A Treatise on Earthly-Mindedness - Monergism · A Treatise on Earthly-Mindedness by Jeremiah...

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A Treatise on Earthly-Mindedness by Jeremiah Burroughs Table of Contents To the Reader Chapter One: Doctrine: There is a great difference between a wicked man and a godly man. The one minds the earth; the other’s conversation is in heaven Chapter Two: Earthly-Mindedness Discovered in Nine Particulars Chapter Three: Six Evils of Earthly-Mindedness Chapter Four: Eight Additional Evils of Earthly-Mindednes s Chapter Five: Five Things may be Wrought in an Earthly-Minded Man Chapter Six: Seven Reasons of Men’s Earthly-Mindedness Chapter Seven: Eleven Considerations to Take the Hearts of Men off of Earthly- Mindedness Chapter Eight: Five Directions How to Get Our Hearts Free From Earthly- Mindedness Copyright TO THE READER It was the saying of a servant of Christ, "Every day a Christian spends on earth is a day lost in heaven." He meant it of the place, not the company, for what makes heaven, but union and communion with God in Jesus Christ? This being attainable in this life, what keeps a Christian from living in heaven while he lives upon earth? Truly our

Transcript of A Treatise on Earthly-Mindedness - Monergism · A Treatise on Earthly-Mindedness by Jeremiah...

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ATreatiseonEarthly-Mindedness

byJeremiahBurroughs

TableofContents

TotheReader

ChapterOne:Doctrine:Thereisagreatdifferencebetweenawickedmanandagodlyman.Theonemindstheearth;theother’sconversationisinheaven

ChapterTwo:Earthly-MindednessDiscoveredinNineParticulars

ChapterThree:SixEvilsofEarthly-Mindedness

ChapterFour:EightAdditionalEvilsofEarthly-Mindedness

ChapterFive:FiveThingsmaybeWroughtinanEarthly-MindedMan

ChapterSix:SevenReasonsofMen’sEarthly-Mindedness

Chapter Seven: Eleven Considerations to Take the Hearts of Men off of Earthly-Mindedness

Chapter Eight: Five Directions How to Get Our Hearts Free From Earthly-Mindedness

Copyright

TOTHEREADER

ItwasthesayingofaservantofChrist,"EverydayaChristianspendsonearthisadaylost inheaven."Hemeant itof theplace,not thecompany, forwhatmakesheaven,butunionandcommunionwithGodinJesusChrist?Thisbeingattainableinthislife,what keeps a Christian from living in heavenwhile he lives upon earth? Truly our

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fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, 1 John 1:3 . Ourconversation is inheaven,saidanotherapostle,Phil.3:20 .AndI live,yetnot I,butChristlivethinme,andthelifewhichInowliveintheflesh,IlivebythefaithoftheSonofGod,Galatians2:20.

Theseweremenon the earth, subject to infirmities aswe are, yet living inheaven.And there are yet in this declining, wanton, Christ-denying age, a generation uponearththusliving,whoselivesandgraces,thoughhiddenunderameanoutside,undermany reproaches and infirmities, yet shine inwardly with the glory of Christ uponthemwho, though they are in theworld, yet follow the Lordwith a different spiritthan the spirit of theworld; andamong thesehiddenonesof theLord, thisblessedman(thePreacherofthesesermons,ofwhomtheworldwasnotworthy)wassuchaonewho,whilehewasuponearth, lived inheaven.Andasyoumayeasilyperceive,the end and scope of these sermons is to wind up your heart to a like frame andposture,viz.,totakeitoffofperishingvanities,andtosetitonthatwhichistherealanddurablesubstance.

We seeuponwhatweak shoulders the fair neckof allworldlypompandglorynowstands, and how the Lord is winding up and putting an end to the glories of thekingdoms of men, who have not contributed their strength and power to theadvancing,butrathertothepullingdownandeclipsingofthegloryofthekingdomofJesusChrist.Besideswhattheworldtellsus,neverhasanagehadmoreexampleslaidbefore themof theworld's vanity than inourdays.Therefore, ourhearts should sitloosetoallthingsthatcannotstretchthemselvestoeternity.TheApostle'sreasonisfullofweight,

Itremainsthatboththeythathavewives,beasthoughtheyhadnone;andtheythatweepasthoughtheyweptnot;andtheythatrejoicedasthoughtheyrejoicednot;andthey that buy as though they possessed not; and they that use the world as notabusingit.

Andthisexhortationheputsonbythisargument,Thetimeisshort,orasthewordis,"The remainder of our season is now folding up, as a veil or curtain into a narrowroom."

Time is short and life shorter, and theendof all things is athand.Wehavegreaterthings tomindand to setourheartsupon.Thedivinityof thisholyman's spiritdidmuchappearinthis,thathavingmuchofthecomfortthatearthcouldaffordhim,hestilllookeduponallcreaturecontentmentswiththeeyesofastranger,andinordertotheraisingofhissoultoamoreholy,humble,serviceable,self-denyingwalkingwithGod.Foramanwhoenjoyslittleornothinginthisworldtospeakmuchoftheworld'svanityandemptiness,andoftakingtheheartoffthat,isnotasmuchaswhenamanissurroundedwiththeconfluenceofcreaturecomfortsthen,byaDivinespirit,totread

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upon the neck of these things, and to be caught up into third Heaven, bathing,solacing,andsatisfyingitselfwithsweetandhigherenjoyments,withthemoresavoryandcordialapprehensionsithasofJesusChrist.ThisiscomparabletotheonewhoismadeapartakeroftheDivinenature,andwholivesabovetheworldintheenjoymentoftheworld.

Sonow,reader,youhavethesesermonstwiceprinted:onceinthepracticeofthisholymanandonceagain in thesepaperswhichwepresent toyou in thispreachingstyle(though we confess thingsmight have beenmore contracted) because we find thismore desired,more acceptable to his hearers and, ifwemistake not,moreworkingupontheaffectionsandmoreprofitabletothegreatestnumberofChristians.

TheLordJesusbewithyourspirit,andgoalongwiththese,andallhisotherpreciouslabors, to the furtheranceof the joyofyour faith,buildingyouup inthe innerman,anddirectingyouinthewaytoyoureternalrest.

ThomasGoodwin,WilliamBridge,WilliamGreenhill,WilliamAdderly, John Yates,SydrachSimpson,PhilipNye.

ChapterOne:Doctrine:Thereisagreatdifferencebetweenawickedmanandagodlyman.Theonemindstheearth;the

other'sconversationisinheaven

TheTextOpened,Philippians3:19,"…whomindearthlythings…"

ThispreciousScriptureclearlyholdsforththedifferentdispositionsofwickedandofgodlymen,especiallyofsuchwickedmenassetthemselvesagainsttheGospel,foritrelatestosuchaswereprofessedenemiestothecrossofChrist,thatlaboredasbesttheycouldtohinderthesuccessoftheministryofPaul.Youwillfind,ifyoulookbackafewverses,thatthisismeantofthatkindofmenespecially,forhetellsusthatmanywalkedso,astheywereenemiestothecrossofChrist.TheywerethosethatopposedthepreachingofPaulandhisministry.Hedescribesthosemenbydiverscharacters,but I'll treat none of them but this, whomind earthly things, who savour or relishearthlythings,youmaytranslatethisaswell.Itisageneralwordcomprehendingtheactions and operations of both the under-standing and the will. It is, in Scripture,appliedtoboth,butmostcommonlytotheactionsofthewillandaffections.Wewilldealparticularlywithactionsofthewill.

Earthlythingsarethosethatareontheearth,whatevertheyare,thebeauty,theglory,andpageantryof the earth; theprofits that are earthly, thepleasuresandhonorsoftheworld;whomindanythingsinordinatelythataresublunaryaccommodations.But

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wecarryandbehaveourselvesasfreecitizensofthecityofHeaven,forsothewordsintheoriginalare,ifweshouldthusreadthem,"Ourcity,wherewearecitizensandwherewehaverights,isheaven."

Butour conversation,our city converse, isof things thatareabove theearth.WhentheApostlewouldhavementofollowhisexampleandnottheexampleofothers,inthe17thverse,heusesthisasanargumentthatsuchandsuchmenareenemiestothecrossofChrist,andtheymaketheirbellytheirgod,andtheymindearthlythings.Donot followthem;donotharkenwhat theysay toyou; theycomeupanddownfromhouse to house andwhisper this and that to you, andwould take you off from thewaysofGod.Godhasbeguntoenlightenyouandtostiryourconsciences;donotletthepreciousaffectionsofyoursoulsruntowardthem,butbefollowersofusasweareofChrist,forourconversationisinheavenwithourLordandMaster,thisargumentcominginthe20thverse.Thatbeingtheonlyscopeandmeaningofthewords, takethisdoctrinaltruth:THISISTHEGREATDIFFERENCEBETWEENAWICKEDMANANDAGODLYMAN:ONEMINDSEARTHLYTHINGS,ANDTHEOTHERHASHISCONVERSATIONINHEAVEN.Iintendtohandleboththeseinorder.

Oneofthesemindsearthlythings.ItisaparallelScripturetoRomans8:5,Fortheythatareafterthefleshdomindthethingsoftheflesh."Domind,"thereisthesameword, only here it is the participle and there it is the verb, but themeaning is thesame.Theythatareafter theearthmindearthly things; they thatareafter the fleshfavorfleshlythings.Thefirstpartofthispointisthedescriptionofwickedmen,theythatareenemiestothecrossofChristandtothewaysofgodliness.Theyarementhatmindearthly things,andthemoregrossof themaredescribedbefore thisashavingtheir bellies as their gods. Some of them are very sensual, drunken, unclean, andaltogethergiven tosatisfy the flesh in fleshly lusts.But thereareothers thatdonotappear tobe sobrutish, yet they aremenof earthlymindswho savouronly earthlythings,andthesearethementhataresecretenemiestothecrossofChrist,yea,andwillmanytimesappearsotobe;itwillbreakoutatlength.SuchamanwhosespirithasbeenearthlyforalongtimewillappearatlengthtobeanenemytoChrist'scross.Nowinthehandlingofthispoint,Iwillpropoundthesefivethings:

First,what it istomindearthlythingsinasinfulway,orthus:Whenamanmaybesaid to be an earthly-minded man, that we may know when a man is an earthly-mindedman,whatitistomindearthlythingsthattheApostledescribeshereawickedman by.Without the opening of this, all that I shall say afterwardswill be to littlepurpose.

Secondly, thegreat evil that there is inmindingearthly things, and I shallhelpyoudiscoveragreaterevilinitthanyouareawareof.

Thirdly, lay down some proofs whereby thosemen and women that think they are

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clearof thissinmayhave itrevealedtotheirconsciencesthat theyarethemenandwomenthatdomindearthlythings.

Fourthly, I shall search into the reason why the hearts of men and women are somuchafterearthlythings.

Fifthly,Ishalllabortotakeyourheartsoffofearthlythings.Thesearethefivethingsthataretobedoneinthefirstpartofthepoint,namely,thecharacterofwickedmenherelaiddown,whomindearthlythings.'

