Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is showedMeditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is shewed
Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is showed; I. That some true believers on Christ are afraid of death, but that they have no just cause to be so. II. That good men as well as others may be taken out of the world by a sudden death. III. That not earth but heaven is the Christians home. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is shewed; I. That some true believers on Christ are afraid of death, but that they have no just cause to be so. II. That good men as well as others may be taken out of the world by a sudden death. III. That not earth but heaven is the Christians home. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]
Increase Mather 1639–1723printed by Timothy Green, 1707
[8], 171, [5] p. ; 14 cm. (12mo) · 33k words · Evans 1321
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
That Men are very subject to a Sinful Sleeping. Therefore Christ here […] so Earnestly Caution His Disciples against it. He does no less than Three times one after another call upon them, Watch! Watch! Watch! Intimating that men are in danger o• Unwatchfulness; of Sinful Sleeping▪ There are but Two sorts of men in the world, and both of them are subject to this Evil. All men in the world are either Sinners or Saints.
That Men are very subj•ct to a Sinfu• Sleeping. Therefore Christ here 〈…〉 so Earnestly Caution His Disciples against it. He does no less than Three times one after another call upon them, Watch! Watch! Watch! Intimating that men are in danger o• Unwatchfulness; of Sinful Sleeping▪ There are but Two sorts of men in the world, and both of them are subject to this Evil. All men in the world are either Sinners or Saints.
. It is high time […] awake out of Sleep. Implying that […] are in a deep Sleep: And •herefore the Apostle says, 1 Thes. •.6. Let not us Sleep as do others. It […] with a Sinner as it is with a Sleeper […] many respects. Men that are […] do not see, nor hear as those […] are awake do. David came and […] away Saul's Spear, and neither •aul nor any of his Servants saw it, because they were all asleep; a deep […] from the Lord was fallen upon […]:
. The Lord has •iven them the spirit of Slumber; they […] Eyes and see not; Ears and hear […]. A man that is asleep ceaseth […] work: So does the Sinner as to •orks of a Spiritual Nature;
.•1. They are to every Good work […]. They are no more able to do […] Good work, than one that is asleep […] able to attend the work of his […]. Men that are asleep are very
⟨p. 86⟩
subject to vain Imaginations; to vai• and foolish Dreams. A poor man […] his Sleep may dream he is vastly rich▪ may dream of Golden Mountain•▪ Thus it is with Sinners, they are poo• and miserable, and yet dream tha• they are rich: Rev. 3 17. Thou […] I am Rich▪ and stand in need of nothing when th•u art Poor and Miserable. […] were in a Dream, and that […] them think so Men that are Slumbering and Sleeping, many times are displeased with those that disturb […] awake them. So it is with Sinners▪ Therefore Solomon says, Eccl 9.1•▪ If thou reprove a Scorner he will […] thee. Men that are asleep are wonderfully Secure: Tho` it may be the•• are in imminent danger, they […] fearless of their danger. A man tha• is asleep may be in danger of being Drowned, and yet have no fear concerning it. As Jonah, the Vessel tha• he was in was in extreme danger […] being Foundered in a Storm, but Jona• had no fear about it; he was asleep […] the side of the Ship until the Maste•
⟨p. 87⟩
[…] the Vessel awoke him, saying, What •eanest thou, O Sleeper? Arise, and call […] thy God. Thus Sinners are in •anger of being Drowned in the Sea […] the Wrath of God, and yet are not sensible of it; because they are asleep. Solomon compares Drunkards, Pr•v. ••.34 to a man that lies asleep on […] top of a Mast in the midst of the […]. A man that is asleep, and that on •he top of a Mast, what danger is he […]? One little Turn of the Vessel Drowns him for ever.
