The Grace and Duty of Being 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 days, do all call them hereunto. If it be otherwise with them, they will at one time or other be woefully surprised, and think strange of their Trials, as if some strange thing did befall them. Nothing is more useful 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 Balance 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 increase and come to extremity, they are forced to forego all other means and betake themselves unto a Sheet-Anchor, to hold their Ship steady against its violence. So when a Storm of Persecution and Troubles begins to arise, men have various ways 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.

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.