First,whotheyarethatmindearthlythings.Certainlytheyarenotallthosethatenjoyearthly things.Allmenwhomakeuseofearthly thingsmustnotbecondemned formindingthem.Paulhimself,inthisveryepistle,Philippians4:12,wrotethatthoughheknewhowtowant,yetheknewhowtoabound.Hecouldtellhowtomakeuseofearthlythings,andhegiveschargethatallthosethatareinstructedshouldmakesuchas had instructed them partakers of all their goods. Paul charges this! Yea, ChristHimself, inthatScripturewhereHelaborsmosttotakethethoughtsofmenofftheearth,andnottotakeanythoughtforwhattheyshouldeatordrink,stillsays,YourheavenlyFatherknowsthatyehaveneedofthesethings,Matthew6:32.Galatians6:6, Let him that is taught in theWord communicate unto him that teacheth all goodthings,andiftherebeanypretenceagainstit,yethesays,Benotdeceived,Godisnotmockedforwhatsoeveramansoweth,thatshallhealsoreap.

Therefore,itisnotherecharged,asamarkofanevilman,tohaveearthlythings,andtojustlyrequirewhatisdueuntohim,asPauldoeshere.AndtheGalatianscouldnotchargehimwithbreakinghisownrulewhichhewrotetothePhilippians.Therefore,we must inquire what is meant by minding earthly things. When does a man orwomanmindearthlythingsinasinfulway?Forthatthereareseveralparticulars.

ChapterTwo:Earthly-MindednessDiscoveredinNineParticulars

The first is this:whenaman looksuponearthly thingsas thegreatest thingsofall,whenhehasahighesteemofearthlythingsasTHEthings.Asifitwerethus,"Oh,ifIhadsuchandsuch thingsasothershave,ohhowhappy Iwouldbe.Howhappyaresuchandsuchmenthatdoenjoysuchearthlythingsattheirwill, intheirdwellings,their furniture, their comings in; oh, these are the excellent things, these are thedelightfulthings.TheseareTHEthingsinwhichfelicityandhappinessconsist."

When men promise themselves felicity in any earthly things, they mind earthlythings.Iremembergolden-mouthedChrysostomhadaspeechaboutacovetousmanwholookeduponhismoneyandsawmorebeautyinhismoneythanintheverysunthat shines in the firmament. Men look upon the things of the earth as the most

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beautifulthingsintheireyes.Certainlyamanisinadistemperwhenheputssuchahighesteemuponanyearthly things.Thisesteem isnotaccording towhatGodandHissaintsputuponearthlythings.Godneverputsanygreateminencyonanyearthlything. He never made any earthly things to be any great conduit or means ofconveyance of any great good fromHimself unto His creature. If you would knowwhereyourheart is,youmayknowitby thisonesignasmuchasany:whatdoyoucountyourexcellency?Accordingtowhatanymanorwomancountstheirexcellencytoconsistin,soistheirheart.Theirheartsaresuitable.

InGenesis27:28-39 ,you findIsaacblessingJacobandEsau.But Iwouldhaveyouobserve the difference in the placement of them. Observe the blessing of Jacob inverse28.ThereGodgivesthedewofheavenandthefatnessoftheearth,andplentyofcornandwineasJacob'sblessing.NowlookatEsau'sblessing,fortheblessingwassuitable to theirdisposition. Jacob's father answeredand saiduntohim,Behold thydwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dewof heaven fromabove.Markit,Isaacblessesthembothwiththedewofheavenandfatnessoftheearth.ButinJacob'sblessing thedewofheaven is first and the fatnessof theearth is second,whileinEsau'sblessing,thefatnessoftheearthisfirstandthenthedewofheaven.Note this, that a godly man stands in need of earthly things. As Christ said, YourFatherknowsyoustandinneedofthesethings.Butthegreatthinginthefirstplacethatagodlyheartmindsisthedewofheaven,andthensecondlytheblessingoftheearth.Nowacarnalheartthinksthatithassomeneedofthethingsofheaven,itwillacknowledge that. But it's the fatness of the earth they desire and then the dew ofheaven. So that's the first thing: earthly-mindedmen lookupon these things as thehighandchief things,andhence it is that thechoice thoughtsofanearthly-mindedmanarecarriedoutonworldlyobjects.

Secondly, when the creamy, choice thoughts of men and women are busied aboutearthlythings,theymindearthlythingsinasinfulmanner.Youmayknowwhatkindofheartsyouhavebyyourthoughtsaboutanything.Thethoughtsaretheimmediateebullitions or risings up of the heart, that is, the bubbles that come from the heartimmediately.

A man cannot know what is in his heart as much by words and actions as by thethoughts,becausethethoughtsimmediatelyspringfromtheheart.Forexample,Icantell what the water is in such a fountain better from that which bubbles upimmediately from the fountainhead than I can tell by the water that runs in thestream a mile or two off that never came from the fountainhead. That whichimmediatelybubblesfromthefountainheadrevealsthenatureofthefountain.

Thethoughtsare,asitwere,thefirstbornoftheheartand,therefore,theheartmaybeknownbythethoughts.TheHolyGhostsaidinProverbs23:7,Asamanthinkethinhisheart,soishe.Thatwhichisherespokeninparticularmaybeappliedingeneral.

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Asamanthinksinhisheart,soishe;ashisthoughtsare,soishe.Theheartisasthethoughtsofthemindare.Menmaykeepwordsinandactionsoutbyrespects.Ifyoucouldknowwhattheheartisandlookintothehauntsofitinsecret,thatwouldrevealtoyouwhatyouare.Manyofyourservants,wheninyourpresenceorbeforeothers,may,outofrespect,carrythemselvesfairly.Butifyouwouldfindthemout, labortoknowwhattheydowhentheyarealoneintheirprivatehaunts.

So, would you know your own hearts? Do not look so much at them and take ascantlingofthembyhowyoubehaveyourselves inwordsandactionsbeforeothers,butwhattheyareinyourprivatechambers,whattheyareintheinwardthoughtsofthemind; there the heart comes to be discoveredmost.By these thoughts I donotmean every kind of injection or suggestion, for sometimes the Devil may cast evilthoughts into the most holy. But I mean such thoughts as are sweet to the soul,whereby the soul comes to suckout sweetness and contentment, for that'smindingearthlythings:whenyoufindthestrengthofyourthoughtstobeuponthethingsofthe earth; and they aremore suitable to yourhearts than any other. It is notwhenthrough weakness the mind may be wandering this way or that way, or throughsuggestionsortemptations,butmenorwomenaremostthemselveswhenaloneandfree.Canyousaywhenyouarealone,"OtheverythoughtsofGodaresweettome,Imeditate in His law day and night." Can you suck out sweetness there as from ahoneycomb?Butanuncleanwretchwillsucksweetnessoutofhisuncleanthoughtswhen he is alone. The earthly-minded man will suck sweetness out of his earthlythoughts, and the ambitiousman the sweetness of his pridewhen he is alone, andthese are themost contentful thoughts to him.He can run two or three hours andtakedelightandpleasureinthem,that'searthly-mindedness.

Thethirdthingisthis:anearthly-mindedmanisonewhoseheartcleavestotheearth.AsItoldyou,thewordwasnotonlytomind,buttosavourthethingsoftheearth,hisheart cleaves to the earth. The Psalmist, in a far different case, said that his soulcleavedtothedust,butthat'strueofmanymeninthiscase.Theirverysoulscleavetothedust,theirspiritsaremixedwiththeearth,andthereforetheyaredross.Itmaybetheyhavesomegoodcommongifts,somegoodnaturalparts,andsomeworkingsoftheHolyGhostuponthem,yet theirspiritsaredrossy,because theyaremixedwiththeearth.Talktothesemenofthevanityofthethingsoftheearth.Theywillgiveyouahearing,butwhenyouhavedoneall,theirsoulscleavetotheearth.Andtalktothemoftheexcellencyofheavenlythings.Theywillhearyou,butwhenyouhavedoneall,theirsoulsstillcleavetotheearth,asamanwhosesoulcleavesinlovetoawoman(asit is said of Samson, his soul did cleave toDelilah). Saywhat youwill against thatwoman,oroftheexcellencyofanyotherwoman,yethissoulcleavestothatwoman.Soitisinanearthly-mindedman:letwhatwillbesaidagainstthethingsoftheearth,orwhatcanbesaidforthesettingforthoftheexcellencyofthethingsofheaven,yethissoulcleavestotheearth,astheserpent'sbellydidtothedustoftheground.That'sanearthly-mindedman.

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Fourthly, an earthly-mindedman is onewhose heart is filledwith distracting caresabouttheearth,whatheshalleatanddrink,andwhatheshallputon,howheshallprovideforhimselfandhisfamily,andwhatshallbecomeofhim.Thoughheiswellnow,whatmaybecomeofhimafterwards?When theheart is filledwithdistractingcaresaboutthethingsoftheearth,asfarasthehearthastheseprevailingoverit,sofarsuchamanmaybejudgedtobeearthly.

Therearebuttwothingsthatcausedistractingcaresaboutanybusiness,

Thefirstisanapprehensionofsomeverygreatevil.IncaseIshouldbedisappointed,Ilook upon my disappointment as a most intolerable evil to me. If I should bedisappointed,Idonotknowwhatintheworldtodo.That'sthefirst.

Thesecondisanuncertaintyinthemeansforthepreventionofthisdisappointment.When I look upon disappointment as a great evil, I cannot trust those things thatpreventandhelpmeagainstdisappointmenttodoso.Iseethemasbeingtooweaktohelp me; notwithstanding such means, I may yet be disappointed. This causesdistractingthoughts.

So, in the things of the earth, an earthly-mindedman or woman has his thoughtsfilled with distracting cares about the world. First, looking upon the things of theworld as such great things, they think that if they are disappointed, they will beundone.They lookupon itassucha fearful, insufferableevil tobedeprivedof theirestateandoutwardcomfortsinthisworld.Secondly,theydon'tlookuponthemeansofprovisionforthemselvesandtheirfamiliesashavinganycertaintyinit,whichisamain thing to be considered. As for outward things in the world, they find byexperience there is uncertainty in them. And then for any promise that there is inScripture thatGodwill provide for themand their families, alas, that they dare nottrust.That'sathingthatofallmeanstheythinktobetheweakest."Lord,havemercyupon us," they say. If they have nothing else to trust but aword of Scripture, theythinkofthemselvesasmostmiserableandwretched.

Butnow, itwouldbeotherwisewiththesoul if itwerenotearthly-minded.Itwouldnotbeatanygreatpausehowthingsfallouthereinthemattersoftheworld.It'strue,perhapsImaymiscarry insuchabusiness,andmyestatemaybetakenfrommebytheChaldeansortheSabeans,aswasJob's,butIshallnotbeundone,myhappinessisnotgone.Ishallhavethatwhichwillcomfortmewhenallthatisgone.Supposetheworst,yes,thiswillnotundome.Indeed,amanthatsendshiswholeestateabroadinaventure isverysolicitousbecause, if there isbadnewsabout it,he isundone.Butanothermanwhohasagreatdealofriches,house,andlands,andastockathometomaintainhimandhisfamily,ifbadnewscomeshethinks,"Ihaveastockathometoliveon."Heisnotassolicitous.Soaworldlymanhasallhisstockintheearth,there's

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hisonlyportion,andifhemiscarriesthere,heisundone.Butagodlyman,thoughhehas the things of the earth, yet he has something else, treasures in heaven to restuponbesidestheearth,andthereforeheisnotassolicitous.

