the Text from whence the whole is educed is to manifest how it is Life and Peace which is affirmed by the Apostle This shall be done with all brevity as having passed through that which was principally designed And two things are we to enquire into 1 What is meant by Life and Peace 2 In what Sense to be Spiritually Minded is both of them 1 That Spiritual Life whereof we are made Partakers in this World is threefold or there are three Gospel Priviledges or Graces so expressed 1 There is the Life of Justification Therein the Just by Faith do live as freed from the Condemnatory Sentence of the Law So the Righteousness of one comes on all that believe unto the Justification of Life Rom. 5.18 It gives unto Believers a Right and Title to Life for they that receive the abundance of Grace and the Gift of Righteousness shall reign in Life by one Christ Jesus vers 17. This is not the Life here intended for this Life depends solely on the Soveraign Grace of God by Jesus Christ and the Imputation of his Righteousness unto us unto Pardon Right to Life and Salvation 2 There is a Life of Sanctification As Life in the foregoing sense in opposed unto Death spiritual as unto the the Guilt of it and the condemnatory Sentence of Death wherewith it was accompanied so in this it is opposed unto it as unto its internal Power on and Efficacy in the Soul to keep it under an Impotency unto all Acts of Spiritual Life yea an Enmity against them This is that Life wherewith we are quickned by Christ Jesus when before we were dead in Trespasses and Sins Ephes. 2.1 5. Of this Life the Apostle treats directly in this place for having in the first four verses of the Chapter declared the Life of Justification in the nature and Causes of it in the following he treats of Death spiritual in Sin with the Life of Sanctification whereby we are freed from it And to be Spiritually-Minded is this Life in a double Sense 1 In that it is the principal Effect and Fruit of that Life The Life it self consists in the Infusion and Communication of a Principle of Life that is of Faith and Obedience unto all the Faculties and Powers of our Soul enabling us to live unto God To be Spiritually-Minded which is a Grace whereunto many Duties do concur and that not only as to the Actings of all Grace in them but as unto the Degrees of their Exercise cannot be this Life formally But it is that wherein the Power of this Principle of Life doth in the first and chiefest place put forth it self All Actings of Grace all Duties of Obedience internal and external do proceed from this Spring and Fountain Nothing of that kind is acceptable unto God but what is influenced by it and is an Effect of it but it principally puts forth its Vertue and Efficacy in rendring our Minds Spiritual which if it effect not it works not at all that is we are utterly destitute of it The next and immediate Work of the Principle of Life in our Sanctification is to renew the Mind to make it Spiritual and thereon gradually to carry it on unto that Degree which is here called being Spiritually-Minded 2 It is the proper Adjunct and Evidence of it Would any one know whether he be Spiritually alive unto God with the Life of Sanctification and Holiness The Communication of it unto him being by an Almighty Act of creating Power Ephes 2.10 It is not easily discernable so as to help us to make a right Judgement of it from its Essence or Form But where things are in themselves indiscernable we may know them from their proper and inseperable Adjuncts which are therefore called by the Names of the Essence or the Form it self Such is this being Spiritually-Minded with respect unto the Life of Sanctification it is an inseperable Property and Adjunct of it whereby it infallibly evidenceth if self unto them in whom it is In these two respects it is the Life of Sanctification 3 Life is taken for the Comforts and Refreshments of Life So speaks the Apostle 1 Thes. 3.8 Now we live if you stand fast in the Lord now our Life will do us good we have the Comforts the Refreshments and the Joyes of it Non est vivere Sed valere vita The Comforts and Satisfactions of Life are more Life than Life it self It is Life that is that which makes Life to be so bringing in that Satisfaction those Refreshments unto it which make it pleasant and desirable And I do suppose this is that which is principally intended in the Words of the Apostle it is Life a chearful joyous Life a Life worth the living In Explication and Confirmation whereof it is added that it is Peace also Peace is twofold 1 General and absolute that is Peace with God through Jesus Christ which is celebrated in the Scripture and which is the only Original Spring and Fountain of all Consolation unto Believers that which virtually containes in it every thing that is good Useful or desirable unto them But it is not here precisely intended It is not so 1 As to the immediate ground and Cause of it which is our Justification not our Sanctification Rom. 5.1 Being justifyed by Faith we have Peace with God So Christ alone is our Peace as he who hath made Peace for us by the Blood of the Cross Ephes. 