In that journey or pilgrimage wherein we are engaged towards a heavenly country, 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 spi- ritual 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 exer- cise, will of all others be most vigorous and active, putting itself forth on all occasions. This therefore is an inestimable benefit of the duty exhorted unto, and which they find tiie advantage of, who are really spiritually minded,
3. This alone wall 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 sufFer- ino-s. Various intimations of the mind of God, circum- stances of providence, the present state of things in the world, with the instant peril of the latter days, do all call them here- unto. If it be otherwise with them, they will at one time or other be wofully 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 contem- plations 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 manage- ment 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 the-ir
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ship steady against its violence. So when a storm of perse- cution 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 in- evitably 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 a:;;stle declares this state of things, 2 Cor. iv. 16 — 18. the words before insisted on. ' 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; 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 lays 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. viii. 18. ' For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us ;' there is no comparison between them, as if one had as much evil and misery in them as the other hath of good and blessedness ; as though his state was any way to be complained of, who must undergo the one whilst he hath an interest in the other ; or as though to escape the one he hazard the enjoyment of the other.
It is inseparable from our nature to have a fear of, and aversation from, great distressing sufferings, that are above the power of nature to bear. Even our Lord Jesus himself, having taken on him all the sinless properties of our nature, had a fear and aversation, though holy and gracious with respect unto his own. Those who through a stout-hearted- ness do contemn them before their approach, boasting in
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themselves of their abilities to undergo them, censuring such as will not unadvisedly engage in them, are such as seldom glorify God when they are really to conflict with them. Peter alone trusted unto himself that he would not forsake his master, and seemed to take the warning ill that they should all do so ; and he alone denied him. All church stories are filled with instances of such as having borne themselves high before the approach of trials, have shame- fully miscarried when their trials have come. Wherefore, it is moreover allowed unto us, to use all lawful means for the avoiding of them. Both rules and examples of the Scripture give sufficient warranty for it. But there are times and seasons wherein, without any tergiversation, they are to be undergone unto the glory of God, and in the discharge of our duty, confessing Christ before men, as we would be owned by him before his Father in heaven. All things do now call us to prepare for such a season, to be martyrs in resolution, though we should never really lose our lives by violence. Nothing will give us this preparation, but to have our minds exercised in the contemplation of heavenly things, of things that are invisible and eternal. He who is thus spiritually minded, who hath his thoughts and affections set on things above, will have always in a readiness what to oppose unto any circumstance of his sufferings.