§. Sect. 3 That we must keepe this watch in all places, and at all times.
In all which respects, we are to keepe a carefull watch ouer our selues in all places, when we are at home, and when we are abroad; when we are alone, and when we are in company; in the Church and open streetes, and in our owne houses and priuate Closets; seeing there is no place free from danger, by reason of those inward corruptions and secret traytors, which we carry euery where about vs, and those outward enemies, the de∣uill and the world, which are ready in all places to set vpon vs. So likewise there is no time exempted from this watch, neither youth nor old age, day nor night, but it must be kept continually, according to that; Take heed to thy selfe, and keepe thy soule diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes haue seene, and lest they depart from thine heart all the dayes of thy life. For the causes of it are continuall, and therefore the watch must not be intermitted. At all times we must labour to please God, and not by fits, and obedience at all times must be yeelded to him. At all times sinne must be shunned, vnto which we are prone by nature, and all vertues and Chri∣stian duties to be imbraced and practised, when any good occasion is of∣fered, vnto which naturally we are backward and auerse. No time is ex∣empted from the Christian warfare, nor secure and safe from the assaults of our spirituall enemies. And therefore we must continually stand vpon our guard and keepe our watch, that we be at no time vnfit for any of these purposes, lest being surprized vpon a sudden, wee be easily vanquished by our spirituall enemies. Besides, through the intermission of our watch, we doe not onely lose the present time, which should be spent in the seruice of God, but also indanger our selues to lose much more, before we can againe set our watch in good order. For our hearts hauing broke the bounds of Gods feare, will not without much labour be restrained of their licentious liberty; our deuotions being once cooled, will not without much fire and fuell recouer their lost heate. And sooner might wee with well ordered hearts, haue performed the duties of Gods seruice which we intend, then bring them in frame and rightly prepare them, when through neglect of this watch they are out of tune. Finally, wee must keepe this watch in all estates and conditions, in the time of health as well as in sicknesse, as well when we are rich, that our wealth do not wedge and fasten our hearts vpon the world and earthly things; as in our pouerty, that wee vse no vnlawfull meanes to become rich. In our prosperity, that we forget not God, nor loue his gifts better then the giuer; and in our affliction, that we murmure not through impatiencie, but draw neerer vnto God when he correcteth vs.