The whole-armour of GodThe vvhole-armor of God

§. 133 Of watching both in body and in Spirit.

TO let all these & other like erroneous conceits pass, & to return to our matter. As outward watchfulness of the body is nothing acceptable to God, unless the soul also be watchful, so the soul cannot possibly be watchful, unless it have the help of the bodies watchfulness: for the parts of the body are those ^*instruments whereby the powers of the soul are exercised. Wherefore both must be joined together, as easily may be gathered out of Christs charge to his Disciples,^b Watch and pray. That he speaketh of bodily watchfulness is clear, for he found them asleep, and therefore said, Watch. As clear also it is that he speaketh of spiritual watchfulness because he inferreth this clause, that ye enter not into temptation: it is not bodily watchfulness alone that can keep us from temptation. Yet further this metaphor of watching hath a large extent: for it is a military word, and the Apostle still holdeth on like a wise Captain to instruct Christian soldiers what to do. In time of war there are certain appointed continually to watch in some sconce, watch-tower, or other⟨p. 492⟩ like eminent place, where they must rouse up themselves throughly that they sleep not, and not only remain awake, but pry and view up and down every where and descry what may be hurtful or helpful to the army. So as watching unto prayer implieth a diligent observing of all such things as may help us or hinder us therein. In this sense the Apostle saith of Ministers, that they ^cwatch for the souls of their people, that is, carefully observe what may make to the good, or what tend to the hurt of their souls.

TO let all these & other like erronious conceits passe, & to returne to our matter. As outward watchfulnesse of the body is nothing acceptable to God, vnlesse the soule also be watchfull, so the soule cannot possibly bee watchfull, vnlesse it haue the helpe of the bodies watchfulnesse: for the parts of the body are those