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

The Fourth EVIL.

The Fourth EVILL.

Then Fourthly; There is scarce any disposition more opposite, more contrary to the work of grace, to the work of godliness in a mans own heart than earthly-mindedness, 'tis so exceeding cross to the nature of grace, that it may as well put men or women to be at a stand, and put them upon examination whether there be any grace or no in their hearts if earthly-mindedness prevail, as almost any other thing; if God should suffer your corruptions to prevail over you, so as you should break forth into some outward notorious sins, then it may be you would begin to think, can this stand with grace? and how can that stand with such workings as I have had before? have not I cause to fear that I am but an Hypocrite, a rotten professor? But now, this earthly-mindedness hath as much opposition to the nature of grace, and the power of godliness in the heart as almost any sin that you can name. It is so quite contrary to the very beginning of the work of grace, not contrary to the degrees only, but to the very beginning. The main work of God at the very first, in working grace in ⟨p. 25⟩the soul, is to disengage the soul from the creature, it is to take it off from the Earth, and from all creatures here below: for naturally 'tis true, That as we are of the earth, so we are earthly, and have our spirits engaged to the things of this earth; but then comes the work of grace upon the soul, and takes it off, and discharges the heart from the earth: and therefore you find that Christ lays in this as the first lesson, That he that will be my Disciple, must deny himself, and take up his Cross and follow me: as if he should say, never think of being a Christian except you will deny your selves. Self: what's that? all natural contentment, natural-self, and sinful-self, to be emptied wholly of your selves, and creature-comforts, and contentments, and take up my Cross, to be willing to suffer any thing in regard of earthly comforts, to be willing to lay down all at my feet, and to give up your interest in all, and to take up my Cross; this is the very first beginning of Christs bringing Disciples to himself. Then (saith the soul) let me have my sin pardoned, and farewell earth, it's Heaven, Holiness, renewing of the Image of God, communion, and union with God, and living to the eternal praise of his Name in Christ that my heart is upon;