1. As for Sinners they are miserable ••eepers: Rom. 13.11. It is high time 〈…〉 awake out of Sleep. Implying that 〈…〉 are in a deep Sleep: And •herefore the Apostle sayes, 1 Thes. •.6. Let not us Sleep as do others. It 〈…〉 with a Sinner as it is with a Sleeper 〈…〉 many respects. Men that are 〈…〉 do not see, nor hear as those 〈…〉 are awake do. David came and 〈…〉 away Saul's Spear, and neither •aul nor any of his Servants saw it, •ecause they were all asleep; a deep 〈…〉 from the Lord was fallen upon 〈…〉: 1 Sam. 20.12. So it is with ••nners, their Spiritual senses are 〈…〉: Rom. 11.8. The Lord has •iven them the spirit of Slumb•r; they 〈…〉 Eyes and see not; Ears and hear 〈…〉. A man that is asleep ceaseth 〈…〉 work: So does the Sinner as to •orks of a Spiritual Nature; Tit. 1.•1. They are to every Good work 〈…〉. They are no more able to do 〈…〉 Good work, than one that is asleep 〈…〉 able to attend the work of his 〈…〉. Men that are asleep are very ⟨p. 86⟩subject to vain Imaginations; to vai• and foolish Dreams. A poor man 〈…〉 his Sleep may dream he is vastly rich▪ may dream of Golden Mountain•▪ Thus it is with Sinners, they are poo• and miserable, and yet dream tha• they are rich: Rev. 3 17. Thou 〈…〉 I am Rich▪ and stand in need of nothing when th•u art Poor and Miserable. 〈…〉 were in a Dream, and that 〈…〉 them think so Men that are Slumbrin• and Sleeping, many times are dis•pleased with those that disturb 〈…〉 awake them. So it is with Sinners▪ Therefore Solomon sayes, Eccl 9.1•▪ If thou reprove a Scorner he will 〈…〉 thee. Men that are asleep are won•derfully Secure: Tho` it may be the•• are in imminent danger, they 〈…〉 fearless of their danger. A man tha• is asleep may be in danger of bein• Drowned, and yet have no fear con•cerning it. As Ionah, the Vessel tha• he was in was in extream danger 〈…〉 being Foundred in a Storm, but Iona• had no fear about it; he was asleep 〈…〉 the side of the Ship until the Maste•⟨p. 87⟩〈…〉 the Vessel awoke him, saying, What •eanest thou, O Sleeper? Arise, and call 〈…〉 thy God. Thus Sinners are in •anger of being Drowned in the Sea 〈…〉 the Wrath of God, and yet are not •ensible of it; because they are asleep. •olomon compares Drunkards, Pr•v. ••.34 to a man that lyes asleep on 〈…〉 top of a Mast in the mid•t of the 〈…〉. A man that is asleep, and that on •he top of a Mast, what danger is he 〈…〉? One little Turn of the Vessel Drowns him for ever.
Thus 'tis with ••nners. One that is asleep, the House •ay be on […] round about him, and […] fearless and careless, and not apprehen•••e of the danger because fast ••leep. So it is with Sinners: The •ire of Gods anger is burning round •bout them, and they are not sensible •f it: Isa 42 25. He •et them on Fire […] about, yet they knew it not, it bu•n•d them, yet they laid it not to hear•. They were asleep, that was the cause […] it. There is a Sleeping that is Deadly: So it with the Sinner, he is […] asleep Ep•• 14▪ Awake th•u ⟨p. 88⟩that Sleepest, and arise from the […]. A Sleeping Poison is Deadly. There […] some Poisons that will cause a man […] Sleep himself to Death. Sin is […] Poison. It is compared to the Poy•son of Asps, Rom. 3.17. The […] is called Somnisera. Tis report• concerning Cleopatra, Queen of […] that to escape falling into the […] of Enemies, she set an Asp to […] Breast that the Poison of it might make her Sleep to Death. Ther• are some Sleeping Diseases very dangerous: The Lethargy many times […] so. It is a Sleeping Disease […] proves Deadly to them that are take• with it; there is no awaking the•▪ Thus many Sinners are subject to […] dangerous & deadly Lethargy of Sou• It may be said of them, as 'tis said of […] Babylonians, Jer. 51.57. They shall […] a perpetual Sleep; they shall not awake.