2.14 15. Hereof our being Spiritually-Minded is no way the cause or reason only it is an Evidence and Pledge of it as we shall see 2 Not as unto the formal nature of it Peace with God through the Blood of Christ is one thing and Peace in our Minds through an holy Frame in them is another The former is communicated unto us by an immediate Act of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us Rom. 5.5 The latter is an Effect on our Minds begun and gradually carryed on by the Duties we have before at large declared The immediate Actings of the holy Spirit in sealing us witnessing unto our Adoption and being an Earnest of Glory are required unto the former Our own Sedulity and Diligence in Duties and the Exercise of all Grace are required unto the latter 2 Peace is taken for a peculiar Fruit of the Spirit consisting in a gracious Quietness and Composure of Mind in the mid'st of Difficulties Temptations Troubles and such other things as are apt to fill us with Fears Despondencies and Disquietments This is that which keeps the Soul in its own Power free from Transports by Fears or Passions on all the abiding Grounds of Gospel Consolation For although this be a peculiar especial Grace yet it it that which is influenced and kept alive by the Consideration of all the Love of God in Christ and all the Fruits of it And whereas Peace includes in the first Notion of it an inward Freedom from Oppositions and Troubles which those in whom it is are outwardly exposed
a thought of him How foolish was I to be wanting to such or such an Opportunity I am in Arrears unto my self and have no rest untill I be satisfied I say if indeed we are Spiritually minded we will duely and carefully call over the consideration of those times and seasons wherein we ought to have Exercised our selves in Spiritual Thoughts and if we have lost them or any of them mourn over our own negligence But if we can omit and lose such Seasons or Opportunities from time to time without regret or self-reflections it is to be fear'd that we wax worse and worse Way will be made hereby for further Omissions untill we grow wholly cold about them And indeed that woful loss of time that is found amongst many Professors is greatly to be bewail'd Some lose it on themselves by a continual track of fruitless Impertinent Thoughts about their own concerns Some in vain converse with ohers wherein for the most part they edifie one another unto vanity How much of this time might nay ought to be redeemed for holy Meditations The Good Lord make all Professors sensible of their loss of former seasons that they may be the more watchful for the future in this great concernment of their Souls Little do some think what Light what Assurance what Joy what readiness for the Cross or for Heaven they might have attained had they laid hold on all just seasons of exercising their Thoughts about Spiritual things which they have enjoyed who now are at a loss in all and surprized with every fear or difficulty that doth befall them This is the first thing that belongs unto our being Spiritually minded for although it doth not absolutely or essentially consist therein yet is it inseparable from it and the most undeceiving Indication of it And thus of abounding and abiding in Thoughts about Spiritual things such as arise and spring naturally from a living Principle a Spiritual Frame and Disposition of Heart within CHAP. V. The Objects of Spiritual Thoughts or what they are conversant about evidencing them in whom they are to be Spiritually minded Rules directing unto steadiness in the Contemplation of Heavenly things Motives to fix our Thoughts with Steadiness in them BEfore I proceed unto the next general Head and which is the Principal thing the foundation of the Grace and Duty enquired after some things must be spoken to render what hath been already insisted on yet more particularly useful And this is to enquire what are or what ought to be the special Objects of those Thoughts which under the Qualifications laid down are the Evidences of our being Spiritually minded And it may be we may be useful unto many herein by helping of them to fix their minds which are apt to rove into all uncertainty For this is befallen us through the disorder and weakness of the faculties of our Souls that sometimes what the mind guides leads and directs unto in things Spiritual and Heavenly our wills and Affections through their Depravation and Corruption will not comply withal and so the good designings of the mind are lost Sometimes what the Will and Affections are inclin'd unto and ready for the mind through its weakness and inconstancy cannot lead them to the accomplishment of so to will is present with us but how to perform that will we know not So many are barren in this Duty because they know not what to fix upon nor how to Exercise their Thoughts when they have chosen a subject for their Meditations Hence they spend their time in fruitless Desires that they could use their Thoughts unto more purpose rather than make any Progress in the Duty it self They tire themselves not because they are not willing to go but because they cannot find their way Wherefore both these things shall be spoken unto both what are the proper Objects of our Spiritual Thoughts and how we may be steady in our Contemplations of them And I shall unto this purpose first give some general Rules and then some particular Instances in way of Direction 1. Observe the especial Calls of Providence and apply your minds unto Thoughts of the Duties required in them and by them There is a voice in all signal Dispensations of Providence The voice of the Lord cryeth unto the City the men of wisdom shall see thy Name hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it Mic. 6.9 There is a Call a Cry in every Rod