Andthenforthesecond,theuncertaintyofmeansandhelp.Ifagodlymanlooksuponoutwardcauses,heseesallisuncertain,buthehasapromisetorestupon,Iwillneverleaveyounorforsakeyou.CastyourcareuponMeforIcareforyou.Thishelooksonas a certainmeans andhelp.Whatever falls out, here's a promise that he canbuildupon, and therefore this takes off his solicitous cares.But an earthly-mindedman'sheart is filledwithdistracting cares,becadsehe looksuponhimself asundone ifhemiscarrieshereandhasnothingmorethanthecreaturedoesforhisprovisioninthisworld.

Fifthly, an earthly-mindedmanorwoman is onewhose greatbusinessofhisheart,and endeavors of his life, are about the things of the earth. Hemakes it his greatbusiness, and the strong endeavors of his spirit are exercised in the things of theearth.Heeagerlyandgreedilyworkswiththestrongestintentionaboutthesethings;how the whole soul, the wholeman is laid out about the world; it is the adequateobjectofhissoul.

Youwillsay,"Othermenarebusy intheircallingsaswellasthesethatyouaccountearthly-mindedmen." Yes, but they are busy in their callings in obedience to God.And,foroutwardthings,theysetasidetheirobediencetoGod.Thenallthethingsthattheybusythemselveswithintheworld,wereitnotunderthatconsiderationthattheywere obeying God in it, they would not be adequate objects for their souls. By anadequateobject,Imeanthatwhichissufficienttotakeupthewholestrengthofthe,soultolayitoutfully.

I'llgiveyouthisexampletoshowyouwhatImeanbyanadequateobject.Youhavealittlechildplayingsports.Thissporthasasmuchinitasthereisinhisspirit,thereisakindofequalitybetweenhisspiritandsuchasport.Achildreceivesenoughbenefitfromasportthatit'sworthlayingoutallhisstrengthandmightuponit.Now,itmaybe,sometimesamanorwomanwillplaywiththeirchild.Theywillplayasthechilddoes,butthissportisnotanadequateobject.Amanorwomanwillplaywiththechildforawhile,butthereisnotenoughgoodinthisplaytofilltheirsouls,thoughitisfullyadequatetothedesiresofthechild.Thesethingsarenotfullyadequatetothedesiresof a man or woman. They have other matters in their heads than these, andbusinesses of a higher nature. And so it is in those that are not earthly- minded.Thoughtheymaybebusiedaboutthethingsofthisworld,yettheyusetheworldasiftheyused itnot.The thingsof theworldarenot adequateobjects to theirhearts.Aspiritualheartreservesthechiefstrengthofitforhigherthings.Ifollowthesethingsintheworld,butIreservethechiefstrengthforamoredesirablegood.

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Ifamanhas friendscome tohim,perhapssomeofanordinary rankcome first.Hemakesordinaryprovisionforthem,butifhehasanychoicethingsforentertaining,hereserves them for some choice friends that are coming. So aman that is not of theworld,thoughhemaybebusyinearthlythings,yetthechoiceofhishearthereservesfor thingsof ahighernature. I rememberTertullianhada speechof theChristians,how they ate and drank when they supped. "They ate and drank so as theyremembered theywere topray thatnightbefore they slept." So a gracious, spiritualheartfollowshisoutwardbusinessintheworld,butremembersheistoconversewithGod that night before he sleeps, so that he reserves the strength of his spirit forcommunionwithGod.Buttheotherlaysoutallhisstrengthasifhehadnothingtodoafterwards.Inthis,anearthlyandaspiritualheartarequitecontrary.

TheApostlewouldhavegodlymentousetheworldasiftheyuseditnot.Contrarily,anearthly-mindedmanusesspiritualthingsasifheusedthemnot.Howanearthly-mindedman'sheart is inspiritualthings,soaspiritualmindis inearthlythings.Anearthly-mindedmanwilldosomethingsthatarespiritual.HewillcomeandheartheWord,perhapshewillprayinhisfamilyandreadachapter,buthisheartisnotthere.Hedoes it as if hedid it not, comeandhears as if heheardnot, andprays as if heprayed not.He does notmake it his business to pray or hear. A spiritually-mindedman does worldly things as if he did them not, in comparison to being busy inspiritual things. Those he does with all his might. An earthly-minded man is likeCorah,Dathan,andAbiram.Wereadthattheywereswallowedupbytheearth.So,thetruthis,thethingsoftheearth,contentments,provisionforthemselvesandfamiliesinearthlythings,opensandswallowsuptheveryheartsofearthly-mindedmen.

Sixthly,supposeamandoesnotseemtobesostrongly inclinedto layouthiswholestrengthandheartaboutearthlythings.Yetwhenanymanorwomanshallseekanyearthly thing. for itself, and not in subordination to some higher good, this is anearthly-minded man, for as this prevails, in 2 Corinthians 4:18 , our Apostle Paulspeaks of the things that are seen that are but temporal.While we look not at thethingsthatareseen,forthethingsthatareseenareearthlyandtemporal.Thewordisasmuchasiftosay,"Whilewelookupontemporalandearthlythingsthatareseen,wedonotmake themourend.Weseek them in subordination.There is somethingelsethatwelookatashigherinallthese'things."

Forinstance,amanwhoisgodlyfollowshisbusinessasothermendo,butwhatisitthatI)ewouldhave?Itisthis:IshowmyobediencetoGod,andIwouldprovidethosethingsthatmaybehelpfultometoserveGodinmygeneration;that'smyend.IcanappealtoGodinthis,thateveninfollowingmybusinessandalloutwardthings,itissothatImightfollowGodintheuseofmeansfortheprovidingofsuchthingsasmayenablemetoservehimthemoreinmygeneration.ThisismyscopeinwhatIdo.

But now on the other side, an earthly-minded man makes his scope to follow his

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businessandlookaboutthebusinessofhiscallingthathemightgain.Hewouldgetthathemightget;hewouldhavemorethathemighthavemore,andthatheandhischildrenmight be somebody in theworld. Itmay be that hemight have enough tohavehiswillandlusts,andthereforehefollowshisbusinessveryintently,merelythathemaygettosatisfytheflesh.Yes,indeed,allthegoodthingsthathedoes,hebringstheminsubordinationtoearthlythings.Youmaytakeitthusly,aspiritualmandoesnotseekearthlythingsforhimself,butanearthlymandoes.Ormorefully,anearthlyman is earthly in all that he does do, both in earthly and spiritual things, and aspiritually-minded man is spiritual in all he does, both in spiritual and in earthlythings.Whenanearthlymanisinearthlythingsheisaltogetherearthly,hedoesnotlookatobediencetoGodinwhathedoes.Aspiritualmansays,"I'llfollowmycallingbecauseGodhasrequired it,"butanearthlymanthinks, "I'll follow itbecauseIseegaincomingfromit."Thisisearthly.Thoughthethingsarelawful,(andit'syourdutytofollowyourcalling)buttofollowitmerelyforgain,thisisearthly.Butbecauseitisyourdutyandit istheplaceGodhassetyouin,that isspirituality inearthlythings.Anearthlymanisearthlyinearthlythings,andheismoreearthlyinspiritualthings.Whenheperforms spiritualduties,hehasanearthly end in it, either toget esteemfrommen,ortocoversomeevil.Perhapsmerelyforformorfashionhedoesitinanearthlyway,anditmaybeatmostthathedoesitmerelyforhisownquiet,tosatisfyhisownconscience.

Now a spiritualman is spiritual in earthly things. One of a spiritualmind ismoreheavenly and spiritual when he is about his calling, though it be the lowest, likecuttinghedges,diggingditches,pullingropesorlines,orusinghisaxeorhammer.Heismore spiritual at these than is an earthlymanwhen he is praying or hearing, orreceivingSacraments.Certainlyitisso,anditwillbefoundtobesoatthegreatdayofjudgment,whenallthesecretsofallheartsshallbedisclosed.

Thatwhichwemayaddasaseventh is, thathe isearthly inspiritual things. Igrantthatthebestofthesaintsmayhavesomeearthlinessinspiritualthings,butIspeakofthe predominance. It's that which rules in the heart, so that in the performance ofspiritualthings,hisveryendsarebutearthly,andtheframeofhisheartisbutearthlyinspiritualperformances.

Theeighththingwhereinwemayfindanearthly-mindedmanisthis,thathepassesthroughmanyandgreatdifficultiesinmattersoftheearth,andtheyareverylittletohim.Thoughhetoilsagreatdealinmattersoftheearthheisneverwearybecauseheisinhisproperelement.Therefore,lettherebewhatdifficultiestherewillbe,whichtoanothermanwouldbeverygreat,hemakesthemasnothingand,thoughthereismuchtoilandlabor,yetheisnotweary.Why?Becauseheisinhisownelement.Thefishisnotwearywithswimming,butamanisquicklyweary.Itisbecausethefishisinhiselementandthemanisnot.Observethis,whenaman'sspiritisinthiskindoftemper, lethimbebusiedaboutearthly things,whereinearthlyadvantagecomes in,

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nodifficultieswillhinderhim,nowindorweather.Hewillriseincoldmorningsandgoabroad,doanythingintheworld.Oh!Whatdifficultieswillmenendureinstormsatsea,andhazardsthereandtroublesatland,andsituplate,andriseearly,andtoilthemselves, and complain of no weariness or difficulties. But, let them come tospiritualthings,tosoulbusinessthatconcernsGodandtheirspiritualestates.Everylittledifficultyputsthemasideanddiscouragesthem.Everymolehillisamountainintheirway.Iwoulddosoandso,butit'ssohard,and'tistedious.toriseinamorning,especially in cold winters. It is very hard and difficult to read and pray. And so hecomplainsofthedifficultyofthesethings.

Towatchovertheheartisaverydifficultthing.Toanearthlyman,anyspiritualthingisdifficultand thedifficultiesdiscouragehim. Inspiritual things,ohhowwearyarethey!InMalachi1:13 , theycryout,Whataweariness is it!Buttheycanfollowthebusinessoftheworldfrommorningtonightandnevergettired.Theycanworklikeahorse andnever be out of breath! Iwish youwould try once to spend one Sabbathexactly and seewhataweariness thatwouldbe to you.Resolve justoneSabbath toriseearlyinthemorning,andtohaveyourthoughtsspiritualandheavenlyasmuchasyoucan.Thengetupandprayaloneinyourcloset.Thenread,andhear,andmeditate,andmarkwhatyouhear.Andwhenyougohome,thinkofitandconferaboutit.AndwhenyoucomeagaintoattendontheWord,andsospendthewholedayinhearing,reading, meditating, and conferencing about good things, calling your family toaccount, andpraying again. Seehow tiresome thiswill be to yourhearts if they arecarnal.