Thus 'tis with ••nners. One that is asleep, the House •ay be on 〈…〉 round about him, and 〈…〉 fearless and careless, and not apprehen•••e of the danger because fast ••leep. So it is with Sinners: The •ire of Gods anger is burning round •bout th•m, and they are not sensible •f it: Isa 42 25. He •et them on Fire 〈…〉 about, yet they knew it not, it bu•n•d them, yet they laid it not to hear•. They were asleep, that was the cause 〈…〉 it. There is a Sleeping that is Deadly: So it with the Sinner, he is 〈…〉 asleep Ep•• 14▪ Awake th•u ⟨p. 88⟩that Sleepest, and arise from the 〈…〉. A Sleeping Poyson is Deadly. There 〈…〉 some Poysons that will cause a man 〈…〉 Sleep himself to Death. Sin is 〈…〉 Poyson. It is compared to the Poy•son of Aspes, Rom. 3.17. The 〈…〉 is called Somnisera. Tis report• concerning Cleopatra, Queen of 〈…〉 that to escape falling into the 〈…〉 of Enemies, she set an Aspe to 〈…〉 Breast that the Poyson of it migh• make her Sleep to Death. Ther are some Sleeping Diseases very dangerous: The Lethargy many times so. It is a Sleeping Disease proves Deadly to them that are take with it; there is no awaking the Thus many Sinners are subject to dangerous & deadly Lethargy of Sou It may be said of them, as 'tis said of Babylonians,
2. It is also true that the Disciples […] Christ may be too much subject […] Sinful Sleeping. For Christ here speak• to His own Disciples, intimating […] they▪ may be so. As to Natural ⟨p. 89⟩Sleeping, the Disciples of Christ as well as others may sin in that respect. When they indulge themselves in Sleep more than Nature calls for, they misspend precious Time; they are then guilty of Idleness. And when they indulge themselves in sleep, at a time when •hey ought to be awake: when they are ••eeping when they should be Praying ••at's sinful. Yet so it was with the Disciples. Christ said, Watch & Pray: •ut they fell Asleep. So when men •hould be Hearing the Word of God, •hen to be Sleeping is surely a very ••nful thing. Eutychus a Pious Young •an was made an awful Example for •his. Much indeed might be said to excuse him; for that it was at Night •hen Paul was Preaching, & he Preach•• a long Sermon, & continued till Midnight: Eutychus being in a window […] asleep, and fell down and was taken up Dead. It was a sad thing that Death should find him Sleeping at a sermon; Act. 20.9. But there is a spiritual Slumbering & Sleeping which Christians are subject unto. It is said ⟨p. 90⟩concerning the Ten Virgins, Mat. 2•▪5. They all Slumbered and Slept. […] only the Foolish Virgins, but the Wise Virgins were subject to sinf•• Slumbering. It is true, they are no• subject to such a total fatal Sleep […] Unregenerate men are. Neverthel••• a sinful Sleepiness may prevail […] them in too great a degree. I […] the Spouse, but my Heart […] ▪ Thus it may be with a Child of God, •e may Sleep tho' his heart Wak•• Good Men may be too Secure, […] then they are Asleep. They […] Dream of that Earthly Happin••• which they never shall enjoy; and […] Dream discovers them to be asleep ▪ Thus it was with the Two Sons […] Zebed•• ; they Dreamed of sitting […] at the Right hand▪ the other at […] Lef• hand of our Lord in His Kingdom. And the Disciples said to Christ▪ Wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel? They Dreamed of […] Earthly Kingdom▪ notwithstand••• what Christ had said to the contr•••▪ And Gods own People may be […] Carnally▪ confident. Peter was […] ⟨p. 91⟩[…] he said, Tho' all men deny the• […] I won't. And not only he, bu• […] the Disciples said they would d•e […] than forsake Him. They were ••leep, and that Carnal confidence was […] Evidence of it.
