The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

Wherefore, on such occasions, when the Hearts of men are ready to quake, when they see all things about them filled with dread and Terror, and all help far away, it is I say, their duty and wisdom, to abstract and take off their Thoughts from all outward and present appearances, and to fix them on the presence of God. This will greatly change the Scene of things in their minds; and they will find that Strength and Power and Wisdom are on their side alone; all that appears against them, being but vanity, folly, and weakness.

Wherefore, on such occasions, when the Hearts of men are ready to quake, when they see all things about them fill'd with dread and Terrour, and all help far away, it is I say, their duty and wisdom, to abstract and take off their Thoughts from all outward and present appearances, and to fix them on the presence of God. This will greatly change the Scene of things in their minds; and they will find that Strength and Power and Wisdom are on their side alone; all that appears against them, being but vanity, folly, and weakness.

So when the Servant of Elisha saw the place where they were, compassed with an Host, both Horses and Chariots that came to take them, he cried out for fear, Alas my Master how shall we do? But upon the prayer of the Prophet, the Lord opening the eyes of the young man, to see the Heavenly guard that he had sent unto him, the mountain being full of Horses and Chariots of fire round about Elisha, his fear and trouble departed, 2 Kings 6.15, 16, 17. And when in the like Extremity God opens the Eye of Faith to behold his glorious Presence, we shall no more be afraid of the dread of men. Herein did the Holy Martyrs triumph ⟨p. 163⟩of Old, and even despised their bloody Persecutors. Our Saviour himself made it the ground of his supportment on the like occasion, John 16.32. Behold, saith he to his Disciples, his only Friends, the hour cometh, yea is now come, that ye shall be scattered every one to his own, and leave me alone, and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. Can we but possess our Souls with the Apprehension, that when we are left alone in our trials and dangers, from any countenance of Friends, or help of men, yet that indeed we are not alone, because the Father is with us, it will support us under our despondencies, and enable us unto our Duties.