John Trapp on Matthew 26:41

Verse 41. Watch and pray] Yea watch, whiles ye are praying, against corruption within, temptations [illegible: 1 word]. Satan will be interrupting as the Pythonisse did Paul praying, Act. 16. 16. as the fowls did Abraham sacrificing, Gen. 15. 11. as the enemies did [illegible: 1 word] with his Jews, building, who therefore praid and watcht, watcht and praid. Amongst all actions, Satan is ever busiest in the best; and most in the best part of the best, as in the end of praier, when the heart should close up it self with most comfort. Watch therefore unto praier. Set all aside for it, and [non-Latin text not transcribed] wait on it, as the word imports, Coloss. 4. 2. while praier stands still, the trade of godlinesse stands still: Let this therefore be done, whatever is left undone. Take heed the devil take you not out of your trenches, as he did David, likely, 2 Sam. 11. 2. Out of your strong-hold, as Joshua did the men of Ai. [illegible: 1 word] children, saith Saint John, abide in God, keep home, keep [illegible: 1 word] Joh. 2. 28. close to your Father, if you mean to be safe, if that evil one shall not touch you, 1 Joh. 5. 18. nor thrust his deadly sting into you, &c. The spirit indeed is willing] q. d. Though the spirit purpose otherwise, yet the flesh will falter, and ye will be foiled else. Or, our Saviour speaks this by way of excuse of their infirmity, q. d. I see you are willing, so farre as you are spirituall and regenerate: but the flesh is treacherous and tyrannicall. It rebels ever and anon, and would gladly raign. It hangs off, when called to suffer, and makes shy of the businesse. So Peter was carried whether he would not, Joh. 21. 18. So Hilarion chides out his soul (which plaid loth to depart) with Egredere ô anima, &c. So M. Saunders, Martyr, in a letter to his wife, a little afore his death, Fain would this flesh, said he, make strange of that which Act. and Mon. sol. 1359 the spirit doth embrace. O Lord, how loth is this loitering sluggard, to passe forth in Gods path, &c? So M. Bradford going to his death, Now I am climing up the hill, said he, It will cause Ibid. 1497. me to puff and blow, before I come to the [illegible: 1 word]. The hill [illegible: 1 word] steep and high: my breath is short, and my strength is feeble. Pray therefore to the Lord for me; pray for me, pray for me, for Gods sake, pray for me. See more in the Notes on [illegible: 1 word]. 21. 18.