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 Remember, a very important reason is given by the Lord Jesus why this state of continual watchfulness is necessary. It is for no less a reason than because man, in the life of the body, makes up his state of life! He is either preparing himself for the everlasting regions of felicity, or, by the commission of evil, and the wilful neglect of the divine things of the future world and state, he is filling up the measure of his iniquity, and actually preparing himself to enter that unhappy state and kingdom where true peace and felicity never enter. We may easily see the importance of a life of watchfulness; and the necessity for it is evident, because we know not when the thread of natural life may be cut asunder, the ties of nature broken, and our entrance into eternity take place!

Art thou now and continually in this living state of watchfulness and prayer? art thou in obedience to the command, keeping a continual watch over the secret movements of thy will—and keeping, by divine truth, thy every affection and thought in a direct tendency to the Supreme Being? These are important inquiries—shrink not from the investigation; and everlasting happiness or misery depends upon the inward state and quality of the mind and life. Every man must soon give an account of his stewardship; and the uncertainty of human life in this world should convince us of the necessity for watching and living in a state of continual prayer. It is not, however, to be supposed that we are to employ ourselves in frequent repetition of words; for these things may be done continually, and yet we may never pray. True prayer consists in keeping the mind in a particular state, so