102 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. with the reality and nature of this glory, it is impossi- ble it should be the object of a vigorous, active hope, such as whereby the apostle says we are saved. Without this we can neither have that evidence of eternal things, nor that valuation of them, nor that preparedness in our minds for them, as should keep us in the exercise of gracious hope about them. Suppose sundry persons engaged in a voyage to a most remote country, wherein all of them have an apprehension that there is a place of rest, and an in- heritance provided for them. Under this apprehen- sion they all put themselves upon their voyage, to pos- sess what is so prepared. Howbeit some of them have only a general notion of these things, they know nothing distinctly concerning them, and are so busied about other affairs, that they have no leisure to inquire into them, or suppose that they cannot come to any satisfactory knowledge of them in particular, and so are content to go on with general hopes and expecta- tions. Others there are, who by all possible means acquaint themselves particularly with the nature of the climate whither they are going, with the excellency of the inheritance, and provision that is made for them. Their voyage proves long and wearisome, their difficulties many, and their dangers great, and they have nothing to relieve and encourage them selves, but the hope and expectation of the country whither they are going. Those of the first sort will be very apt to despond and faint; their general hopes will not be able to relieve them. But those who have a distinct notion and apprehension of the state of things whither they are going, and of their incompar- able excellency, have always in a readiness wherewith to cheer their minds and support themselves.
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