of God in every chastising Providence and therein makes a Declaration of his Name his Holiness his Power his Greatness This every wise substantial man will labour to discern and so comply with the call God is greatly provoked when it is otherwise Lord when thy hand is lifted up they will not see but they shall see and be asham'd Isa. 26.11 If therefore we would apply our selves unto our present Duty we are wisely to consider what is the voice of God in his present providential Dispensations in the World Hearken not unto any who would give another Interpretation of them but that they are plain Declarations of his Displeasure and Indignation against the sins of men Is not his wrath in them reveal'd from Heaven against the ungodliness of men especially such as detain the Truth in unrighteousness or false Hypocritical Professors of the Gospel Doth he not also signally declare the uncertainty and instability of Earthly Enjoyments from Life it self to a Shoo-latchet As also how vain and foolish it is to adhere inordinately unto them The fingers that appeared writing on the Wall the Doom of Belshazzar did it in Characters that none read and words that none could understand but Daniel But the present Call of God in these things is made plain upon Tables that he may run who readeth it If the Heavens gather blackness with Clouds and it thunder over us if any that are on their Journey will not believe that there is a Storm a coming they must bear the severity of it Suppose then this to be the Voice of Providence suppose there be in it these Indications of the mind and will of God what are the Duties that we are called unto thereby They may be referred unto two Heads 1. A diligent search into our selves and an holy Watch over our selves with respect unto those ways and sins which the displeasure of God is declared against That present Providences are Indications of Gods Anger and Displeasure we take for granted But when this is done the most are apt to cast the Causes of them on others and to excuse themselves so long as they see others more wicked and prosligate than themselves openly guilty of such Crimes as they abhor the Thoughts of they cast all the wrath on them and fear nothing but that they shall suffer with them But alas When the storm came on the Ship at Sea wherein there was but one person that feared God upon an Enquiry for whose sake it came the Lot fell on him Jon. 1.7 The cause of
them in conjunction will bring in Relief unto the glory of God and your own Peace without Application by Faith unto him who is able to succour them that are Tempted Wherefore 3. Herein lyes your great Duty with respect unto your Temptations namely in a constant exercise of your Thoughts on the Love Care Compassion and tenderness of Christ with his Ability to help succour and save them that do believe so to strengthen your Faith and Trust in him which will prove assuredly successeful and Victorious The same Duty is incumbent on us with respect unto any urgent prevalent general Temptation There are Seasons wherein an hour of Temptation comes on the earth to try them that dwell therein What if a man should judge that now it is such an hour and that the Power of Darkness is put forth therein what if he should be perswaded that a general security coldness deadness and Decay in Grace especially as to the vigorous Actings of Zeal Love and Delight in God with an Indifferency unto Holy Duties are the effects of this hour of Temptation I do not say determinately that so it is let others judge as they see cause But if any one do so judge undoubtedly it is his Duty to be exercised in his Thoughts how he may escape in this day of Tryal and be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man He will find it his concernment to be conversant in his mind with the Reasons and Motives unto watchfulness and how he may obtain such supplies of Grace as may effectually preserve him from such Decayes 3. All things in Religion both in Faith and Practice are to be the Objects of such Thoughts As they are proposed or occurr unto our Minds in great variety on all sorts of occasions so we ought to give them entertainment in our Meditations To hear things to have them proposed unto us it may be in the way of a Divine Ordinance and to let them slip out or flow from us as Water that is poured into a leaking Vessel is the Ruine of many Souls I shall therefore choose out some Instances as was before proposed of those things which I judge that they who would be Spiritually minded ought to abide and abound in Thoughts concerning them 1. It is our Duty greatly to mind the things that are above eternal things both as unto their Reality their present State and our future enjoyment of them Herein consists the Life of this Grace and Duty To be Heavenly Minded that is to mind the things of Heaven and to be Spiritually Minded is all one Or it is the effect of being Spiritually Minded as unto its Original and essence or the first proper actings of it It is the Cause of it as unto its growth and Degrees and it is the Evidence of it in Experience Nor do I understand how it is possible for a Man to place his chief Interest in things above and not have many thoughts of them It is the great Advice of the Apostle on a supposition of our Interest in Christ and Conformity unto him Col. 3.1 2. If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things that are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Set