Moreover as it hinders us in good, and instigates to evil, so it doth it not sluggish; but as the manner is in 1war they keep watch continually: so this Law in the members, it never slumbers truly, it never keeps any conditions of peace, but is ready to take all occasions, it lies in continual ambush; and therefore if we sleep at any time and stand not upon our guard, and watch; if we fall to surfeiting and drunkenness, and neglect our watch by any kind of excess, it is ready to take the advantage: as Ahab did of the Army of Benhadad, or as David did the Philistines at Ziglag, he came upon them when they were all eating, and drinking, and dancing and making merry. So this law in our members when we have forgotten our selves at any time. When we exceed in our pleasures, for this you must take for a rule, when there is any excess, be it in things lawful, that putteth us into a spiritual slumber, we lie open unto the advantage of our adversaries: therefore the rule is be sober and watch, least you enter into temptation. That is you shall surely enter into temptation if you watch not, and you cannot watch except you be sober, that is except you be temperate in the use of all •l things: Let there be any excess in sports, and recreations, in meats, and drinks, it ⟨p. 357⟩casts us into a slumber, and then this enemy takes advantage against us.
Moreover as it hinders us in good, and instigates to evil, so it doth it not slugish; but as the manner is in 1war they keep watch continually: so this Law in the members, it never slumbers truly, it never keeps any conditions of peace, but is ready to take all occasions, it lies in continual ambush; and therefore if we sleep at any time and stand not upon our guard, and watch; if we fall to surfe•ing and drunkness, and neglect our watch by any kind of excess, it is ready to take the advantage: as Ahab did of the Army of Benhadad, or as David did the Philistines at Ziglag, he came upon them when they were all eating, and drinking, and dancing and making merry. So this law in our members when we have forgotten our selves at any time. When we exceed in our pleasures, for this you must take for a rule, when there is any excess, be it in things lawful, that putteth us into a spiritual slumber, we lie open unto the advantage of our adversaries: therefore the rule is be sober and watch, least you enter into temptation. That is you shall surely enter into temptation if you watch not, and you cannot watch except you be sober, that is except you be temperate in the use of all •l things: Let there be any excess in sports, and recreations, in meats, and drinks, it ⟨p. 357⟩casts us into a slumber, and then this enemy takes advantage against us.
- 13. It is watchful.
