Two treatises of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs. The first of earthly-mindedness

Consider further, How short thy time is that thou hast here in this world. That's the argument of the Apostle, because the time is short, therefore let us use the world as if we used it not, therefore let our hearts be taken off from these things; we have but a little time, and a great deal of work, we have in this short winter day of life to provide for eternity, now considering the great weight of the work that doth depend upon us here in this world, it may be a mighty reason for us to bid adieu to all the things of this world; indeed if we had time enough for our work, and were sure of our time then we might spend it about trifles. If a man comes into the City to do business, of great weight and consequence, and hath but a little time to spend about it, he never minds any thing he sees in the City, never minds any body that comes by him, or any shows in shops, what bravery there is there, but goes up and down the streets minding only his own business. Oh! so it should be with us my brethren; consider the great work we have to do, and the little time that we have to effect that work in, there depends upon our little short uncertain inch of time matters of more consequence than ten thousand thousand worlds are worth and if we miscarry in this little time of our lives, we are lost and undone for ever, better we had never been born, or had been made toads or serpents, or the vilest beasts whatsoever, than reasonable creatures. Oh! have you so much time for the spending the very spirits of your souls upon the things of this earth, can you spare so many hours? Certainly if God did but make known to you what eternity means, if the Lord did but cause the fear of eternity to fall upon you, you would not ⟨p. 76⟩