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

CHAP. VII. EXHORTATION.

OH! considering what hath been delivered, I beseech you lay it seriously to heart, especially you that are young beginners in the way of Religion, ⟨p. 82⟩lest it proves with you as it doth with many that are digging of Veins of gold and silver under ground; that while they are digging in those mines for riches, the earth many times falls upon them and buries them, so that they never come up out of the mine again: and so it is with many that are beginning in the way of Religion, that are digging in the mines of Salvation, for unsearchable riches, for that that is abundantly better than gold and silver; now while you are thus seeking for grace and godliness, Oh take heed that you be not covered with the earth while you are digging in the world, but keep wide open some place to Heaven, or otherwise if you dig too deep there will come up damps, if the earth falls not upon you, yet I say, there will be damps rise from the earth that may choke you, if there be not a wide space open that you may let the air that comes from heaven in to you. Those that are digging into Mines they are very careful to leave the place open for fresh air to come in; and so, though thou mayest follow thy calling, and do the work that God sets thee here for as others do, be as diligent in thy calling as any, yet still keep a passage open to Heaven, that there may be fresh gales of grace come into thy soul, if at any time thou beest got into the world, if thou spendest one day and hast not some spiritual air from Heaven, take heed, there's a damp coming up that will choke thee. Oh! that Christians would consider of this while they are here below! I remember I have read of Austin in his Comment upon the 72. Psal the 19. vers. saith the text, They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust: He in a witty way applied it to earthly-minded men, saith he, If you do so lick the dust, by this you will come to be accounted one of the enemies of God. It's true, the scope of the place is different, but take heed that in this metaphorical sense that you do not lick the dust and so come to be accounted an enemy to God.