A77983:136
Four books on the eleventh of Matthew
Four books on the eleventh of Matthew: viz: I. Christ inviting sinners to come to him for rest. II. Christ the great teacher of souls that come to him. To which is added a treatise of meekness and of anger. III. Christ the humble teacher of those that come to him. IIII. The only easy way to heaven. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel at Stepney and Cripple-Gate, London.Four books on the eleventh of Matthew: viz: I. Christ inviting sinners to come to him for rest. II. Christ the great teacher of souls that come to him. To which is added a treatise of meekness and of anger. III. Christ the humble teacher of those that come to him. IIII. The only easie way to heaven. By Jeremiah Burroughs, preacher of the Gospel at Stepny and Cripple-Gate, London.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1659
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
8. An humble heart keeps down it self: that is, he would be no higher except he be worthier, one that hath a vain, proud Spirit, still would fain be higher and higher, and is not so solicitous to be ⟨p. 552⟩worthier of a higher place; but one that is humble thinks thus, I am unworthy of what place I am in, and I would not be higher except I be worthier, I would not be in a higher condition except God give me a heart to improve that condition that he shall put me into, and though God keep me in a low condition in respect of outwards, yet the truth is, I have as much as I have Grace to manage, and therefore when there is any rising thoughts within it about a higher condition, an humble heart is willing to beat down it self, and is ready to speak to it self, as Jeremiah to Baruch in Jerem. 45. Dost thou seek great things for thy self? Seek them not: So saith an humble Spirit to it self, What! art thou rising in thy Spirit, and seekest great things for thy self? Seek them not, it is well thou hast thy life for a prey, it is well thy Soul may be saved in the day of Jesus Christ. And so David it is said of him in Psal. 131. As a weaned Child he quieted himself, and behaved himself, restraining himself, and keeping down himself; whereas his Spirit would have been froward against God, he did keep down his Spirit that was ready even to rise against God. One that hath a lowly heart, yet whilst it remains in this world, hath much to do to keep down it self.
8. An humble heart keeps down it self: that is, he would be no higher except he be worthier, one that hath a vain, proud Spirit, stil would fain be higher and higher, and is not so solicitous to be ⟨p. 552⟩worthier of a higher place; but one that is humble thinks thus, I am unworthy of what place I am in, and I would not be higher except I be worthier, I would not be in a higher condition except God give me a heart to improve that condition that he shall put me into, and though God keep me in a low condition in respect of outwards, yet the truth is, I have as much as I have Grace to manage, and therefore when there is any rising thoughts within it about a higher condition, an humble heart is willing to beat down it self, and is ready to speak to it self, as Jeremy to Baruch in