However,aspiritualheartwillcalltheSabbathadelight.AndtheSabbathuntosuchaoneisnootherthanatypeandforerunnerofthateternaldayofrestitshallenjoyinthekingdomofheaven.OnethatisspiritualcountstheSabbathtobeadayofrest,butanearthlymanisquicklytiredinspiritualthings.Hewillgiveuphisworkandnotgothrough it.We read inNehemiah 4:6 that Nehemiah spoke of the great difficultiesthattheymetwithintheirwork,andyettheworkwenton,fortheyhadamindtoit.Solookhowaman'smindis,hewillbeabletogothroughwithhiswork.Ifamanisan earthly- mindedman, he will go through with his work. If he takes up worldlybusiness,hewillgothroughwithit,forhehasamindtoit.Heisanearthly-mindedman.Butlethimtakeonaspiritualworkandhewilllayitasidebeforeitishalfdone!Hewillseldombringtoperfectionanyspiritualwork.Why?Becausehehasnomindto it, whereas, if the heart were spiritual and there were any spiritual workundertaken,suchaonewouldgothroughwithituntilallwasfinished.Anothernote(the ninth particular) which describes an earthly-minded man is this: an earthly-mindedman isone thatconceives themostheavenly truths thatarerevealed in theWordinanearthlyway,accordingtohismind,hisgenius,andthedispositionofhisownheart.Itrulythinkthisismeantinaspecialmannerinthisplace,fortheApostleis speakingof those thatopposedhim inhisministryand thatwereenemies to thecrossofChrist.Now,thesemindearthlythings,theirmindsareofanearthlytemper,

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and therefore it is nowonder they donot savor those heavenly and spiritual truthsthatwebringtothem,fortheirminds,beingearthly,doonlyapprehendthosethingsafteranearthlymanner.

NowwhatwasthegreattruththattheApostlebroughttothePhilippians?Itwastheway of reconciling the world to God, of making our peace with God, and of ourjustification through Jesus Christ.Now there is no point of religionmore spiritual,heavenly,anddivine,thanthedoctrineofreconciliation,andofjustificationbyJesusChrist.Sothatonewhoisofanearthlydisposition,thoughhemaybeconvincedofanecessityofpardonofsinandpeacewithGod,yetapprehendsthemakingofhispeacewithGodandobtainingpardonof sin inanearthlymanner.Hehascarnal thoughtsandapprehensionsabouthisplacewithGodandobtainingpardonofsin.Hethinksitis the same way that one man obtains peace with another when there has been afalling out, and of getting pardon from another man that he has offended. Heconceivesitinanearthlyway,helooksuponhismakingpeacewithGodbysomethingthathemustperform.ButthefreejustificationbythegraceofGodinChrist?It'stoodivine, spiritual, andheavenly foranearthly-mindedman toapprehend.Anearthly-mindedman'sapprehensionsofGodareonlyinacarnal,earthlyway.

AstheprophetspeaksinIsaiah1:3,Theoxknowshisowner,andtheasshismaster'scrib.Inthesamewayanearthly-mindedmanknowsGod,likeanoxknowshisowner,andtheasshismaster.Theoxknowshisownersincehebringshimfodderdaily,soan earthly-mindedmanhas no other apprehensions ofGodbut thatGod gives himgood things in this world. Godmakes his corn to grow or prospers his voyage. Anearthly-mindedmanmay rise so high as to have apprehensions of God as bringinggoodthingsuntohimhereonearth,butonethatisspiritualandheavenlyapprehendsGodasGod.Hedoesnot lookuponGodmerelyasgood inrespectof thebenefithereceivesfromGodhere,buthelooksuponGodasHeisinHimself.HeseesthefaceofGod.There'sagreatdealofdifferencebetweenamanthatknowsanothermanandabeastthatknowsaman.

Theoxknowshisowner.Theoxknowsthemanthatbringshayorprovisionstohim,butamanknowsamaninanotherway.Heknowswhatthenatureofamanis,whatitistobearationalcreature.SoonewhoisspiritualknowswhatGodisinHimself;heseesthefaceofGod,andunderstandswhatGodisinanotherwaythanothersdo.ThedifferencebetweentheknowledgeofGodthataspiritualsoulhas,onewhoispureinheart,andtheknowledgeofGodthatanearthlyhearthas,isjustasdifferent.Astheoxknowsthemanthatdriveshimtofatpastures,soanearthlymanknowsGodgiveshimgood things.Buta spiritualmanknowsGodasonemanknowsanother,not inthe full excellency, but there is such a difference in some degree between theapprehensionsofGodinaspiritualheartandtheapprehensionsofGodinanearthlyheart.

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We might mention many other spiritual and divine truths that an earthly mindapprehendsonlyinanearthlyway.Forexample,considerheavenitself.Howdoesanearthlymindapprehendthat?Heapprehendsthatheshallbedeliveredfrompainandshallhavesomekindofglory,butheknowsnotwhatitis.Heconceivesitaccordingtothewayoftheearth,somepompous,gloriousthing,thatheshallliveinpleasuresandnot inpain, and so apprehends all the glory of heavenbut in sensuality.A spiritualheart looksatheaven inanotherway.He looksupon the enjoymentof communionwithGod and JesusChrist in heaven, and living the life ofGod in heaven. That's athing an earthly heart has no skill in at all, neither does such a heart somuch assavourit.

ThusIhaveintheseseveralparticularsrevealedwhatanearthly-mindedmanis.Oh,that youwould lay your hands upon your hearts and consider how far these thingsreach you! But besides these, I have divers other arguments to convince theconsciencesofmenandwomen that there is stillmuchearthliness in them,butweshalltreattheminorderlater.

Thesecondheadtoconsideristhis:thegreatevilofearthly-mindednessisthattheymindearthly things. "Is thatsuchagreatmatter?"yousay. "Wecannot imagine thetranscendency of the evil there is in this. We think there's a great deal of evil inswearing,whoring,drinking,andsuchscandaloussins.Buttohaveanearthlymind?Wedonotthinkthistobesuchanexceedingevil."YetyouwillfindthattheScripturespeaksmostdreadfulthingsagainstthis,andifGodispleasedtosetthemuponyourhearts, I hope that much glory may come to God by it, and much good to you inparticular.

ChapterThree:SixEvilsofEarthly-Mindedness

THEFIRSTEVIL.TheScripturecallsitadultery.ItisspiritualadulteryinJames4:4,"Yeadulterersandadulteresses,knowyenotthatthefriendshipoftheworldisenmitywithGod?"Theywereadulterersandadulteressesinrespectoftheirlovetotheworld.You thatwouldabhor the thoughtof a temptation toadultery, yet youmay commitspiritual adultery. Aman or awomanmay be an adulterer or adulteress before theLord, though they never commit the act of uncleanness with another. Yet if theirhearts are towards another, they are guilty of uncleanness, for Christ said thatwhoever looks on a woman to lust after her in his heart has committed adulteryalready.Thatis,hehassinnedagainstthatcommandwhichforbidsadultery.Ifamanlets his heart go after anotherwomanmore thanhiswife, and awife after anothermanmorethanherhusband,thisisadulterybeforetheLord.SoifourheartsgoafteranythingmorethantheLordJesusChrist,towhomweprofesstobemarriedandwhoisourHusband,thisisadulteryinScripturalterms.

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THE SECOND EVIL. A worldly or an earthly mind in Scriptural terms is called"Idolatry" inEphesians 5:5 . Speaking of divers sins that should not somuch as benamedamongthem,asisbecomingsaints,helistscovetousnessamongtherest.Andheaddsthis,andcovetousness,whichisidolatry.Nowwhatisearthly-mindednessbutcovetousness,whichis idolatry?Amanorwomanisanidolaterwhoisofanearthlymind.Idolatry,whichisaworshipingofsticksandstones,youallaccounttobeagreatsin;butdoyouandallotherstakeheedofanotheridolatrythatmaybeasbad,whichis to have your hearts make the god of this world -the cursed mammon ofunrighteousness-tobeyourGod,tomakethethingsoftheearthtobeyourChristbyfallingdownandworshipingthegoldencalfoftheworld?It'scertainthatthethingaman'sheartismosttakenwithandsetuponishisGod.Andtherefore.inthisverse,itis said they made earthly things (their bellies) their god. The voluptuous anddrunkardsmaketheirbelliestheirGod,andtheuncleanpersonmakeshisstrumpettobehisgoddessandworshipsthat.

Whateveryourheart ismost setupon, that isyourGod.Therefore,youmustknow,thatthisisthemeaningoftheCommandment,ThoushalthavenootherGodsbeforeMe.Thatis,youshallgiveMe,andnothingelse,thestrengthofyoursoul.IamaGodto My creature when I have its strength exercised about Me, to lift up Me as thehighestgood.Butifthereisanythingelsethatyoursoulissetonasthehighestgood,that'syourgod,andit'sworsethanbowingtheknee.Youbowyoursoultothatthing.

NowthemorebaseanythingisthatwemakeaGodof, themorevile isthe idolatry.WhentheEgyptiansworshipeddiverssortsofgods,theywereaccountedthemostvileidolaters,whereas other heathensworshipedmore excellent things: the sun,moon,andstars.TheEgyptiansworshipeddogs,cats,onions,andvile things,andthereforetheir idolatry was vile. So, themore vile any thing is thatmen or women set theirheartsupon,themorevile is their idolatry.Foramantosethisheartuponuncleanlustsandtomakethemtobeagod,satisfyingthoselusts,isabominable.Tomakeanyearthlythingagodtousismostvilefor,ofallthethingsoftheworksofcreationthatGodhasmade, theearth is the lowest. It is thebasestand lowest thingandhas theleast beauty in itself, and it is themost dull andmeanest element of all. Tomakeearthlythingstobeagodtoyouismostvile.

OBJECTION:Youwillsayforthisidolatry,"Whatisthereinit?"ANSWER:Therearetwoparticularstoopentheevilofidolatryorearthly-mindedness.

First,theevilofidolatryisinthis:youdepartfromGod.Inlettingyourheartsgooutto these things, you go off from God, and renounce the protection of God, thegoodnessandmercyofGod.Youleaveitallbythis.InHosea4:12,theyaresaidtogoa-whoring fromunder theirGod. It isanotablephrase.Bygoing to idols, theywentout from the protection of Godwhereas, while theywereworshiping the trueGod,theywereundertheprotectionofGod.Butwhentheywenttoidols,theywentfrom

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undertheirGod,fromunderHisprotection.SowhenyousetyourheartuponGodandlift up the infinite First Being of all things as theChiefGood to your soul, you areundertheinfluenceofthisgraceandmercy,butwhenyoudepartfromHimandmakeother things to be your chief good, you go fromunderHis protection and fromHisgoodnessandmercy.