2. It is also true that the Disciples 〈…〉 Christ may be too much subject 〈…〉 Sinful Sleeping. For Christ here speak• to His own Disciples, intimating 〈…〉 they▪ may be so. As to Natura•⟨p. 89⟩Sleeping, the Disciples of Christ as well as others may sin in that respect. When they indulge themselves in Sleep more than Nature calls for, they mis•end precious Time; they are then guilty of Idleness. And when they in••lge themselves in sleep, at a time when •hey ought to be awake: when they are ••eeping when they should be Praying ••at's sinful. Yet so it was with the Disciples. Christ said, Watch & Pray: •ut they fell Asleep. So when men •hould be Hearing the Word of God, •hen to be Sleeping is surely a very ••nful thing. Eutychus a Pious Young •an was made an awful Example for •his. Much indeed might be said to excuse him; for that it was at Night •hen Paul was Preaching, & he Preach•• a long Sermon, & continued till Mid••ght: Eutychus being in a window 〈…〉 asleep, and fell down and was ta•en up Dead. It was a sad thing that Death should find him Sleeping at a •ermon; Act. 20.9. But there is a •piritual Slumbring & Sleeping which Christians are subject unto. It is said ⟨p. 90⟩concerning the Ten Virgins,
Although' True Be•••vers on Christ cannot live in sin, ye••hey may fall into very scandalous sin•▪•nd this by reason of their not being […] Watchful as they ought to be. […] Joah had been du•ly Watchful▪ he had […] been overcome with Wi•e▪ No• […] guilty of Incest. Nor David […] adultery. Some Godly men hav• […] subject to such Falls as ha• caused […] to go halting all their days […] ▪ they have made […] Shipwrecks of their Reputation▪ their ••eepiness and Unwatchfulness has […] the cause of it.
Altho' True Be•••vers on Christ cannot live in sin, ye••hey may fall into very scandalous sin•▪•nd this by reason of their not being 〈…〉 Watchful as they ought to be. 〈…〉 Ioah had been du•ly Watchful▪ he had 〈…〉 been overcome with Wi•e▪ No•〈…〉 guilty of Incest. Nor David 〈…〉•dultery. Some Godly men hav•〈…〉 subject to such Falls as ha• caused 〈…〉 to go halting all their dayes 〈…〉▪ they have made 〈…〉 Ship••acks of their Reputation▪ their ••eepiness and Unwatchfulness has 〈…〉 the cause of it.
1. Above all things. Men should be watchful that Death do not find them […] in a state of Sin. For a man ⟨p. 92⟩that is appointed to watch to fall asleep is a very great Evil. If a Watchman Sleep he is Exposed unto shameful Punishment. Jewish Writers tell us, That when the Levites were set to Watch about the Temple, the chief Commander would sometimes come to see if any were asleep: If he found one waking and watching, he would say, Peace be unto you ▪ But if he found any one Sleeping▪ he would strike him a terrible blow, and cause his Garments to be taken from him and torn in pieces; which was looked upon as a most Ignominious Punishment. This gives light to that Scripture, Rev. 16.15. Blessed is he that Watcheth, and keepeth his Garments, that the shame of his Nakedness do not appear. So then Christians should be careful that the Lord when He comes find them not Sleeping in a state of Sin. Therefore they should be Careful that they do not imagine themselves to be in a Good Estate when they are not so. A man that Dreams he has that which he has not, is asleep An hungry man Dreams he i• eating, but when he awakes ⟨p. 93⟩he finds himself hungry: A thirsty man Dreams he is drinking, but when he awakes he finds himself thirsty. Thus 'tis with many sinners, they Dream that they have the Bread of Life, and the Water of Life; that they have an interest in Christ, and yet deceive themselves. Now such […] in Exceeding Danger of loosing their Souls i•recoverably: For as Death leaves a man, so will Eternal Judgment find him.
