A30615:112
Two treatises of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs. The first of earthly-mindedness
Two treatises of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs. The first of earthly-mindedness, wherein is showed, 1. What earthly-mindedness is. ... 6. Directions how to get our hearts free from earthly-mindedness. The second treatise. Of conversing in heaven, and walking with God. Wherein is showed, 1. How the Saints have their conversation in heaven. ... 9. Rules for our walking with God. The fourth volume [sic] published by Thomas Goodwin. William Greenhil. Sydrach Simpson. Philip Nigh. William Bridge. John Yates. William Adderley.Two treatises of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs. The first of earthly-mindedness, wherein is shewed, 1. What earthly-mindedness is. ... 6. Directions how to get our hearts free from earthly-mindedness. The second treatise. Of conversing in heaven, and walking with God. Wherein is shewed, 1. How the Saints have their conversation in heaven. ... 9. Rules for our walking with God. The fourth volumn [sic] published by Thomas Goodwyn. William Greenhil. Sydrach Simpson. Philip Nye. William Bridge. John Yates. William Adderley.
London: printed for Peter Cole, 1652
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Ninth Evil.
Earthly-mindedness doth wonderfully dead the heart in prayer. It sinks the spirits of men, and straightens them in spiritual duties; yea, and indeed, doth defile every duty of Religion; in the 119. Psal. 37. ver. David (you shall find) paries there to God, That he will turn away his eyes from beholding vanity, and that he would quicken him in his law. Certainly by the vanity that he speaks of there, he means the things of the world, and by his eyes he understands the eyes of his mind, chiefly the working of the thoughts of his heart after earthly things; for if you will cast your eyes but to the 36. verse, faith he there, Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness; Oh Lord, let not my heart be inclined to covetousness: afterwards, Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, to the end that my heart may not be inclined to covetousness; Lord, let not my thoughts be busied about such vain things, but quicken me in thy Law: as if he should say, Lord, while my mind is turned to vanity, or my heart to covetousness, after the things of this earth, I always find my spirit dull and heavy in any holy duties, I have no quickness at all in my inward man when I come in thy presence, and by experience I find this to be the cause that my heart is so drossy, because my thoughts and mind are set upon earthly things that are but vanity, therefore, Lord let not mine heart be inclined to covetousness nor mine eyes looking after vanity, but turn away mine eyes from these things and quicken me in thy Law: If you would have your hearts quickened in Gods Law, in the Duties that God sets you about, take heed of your eyes that they look not after vanity, & your hearts that they follow ⟨p. 43⟩not after covetousness; for an earthly spirit will be a dead spirit, as the element of earth it's the sluggishest, and deadest element of all; so earthliness in the heart makes the heart sluggish and dead, and listless to any holy and spiritual duty: I appeal to your consciences in this, when you have let out your hearts after the things of this earth, and been exercised in the world, in abundance of businesses, when you have come to enjoy communion with God, Oh! how dead have you found your hearts! a drossy heart must needs be a dead and a straight heart in heavenly exercises: