nfinite number, and there are some yet at this time, who think
that this readiness standeth in masses, in setting up candles, in going of
pilgrimage; and in such things, they thought to be made ready for that
day, and so to be made worthy to stand before the Son of man, that is,
before our Saviour Christ. But I tell you, this was not the right way to
make ready. Christ our Saviour showeth us how we shall make ourselves
ready, saying, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be
overcome with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this world, and so
this day come upon you unawares; for as a snare shall it come upon all
them that dwell upon the face of the whole world."

"Watch and pray:" as if he had said, Be ye ever in readiness, lest you be
taken unawares. But those sluggards who spend their time vainly in eating
and drinking, and sleeping, please not God, for he commands us to watch,
to be mindful, to take heed to ourselves, lest the devil, or the world, or
our own flesh, get the victory over us. We are allowed to take our natural
sleep, for it is as necessary for us as meat and drink, and we please God
as well in that, as we please him when we take our food. But we must take
heed, that we do it according as he has appointed us; for like as he has
not ordained meat and drink that we should play the glutton with it, so
likewise sleep is not ordained that we should give ourselves to
sluggishness, or over-much sleeping; for no doubt when we do so, we shall
displease God most highly. For Christ saith not in vain, "Watch and pray."
He would have us to be watchers, to have at all times in remembrance his
coming, and to give ourselves to prayer, that we may be able to stand
before him at this great and fearful day. Meaning, that we should not
trust in ourselves but call unto God, saying, "Lord God Almighty, thou
hast promised to come and judge the quick and the dead; we beseech thee
give us thy grace and Holy Ghost, that we may live according unto thy holy
commandments, that when thou comest, thou have not cause to bestow thy
fearful anger, but rather thy lovingkindness and mercy upon us."

So likewise when we go to bed, we should desire God that we sleep not the
sleep of sin and wickedness, but rather that we may leave them, and follow
his will and pleasure; that we be not led with the desires of this wicked
world. Such an earnest mind we should have towards him, so watchful we
should be. For I tell you it is