1. Above all things. Men should be •atchful that Death do not find them 〈…〉 in a st•te of Sin. For a man ⟨p. 92⟩that is appointed to watch to fall asleep is a very great Evil. If a Watchman Sleep he is Exposed unto shameful Punishment. Iewish Writers tell us, That when the Levites were set to Watch about the Temple, the chief Commander would sometimes come to see if any were asleep: If he found one waking and watching, he would say, Peace be unto you ▪ But if he found any one Sleeping▪ he would strike him a terrible blow, and cause his Garments to be taken from him and torn in pieces; which was looked upon as a most Ignominious Punishment. This gives light to that Scripture, Rev. 16.15. Blessed is he that Watcheth, and keepeth his Garments, that the shame of his Nakedness do not ap•ear. So then Christians should be careful that the Lord when He comes find them not Sleeping in a state of Sin. Therefore they should be Careful that they do not imagine themselves to be in a Good Estate when they are not so. A man that Dreams he has that which he has not, is asleep An hungry man Dreams he i• eating, but when he awakes ⟨p. 93⟩he finds himself hungry: A thirsty man Dreams he is drinking, but when he awakes he finds himself thirsty. Thus 'tis with many sinners, they Dream that they have the Bread of Life, and the Water of Life; that they have an interest in Christ, and yet deceive themselves. Now such 〈…〉 in Exceeding Danger of loosing their Souls i•recoverably: For as Death leaves a man, so will Eternal Judgment find him.
2. Christians should be Careful that they be not found in any Sleepy frame. For although' a true Child of God can't be found Sleeping in a state of Sin, yet he may be found under such a Sleepy frame as will be very uncomfortable. To be kept from a Sleepy frame, is the way to be preserved from Scandalous f•lls into sin. If a Christian •hro' Unwatchfulness should fall into some grievous sin, and Death should come upon him suddenly, before he has renewed his Rep•nance for that sin, •ow sad would that be? If Death ••ould find him with his spirit miserably ⟨p. 94⟩out of frame; if Death should find him indulging himself in some Intemperancy, or drowned in the World and in Earthly Cares, how unwelcome would it be! Therefore Christians should often think on the words of Christ, Luk. 21.34. Take heed to your selves, lest at any time your Hearts […] overcharged with Surfeiting & Drunkenness, and Cares of this Life, and so the Day come upon you unawares. A Christian that keeps in a Wakeful frame, may bid Death welcome at any time: For he is always ready for it. And if Death finds him not only in an habitual but in an actual Readiness for the Lords coming, the suddenness of his Death would be a sign of Gods favour to him. His Death would be a kind of Translation. We think that Enoch and Elijah were singularly favoured of God (and so they were) because Translated without Sickness. When the Servants of God are always on their Watch, if they D•e Suddenly, they are in a sense Translated. Such a Death ⟨p. 95⟩does very much Resemble a Translation.
2. Christians should be Careful that they be not found in any Sleepy frame. For altho' a true Child of God can't be found Sleeping in a state of Sin, yet he may be found under such a Sleepy frame as will be very uncomfortable. To be k•pt from a Sleepy frame, is the way to be preserved from Scandalous f•lls into sin. If a Christian •hro' Unwatchfulness should fall into some g•ievous sin, and Death should come upon him suddenly, b•fore he has renewed his Rep•nance for that sin, •ow sad w•uld that be? If Death ••ould find him with his spirit miserably ⟨p. 94⟩out of frame; if Death should find him indulging himself in some Intemperancy, or drowned in the World and in Earthly Cares, how unwelcome would it be! Therefore Christians should often think on the words of Christ, Luk. 21.34. Take heed to your selves, lest at any time your Hearts 〈…〉 overcharged with Surfeiting & Drunken•ness, and Cares of this Life, and so the Day come upon you unawares. A Christian that keeps in a Wakeful frame, may bid Death welcome at any time: For he is alwayes ready for it. And if Death finds him not only in an habitual but in an actual Readiness for the Lords coming, the suddenness of his Death would be a sign of Gods favour to him. His Death would be a kind of Translation. We think that Enoch and Elijah were sing•larly favoured of God (and so they were) because Translated without Sickness. When the Servants of God are alwayes on their Watch, if they D•e Suddenly, they are in a sense Translated. Such a Death ⟨p. 95⟩does very much Resemble a Translation.
