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

And that that we may add as a seventh is, That he is earthly in spiritual things. I grant that the best of the Saints may have some earthliness in spiritual things; but I speak of the predominancy, it's that that doth rule in the heart, so that in the performance of spiritual things, his very ends are but earthly, and the frame of his heart is but earthly in spiritual performances.

And that that we may add as a seventh is, That he is earthly in spiritual things. I grant that the best of the Saints may have some earthlinesse in spirtual things; but I speak of the predominancie, it's that that doth rule in the heart, so that in the performance of spiritual things, his very ends are but earthly, and the frame of his heart is but earthly in spiritual performances.

The eight thing wherein we may find an earthly minded man is this, That he passes through many and great difficulties in matters of the earth, and they are very little to him; and though he hath a great deal of toil for the matters of the earth, yet he is never weary with it, because he is in his proper element; and therefore let there be what difficulties there will be, which to another man would be very great, he makes of them as nothing, and though there be much toil and labour yet he is not weary, why? because he is in his own element: The fish is not weary with swimming, but a man is quickly weary, I but the fish is in it's element and a man is not; so, I beseech you observe this, when a mans spirit is in this kind of temper, let him but be busied about earthly things, wherein earthly advantage comes in, no difficulties will hinder him, no wind or weather, he will rise in cold mornings and go abroad, do any thing in the world. Oh! what difficulties will men endure In storms at Sea, and hazards there, and troubles at land many ways for things of the earth, and sit up late, and rise early, and toil themselves, and complain of no weariness nor no difficulties But now, let them come but to spiritual things, to soul-businesses that concern God and their spiritual estates, every little difficulty puts them aside and discourages them, every mole-hill is a mountain in their way, I would do so and so indeed, but 'tis so hard, and 'tis tedious to rise in a morning, especially in cold winters morning; it is very hard and difficult to read and pray