Thirdly, They are greater in watchfulness, which when it is wanting then they fall; they never want wisdom and strength, but then it is the fault of Gods servants to wax fat, and to kick up the heel against God, and to forget the great things he hath done for them; and then though they have their armour about them, yet are they beat back by worldly teachers, and beat almost dead, so that you shall scarce see them pant: but now at this time, greater is he that is in them, then he that is in worldly teachers, for they do rise again, and get greater strength, and overcome mightily, Mark 14.37, 38. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation, so that when we have most need of watching and prayer, then we are least able; because Peter could not watch with our Saviour, therefore he fell away most grievously; which shows when Gods servants put on a careless spirit, and do not make use of their wisdom and strength they have received, they come to be foiled, yet there is a seed in them, by which they do overcome all their enemies, yea themselves also. Hence David breaks forth into praising of the Name of the Lord, Psal. 144.1. the people of God are blessed with the blessings of God, Gen. 49.19. they shall overcome at the last, in which respect they may well be said to be of his Tribe. How comes a man to overcome ⟨p. 293⟩at his first conversion? God puts forth such a mighty arm of watchfulness, wisdom and strength, as that he overcomes the Devil, Luke 11.21. thus he overcomes the world, Gal. 1.4. John 15.19. he is crucified to the world, and the world to him. He doth then crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts, Gal. 5.24. so that he looks at them all as ignominious and deadly enemies, and if Christ shows himself thus strong when a man comes on to grow, what will he do when Christians grow more strong in wisdom, grace, strength, and watchfulness.
Thirdly, They are greater in watchfulnesse, which when it is wanting then they fall; they never want wisdome and strength, but then it is the fault of Gods servants to wax fat, and to kick up the heel against God, and to forget the great things he hath done for them; and then though they have their armour about them, yet are they beat back by worldly teachers, and beat almost dead, so that you shall scarce see them pant: but now at this time, greater is he that is in them, then he that is in worldly teachers, for they doe rise again, and get greater strength, and overcome mightily, Mark 14.37, 38. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation, so that when we have most need of watching and prayer, then we are least able; because Peter could not watch with our Saviour, therefore he fell away most grievously; which shews when Gods servants put on a carelesse spirit, and doe not make use of their wisdome and strength they have received, they come to be foyled, yet there is a seed in them, by which they doe overcome all their enemies, yea themselves also. Hence David breaks forth into praising of the Name of the Lord, Psal. 144.1. the people of God are blessed with the blessings of God, Gen. 49.19. they shall overcome at the last, in which respect they may well be said to be of his Tribe. How comes a man to overcome ⟨p. 293⟩at his first conversion? God puts forth such a mighty arm of watchfulnesse, wisdome and strength, as that he overcomes the Devill, Luke 11.21. thus he overcomes the world, Gal. 1.4. John 15.19. he is crucified to the world, and the world to him. He doth then crucifie the flesh, with the affections and lusts, Gal. 5.24. so that he looks at them all as ignominious and deadly enemies, and if Christ shews himselfe thus strong when a man comes on to grow, what will he doe when Christians grow more strong in wisdome, grace, strength, and watchfulnesse.
