naked; or else, have so defiled and stained them, that we see their shame; while they thus stand forth to the Christian world as aweful witnesses of the subtlety and success of their spiritual foes, of the perils with which the real servants of Christ are at this time surrounded, and of the necessity for attending to the admonition under review. It is to the neglect of this admonition, that those who have thus made shipwreck of their faith, have to ascribe their ruin. They did not watch; and so have not kept their garments. Trusting to their own strength, relying on their own wisdom, and satisfied with the supposed sincerity of their own purposes, they omitted steadfastly to watch and pray that they might not enter into temptation; and thus, in too many instances, "being lifted up with pride, have fallen into the condemnation of the devil."

Warned by these examples, let the servant of the Lord be humble.

L

Let

him distrust himself; let him feel his own weakness, and suspect his own heart. In these days of peculiar trial and peril, in which so many have fallen; in which some have gone away, and walk no more with Christ; and others so walk with him, as to reflect only disgrace and dishonour on his name; let him not lean to his own understanding, nor presumptuously despise the admonition of the Lord. Let him watch; let him be on his guard; let him walk circumspectly. In deep humility, let him pray for help in every time of need; and, while he thus watcheth and keepeth his garments, let him in faith commit them into the keeping of the Lord; who, alone, can preserve them without spot or blemish, and can keep them pure unto the end.

147

CHAP. XXII.

THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

CHRIST, having admonished his servants of their immediate duty in the present crisis, suggests to them, thirdly, the en couragement, by which, in this emergency, He would excite them to that watchfulness and exertion, which He thus recommends.

This encouragement is contained in the assurance which He gives of the happiness that will result from a faithful compliance with his admonition. "Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments." Here is a Blessedness pronounced on the faithful Christian; who, profiting by his Lord's admonition, holds fast his profession in these days of trial,

and keeps himself unspotted from the world. Before we inquire into the particulars, of which this promised blessedness will consist, let us briefly advert to the seasonableness of the assurance which is here given respecting it.

The present crisis, as we have already observed, is one of peculiar trials and difficulties to the church of God: nor is there any immediate hope of a termination to them. They will last till the time of trouble begins; and then, probably, will not only be continued, but even increased, throughout, at least, a considerable portion of it. In the midst of this peril and conflict, in the prospect of lengthened and still augmented dangers, how seasonable, how consolatory to the humble and watchful Christian, must be the assurance here vouchsafed to him! How greatly must it cheer, and comfort, and strengthen his heart, to be told by his gracious Lord, that notwithstanding all these trials, and struggles, and difficul

ties, he yet is blessed. Dangers may environ him on every side; snares may be set about his path; the world may revile and oppose him; or by its blandishments and solicitations may threaten his destruction; the enemy may desire to have him, that he may sift him as wheat; he may be in perils among false brethren; he may be tempted by hypocrites and deceivers he may see many taken in their wiles; he may be filled with apprehension and alarm but still " watching and keep

ing his garments, he is blessed." Let him but feel assured that this is the case, and then what a powerful inducement is given him, to perseverance, watchfulness, and exertion!

But the seasonableness of the assurance in question will be more evident, if we consider it in relation to another passage in the twelfth chapter of Daniel, to which, in the progress of our discussion, a reference has been already made. The angel in the twelfth verse declares, that