Captivity Captive to rescue his darlings from the Lions and to shorten this hour of temptation 4. Oh Pray Pray for a glorious spiritual resurrection of the hearts and lives of the Saints after so great a death has past upon them that times of renewing and reviving may come from the presence of the Lord to the decaying and desponding Spirits of his people Oh what a blessed beautifull sight would such an heavenly Spring bee Can. 2.11.12 c. 7.12.13 after this heart-withering winter season Would the flowers of the spouses Garden flourish once the Pome-granats bud forth and the tender grape send forth a good smell then would the singing of birds and the voyce of the turtle be heard in our land and we might chearfully get up early to the Vineyards Oh be earnest with the Father of Spirits to send down a speciall anointing from on high for the new-spiriting of his people for the work of their generation A common Spirit will not carry them thorough special service no it must be that other Spirit that Caleb had or they 'l never follow the Lord fully The Sonnes and Daughters of Zion must be awaked to put on beautifull garments and shake themselves from the dust as they that are redeemed from the earth and from men as ever they would appeare in a good Gospel-posture to follow the Lamb witherfoever he goeth they must be putting on that new Man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse and be renewed in the Spirit of their minds or they 'l have no heart to think of the New Heaven and new Earth wherein righteousnesse shall dwell That work which the Lord is carrying on in the world is high and heavenly much above the world A low-spirited earthly-minded Generation can never reach it their poor flat spirits must needs shrink from it or sinck under it at one time or other Oh they had need of gracious excellent spirits changing from glory to glory by the Spirit of glory resting on them who looke to keep pace or hold any considerable comfortable correspondency and compliance with those glorious Works which the Lord will bring forth in the latter dayes who is Wonderfull in Counsell and excellent in Working Why then 5. let us look upon it as one main work of the day to set saith on work at the promises by prayer for Judges as at the first and Counsellours as at the beginning men of choise spirits answerable to Jethro's choyce able men Exo. 18.21 fearing God men of truth hating covetousnesse And while I am stirring you up to make supplications to the Lord our righteousnesse that he would graciously vouch-safe a peculiar unction and qualification to such as are in authoritie let me set before your eyes one of the first and fairest patterns deserving to be set in letters of Gold and engraven upon our hearts as with the point of a Diamond the purest Primitive mould of Mercy and Justice sweetly meeting together in the righteous breast of Job and striving as it were for super-eminency and victory As for righteousnesse he clothed himself with it Job 29.11.12 and judgment was to him as a diadem he brake the Jawes of the oppressors and pluckt the spoile out of his teeth and delivered the poor that cryed and the Fatherlesse and him that had none to help him As for mercy his condescention and compassion is very remarkable when he sate chief and dwelt as a King in the Army hee was as one that comforteth the mourners A Father to the Poor and Fatherlesse eyes to the blind and feet to the tame who caused the heart of the widdow to sing and the blessing of such as were readie to perish came upon him Oh that Jesus Christ that blessed and only potentate would make all our Governours and Magistrates willing in the day of his power to kisse the Son in humble subjection heartie affection to his righteous Scepter and to lay down both sword and Scepter at his feet as the Elders did with their Crownes Oh that there were in them such an heart as to say with the inhabitants of Judah in their hearts The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be our strength in the Lord of Hosts their God That they may be as nursing Fathers to the Saints the Children of the most high yea the least of Christs bretheren accounting it their greatest glory and praise to promote the glory of the King immortal and eternal the only wise God to be a praise to those that doe well and a terrour to evil doers putting sinners to shame oh that the Rock of Israel that spake it would make it good That they that rule over men must be just 2 Sam. 23.3.4 ruling in the feare of God And they shall be as the light of the morning when the Sun ariseth even a morning without Clouds as the tender grasse springing out of the earth by cleare shining after rain Why let us open our hearts and mouths wide by the help of the Spirit for such a blessing as thus waited for Job even as for the latter rain And spread those good old promises before the Lord which are as fresh upon his heart as ever to renew them in these latter daies That Saviours shall come upon Mount-Zion to judge the mount of Esau and the Kingdom shall be the Lords Obad. v. 21. That he will raise up Carpenters to break the horns that scatter Judah Zech. 1.20.21 so that no man can lift up his head That he will put that honour upon his Saints To execute the Judgment that is written Psal 149.6.9 with a two-edged sword in their hands and the high praises of God in their mouthes That the faithful chosen and true clothed in fine and white linnen shall give blood to drink Rev 18.6.14 to the woman which is drunken with the blood of the Saints and the Martyrs of Jesus and shall destroy that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth and shall overcome all his and their enemies in the blood of the Lamb for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings Oh then let the prayers of all the Saints meet upon the golden Altar Rev. 8.3.4 that the smoke of the incense may ascend up before God day and night and let them cry with a loud voyce saying How long O Lord holy and true c Lastly Pray pray for the fulnesse of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ upon all pure Evangelicall administrations Rev. 1.13.16 That Jesus Christ would walk in the midst of the golden Candlesticks hold the stars in his right hand that the golden pipes may empty the golden oyl out of themselves from the Olive tree Zech. 4.11.12 and his servants be anointed with the oyl of gladnesse Jer. 3.15 who desire to keep the Commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus And that he would send Pastours according to his own heart that may feed the people with knowledge and understanding able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit and send them forth in the power and spirit of Elijah to turn many to the Lord. Joh. 10.3 4 9. And that the good Shepherd would call his own sheep by name lead them out and go before them that they may know his voyce and follow him and go in and out and find pasture That his little flock receiving the Gospel not in word onely but also in power and in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess 1.5 and in much assurance may have that glorious Character of the Church of Philadelphia as a Crown of twelve Stars upon their heads that they have kept the Word of his patience and have not denyed his Name Rev. 3.8.10 who will keep them in this hour of Temptation FINIS