We may hence see, that Watchfulness is at all times necessary for Christians. As long as the• know not but Death may c•me sudden••, Watchfulness is […] for them. It is not only a Duty […] on all Christian•, but on them […] Times. A man that […] appointed to Watch, must never […] the time appointed for his […]. It is mentioned […] of the Watchmen […], •sa. 56 10 They are […] Slumber. In a time of War, for a Watchman to Sleep is Death. A Commander finding a […] Sleeping, he run him through with his Sword, and said, Dead I found […] ▪ and Dead I •eave thee. And truly […] always a time of War with Christians: always they are Engaged […] a Spiritual Warfare: Therefore •ust ever be Waking, never be Sleeping.
We may hence see, that Watchfulness is at all times necessary for Christians. As long as the• k•ow not but Death may c•me sudden••, Watchfulness is 〈…〉 for them. It is not only a Duty 〈…〉 on all Christian•, but on them 〈…〉 Times. A man that 〈…〉 appointed to Watch, must never 〈…〉 the time appointed for his 〈…〉. It is mentioned 〈…〉 of the Watchmen 〈…〉, •sa. 56 10 They are 〈…〉 S•umber. In a time of War, for a Watchman to Sleep is Death. A Commander finding a 〈…〉 Sleeping, he run him through with his Sword, and said, Dead I found 〈…〉▪ and Dead I •eave thee. And truly 〈…〉 alwayes a time of War with Christians: alw••es they are Engaged 〈…〉 a Spiritual Warfare: Therefore •ust ever be Waking, never be Sleeping.
1. They are in Danger by Spiritual Enemies. ⟨p. 96⟩Satan their great Adversary is always Wakeful and Watchful […] surprise them, and therefore they […] need to be always awake; 1 Pet. 5▪8. Be Vigilant, for your Adversary […] Devil goes about like a Roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour. Yo• have a watchful Enemy, therefore […] watchful. It is said of the Lion tha• he seldom Sleeps: that no Animal live• with so little Sleep as he does. Bu• to be sure, the Lion of Hell never Sleeps at all. Christians then can• fall asleep but he will be upon the• presently, and get them into his Cruel snare. They cannot Sleep, but he will observe it, and fall upon them speedily. Watch that you enter not into Temptation. And the World i• an Enemy which Christians are always Endangered by. As for the Men of the world, they watch the servants of God as the Wolf the Sheep: Mat. 10.16. I send you as Sheep among Wolves. The Prophet Jeremiah complains, that there were those that watched for his Halting. There are men in the world ⟨p. 97⟩[…] very wicked, as that they will do […] they can to cause a Professor of religion to sin, that so they may have something to blemish him, and his profession. The Ungodly Samaritans •ould fain have brought Nehemiah to […] an ill thing, that they might have […] to Reproach him, Neh. 6.13. •he Things of the world also have […] in them: Therefore be watchful: 1 Tim. 6.9. They that will be […], fall into a Snare. Many a man […] lost his Soul for ever by pursuing […] World. How many Professors of religion have lost their Souls by […] Drowned in the World; that has […] out the Heart of Religion. They […] lost their Reli•••n by being too •uch affected and addicted to the World. Was it not so with Demas? • Tim. 4.10. A Good man gave it a• […] Dying advice to his Friends, […] lest the World Ensnare you: I have […] that my Great Enemy. But then […] worst Enemy of all is Sin A […] worst Enemies are within-doors; […] are those of his own House, o•⟨p. 98⟩his own Heart. The deceitful I […] that are there will betray him into […] hands of Satan, if he be not exceeding Watchful. Therefore says […] Apostle, Heb▪ 3.12, 13. Take heed […] there be in you an Evil Heart of Unbelief, in departing from the Living God▪ and lest your Hearts be hardened through the Deceitfulness of Sin.