your Affections or your Thoughts Mind much the things that are above It becomes those who through the vertue of the Resurrection of Christ are raised unto Newness of Life to have their Thoughts exercised on the State of things above with respect unto the Presence of Christ among them And the singular use of our Prospect into these things or our Meditations on them he instructs us in 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day For our light Affliction which is but for a Moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Whilst we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal Not to faint under the daily Decays of our outward man and the Approaches of Death thereby to bear afflictions as things light and Momentary to thrive under all in the inward man are unspeakable Mercies and Priviledges Can you attain a better frame Is there any thing that you would more desire if you are Believers Is it not better to have such a mind in us than to enjoy all the Peace and security that the world can afford One principal means whereby we are made partakers of these things is a due Meditation on things unseen and Eternal These are the things that are within the Vail whereon we ought to cast the Anchor of our Hope in all the Storms we meet withall Heb. 6.19 20. whereof we shall speak more afterwards Without doubt the generality of Christians are greatly defective in this Duty partly for want of Light into them partly for want of Delight in them they think little of an eternal Countrey Wherever men are they do not use to neglect Thoughts of that Countrey wherein their Inheritance lyes If they are absent from it for a season yet will they labour to acquaint themselves with the principal Concernments of it But this Heavenly Countrey wherein lyes our Eternal Inheritance is not regarded Men do not as they ought exercise themselves unto thoughts of things Eternal and Invisible It were impossible if they did so that their Minds should be so earthly and their Affections cleave so as they do unto present things He that looks steadily on the Sun although he cannot bear the lustre of its beams fully yet his sight is so affected with it that when he calls off his eyes from it he can see nothing as it were of the things about him they are all dark unto him And he who looks steadily in his Contemplations on things above eternal things though he cannot comprehend their Glory yet a Vail will be cast by it on all the desireable Beauties of Earthly things and take off his Affections from them Men live and act under the Power of a Conviction that there is a State of Immortality and Glory to come With a perswasion hereof they much relieve themselves in their Sorrows Sufferings and Temptations Yet with many it is only a Reserve when they can be here no more But as unto daily Contemplation of the Nature and Causes of it or as unto any entrance into it by Faith and Hope the most are Strangers thereunto If we are Spiritually minded nothing will be more natural unto us than to have many Thoughts of Eternal things as those wherein all our own principal Concerns do lye as well as those which are excellent and glorious in themselves The Direction thereon is that we would make Heavenly Things the things of the future State of Blessedness and Glory a principal Object of our Thoughts that we would think much about them that we
us Col. 1.27 Christ in you the hope of Glory Where Christ evidenceth his Presence with us he gives us an infallible hope of Glory he gives us an assured Pledge of it and worketh our Souls unto an expectation of it Hope in general is but an uncertain Expectation of a future Good which we desire But as it is a Gospel Grace all uncertainty is removed from it which would hinder us of the Advantage intended in it It is an earnest Expectation proceeding from Faith Trust and Confidence accompanied with longing desires of Enjoyment From a Mistake of its Nature it is that few Christians labour after it exercise themselves unto it or have the benefit of it For to live by Hope they suppose inferres a State not only beneath the Life of Faith and all assurance in believing but also exclusive of them They think to hope to be saved is a condition of men who have no grounds of Faith or Assurance But this is to turn a Blessed fruit of the Spirit into a common Affection of nature Gospel Hope is a fruit of Faith Trust and Confidence Yea the height of the actings of all Grace issues in a well grounded hope nor can it rise any higher Rom. 5. 2 3 4 5. Now the Reason why men have no more use of no more benefit by this excellent Grace is because they do not abide in Thoughts and contemplation of the things hoped for The especial Object of Hope is Eternal Glory Col. 1.27 Rom. 5.2 The peculiar use of it is to support comfort and refresh the Soul in all Trials under all weariness and Despondencies with a firm expectation of a speedy entrance into that Glory with an earnest desire after it Wherefore unless we acquaint our selves by continual Meditation with the Reality and Nature of this Glory it is impossible it should be the Object of a vigorous active Hope such as whereby the Apostle says we are saved Whithout this we can neither have that Evidence of Eternal things nor that valuation of them nor that preparedness in our minds for them as should keep us in the exercise of Gracious Hope about them Suppose sundry Persons engaged in a Voyage unto a most remote Countrey wherein all of