OP SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. 119 those heavenly things, especially of the presence of Christ in his exaltation and glory. Wherefore the true notion of these things which we are to possess our minds withal, may here be considered. All that have an apprehension of a future state of happiness, agree in this matter, that it contains in it, or is accompanied with, a deliverance and freedom from all that is evil. But in what it is so, they are not. agreed. Many esteem only those things that are grie- vous, troublesome, wasting, and destructive tó nature, tobe so ; that is, what is penal, in pain, sickness, sor- row, loss, poverty, with all kinds of outward troubles, and death itself, are evils. Wherefore, they suppose that the future state of blessedness will free them from all these things, if they can attain to it. This they will lay in the balance against the troubles of life, and sometimes it maybe against the pleasures of it, which they must forego. Yea, persons profane and profligate will, in words at least, profess, that heaven will give them rest from all their troubles. But it is no place of rest for such persons. Unto all others also, to believers themselves, these things are evil, such as they expect .a deliverance from in heaven and glory : and there is no doubt, but it is lawful for us, and meet, that we should contemplate on them, as those which will give us a deliverance from all outward troubles, death itself, and all that leads thereto. Heaven is promised as rest to them that are troubled. 2. Thes. i. 7. It is our duty, under all our sufferings, reproaches, persecutions, troubles, and sor- rows, to raise up our minds to the contemplation of that state, wherein we shall be freed from them all. It is a blessed notion of heaven, that God shall therein wipe away all tears from our eyes. Rev. vii. 17, or
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