1. They are in Danger by Spiritual Enemies. ⟨p. 96⟩Satan their great Adversary is alwayes Wakeful and Watchful 〈…〉 surprise them, and therefore they 〈…〉 need to be alwayes awake; 1 Pet. 5▪8. Be Vigilant, for your Adversary 〈…〉 Devil goes about like a Roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour. Yo• have a watchful Enemy, therefore 〈…〉 watchful. It is said of the Lion tha• he seldom Sleeps: that no Animal live• with so little Sleep as he does. Bu• to be sure, the Lion of Hell never Sleeps at all. Christians then can• fall asleep but he will be upon the• presently, and get them into his Cruel snare. They cannot Sleep, but he will observe it, and fall upon them speedily. Watch that you enter not into Temptation. And the World i• an Enemy which Christians are always Endangered by. As for the Men of the world, they watch the servants of God as the Wolf the Sheep: Mat. 10.16. I send you as Sheep among Wolves. The Prophet Ieremiah complains, that there were those that watched for his Halting. There are men in the world ⟨p. 97⟩〈…〉 very wicked, as that they will do 〈…〉 they can to cause a Professor of •eligion to sin, that so they may have ••mething to blemish him, and his •rofession. The Ungodly Samaritans •ould fain have brought Nehemiah to 〈…〉 an ill thing, that they might have 〈…〉 to Reproach him, Neh. 6.13
2. There are Duties which Christian• must always attend, which makes Watchfulness to be always Necessary. T• Watch ▪ is to perform Duty. […] men become more remiss in Religiou• Duties than sometimes they have been they are Asleep. That great Duty of Prayer is that which Christians mus• always attend•▪Luk. 18.1. Chris••aught that men should Pray always ▪ And Watchfulness is necessary in order to a due Performance of that Duty•: Eph. 6.18. Pray always with […] Prayer, and Watch thereunto. […] another Apostle• says, Watch unt• Prayer. Christians should watch their own Hearts, lest they be out of frame so as to unfit for Prayer. They should ⟨p. 99⟩[…] after Prayer, to see what answers are given to their Prayers: […] the Holy Prophet Habakkuk, having •ayed, said, I will stand on my Watch, […] will Watch to see what Answer He […] say un•o me, Hab 2.•. And in •earing the Word Christians should Watch. When they hear Sermons ••ey should Watch, lest the Fowls of […] Air come & devour the good Seed […] the Word; and Watch against all wanderings of Heart when they should […] unto what God is speaking to […]. And Watchfulness is necessary […] order to a due Sanctification of •he Sabbath Day: Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy. That Remembering implies Watching, that so •ur Hearts may be in Sabbath-frames […] the Sabbath Day. We must then […] very watchful over every word. […] says, Thou shalt not speak thy […] ••rds on my Holy Day. Be watchful against all worldly Discourses, which ••ho' not suitable on Gods Holy Day, […] very proper on other Days. […] watch against worldly Thoughts ⟨p. 100⟩on the Sabbath Day, that they don't get into your Hearts. Once more, The Lords Supper is an Ordinance that Christians must attend so long as they live, and it requires Watchfulness. The Primitive Christians had their Vigiliae, their Watchings before they came to the Lords Table. Many of them would sit up and Watch and Pray all the Night, that they might have Communion with Christ at His Table.
2. There are Duties which Christian• must alwayes attend, which makes Watch•fulness to be alwayes Necessary. T• Watch ▪ is to perform Duty. 〈…〉 men become more remiss in Religiou• Duties than sometimes they have been they are Asleep. That great Duty of Prayer is that which Christians mus• alwayes attend•▪Luk. 18.1. Chris••aught that men should Pray alwayes ▪ And Watchfulness is necessary in order to a due Performance of that Duty•: Eph. 6.18. Pray alwayes with 〈…〉 Prayer, and Watch thereunto. 〈…〉 another Apostle• sayes, Watch unt• Prayer. Christians should watch their own Hearts, lest they be out of frame so as to unfit for Prayer. They should ⟨p. 99⟩〈…〉 after Prayer, to see what ••swers are given to their Prayers: 〈…〉 the Holy Prophet Habakkuk, having •ayed, said, I will stand on my Watch, 〈…〉 will Watch to see what Answer He 〈…〉 say un•o me, Hab 2.•. And in •earing the Word Christians should Watch. When they hear Sermons ••ey should Watch, lest the Fowls of 〈…〉 Air come & devour the good Seed 〈…〉 the Word; and Watch against all anderings of Heart when they should unto what God is speaking to . And Watchfulness is necessary order to a due Sanctification of he Sabbath Day: Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy. That Remembring implies Watching, that so ur Hearts may be in Sabbath-frames the Sabbath Day. We must then very watchful over every word. sayes, Thou shalt not speak thy rds on my Holy Day. Be watchful gaint all worldly Discourses, which ho' not suitable on Gods Holy Day, very proper on other Dayes. watch against worldly Thoughts
Increase Mather
1639–1723
PuritansNew England
Minister of the Second Church in Boston and President of Harvard College.