them have an Apprehension that there is a place of Rest and an Inheritance provided for them Under this Apprehension they all put themselves upon their Voyage to possess what is so prepared Howbeit some of them have only a general Notion of these things they know nothing distinctly concerning them and are so busied about other affairs that they have no leisure to inquire into them or do suppose that they cannot come unto any satisfactory knowledge of them in particular and so are content to go on with general Hopes and Expectations Others there are who by all possible means acquaint themselves particularly with the nature of the Climate whither they are going with the Excellency of the Inheritance and Provision that is made for them Their Voyage proves long and wearisome their Difficulties many and their Dangers great and they have nothing to relieve and encourage themselves but the Hope and expectation of the Countrey whither they are going Those of the first sort will be very apt to despond and faint their general hopes will not be able to relieve them But those who have a distinct Notion and Apprehension of the State of things whither they are going and of their incomparable Excellency have alwayes in a readiness wherewith to chear their minds and support themselves In that Journey or Pilgrimage wherein we are ingaged towards an Heavenly Countrey we are sure to meet with all kinds of dangers difficulties and Perils It is not a general Notion of Blessedness that will excite and work in us a spiritual refreshing Hope But when we think and Meditate on future Glory as we ought that Grace which is neglected for the most part as unto its benefit and dead as unto its exercise will of all others be most Vigorous and active puting it self forth on all occasions This therefore is an inestimable Benefit of the Duty exhorted unto and which they find the Advantage of who are really Spiritually minded 3. This alone will make us ready for the Cross for all sorts of Sufferings that we may be exposed unto There is nothing more necessary unto Believers at this season than to have their minds furnished with provision of such things as may prepare them for the Cross and Sufferings Various Intimations of the mind of God Circumstances of Providence the present State of things in the World with the instant Peril of the latter dayes do all call them hereunto If it be otherwise with them they will at one time or other be wofully surprized and think strange of their Trials as if some strange thing did befall them Nothing is more usefull unto this end than constant Thoughts and contemplations of Eternal things and future Glory From thence alone can the Soul have in a readiness what to lay in the Ballance against all sorts of Sufferings When a Storm begins to arise at Sea the Mariners bestir themselves in the Management of the Tackling of the Ship and other Applications of their Art for their safety But if the Storm encrease and come to extremity they are forced to forego all other means and betake themselves unto a Sheat-Anchor to hold their Ship steady against its violence So when a Storm of Persecution and Troubles begins to arise men have various wayes and considerations for their Relief But if it once comes to extremity if Sword Nakedness Famine and Death are inevitably coming upon them they have nothing to betake themselves unto that will yield them solid Relief but the consideration and Faith of things Invisible and Eternal So the Apostle declares this State of things 2 Cor. 4. 16 17 18. the words before insisted on For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward is renewed day by day For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal He lays all sorts of Afflictions in one Scale and on the consideration of them declares them to be light and but for a moment Then he layes Glory in the other Scale and finds it to be ponderous weighty and Eternal an exceeding weight of Glory In the one is Sorrow for a little while in the other Eternal Joy In the one Pain for a few moments in the other everlasting Rest In the one is the loss of some few temporary things in the other the full fruition of God in Christ who is all in all Hence the same Apostle casts up the account of these things and gives us his Judgment concerning them Rom. 8.18 For I
and make our Souls meet for the Reception and entertainment of him Wherefore 3. Our want of experience in the power of this Holy entercourse and communion with Christ ariseth principally from our Defect in this Duty I have known one who after a long Profession of Faith and Holiness fell into great Darkness and distress meerly on this account that he did not experience in himself the Sweetness Life and Power of the Testimonies given concerning the real Communications of the Love of Christ unto and the intimation of his Presence with Believers He knew well enough the Doctrine of it but did not feel the Power of it at least he understood there was more in it than he had experience of God carryed him by Faith through that Darkness but taught him withal that no sence of these things was to be let into the Soul but by constant Thoughtfulness and Contemplations on Christ. How many blessed visits do we lose by not being exercised unto this Duty See Cant. 5.1 2 3. Sometimes we are busie sometimes careless and negligent sometimes slothful sometimes under the power of Temptations so that we neither enquire after nor are ready to receive