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is approaching from without, and no traitor is lurking Hence we are so frequently exhorted to "Watch and pray, that ye enter not 'into temptation." "Take heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is."

you, I say unto all, Watch."

“And what I say unto

"Watch ye, stand fast

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in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same, with thanksgiving." "Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with "Let us watch and be sober.' all perseverance." "Watch, then, in all things." "Watch unto prayer.” "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." If we were in a house surrounded by a band of robbers, and especially if we knew there were persons in it who held a secret correspondence with them, we should be continually on our guard. Every moment we should be watching, both within and without. But not unlike this is our case. It is therefore with good reason that we are so frequently cautioned on this point, and directed to watch in all things. But there are particular seasons when we should set a double watch.

1. We are directed to watch unto prayer. When you approach the mercy-seat, watch against a careless spirit. Suffer not your mind to be drawn away by any thing, however good and important in itself, from the object before you. If the adversary can divert your mind, on the way to that consecrated place, he

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WATCHFULNESS.

will be almost sure to drive you away from it without a blessing.

2. We are required to watch not only unto, but in, prayer. Satan is never more busy with Christians than when he sees them on their knees. He well knows the power of prayer; and this makes him

tremble.

"Satan trembles when he sees

The weakest saint upon his knees."

You should, therefore, with the most untiring vigilance, watch in prayer against all wandering thoughts and distraction of mind. You will often experience, on such occasions, a sudden and vivid impression upon your mind, of something entirely foreign from what is before you; and this, we have reason to believe, is the temptation of Satan. If you are sufficiently upon your watch, you can banish it without diverting your thoughts or feelings from the subject of your prayer, and proceed as though nothing had happened. But, if the adversary succeeds in keeping these wild imaginations in view, so that you cannot proceed without distraction, turn and beseech God to give you help against his wiles. You have the promise, that if you resist the devil, he will flee from you. These remarks apply both to secret prayer and public worship.

3. We have need of special watchfulness when we have experienced any comfortable manifestations of God's presence. It is then that Sátan tempts us to consider the conflict over, and relax our diligence.

WATCH THE TONGUE.

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If we give way to him, we shall bring leanness upon our souls.

4. We have need of double watchfulness, when gloom and despondency come over our minds; for then the adversary seeks to stir up all the perverse passions of the heart.

5. Watch, also, when you feel remarkably cheerSatan will then, if possible, persuade you to indulge in levity, to the wounding of your soul, and the dishonor of religion.

6. We have need of special watchfulness in prosperity, that we forget not God; and in adversity, that we murmur not at his dealings with us.

7. Set a watch over your tongue, especially in the presence of the unconverted. "The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity." David says, "I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.' I do not mean that you should ever engage in any sinful conversation in the presence of Christians. Some professors of religion will indulge in senseless garrulity among themselves, and put on an air of seriousness and solemnity before those whom they regard as unconverted. This they pretend to do for the honor of Christ. But Christ says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." God abhors lip-service. However, in the company of sinners and formal professors, we are peculiarly exposed to temptation, and have need, therefore, to set a double guard upon our lips. A single unguarded expression from a Christian may do great injury to an unconverted soul.

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WATCH THE IMAGINATION.

8. Watch over your heart, when engaged in doing good to others. It is then that Satan seeks to stir up pride and vainglory.

9. Set a double watch over your easily-besetting sin. "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. Most persons have easily besets them.

some constitutional sin, which Satan takes the advantage of this infirmity, to bring us into difficulty.

10. Finally, keep a constant watch over the imagination. Since this is the medium through which temptation comes, never suffer your fancy to rove without control. If you mortify this faculty, it may be a great assistance to your devotion. But, if you let it run at random, you will be led captive by Satan at his will. Strive, then, after a sanctified imagination, that you may make every power of your soul subservient to the glory of God.

CHAPTER IX.

SELF-DENIAL.

THE duty of self-denial arises from the unnatural relation which sin has created between us and God. The first act of disobedience committed by man was a setting up of himself in opposition to God. It was a declaration that he would regard his own will in preference to the will of his Creator. Self became the supreme object of his affections. And this is the case with all unregenerate persons. Their own happiness is the object of their highest wishes. They pursue their own selfish interests with their whole hearts. When any thing occurs, the first question which arises in their minds is, "How will this affect me?" It is true they may often exercise a kind of generosity towards others; but, if their motives were scanned, it would appear that self-gratification is at the bottom of it. The correctness of these assertions no one will doubt, who is acquainted with his own heart. All unconverted persons live for themselves. They see no higher object of action than the promotion of their own individual interests. The duty in question consists in the denial of this disposition. And a moment's attention will show that nothing can be more reasonable. We belong to a grand system of being,

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