146 OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. and appearance of honor from them, who, in their suf. Brings, are deceived in what they profess. But men may, for the same principles, suffer for what is indeed according to the mind of God ; yea, may give their bodies to be burned therein, and yet not to his glory, nor their own eternal advantage. Wherefore, we are duly to consider all things that are requisite to make our sufferings acceptable to God, and honorable to the gospel. I have observed, in many, a frame of spirit with res- pect to sufferings, that I never sawgood 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 garment or livery they wear on this occasion. Such principles may carry men out in a bad cause, but they will never do so in a good one. Evangelical truth will not be honorably witnessed to, but by evangelical graces. Distrust of ourselves, a due apprehension of the nature of the evils to be undergone, and of our own frailty, withcontinual 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 to our learning aright this first and last lesson of the gospel, namely, of bearing the cross, or undergoing all sorts of sufferings for the profession of it. But they belong not to 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 cheer- fully to undergo them, which is, to have such a con- tinual prospect of the future state of glory, as to lay it in the balance against all that we may undergo. For,
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