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But much more effectuall would it be for the shaking off this carnall securitie, if wee would weaken our selfe-confidence by our often con∣sideration
not onely of our frailetie and weakenesse, which make vs prone to fall in the least trials and tentations, but also of our many and mightie, politique and most malitious enemies, who incessantly assault vs, and will easily get the victorie, if the Lord, for a iust pu∣nishment of our selfe-confidence, leaue vs to our selues; or if wee se∣curely neglect to stand vpon our guard, to fight against that in the power of Gods might, and to keepe the Christian armour still, buck∣led vnto vs. For wee can bee no more readie to giue them aduantage, then they to take it, and to make the most spitefull vse of it for our ouerthrow; we can be no more feeble to stand, then they strong and malitious to cast vs downe, and to tread vs vnder foot when they haue gotten vs at their cruell mercie. Yea, let vs consider this humane frailetie not onely in our selues, and the strength and malice of our enemies in their assaults against vs; but in those who haue gone be∣fore vs, who haue farre exceeded vs in grace and spirituall strength, and yet haue beene fearefully foyled, by giuing them aduantage through their securitie, as of Noah, Lot, Dauid, Peter, and many o∣thers. And so may we easily conclude, that wee, who are weake and fresh-water Souldiers, haue little reason to be secure, when the Lords greatest Worthies haue through the might and malice of their ene∣mies, and their owne heedlessenesse receiued such foiles; and that wee poore shrubs may easily be troden vnder the feet of these Wolues and Lions; when such tall Cedars could not stand before them. Where∣by wee shall not onely bee made more warie and watchfull ouer our footing by the example of their slips; but also distrusting in our owne strength, we shall rest with full affiance vpon Gods gracious power and promises, who is alone sufficient to preserue vs in these dangers. Finally, adde to the power and malice, the diligence and watchfulnesse of our spirituall enemies; for Sathan (as hee confesseth) exerciseth himselfe in compassing the earth to and fro, that he may spie out his * 1.1 best opportunities to doe vs mischiefe. And the Apostle perswadeth vs to sobrietie and watchfulnesse by this argument, because our aduer∣sarie * 1.2 the Deuill goeth about continually like a roaring Lion seeing whom he may deuoure. And therefore if this great Fowler still watcheth to catch vs in the nets of destruction, much more should wee watch for our preseruation, that we may escape them; if hee layeth snares and grinnes to entrappe vs in euery place, at home and abroad, in our beds, and at our tables, in our recreations, and the labours of our cal∣lings, yea in our most holy exercises, hearing, reading, praying, what place is there for securitie, if we haue any desire to escape them, and to be kept from falling into ruine? If this great thiefe watch to breake * 1.3 in into the houses of our hearts, and to rob vs of the treasures of spiri∣tuall grace and lead vs captiue vnto sinne: O why should wee giue place to securitie in the middest of these desperate dangers, and not rather stand vpon our watch, that we may preuent them? yea, seeing wee are apt to slumber and sleepe, why should wee trust to our owne watchfulnesse, and not rather put our whole affiance in the great
Watchman of Israel, desiring him continually to watch ouer vs, and when we are readie to slumber in securitie, to awaken vs out of it by his Word and Spirit, lest wee sleepe the sleepe of death, and become a prey to our spirituall enemies.
Iob 1. 7.
1. Pet. 5. 8.
Math. 24. 43.