Secondly,God is slighted and condemnedwhen you choose tomake the earth yourgodratherthantheinfiniteFirstBeingofallthings.Amanmightdespisehiswife,anabominablesin,andchoosetogotoaQueen,themostbeautifulwomanintheworld,forsakinghiswife.ButtoleaveaQueenorEmpress,whoisthemostbeautifulwomanuponearth,andtohavetheheartcleavetoabasedunghillraker,wouldthisnotbeagreat show of contempt to the beautifulQueen ? Yet it is sowhen you forsake theblessed,eternalGodasyourChiefGood,andchoosethethingsoftheearth.ForthetruthisthattheearthisthesinkofallthecreaturesofGod'smaking,andforyoutoleave the most blessed and eternal One, and to make the earth your god is, ofnecessity, a very vile and abominable thing. Therefore the prophet Jeremiah, inspeakingofthisidolatry,callstheheavensandtheearthtobeamazedatit.Jeremiah2:12,Beastonished,Oyeheavensatthis,andbehorribleafraid.beyeverydesolate,saith the Lord.Why?What's thematter? Formy people have committed two evils,they have forsakenme the fountain of livingwaters, and hewed them out cisterns,brokencisternsthatcanholdnowater.Soitishere.Youforsakethefountainoflivingwaters, the blessed God, and your heart cleaves to the dust. You seek yourcontentment and happiness in cisterns that can hold no water! Let the heavens beastonishedatthishorriblewickedness.

THE THIRD EVIL. Thirdly, earthly-mindedness is enmity against God. You wouldhatetobefoundanenemyagainstGod.Certainlyit'struethatanearthly-mindedmanorwomanisanenemytoGod.TheScripturemakes it tobeenmity intheverytext,James4:4,knowyenotthattheloveoftheworldisenmitytoGod?Observethis,forthere'smuchinit:ifGodwouldbepleasedtolaythisonourhearts,youwillfindbyexperience that earthly-mindedness makes men to be enemies to that which isspiritually good. Therefore, well might the Holy Ghost say, 'tis enmity to God, forwhateverisenmitytoanythingthatisspirituallygoodisenmitytoGod.Asmuchasmyheartoranyofyourheartsareagainstanythingthatisspiritual,somuchmineoranyofyourheartsareenemiestoGod.Here,inthistext,theearthly-mindedmenaremade enemies to the cross of Christ, that is, enemies to the spiritual preaching ofChrist and holding forth of Christ. Indeed, if they would have mixed Christ andcircumcision together, then they would have been content with it, but now thisspiritual way of preaching Christ and being justified by faith alone, and Christianreligion in its purity, was that which was not suitable to their carnal hearts, andthereforetheywereenemiestoit.

Oh! Earthly-mindedness makes us enemies to spiritual things. Where you have

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greaterenemiesuntothethingsofGod,untospiritualthings,untotheministryoftheWordandtotheworkofGod'sgraceupontheheartsofmenandwomen,therearenogreater enemies unto these things than earthly-minded men, men that savour thethingsoftheearth.Theycangoupanddown,andtheydonotcareaslongastheycango about their business, grow rich in the world and fare deliciously every day withDives,makingprovisionforthefleshtofulfilltheluststhereof.ThereisanantipathyintheirspiritsagainstJesusChristandallgoodness.

THEFOURTHEVIL.Fourthly,thereisscarcelyanydispositionmoreopposite,morecontrary to the work of grace, to the work of godliness in aman's own heart thanearthly-mindedness. 'Tissoexceedinglycrosstothenatureofgrace,thatyoumayaswellputmenorwomenonthestand,andputthemuponexaminationwhethertherebe any grace or not in their hearts, if earthly-mindedness prevails. If God shouldsufferyourcorruptionstoprevailoveryou,sothatyoushouldbreakforthintosomenotorioussins,thenitmaybeyouwouldbegintothink,"Canthisstandwithgrace?AndhowcanthatstandwithsuchworkingsasIhavehadbefore?HaveInotcausetofear that I am but a hypocrite, a rotten professor?" This earthly-mindedness has asmuch opposition to the nature of grace and the power of godliness in the heart asalmost any sin that you can name. It is quite contrary to the very beginning of theworkofgrace,notcontrarytothedegreesonly,buttotheverybeginning!ThemainworkofGod,at first, inworkinggrace in thesoul, is todisengage thesoul fromthecreature. It is to take it off from the earth and from all creatures here below. It isnaturally true that as we are of the earth, so we are earthly and have our spiritsengaged to the thingsof theearth.But thencomes theworkofgraceupon thesouland takes it off, and discharges the heart from the earth. Therefore you find thatChristlaysthisinasthefirstlesson,HethatwillbeMydisciple,mustdenyhimself,and take up his cross and followMe. As if He should say, "Never think of being aChristian unless you will deny yourselves." Self? What's that? It is all naturalcontentment,naturalself,andsinfulself.

To be emptied wholly of yourselves, and creature comforts, and contentments, andtakeupHiscross,tobewillingtosufferanythinginregardtoearthlycomforts,tobewilling to laydownallatHis feet, togiveupyour interest inall,and to takeupHiscross,thisistheveryfirstbeginningofChrist'sbringingdisciplestoHimself.Thesoulthen says, "Letme havemy sin pardoned, and farewell earth; it's heaven, holiness,renewal in the image of God, communion and union with God, and living to theeternalpraiseofHisnameinChristthatmyheartisupon."ThisisinthebeginningofGod'sworkingthehearttoHimself.

The work of grace, when it is first wrought, has the name of "vocation" or calling.What is it for aman to be called?Give diligence tomake your calling and electionsure.Tobecalled is this:whereasbeforeyouwerealtogetherdigginganddelving inthe earth and seeking for your happiness In theworld, it pleasedGod tomake you

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hearavoicebehindyou,callingyouandtellingyou,"Opoorsoul,yourhappiness isnothere.ThereareotherthingsinwhichtheChiefGoodconsists.Youweremadeforhigher and better things than these. God has nobler thoughts aboutmankind thanmerelytolethimhaveafewcontentmentshereintheearth.

Ohsoul!Comeawayandlookafterhigherthings.Here'sthefirstworkofgrace,andthesoulanswersuntothiscallofGodandsays,"Lord,Icome,"andsothesoulgoesuptoGodtodisposeofearthlythings,andthisisthebeginningoftheworkofgrace.Nowhowcontraryisearthly-mindednesstotheworkofGodinbringinggraceintotheheart?

Thinkofitinthesethreethings.

1.TheveryworkofconversionissetoutinScripturebyGod'scallingthesouloutoftheworld,whomHehath predestinated, himHehath called.WhenGod effectuallybeginstoworkupontheheartofasinner,Hecausesavoicetobeheardinthesoul.Oh soul!Youhavebeenbusyingyourself aboutmany things,but there isone thingnecessary. Oh, come out of that way of yours which you are in. You can never behappyotherwise.Youwillbeundoneinit."TheLordcallsthesouloutoftheworld,andthat is theveryworkofconversion,thesoul'sansweringtoGod'scall.Now,canthesoulanswerGod'scallandstillhaveaheartcleavingtothesethings?Surelysuchaoneisnotyeteffectuallycalledoutoftheworld.

2.Fromthisfollowsthesoul'sanswertothiscall.TheLorddisengagestheheartfromallcreaturecomforts,andteachesthefirstlesson:todenyhimselfandtakeupChrist'scross. Now, what is more opposite to self-denial and the taking up of the cross ofChristthanearthly-mindedness?Thetextheresays,TheyareenemiestothecrossofChrist.

3.AthirdthinginconversionistheresigningupofthesoultoGodastheChiefGood.Thesoul,uponthecallofGod,learnsthelessonofself-denialandtakingupthecross,and so being disengaged from the creature, now resigns itself toGod as an infinitesoul-satisfying good forever. Now, you cannot but in the naming of this see howoppositeearthly-mindednessistoit.

Next we turn to the work of grace upon the heart, after the heart is convened andturnedtoGod.First,gracebringsanewlightintothesoul.AspiritualanddivinelightissetupinthesoulupontheconversionofasinnertoGod.Buttheearth,youknow,isthedarkpartoftheworld,andearthly-mindednesscausesdarknesstobeuponthespirit,astheinterpositionoftheearthbetweenusandthesunhindersthesightofthesun from us. So the interposition that there is of earthliness in the soul of manbetweenGodanditselfhindersthesightofGodfromthesoul.Thereisadivinelightset up in the soul, andGodworks grace that discovers things of a higher andmore

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excellent and glorious nature, than those thingswere,which before the soul did somuchcleaveto.

Inthesecondplace,theScripturesetsforththeworkofgracebythephrase,"thenewcreature." In the soul, all things aremade new, old things are passed.He that is inChristisanewcreature.Now,earthly-mindednessisoppositetothenewcreationofthesoul.It'stheoldmanthatisoftheearth.Thefirstmanisoftheearth,earthly;andsoitisapparentthatyouarestillonlyinthestockofthefirstman,oftheearth,whoareanearthly-mindedman.But the secondman is theLord fromheaven.Butnow,youwhoareanearthly-mindedmanorwomanareyetbutachildofAdam,thefirstman,andsoareoftheearth,earthly.Thisisopposedtograce,forgraceworksanewcreationinthesoul.

Thirdly,graceisofanelevatingnature.Itraisestheheartaboveitselfandabovethecreature, yea, above the world; in some respect above angels themselves, aboveprincipalitiesandpowers,aboveallcreatedthings.Graceisofaraisingnature,butanearthly-mindedmansinksdowntolowandbasethings.

Fourthly, grace is of an enlarging nature. It enlarges the heart, so that it cannot besatisfiedwithanyearthly thing.ThoughGodshouldgive thewholeworld toaheartthathasgrace,thiswouldnotsatisfythatheart.Why?Becauseitissoenlargedbytheworkofgrace.Theworkofgrace is thedivinenature, the imageofGod in thesoul,andthereforemakesthesoul likeGod.It'ssaidofGodinIsaiah40:15 , thatall thenationsoftheeartharetoHimbutasadropinthebucket,andasthefinaldustinthebalance.Now, grace earthlymanwill strain hard but hewill get over it, butwere aman'shearttakenofffromtheearth,thoughhehadnevergonesofarinbusiness,ifthereshouldcomeastopinamatterofconscience,justadoubtthatsuchathingwasasinwouldbeenoughtostophim.Ameredoubtlestheshouldsinwouldbeenoughtomakehimsay,"Letthebusinessfallifitwill,theremaybeasnareinthis,andIseesomecause todoubt."Now, if theheartwerespiritual, itwouldbe takenoff,butanearthlymindwillgothroughmanydreadfulthingsanddoesnottroubleitself,andsoensnaresitselfexceedingly,thatmaygetanestate,orpreserveitoncehehasit.

THESIXTHEVIL.Thesixththingwhereinthedangerofearthly-mindednessconsistsis this: that 'tis one of the greatest hindrances in the world to profiting from theministryoftheWord.Omanyofyoucannotbutbeconvincedinyourconsciencesthatyouhavenotprofitedby theWord, and sometimesyouwill complainof the lackofprofitingunderthemeans!Othatyouhadheartstolookintothecauseofit,astowhyit is that you profit so little! It will appear that it comes from your earthly-mindedness.Youbringaheartfulloftheworld,fullofdross,withyou.Itisnowonderthatyoudonotseethosespiritual,heavenlythingsthatareintheWordwhenthereissomuchdrossinyoureyes.

