A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Verse 2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Verse 2. Be watchfull, and strengthen the things that remaine, that are readie to die: for I haue not found thy works perfect before God.

There be two degrees of hypocrisy: first, when men profess that which is not in their heart at all. The second, when men make profession of more then is in their heart. This second kind of hypocrisy oft befalleth the children of God; and it is that which Christ reproveth in this Church of Sardis, in the former vers. After which reproof, here he propoundeth a remedy to their vice, and a reason to move them to use the same. The remedy is in the beginning of the verse, where are two duties prescribed: To be watchful, and to strengthen or confirm the decayed graces of God in them. For the first, Be watchful: to be watchful here, is a most worthy and excellent duty, it is not bodily, but spiritual: and it is practised when any man hath a circumspect care and diligent heed in respect of the salvation of his soul. This duty of watchfulness concerneth two things; sin, and death▪ Watchfulness against sin stands in two duties; First, a man must daily and continually bethink himself before hand of all sins and vices into which he may happily fall & for the doing of this, he must consider in himself two things; his Nature and his Calling▪ Touching his Nature, he must consider, that in him remains the seed and root of all sin, and therefore that he may fall into any sin whatsoever. Again, a man considering his nature, shall find himself more inclined to some sins then to others: and those he must especially mark and observe. Secondly, for his Calling: a man must mark the sins thereof: for since the fall of man, every calling hath his especial sins, whereto men that walk therein are more incident. The Magistrate hath his sins, the Minister his: the Lawyer his, the Physician his, and the Trades-man his. And touching these, a man must consider unto what vices and abuses men are most subject, that walk in that calling wherein he liveth, and so shall he have a foresight of the sins that he may fall into. Secondly, after this foresight of sin: he must watch his heart with all diligence, that though it be tempted and assaulted, yet it be not tainted with any one sin; as the wise man counselleth,