Avoiding Spiritual Sleepiness (2)

(4) Sleepiness is an odious temper to God. For, does he not deserve cheerful service at our hands? Does not his greatness require that our senses be all waking? Does not his mercy deserve, that our love should take all care, to serve him who is so gracious and good to us? Is it not the fruit of our redemption to serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives (Luke 1:14, 15)?
(5) Sleepiness is a state not only odious to God, but irksome to our own spirits. The conscience is never fully at peace in a drowsy state or in drowsy performances. Likewise, it is not graceful to others. It breeds in others a dislike for good things. Let carnal men see a Christian not carry himself in a wakeful way, as he should, though they be a thousand times worse themselves, yet they think it should not be so. Let a man consider why God has given the powers of the soul and the graces of the Spirit. Are they not given for exercise, and to be employed about their proper objects? A Christian is not a Christian, when he is not waking. Why has God given us understanding, but to conceive the best things? Why have we judgment, but to judge aright between the things of heaven and earth? Why do we have love planted in us, but to set it on lovely objects? Why faith, but to trust God over all? Why hatred, but to fly from ill? Why do we have affections, but for spiritual things? Why are all graces planted in the soul, as faith and love, and hope and patience, but to be in exercise, and waking? A Christian, in his right temper, should be in the act and exercise of what is good in him, upon all occasions. What a world of good might Christians do if they were in a right temper! What a great deal of ill might they escape and avoid if they would rouse up their souls to be as Christians should be!

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Love of Christ (Bowels Opened), pp. 75-76
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