The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

I have observed in many a frame of Spirit with respect unto sufferings, that I never saw good event of when it was tried 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 ⟨p. 123⟩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 cheerfully to undergo them, which is to have such a continual prospect of the future state of Glory, so as to lay it in the Balance against all that we may undergo. For,

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 ⟨p. 123⟩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,