§. Sect. 2 That we must watch ouer our selues, that we be not circum∣uented by our spirituall ene∣mies.
Finally, in this our watch we must carefully take heed, that whilest wee set our selues to performe the duties of a godly life, wee be not hindred by the tentations of our spirituall enemies, or at least so disturbed and disa∣bled, that not doing them in that manner as we ought, we lose all the fruit of our labours. In which respect, our Sauiour exhorteth his Apostles to ioyne watching with their prayer, that they might not fall into tentation, not onely vnderstanding thereby a bodily watchfulnesse opposed to natu∣rall sleepe, but also the spirituall watching opposed to carnall security, the sleepe of the soule, with both which they were at that time ouertaken. For howsoeuer the consideration of the multitude, might, and malice of our spirituall enemies, is a motiue sufficient to make vs stand watchfully vpon our gard, seeing they assault vs on all sides with their engines of battery, lay secret ambushments in euery corner, and fill all places so full of their nets and snares, that without singular circumspection we cannot auoyd them: yet seeing they neuer bend their malice and might so furiously against vs, as when they see vs exercised about Christian duties, that they may either discourage vs, or make them vnprofitable; who seeth not that wee had heere need to keepe a double watch? Like wicked theeues, often fleshed with blood and cruelty, they are alwayes ready to doe vs a mis∣chiefe, and to beate vs euen to the death when they find nothing about vs; but then they double their watch and diligence, in surprizing vs by the way, when as we are going about the seruice of our heauenly Master, and carry with vs the rich treasures of his graces; in which regard, wee must be no lesse vigilant for our owne safety, then they for our destruction; for our perseuerance in the wayes of godlinesse, and preseruing of our spiri∣tuall riches, then they to stop vs in our course, and to spoile vs of all our wealth. The deuill, like a roring Lyon, goeth alwayes about, seeking to deuoure vs, and therefore it behooueth vs continually to watch and to be sober; but then he is most watchfull in sowing his tares, when he seeth that our hea∣uenly Husbandman hath sowne his good seed and wheate of sauing gra∣ces in our hearts. The world alwayes maligneth those whom Christ hath