A30615:535
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 fourth Rule, or Direction.
Be careful to beautify thy soul; or more generally thus, (First:) Have a great care of thy spirit, look to thy spirit rather than to thy outward actions in thy walking with God; God is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in spirit and truth. One that would walk with God had need be very careful of his spirit, keep thy heart with all diligence, for it is with thy soul that God converses: Indeed 'tis the proper sphere of a Christian to be busy about his heart, to be busy in the inward man, there's the sphere of a Christian: ⟨p. 324⟩It's not so much about the outward man, if the hear be kept in a right frame, the outward man will be brought over of its own accord; But be careful of thy spirit, (that is) of the thoughts of thy mind; Take heed of admitting of any uncleanness in thy very thoughts, for the soul converses with God in thoughts as well as we converse with men in words; how do you commune and converse with men but by speech? therefore doth God give speech to men that they may converse one with another, what speech is unto men, that the thoughts are unto God; we converse much with God by our thoughts, make conscience of thoughts, labour to cleanse thy thoughts, and likewise the affections of thy heart, and the stirrings of thy heart, for God and thy soul doth converse together, in the workings and stirrings of thy heart look to thy spirit; and labour to beautify thy soul with that that may make thee amiable and lovely in the eyes of God, and then the Lord will delight to converse with thee, and walk with thee. If you were called out to walk with a man that were your superior, with some Chief in your parish, Gentleman, or Knight, or Noble man, If such a one should call you to walk with him, you would labour then so far as you were able to adorn your selves with such clothes as were suitable unto the company of such a one: you that profess your selves Christians, God doth call you every day to walk with him, and if you would expect to have communion with God, and that God should take delight in you, you must labour to beautify your souls, to dress you with those things that may make you amiable in the eyes of God, and not to come dirtily and filthy into the presence of God.