. They shall 〈…〉 a perpetual Sleep; they shall not awake.
Mat. 2
•▪5. They all Slumbred and Slept. 〈…〉 only the Foolish Virgins, but the Wise Virgins were subject to sinf•• Slumbering. It is true, they are no• subject to such a total fatal Sleep 〈…〉 Unregenerate men are. Neverthel••• a sinful Sleepiness may prevail 〈…〉 them in too great a degree. I 〈…〉 the Spouse, but my Heart 〈…〉▪ Thus it may be with a Child of God, •e may Sleep tho' his heart Wak•• Good Men may be too Secure, 〈…〉 then they are Asleep. They 〈…〉 Dream of that Earthly Happin••• which they never shall enjoy; and 〈…〉 Dream discovers them to be asleep ▪ Thus it was with the Two Sons 〈…〉 Zebed•• ; they Dreamed of sitting 〈…〉 at the Right hand▪ the other at 〈…〉 Lef• hand of our Lord in His King•dom. And the Disciples said to Christ▪ Wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel? They Dreamed of 〈…〉 Earthly Kingdom▪ notwithstand••• what Christ had said to the contr•••▪ And Gods own People may be 〈…〉 Ca•nally▪ confident. Peter was 〈…〉
⟨p. 91⟩
〈…〉 he said, Tho' all men deny the•〈…〉 I won't. And not only he, bu•〈…〉 the Disciples said they would d•e 〈…〉 than forsake Him. They were ••leep, and that Carnal confidence was 〈…〉 Evidence of it.
. •he Things of the world also have 〈…〉 in them: Therefore be watch••l:
. They that will be 〈…〉, fall into a Snare. Many a man 〈…〉 lost his Soul for ever by pursuing 〈…〉 World. How many Professors of •eligion have lost their Souls by 〈…〉 Drowned in the World; that has 〈…〉 out the Heart of Religion. They 〈…〉 lost their Reli•••n by being too •uch affected and addicted to the World. Was it not so with Demas? • Tim. 4.10. A Good man gave it a•〈…〉 Dying advice to his Friends, 〈…〉 lest the World Ensnare you: I have 〈…〉 that my Great Enemy. But then 〈…〉 worst Enemy of all is Sin A 〈…〉 worst Enemies are within-doors; 〈…〉 are those of his own House, o•
⟨p. 98⟩
his own Heart. The deceitful I 〈…〉 that are there will betray him into 〈…〉 hands of Satan, if he be not exceed•ing Watchful. Therefore sayes 〈…〉 Aposte, Heb▪ 3.12, 13. Take heed 〈…〉 there be in you an Evil Heart of Vn•belief, in departing from the Living God▪ and lest your Hearts be hardened throug• the Deceitfulness of Sin.
•
〈…〉
〈…〉
〈…〉
•
•
〈…〉
〈…〉
〈…〉
〈…〉
••
•
•
••
〈…〉
〈…〉
⟨p. 100⟩
on the Sabbath Day, that they don't get into your Hearts. O•ce more, The Lords Supper is an Ordinance that Christians must attend so long as they live, and it requires Watchfulness. The Primitive Christians had their Vigiliae, their Watchings before they came to the Lords Table. Many of them would sit up and Watch and Pray all the Night, that they might have Communion with Christ at His Table.
