to that of the Apostle, Awake, thou that sleepest, and stand vp from the dead, and Christ shall giue thee light. And seeing the way, we shall haue our faith so strengthened, and our courage and resolution so confirmed and increa∣sed, that we shall manfully proceed in it, notwithstanding all opposition; whereof it is that the Apostle conioyneth and linketh all these together as inseparable companions; Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quite your selues like men, be strong. For as those who for want of heed and circumspection fall into secret ambushments at vnawares, are soone discomfited, and by running away, leaue to their enemies an easie victory; whereas those who by their watchfulnesse discouer them, are no whit daunted in their cou∣rage, because they can easily auoyd them; or defeating the stratagem of their enemies, can circumuent and catch them in their owne snare: so is it also in the Christian warfare; wherein the discouery of our enemies po∣licies, by our carefull watch, is a principall meanes of preuenting them, the finding out of their secret ambushments, more then halfe the way vn∣to assured victory, and the very sight of their nets lying neere their stales, and of their deadly hookes of sinne lying hid vnder the baits of worldly profits and pleasures, are sufficient warnings to make vs shunne and escape them, if we haue any care of the saluation of our soules. So that there is no readier and surer way to auoyd all manner of sinne, the bane and poy∣son of our soules, then by our watch to espie the danger when it is offered vnto vs in these golden cups; no meanes more forcible to make vs flie the hellish imbracements of this painted strumpet, then by our diligent watch and circumspection, to pull off the deceiuing vizard of momenta∣ny gaine and delight, and to behold her in her naturall deformity and vg∣ly filthinesse. Whereas contrariwise, the neglect of keeping this carefull watch, is the ready way to all wickednesse; the mind being let loose to vaine and sinfull thoughts, the heart to sinfull concupiscence and vnlaw∣full lusts, the tongue to light, wanton and wicked words, the hands to act the workes of darkenesse, and the whole man exposed to the dangerous assaults and tentations of our spirituall enemies, wherewith being van∣quished, we are easily led captiue into all sinne. Of which we haue lamen∣table experience in Noah, Lot, Dauid, Peter, and many others, who whilest they carefully kept the spirituall watch, triumphed ouer the enemies of their saluation, and went on couragiously in the wayes of godlinesse; but when they did but for a little while intermit and neglect it, receiued dan∣gerous and shamefull foyles. But most euidently doth this appeare in the example of our first parents, who so long as they obserued this watch, con∣tinued constant in their integrity; but remitting their care and circum∣spection, and letting loose their eares to heare the voyce of the Tempter, their hearts to admit, through fond credulity, his false suggestions, their eyes to gaze on the forbidden fruit, their hands to touch, and their mouthes to taste it, they were soone ouercome, and caught both them∣selues and for all their posterity, a fearfull fall. And therefore if they fell in the state of innocency by intermitting this watch, who can neglect it in the state of corruption and imperfection, and yet hope to stand? Finally, it conduceth and furthereth vs much vnto a godly life, as it maketh vs fit and ready for the well-performing of all Christian duties. For when all