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Summer travelers, traveling in themidst of dust and in company, do not have thefreedomoftheireyestoseethingsliketheydoatothertimes.OmanymencometotheWordwiththeirthickclay,andagreatdealoffilththatclamsuptheirveryeyes,anddeadens theirhearts in thehearingof theWord!YouknowwhatChrist said toMartha, whenMary was sitting at Christ's feet and hearingHisWord.Martha wasencumberedwithmanythings.Soit ismanytimeswiththosethatcometoheartheWord.Thoughtheyare inthepresenceofChristandhavethesoundoftheWordintheirears,yettheirheartsareencumberedaboutmanythings.There'sagreatnoiseintheirhearts.Theyarebusied in theworldevenwhile theyarehearing theWord.AsyoufindinEzekiel33:3I, there'sanotabledescriptionwhich,I fear,maybetrueofmanyofyou,And theycomeunto thee (said theLord to theprophet)as thepeoplecometh,andtheysitbeforetheeasMypeople,andtheyhearthywords,buttheywillnotdo them, forwith theirmouth theyshowmuch love,but theirheartgoethaftertheircovetousness.

TheysitbeforeyouasMypeople,andtheyhearyourwords,andtheyshowmuchlovewiththeirmouth.Theywillcommendthesermon.Itmaybethattheywillsay,"Heisanexcellentpreacher,itwasaverygoodsermonthatweheardtoday."Theywillshowlovewith theirmouths, but yet their hearts go after their covetousness for all that.Theyheardamanspeak finethings,andbringexcellentexpressionstoset forththematter at hand, but their hearts are after the things of the earth, and after theircovetousness.

Theyhadcarnal,earthly,drossyhearts,andhenceitwasthatnogoodcametothembytheministryoftheWord.Thatfamousplace,whichshows"itclearly,isinMatt.13:22.Youknowthe'severalsortsofgroundthathadtheseedoftheWordsownintothem,but there was but one of them that was good and faithful The other was thornyground.He that received seedamong the thorns ishe thathears theWord, and thecares of thisworld and thedeceitfulness of riches chokes theWord and it becomesunfruitful. I beseech you to observe it: these that our Saviour speaks of herein thisparable,whogetnobenefitfromtheWord,arenotmenthatlivelewdly(drunkards,swearers, or whoremasters), but those who have earthly hearts. It says, "thedeceitfulness of riches." The things of the earth do not hinder in an open way, forthousandsofmenwhohaveearthlyheartsdonotknowthattheyhaveearthlyhearts.No,itisthedeceitfulnessofriches,anditchokestheWord.Itmaybe,justwhentheyare hearing the Word, if affects them. Oh, they think it's sweet, and they willremember it, but the deceitfulness of riches and the cares of this world choke theWord.Whenthesethingscome,theyhaveworldlybusinesses,andtheirhouses,andgardens, and comings in, and full tables, and all the delights that they have in theworld. All these things come and possess the heart, so that theWord is choked. Itcannotgetdown into thesoul to sink in thereandso toprevail in thesoul tobringforthfruit.TheWordischoked.

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ManyofyoucomeherethreetimesontheLord'sDayandhavepreciousseedsownallthosetimes,andyethowitischokedbythecaresofthisworldandthedeceitfulnessof the thingsof thisworld!Youbringwith you, andkeepwith you, and carry alongwithyou,earthlyminds,andhenceit isthattheWordprevailsnotwithyourhearts.Oh!Whatdoyou lose through this earthliness?You lose the fruitof theWord thatshouldsaveyoursouls.Aspiritualheart,havingreceivedsomeonetruthintoit,laterblessesGodforit,andwouldnotfortenthousandworldshaveitotherwisethanthatheshouldhavethattruthpreacheduntohisheartatsuchatime.Oh,hehascausetoblessGodforsuchamorning,forsuchaday,thathehassuchagodlypearlofgreatpricepresentedtohim!Takingroot,it'smorethanifGodhadgivenhimthousandsofworldstopossess.

Butnow,manyofyou,havingyourthoughtsandheartsaboutsomepettythingofthisworld,all thoseblessed truths thatyouhear fromtime to time, things that theveryangelsdesiretopryinto,areallchokedandcometobeunfruitful.WhydidtheyoungmanwhocametoChristtoknowwhatheshoulddotoinheriteternallifereceivenogood?The text says,hehadgreatpossessions.Amanmay,nodoubt,bea richmanand yet a godlyman, a holyman.But itwas the heart,mixedwith the earthwhichhinderedtheyoungmanfromembracingJesusChrist.Youngmenare, for themostpart, guilty of fleshliness rather than seeking after the riches of the world. Yetsometimes it hasbeen thebaneof someyoungmen.Theywere very forwardwhentheywereservants;oh,howpreciouswastheWordtothem!Butwhentheygotintothe world and found the sweetness of it coming in, then theWord was choked inthem,andtheyhavelostthesavourtheyhadintheWord.TheyhavelosttherelishoftheWord.Itisnotassweetnowtothemasformerlyithadbeen.That'sthegreatevilofearthly-mindedness;ithindersthegreatbenefitoftheWord,andthereismuchevilinthis.Ifyouhadheartstoreceivewhatisdelivered,yourheartswouldtrembleatthethoughtofthis.Oh,Lord!WhatshallIdosoasnottobehinderedinprofitingfromthisWord? 'Tis thegreatblessingofGodto theworld. It's thatwhichmustsavemysoul;there'smoreworthinitthantenthousandworlds.Whatsoevermighthindermyprofiting from ThyWord, I must take heed of it. Take heed of earthlymindedness.Manyofyourconsciencescannotbuttellyouthis.Sometimesanybusinesswillkeepanearthly-mindedmanfromcomingtotheWord,andwhenhedoescome,thereisearthinhisheart,andearsthatkeephimfromattendingupontheWord.Whenyourthoughts are about earthly things in the hearing of a sermon, itmay be that sometruthpassesbyyoursoulthatmighthavesavedyoueternally,andyouhavelostthatopportunitywhich,perhaps,youshallneverhaveagain.

ChapterFour:EightAdditionalEvilsofEarthly-Mindedness

Intheseventhplace,earthly-mindednesscausesmanyfoolishlustsintheheart,and

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that'sagreatevil.Iwillexpandtheminsixparticulars.YouhavethesameScriptureaswasusedpreviouslyforthetemptationsandsnare,1Timothy6:9,Buttheythatwillbe rich fall into a temptation and a snare, and intomany foolish and hurtful lusts,luststhatareveryfoolishandsimple.First, itcausesmentofollowafterthingsthatareveryvileandmean.Itcausesmentobestowthestrengthoftheirimmortalsoulson things that have no worth at all in them. That's a foolish lust, to bestow thestrength of an immortal soul on vanities. If you should see men of excellent giftsspending their time on trifles and toys, like catching flies or chasing feathers, youwouldsaythattheyhadbeguntobedull-minded.Sothesoulofman,capableofsuchexcellencyasitis-ofcommunionwithGod,withtheFather,Son,andHolyGhost-tohaveitsstrengthspentonsuchpoor,triflingthingsthatcannotprofitintheevilday.Oh,thisisafoolishlust!

2. Foolish lusts, or earthly-mindedness, cause you to be a servant to your servants.Youwouldthinkamanisa foolwhoisaservant tohisservants.Godhasmadethethingsoftheearthtobeservantstoyou,andyetyoucomeandplaceyourneckunderyourservant'syokeandbecomeaservanttoyourservant!Yea, is itnotagreat follyforamantoexpectallhishonorsandrespecttocomefromaservantratherthanfromanyexcellencyinhimself?

Suppose a man is traveling and is shown some respect, but for his servant's sakeratherthanforhisown.Onceherealizedthis,hewouldaccountitagreatdishonortohimself.Butanearthlyheartputs itself intosuchacondition,since it is itsgreatesthonor to have honors from its estate and riches. Earthlymen do not respect othermen for anyworth that is in them, or for any excellency of their own, but for theirriches alone, which is to say that a man is not respected for himself, but for hisservant!

Takesomementhathavehadestates,butarenowdeprivedofthemandhavebecomeaspoorasalmsmenorbeggars.Whoregardsthemnow?But,letamanhavegraceandholiness, ifhe loses all and ismadeaspoorasJob, yethe isone that theangelsofheaven look upon with honor, and would glory in attending. This is the differencebetween the carnal, earthlyheart, and the spiritualheart. It's a foolish lust tomakeyourselftobeaservanttoyourservants.

3. Earthly-mindedness brings aman into foolish lusts, for amanmight havemuchmoreof theearth ifhedidnotmind it asmuchashedoes.Foraman tomind theearthandtoendangerhimselfindoingso,whenhemighthaveitbetternottodoso,issurelyafoolishthing.Foramantobestowagreatdealoflaboronathing,whenhemighthaveitwithlesslabor,issurelyfoolish.IfyouareonewhobelongstoGod,youmayexpectGodtoblessyouifyoukeepyourheartsmorespiritual.Youmightexpectthat God would grant you more of the good things of this world if you were lessearthly-minded than you are. And it's your earthly-mindedness thatmakesGod cut

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you short of these things. I am persuaded that there are many who have had badsuccessintheirearthlyaffairs,andit'safruitofGod'sdispleasureuponthembecausetheirheartsaresomuchonworldlybusiness.Wereyoutogooninyouremploymentin obedience toGod and commit it toGod for success, youmight be crownedwithmoresuccessthanyouhavebeen.Nowwhatafoolishthingisthis?

4.Yea,further,it'sagreatfollyforanyofyoutobuyathingandpayagreaterpriceforit than it is worth. Suppose you sent a servant to buy something, and when hereturnedyouaskedhimwhatitcost,andhetoldyouthathepaidtentimesmorethanitisworth.Youwouldthinkyouhadsentafooltothemarket.Soanearthly-mindedmanmanifestshimselftoGod,Hisangels,andallthesaints,tobeafool.How?Youbestowuponthisworldthatwhichisathousandtimesmoreworthythanthethingsofthisworld.Youbestowuponthisworldthatwhichmightbringyoutoheaven.

I may say to an earthly-minded man, "Those thoughts, cares, affections, andendeavors that you spend on the things of the world, had they been spent on thethingsofGod,theymighthavesavedyoursoultoalleternity!YoumighthavegottenChrist,andheaven,andeternity.TheLordwouldhavegonealongwithyou,andyoumay come to say at the great day when all things shall be opened beforemen andangels, 'Had I spent those thoughts and cares and endeavors on understanding thewaysandthingsofGodandeternallife,mysoulmighthavebeensavedforever!'"Notthat ourworkswill do it, but thatGodwouldhave gone along togetherwith you inthoseways.

Nowforyoutospendthosethoughtsandcaresonthatwhichyoumayneverhave(formanymenandwomenspendtheirsoulsonthingsoftheworldandneverhavethem),thisisasadthing.Oh!Willthisnotbeafolly?Willyounotcurseyourselfhereafterforyourfolly?"Oh,thatIshouldspendmyselfandbespentonthatwhichIhavenotgotten, and I must be damned for that. Whereas, had I spent time on things thatconcerned my soul and eternal life, I would have been more likely to have gottenthosethings."

