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CHAP. III.
SECT. 1. Of Duties in particular: And first, of the Nature of Watchfulness.
VVAtchfulness is the first and principal help to all exer∣cises of Religion; it is the eye to see them all well done and used, and therefore we set it in the front of all Du∣ties: We are to watch unto prayer, Eph. 6.18.* 1.1 and we are to watch unto hearing, Luke 8.18.* 1.2 and we are to watch unto fasting, Mat. 6.18.* 1.3 we are to watch to almsgiving, Mat. 6.1.* 1.4 and we are to watch in all things, 2 Tim. 4.5.* 1.5
Now for our better direction in the exercise of this Duty, observe we the
- Nature.
- Objects.
- Maner of it.
For the Nature of it: Watchfulness is a continual, careful ob∣serving of our ways, in all the passages and turnings of our life, that we still keep close to the written Word of God. Keep thy heart in all diligence:* 1.6 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: Wherewith shall a yong man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
SECT. 2. Of the objects of Watchfulness.
THe object of our Watch is either
- Evil works, or sin.
- Good works, or Duties, or any thing in its own being, good.
1. Watch we must over sin,
- More general
- Original sin, or corrupt Nature.
- Actual sin.
- More special, as sins of our
- Calling.
- Constitution.