The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Again: So think of eternal things as continually to lay them in the Balance 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. Mere sufferings will neither commend us unto God, nor any way advantage our own Souls. When we suffer according to the will of God, it is an eminent Grace, Gift and Privilege, 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 ⟨p. 122⟩so. The Glory of Sufferings on these accounts solely, hath been much sullied in the days wherein we live. It is evident that Persons out of a natural Courage, accompanied with deep radicate persuasions, 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 bodies to be burned therein, and yet not to his Glory nor their own eternal Advantage. Wherefore we are duly to consider all things that are requisite to make our sufferings acceptable unto God and honourable unto the Gospel.

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