GoddoesnotfailmeninspiritualthingsasHedoesinearthlythings.Amanmaybeasdiligentasispossibleinearthlybusinessandyetmiscarry.Butshowmeamanorwoman that was ever diligent in seeking the things of God and eternal life whomiscarried! I trulybelieve that, at thedayof judgment, therewill notbe foundonemanthatshallbeable tosay, "Lord, I improvedthe talents thatYougavemeto theuttermosttosavemysoulbut,Lord,becauseIwasnotabletodoanymorewithoutYour grace. YoudeniedYour grace tome and, therefore, now Imust bedamned." Ibelievetherewillnotbeanysoulthatwillbeabletosaythis.Butinthemattersoftheworld,mendosaythis,thattheyhavedonealltheycould,laboredandtoiled,andyetforall this theymiscarry.Oh,whata foolish thing is this, then, to toil and laboronthat which is so uncertain, for is it not a foolish thing for aman to bestow all his

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estate on buying stones and thatwhichwill not afford him any benefit at all? Thisfollyisintheheartofman.

Twoof youmightgo to the Indies,where thereareprecious stones.Andonemightpurchaseacargoofpreciousstonesandotherrichcommodities,whiletheother,withanequalamountofmoney, laysoutallhismoneyonbaublesandtrifles.Bothwentoutwiththesameamount,bothcamehomeloaded,butonecamehomewithpreciousstonesthatmadehimandhisposteritygreat,whiletheotherbroughthomenothingbut stoneswhichmade his neighbors scorn and jeer him.Ohowwould he tear hisfleshforhisfollyinthismatter!

Thiswillbe thedifferencebetweenmenandwomenat thedayof judgment for, thetruth is,what is thisworldbutaseafare?Wearesailing in thisworld,witheitheraloadofpearls,orwiththatwhichhasnoworthatall.Whenyoulive inthetimesofthe gospel, there is amarket for pearls, for those things that will enrich you to alleternity.OnemanbestowsallthestrengthofhisthoughtsandheartonthosethingsforwhichheshallbeblessingGodinthehighestheavenstoalleternity,andtheotherbestowshisthoughtsandheartonthethingsoftheearth,loadinghimselfdownwiththickclay.Thereisamanorwomanthatshallbeblessedforallofeternity,thatshalljoinwithangelsandsaintsinthehighestheavenstomagnifythefreegraceofGodinChrist.Andthereisanotherthat,hadhebestowedhisthoughtsandheartonthesamethings, hemight have been blessed forever also, but he,minding the things of theearth,isacursedfoolandisthescornandcontemptofmenandangelstoalleternity.

Earthly-mindedness bringsmen into foolish lusts. Oh!Men of earthlyminds thinkthemselves the only blessedmen and applaud themselves at home. Let men thinkwhattheywill,buttheHolyGhostsaidthatthoselustscausedbyearthly-mindednessarefoolishlusts.

5.Itisfollyforamantodothatwhichhemustundotogain.Thisisespeciallytrueofthoseearthly-mindedmenwhohavethisearthlinesssoprevailinguponthemastogetsomeearthlythingbysomefalseways.Suchmenmustundoalltheyhavedone.Youhave gotten so much of the earth in some cunning, cheating way, and you blessyourselves that you found out such a mystery of iniquity. This is a foolish lust.Foolish?Why?Becauseitmustbedoneagain.Eitheryoumusteternallybedamned,orelseyoumustrestoreasZaccheusdid,ifyouareable,eventhoughitmightmakeyou impoverished. All the sorrow and repentance that can bewill not be sufficient.You cannot be pardoned even with all your sorrow and repentance if you do notrestore,ifyouareable,whatyouhavegottenbymeans.

Idonotknowthattherewaseveranyministerofthegospelonthefaceoftheearthwhodidnotholdtothis,thatitwasofabsolutenecessitytosalvationtorestore.Andthisonereasoncannotbutsatisfyanyman'sconscience,thatAMANCANNOTTRULY

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REPENTOFASINANDYETWILLFULLYCONTINUEINIT!Unlessyourestore,youarewillfully continuing in that sin.Why? You do not onlywrong theman the firsthour,butaslongasyoukeepanythingthatishis,youwronghimstill.Ifyouareabletorestoreanddonot,simplybecauseyouareloathtopartwithsomuchmoneyorsomany goods, you willfully continue in the sin. Now, no man or woman can trulyrepentof a sin andyetwillfullypersist in that sin.What a foolish lust is this, for amanorwomantogetthethingsofthisworldinsuchawaythathemustundoitall,thoughitistohisshame.

Oconsiderwhatafollyitis!Youdeceitfulservantsthatspendawayonyourluststhatwhichyoucheatyourmasterof.Afterwards,whenyoucome tosetyourselfup,youmustrestorewhatyouhavestolen,anditmaybethatagreatpartofyourestatemustberepaidbywayofrestitution.Itmustbedone,there'snowayaroundit.Therefore,whatafoolishlustitistobesosetuponthethingsofthisearthastogettheminanearthlyway.

6. By earthly-mindedness, they lose the comfort of earthly things before they havethem.Forexample,supposeamanorwomanhastroublingthoughtsaboutthethingsoftheearth.Itmaybethat,bytheirinordinatethoughts,cares,andaffectionsaboutsomeearthlythings,theycontractmuchguilt.Yetafterthis,perhaps,Godgivesthemthatearthlything.Nowwhentheyhaveit,iftheyhaveanylightintheirconsciences,theirconvictedconscienceswillthenreflectthusly,"Ihavethisindeed,butdoIhaveitwiththeblessingofGod?Ihaveitinmycustody,butIgotitdearly,itcostmesuchthoughts and cares and affections. Now I have it, but I cannot say it comes out ofGod's love.IratherfearthatGodhasgivenittomeinHiswrath,becauseIgot it insuchaway."

Nowallthecomfortisgoneandlostwhereas,haditcomeinthewayofGodandhadyou given up yourself to God and let Providence bring such a comfort to you, youmighthaveenjoyedmuchofGodin itandblessedGodfor it."TheLordhasblessedme inmy trading.Oh, Ihave it fromthe loveofGod."Butnow,becauseyourheartwasearthlybeforeitcame,whenitdoescomeyouhavenocom.fortinit.Thecomfortof all is lost before it comes, youhave spent somuchupon it.Aswhen amangetssomething,andafterhegets ithethinksthusly,"Whathasthiscostme?Ithascostmeagreatdealmorethanit'sworth;nowthecomfortofithasvanished."

THEEIGHTHEVIL.Earthly-mindednessistherootofapostasy.I'llgiveyoubutoneScriptureandcompare itwithanother. IITimothy4:10 is a notable text that showshowearthly-mindednessbreedsapostasy.'TistheexampleofDemas.TheApostlesaidthatDemashathforsakenme.Whatwasthematter?Havinglovedthispresentworld.ItwasthatwhichmadeDemastobeanapostate.Why?WhatwasDemasbeforethis?ComparethisScripturewiththeEpistletotheColossians,andyoushallseewhathewasbeforethis.HewasanardentdiscipleofPaul's,andtheApostleheldhiminhigh

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esteem.ReadColossians4:14,wherePaulwasdirectedbytheHolyGhost,Luke,thebelovedphysician,andDemasgreetyou.Paul ranksDemashereamong the famousprofessorsofreligion.TheApostle,writingtotheColossians,said,Demasgreetsyouamong the rest. When we write to our friends and say, "Such and such a onecommendshimtoyou,"weusuallydonotnamethemunlesstheyaregoodfriends.

The interpreters think itwas the sameDemas, and thewordgives someground forthis. InTimothy, you find thathenamesLuke there, too. It seems thatDemas andLuke were two great associates. Paul mentions them together. When Demas hadforsakenhim,Luke still rodewithhim, andwhenPaul sends them thegreetingsofLuke,thebelovedphysician,hesendsthegreetingsofDemas,too.Butonewastrulygodly and, whatever sufferings Paul met with, one cleaved to him and would notforsakehim.ButwhenPaulbegantosuffer,Demasthought,"There'snothrivingforme if I follow this persecuted Apostle." Demas would have no more of Paul; hethankedhim forhis companyanddeparted fromhim.Hehath forsakenme.What'sthe reason? He has embraced this present world. Another note: though he was anardentprofessor,Paul'sheartwasnotveryaffectionatetowardshim,forhesaidLuke,thebelovedphysician,andDemasgreetyou.Hedidnotsay"thebelovedDemas."It'strue,Demaswasanardentprofessor,andheseemedtowearacloakof religion,yetPaulwasdirectedbytheHolyGhostonlytospeakofhimasaprofessor.

TheHolyGhostdirectsPaultospeakofthetwoascompanionstogether,givingoneanepithet,"beloved,"whileonlygivingtheother'sname.Twomen,bothveryardent,andcompanionstogether,yetthosethataregodly,olddisciplescansavouronemorethantheother.Theyarebothprofessors,andbothhaveexcellentpartsandgifts,yetthere'smorespiritualityandgreaterexperiencesinonethanintheother,foritappearsthattherewasmoreinLukethaninDemas.Yourearthly-mindedmenafterwardsprovetobeapostates.Usually,beforetheirgrandapostasy, theymanifestsomedeadnessandwaywardnessofspirittothatwhichisgood.Yes,theirspiritsrevealthemtobeearthlyspirits.Theysmelloftheearth.

Before aman dies, his breathwill smell very earthy. Youwill say, "Oh, such a onecannot live, his breath is so earthy!" So it iswith those that are great professors ofreligion.Those thathavean intimateacquaintancewith thembefore theyapostatizesmelltheirbreathtobeearthlyintheirduties,intheirconferences.Oh,takeheedofearthly-mindedness, lest it be the root of apostasy. This may be written on anapostate'sgrave,"THISWASANEARTHLYMINDEDMANORWOMANINSPITEOFTHEIRPROFESSION."Andhenceitisthattheyfellfromthetruthintimesofdanger.When theywere brought to the trial, theywere base backsliders fromGod andHistruth.

THENINTHEVIL. Earthly-mindedness wonderfully deadens the heart in prayer. Itsinksthespiritsofmenandstraightensthemoutinspiritualduties.Indeed,itdefiles

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everydutyofreligion.InPsalm119:37,DavidpraystheretoGodthatHewouldturnaway his eyes from beholding vanity, and that He would quicken him in His Law.Certainly,thevanityofwhichhespeakstheremeansthethingsoftheworld,andbyhiseyeshemeanstheeyesofthemind,chieflyworkingonthethoughtsofhisheartafterearthlythings.

Ifyoulookatthe36thverse,hesays,InclinemyhearttoThytestimonies,andnottocovetousness.Oh,Lord, letnotmyheartbe inclined to covetousness, turnawaymyeyes frombeholding. vanity, so thatmy heartmay not be inclined to covetousness.Lord,letnotmythoughtsbebusiedwithsuchvainthings,butquickenmeinThyLaw.It is as if he were to say, "Lord, whilemymind is turned to vanity ormy heart tocovetousnessafter the thingsof the earth, I always findmy spiritdull andheavy inanyholyduties. Ihavenoquicknessatall inmy inwardmanwhenIcomeintoThypresence,and,byexperience, I find this tobe thereason thatmyheart is sodrossy,becausemy thoughts andmind are set on earthly things that are vain." Therefore,"Lord,letnotmineheartbeinclinedtocovetousness,normineeyesaftervanity,butturnawaymineeyesfromthesethingsandquickenmeinThyLaw."

