The works of George Swinnock, M.A

Watch in duties; The Child must be watched at School, or he will play and toy instead of getting his lesson. The heart must be watched in an Ordinance, or it will wander wholly from the business in hand; continue in prayer, and watch in the same, Col. 4. 2. Take heed how ye hear; The Bible will drop out of the sleepers hand, and prayer is a wrestling with God, which is not a work to be done nodding; They who talk in their sleep, talk idly.

Watch in duties; The Child must be watcht at School, or he will play and toy instead of getting his lesson. The heart must be watched in an Ordinance, or it will wander wholly from the business in hand; continue in prayer, and watch in the same, Col. 4. 2. Take heed how ye hear; The Bible will drop out of the sleepers hand, and prayer is a wrestling with God, which is not a work to be done nodding; They who talk in their sleep, talk idly.

Watch after duties. Running carelessly into the open air, immediately after the taking of Physic, is dangerous. When the Garden is dressed, and the seeds sown in it, we must watch it, lest Hogs get into it, and root up all. Satan thinks to take the Christian at an advantage, after the duty is over; and though he could not beat him in the fight, yet to do it when the Saint hath laid by his weapons. It was a wise speech of Marcus Aurelius, after he had vanquished Popilion, General of the potent Parthians, and won the day, I tell thee of a truth, that I stand in greater fear of fortune at this present, then I did before the battle, for she careth not so much to overtake the Conquered, as to overcome the Conqueror. Truly, Satan will be industrious to destroy both the conquered utterly, and to overcome the Conqueror.

Watch after duties. Running carelesly into the open air, immediately after the taking of Physick, is dangerous. When the Garden is drest, and the seeds sown in it, we must watch it, lest Hogs get into it, and root up all. Satan thinks to take the Christian at an advantage, after the duty is over; and though he could not beat him in the fight, yet to do it when the Saint hath laid by his weapons. It was a wise speech of Marcus Aurelius, after he had vanquished Popilion, General of the potent Parthians, and won the day, I tell thee of a truth, that I stand in greater fear of fortune at this present, then I did before the battel, for she careth not so much to overtake the Conquered, as to overcome the Conqueror. Truly, Satan will be industrious to destroy both the conquered utterly, and to overcome the Conquerour.