§. Sect. 1 Of three spe∣ciall ends of our Christian watch.
ANd these are the things wherein our Christian watch chiefly consisteth, and about which it is exercised. The next point to be considered, is, the ends at which wee must principally ayme in it, the which are diuers. The first and chiefe is, that we may please God in all things, for which vse, this watch is most profitable and necessary. For seeing naturally our wayes are whol∣ly corrupt, so as wee can please him in nothing, it is not possible, with∣out singular care and circumspection, that wee should so carry our selues in our whole conuersation, as that all our actions may bee acceptable in his sight. Secondly, wee must thus watch ouer our selues, that wee may daily more and more mortifie our corruptions, especially those which beare greatest sway in vs; and that wee may auoyd all manner of actuall transgressions, and those, aboue all the rest, wherewith wee haue beene most often ouertaken, because Satan and our owne corruption are most ready to vse those weapons of iniquity to foyle and ouercome vs, which they haue found by experience most potent to preuaile against vs. Nor must we thinke any sinne so small that wee may neglect it, seeing the least is strong enough to make way for greater. Neither must we onely watch∣fully auoyd the sinnes themselues, but also all the occasions and meanes which may allure and draw vs vnto them. For where God hath forbid∣den any vice, there hee also forbiddeth the occasions and meanes of it, which if wee neglect and runne wilfully into tentations, it is iust with God, when we thus tempt him, to withdraw his grace, and to leaue vs to the Tempter; and then what can follow but our shamefull foyles and falls? For who can carry fire in his bosome, and not bee burnt? who can hope to liue vnto old age, that maketh it his daily sport, to bee dallying * 1.1 with the meanes and occasions of death? And therefore if we would pre∣serue our soules from being defiled with the filthy strumpet of sinne and vice, let vs carefully shunne her vnchaste imbracements; yea (as Salomon speaketh) let vs remooue our way farre from her, and come not neere the doore * 1.2 of her house. And if we would not walke in the wayes of sinne which lead to destruction; Let vs not so much as once enter into the path of the wicked, * 1.3 nor goe in the way of euill men, but auoyd it, passe not by it, turne from it, and passe away. If wee would not doe the deuils workes of vniustice, wee must not so much as receiue his wages, but shake our hands from holding of bribes. If wee would not become euill and vaine in our thoughts and acti∣ons, * 1.4 wee must shut our eyes from seeing euill, and turne them away from beholding vanity. Thirdly, wee must keepe this watch, not onely that we * 1.5 may auoyd all sinne; but also that wee may performe all Christian and holy duties with all diligence and constancie, not contenting our selues to doe some, and neglect others, or to bee earnest in them sometimes, and soone after carelesse and slothfull; but obseruing all, and in all sea∣sons. Yea, this watch must extend it selfe, not onely to the matter of Chri∣stian duties, but also to the maner; as that they be done in loue and obe∣dience