them This is not the way to have our Joyes abound Again I speak now with especial respect unto him in Heaven The Glory of his Presence as God and Man eternally united the Discharge of his Mediatory Office as he is at the right hand of God the Glory of his present acting for the Church as he is the Minister of the Sanctuary and the true Tabernacle which God hath fixed and not Man the Love Power and Efficacy of his Intercession whereby he takes care for the Accomplishment of the Salvation of the Church the approach of his Glorious coming unto Judgment are to be the Objects of our daily Thoughts and Meditations Let us not mistake our selves To be spiritually minded is not to have the Notions and Knowledge of spiritual things in our minds it is not to be constant no not to abound in the performance of Duties both which may be where there is no Grace in the Heart at all It is to have our Minds really exercised with delight about Heavenly things the things that are above especially Christ himself as at the right hand of God Again So think of eternal things as continually to lay them in the Ballance against all the sufferings of this Life This use of it I have spoken unto somewhat before and it is necessary it should be pressed upon all occasions It is very probable that we shall yet suffer more than we have done Those who have gone before us have done so it is foretold in the Scripture that if we will live Godly in Christ Jesus we must do so we stand in need of it and the World is prepared to bring it on us And as we must suffer so it is necessary unto the Glory of God and our own Salvation that we suffer in a due manner Meer sufferings will neither commend us unto God nor any way advantage our own Souls When we suffer acording to the will of God it is an eminent Grace Gift and Priviledge Psal. 1.29 But many things are required hereunto It is not enough that men suppose themselves to suffer for Conscience sake though if we do not so all our sufferings are in vain Nor is it enough that we suffer for this or that way of Profession in Religion which we esteem to be true and according to the Mind of God in opposition unto what is not so The Glory of Sufferings on these accounts solely hath been much sullied in the dayes wherein we live It is evident that Persons out of a natural Courage accompanied with deep radicate perswasions and having their minds influenced with some sinister ends may undergo things hard and difficult in giving Testimony unto what is not according to the Mind of God Examples we have had hereof in all Ages and in that wherein we live in an especial manner See 1 Pet. 4.14 15 16. We have had enough to take off all paint and appearance of Honour from them who in their sufferings are deceived in what they profess But men may from the same Principles suffer for what is indeed according to the Mind of God yea may give their bodyes to be burned therein and yet not to his Glory nor their own eternal Advantage Wherefore we are duely to consider all things that are requisite to make our sufferings acceptable unto God and honourable unto the Gospel I have observed in many a frame of Spirit with respect unto sufferings that I never saw good event of when it was tryed to the uttermost Boldness confidence a pretended contempt of hardships and scorning other men whom they suppose defective in these things are the Garments or Livery they wear on this Occasion Such Principles may carry men out in a bad Cause they will never do so in a good Evangelical Truth will not be honourably witnessed unto but by Evangelical Graces Distrust of our selves a due apprehension of the nature of the evils to be undergone and of our own frailty with continual Prayers to be delivered from them or supported under them and prudent care to avoid them without an inroad on conscience or neglect of Duty are much better preparations for an entrance into a state of Suffering Many things belong unto our Learning aright this first and last Lesson of the Gospel namely of bearing the Cross or undergoing all sorts of sufferings for the Profession of it But they belong not unto our present Occasion This only is that which we now press as an evidence of our sincerity in our sufferings and an effectual means to enable us chearfully to undergo them which is to have such a continual prospect of the future state of Glory so as to lay it in the Ballance against all that we may undergo For 1. To have our Minds filled and possessed with Thoughts thereof will give us an Alacrity in our entrance into sufferings in a way of Duty Other considerations will offer themselves unto our Relief which will quickly fade and disappear They are like a Cordial Water which gives a little Relief for a Season and then leaves the Spirits to sink beneath what they were before it was taken Some relieve themselves from the consideration of the Nature of their Sufferings they are not so great but that they may conflict with them and come off with safety But there is nothing of that kind so small which will not prove too hard and strong for us unless we have especial Assistance Some do the same from their Duration they are but for ten dayes or six months and then they shall be free Some from the Compassion and esteem of Men. These and the like considerations are apt to occur unto the minds of all sorts of Persons whether they are spiritually minded or no. But when our Minds are accustomed unto Thoughts of the Glory that shall be