“Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” — Luke 22:46

When is the Christian most liable to sleep? Is it not when his temporal circumstances are prosperous? Have you not found it so? When you had daily troubles to take to the throne of grace, were you not more wakeful than you are now? Easy roads make sleepy travellers. Another dangerous time is when all goes pleasantly in spiritual matters. Christian went not to sleep when lions were in the way, or when he was wading through the river, or when fighting with Apollyon, but when he had climbed half way up the Hill Difficulty, and came to a delightful arbour, he sat down, and forthwith fell asleep, to his great sorrow and loss. The enchanted ground is a place of balmy breezes, laden with fragrant odours and soft influences, all tending to lull pilgrims to sleep. Remember…

Bunyan’s description: “Thenthey came to an arbour, warm, and promising much refreshing to the wearypilgrims; for it was finely wrought above head, beautified with greens, andfurnished with benches and settles. It had also in it a soft couch, where theweary might lean.” “The arbour was called the Slothful’s Friend, and wasmade on purpose to allure, if it might be, some of the pilgrims to take uptheir rest there when weary.” Depend upon it, it is in easy places that menshut their eyes and wander into the dreamy land of forgetfulness. OldErskine wisely remarked, “I like a roaring devil better than a sleepingdevil.” There is no temptation half so dangerous as not being tempted. Thedistressed soul does not sleep; it is after we enter into peaceful confidenceand full assurance that we are in danger of slumbering. The disciples fellasleep after they had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountain top. Takeheed, joyous Christian, good frames are near neighbours to temptations: beas happy as you will, only be watchful.

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen