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

THE Third Use is this, The Saints Conversation is in Heaven. Hence then for shame, let us not find fault with strictness in the ways of God, let not man speak against the ways of God, as being too strict, and what need we be so Circumspect, and so precise, and so pure? what need we labour to do so much? what! canst thou attain to a more strict and holy Conversation than a Heavenly Conversation? It is a very carnal expression that some have, Why? we cannot be Saints? we are not Saints; yes, the holy Ghost calls all believers, all that have the very least degree of true grace, he call them Saints. When we come to Heaven, then we shall live better, but while we are in this world we cannot. Ye•, while you are in this world your Conversation is to be in Heaven; surely men either are not acquainted with the Word, or they shut their eyes and will not see and consider what the Word saith about a strict Conversation: Sometimes you find in Scripture, that we are commanded, to be perfect, as our Heavenly Father is perfect; It's a strange speech, and yet it's the speech of Christ himself. And we must walk as Christ walked, and he that hath this hope, purifieth himself as he is pure; and then our Conversation is in Heaven. Put these together, Perfect as our Heavenly father is perfect; Walk as Christ walked; Purge our selves as he is pure. Our Conversation is in Heaven: what do all these things ⟨p. 238⟩tend to? Surely it tends to a great deal of strictness and holiness of life. And these things show that the work of a Christian here in this world is a busy work, that a Christian-life it is not an idle, dull, heavy, or sluggish life; you that are Christians, you had need quicken up your selves, you had need awaken those drowsy spirits of yours, if this be required of you, that you should be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect, Walk as Christ walked, Purify your selves as he is pure, Holy as he is holy, and to have your Conversations in Heaven, surely, there need be a great deal of quickness and life in the hearts of Christians; and you are not to content your selves in a mere possession, and doing some little matter in the way of Religion, or being somewhat better than others, you are to aim at heaven, look up there, and make that to be your pattern.