IfyouwouldhaveyourheartsquickenedinGod'sLaw,inthedutiesthatGodsetsyouon, takeheedofyoureyes that they looknotaftervanity,andyourhearts that theyfollownotaftercovetousness,foranearthlyspiritwillbeadeadspirit.Asthedustoftheearthisthemostsluggish,deadelementofall,soearthlinessintheheartmakestheheart sluggish,dead,and lifeless toanyholyandspiritualduty. Iappeal toyourconsciencesinthis.Whenyouhaveletyourheartsoutafterthethingsofthisearth,andhavebeenexercised in theworldand inbusiness, thenwhenyouhavecome tohavecommunionwithGod,oh,howdeadhaveyoufoundyourhearts!Adrossyheartmust be a deadheart in heavenly exercises. You complainmany times of your vainthoughtsintheperformanceofholyduties.Youcryoutofdeadspiritsthen,butherelies the cause. You have given yourselves up somuch to the things of theworld atother times, thatwhenyoucometoconversewithGod,yourheartsaresodeadanddull.This is thegroundof it, this is thegreatrootofall, it lieshere inyourearthly-mindedness.Oh,howmanyprayershavebeenspoiledbyanearthlyheart!Whereasthose who have spiritual hearts have enjoyed blessed communion with God at thethroneofHisgrace,andhavebeensweetlyrefreshed,whileyouhavegonewithadeadheartandcontinued there,andcomeawaywithadeadheartwithoutanyquicknessand life. This is that which comes by your earthly-mindedness, which is such arestrainttoduties.

THETENTHEVIL.Earthly-mindednessissogreatanevil,whereveritprevails,thatitwouldbe justofGod thatyournameshouldbewritten in theearth.Those thatareearthly-mindedandhavethisprevailingupontheirhearts,andwhoarenotsensibleofit,havecausetofearGodlestHeshouldwritetheirnamesinthedust,yea,lestGodalready has written their names in the earth. In Jeremiah 17:13 , we read such an

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expression,Oh,Lord,thehopeofIsrael,all that forsakeTheeshallbeashamed,andtheythatdepartfromTheeshallbewrittenintheearth,becausetheyhaveforsakentheLord, thefountainof livingwaters.It'sapparentthathespeaksofearthlyspiritshere,forinthe11thversehesays,Asthepartridgesittethoneggsandhatcheththemnot, sohe that getteth riches, andnotby right, shall leave them in themidstofhisdays,andathisendshallbeafool.

ThenhegoesontodescribetheexcellencyofGodandHissanctuary,Aglorioushighthronefromthebeginningistheplaceofoursanctuary,etc.Itisifheshouldsaythatthereareacompanyoffoolishvainmenthatseekafternothingbutgettingricherinthethingsoftheearth,butaglorioushighthronefromthebeginningistheplaceofThy sanctuary.OLord,we seeanexcellency inYou, and inYourordinances, and inYoursanctuary.OLord,thehopeofIsrael,inwhomthereissuchexcellency,isthereanythatforsakeYou,whohavesomuchexcellencyinYourself,whoarethehopeofIsrael?OLord,itwouldbejustthattheirnamesshouldbewrittenintheearth,thattheyshouldnevercometopartakeofthosegoodthingsthatareinYou,theexcellentthingsthatareinYourordinances,andinYourGospel.But,Lord,lettheirnamesbewrittenintheearth,letGodwriteconcerningsuchamanorwoman,"EARTHSHALLBETHEIRPORTION."Theirmouthsshallbefilledwithearthoneday,andthat'sallthe good they shall have from theAlmighty.O thosewhohaveknownGodand thethingsofeternallifecannotbutapprehendthistobeasadandgrievousevil,tohavetheirnameWrittenintheearth!

THE ELEVENTH EVIL. An earthly-mindedman has the curse of the serpent uponhim.Whatisthat?Uponthybellyshaltthougo,anddustshaltthoueat.Youhavethecurseoftheserpent,yougrovelupontheearth,asitwere,uponyourbelly.Yoursoulcleaves to the ground in a sinfulway, andyou feedupondust.While the saints arefeeding upon Jesus Christ, upon the very flesh and blood of Christ, refreshingthemselves with the hidden manna, angels' bread, corn from heaven, you satiateyourselfwiththeearth.That'syourfood,andthat'stheverycurseoftheserpent.It'sasignofaserpentinebrood,andoftheoldserpent,tobegrovelingupontheearthandtofeeduponit.

THE TWELFTH EVIL. Earthly-mindedness is a dishonor to God and a scandal toreligion.What,doyouprofessaninterestinChrist,andaretherenohigherthingstobehad inGodthanthebase thingsyourheart issetupon?What,doyouhold forththeeverlastinggospelinyourhandtoothers,andopenlyprofesstobenearertoGodthan others, and is therenodifference between theworkings of your heart and theworkings of others after the things of this world? Oh, how does this darken theexcellencyofgrace!Ifthereisanygraceatall,itverymuchcloudsit.Likethemixingofearthanddrossystuffwithpuremetaltakesawaytheexcellencyofthepuremetal,so themixingof the earthwith theprofessionof religionblemishes thebeauty andsplendoroftheprofessionofreligion.

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You will never be the man or woman who is likely to convince any by yourconversation;youareneverlikelytobeameanstodrawanytotheloveofthewaysofgodliness, because there is somuch darkness and earthliness in your conversation."Oh,"theywillsay,"indeedheorshemakesagreatblazeintheworldandtalksmuchof religion and ordinances and such things, but they are as worldly as any andgroveling in the earth as much as any." People that are bystanders will think thatprofession is but a mere verbal thing, or a pretence, when they see as muchearthliness inyourconversationas intheconversationofthosethatarewithouttheprofessionofreligion.YoubringabadreportuponthethingsofGod,asdidthespiesaboutthelandofCanaan.

Everyprofessorof religionshouldendeavor toputa lusteronreligion,and tomakethewaysofGodtobebeautiful,amiable,andglorious in theeyesofallwhobeholdthem.ButtogivealieaboutagospelprofessionbyyourearthlyconversationisaverygreatscandaltothenameofChristthatisuponyou,andtoHisgospelthatyouseemtostandupfor!Oh,there'sagreatevilinthis,andaverybadreportcomesuponthewaysofreligionbythis.Manythathavehadlittlereligioninthemhavesomekindofgenerosity of spirit, so that they scorn suchbase sordidness as someprofessors aregiven to. Oh, for shame! Let not those that have only common gifts of nature andeducationoutstripyou thatseemtobe the followersofChrist.Awaywith thatbase,muddy, earthy, saving,pinchingdisposition. ItbecomesnonebutJudas that carriedthebagandbetrayedhisLordandMasterforeighteenshillingsandfourpence.

Letmearguewithyouwhohavetodealwithfriendsorneighborswhoyouareafraiddonothavethepowerofgodlinessinthemthatyoudesire.Youseetheyhavemuchingenuity, generosity, and a concern for the public good. Take heed of scandalizingsuchmen, for certainly if suchmen could be brought to the love of religion, to thepowerandstrictnessthereof,hadtheytheworkoftheHolyGhostupontheirheartstohumble them for sin, and to show the excellency of Jesus Christ, they would beglorious instruments in thechurchofGodand theCommonwealth.Therefore, it'saverygreateviltoscandalizesuchmenasthese.No,youshouldlabortowalksothattheymightseeabeautyandexcellency inthewaysofreligionbyyourconversation.Oh, itwouldbea thousandtimesbetter foryoutobecutshortof the thingsof thisworld, than that you should scandalize the ways of God, and the profession of thenameandgospelofJesusChrist.

THE THIRTEENTH EVIL. Earthly-mindedness exceedingly hinders preparation fordeath,andit is likelytomakedeathverygrievousandterriblewhenitcomes."Takeheed to yourselves," Christ said to His disciples, "lest any time your hearts beovercharged or filledwith indulgence and drunkenness and cares of this life."NotehowHeputsthemalltogether.It'sverystrange,youmightsay,thatChristshouldsaythis to His disciples, to forewarn them of this. We do not think that they weredrunkards,followingaftertavernsoralehouses,orreelinginthestreets.Butbythis

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drunkenness,Hemeansanyexcessiveuseofmeatordrink,andprofessorsofreligionmaybesubjecttothat,togivethemselvesuptoomuchtosensualdelightsandexcessintheuseofthecreature.

Butbesidesthat,thoughtherearemanythatwouldabhorgluttonyanddrunkenness,yet the cares of this life take up their hearts. Therefore Christ said, Take heed toyourselveslestatanytimeyourheartsbeoverchargedwiththecaresofthislife.Why?Whatevilwouldcomefromfillingtheheartwiththecaresofthislife?Mark,saysthetext,Andsothatdaywillcomeuponyouunawares.Forasasnareshallitcomeuponall them that dwell upon the face of thewhole earth.Watch ye therefore, and prayalways.

Imayapplythistodeath,thoughtheScriptureisspeakingofChrist'scoming.Inthetimeofdeath,Christcomesparticularly.Thereisaparticulardayof judgmentatthedayofdeath.Itmaylikewisebeappliedtothetimeofanyaffliction.Thentheevilofearthly-mindedness appears in this, that it hinders the preparation of the soul foraffliction.Oh,earthly-mindednesswillmakeyourafflictiongrievousandheavytoyou.Anaffliction isaverygrievous thing toanearthly spirit. IfGodcomes to takeawayanycomfortsofthisworldbecauseyourheartcleavessocloselytothem,theremustbearendingofthemfromyou,andthatwillputyoutopain.

Amanthatwearsloosegarmentscaneasilyputthemoffwhenhegoestobedatnight,but if amanhas a soreuponhis body, andhis inward garments cleave to the sore,whenhepullsthemoff,itputshimtoagreatdealofpain.Oh,thenhecriesoutinhispain!Truly,thisearthly-mindednesscomesfromdistemperofspirit,andthethingsofthe earth cleave to the hearts of men and women that are earthly like the inwardgarmentwouldcleavetoasoreonaman'sbody.

Now,whenafflictionsordeathcometotakeawaythethingsoftheearthfromthem,or them fromthe thingsof theearth, it'spainful to them, it'sgrievous to them.Foronewhohas an earthly spirit, it's ahundred tooneagainsthimhavingany light ofconscience left inhim.Buthis consciencewill troublehim in timeof sickness, andthen tell himhowhehas spent his time and strength of spirit on the things of theearth,whentheyshouldhavebeenspentonmoreexcellentthings.

Whenhecomestodie,then,hisspiritwillbetroubledthusly,"IamnowtoleaveallthesethingsthatIhavespentmycareandthoughtsonandletmyheartgoafter,andwhatgoodisittomenow?WhatgoodisitthatIshallleavesomuchmorethanmyneighbordoes,whatgreat content is this tomewhen I amuponmysickanddeathbed?WhatcomfortcanIhaveinallthegoodthingsIhaveenjoyed?Yea,throughtheearthliness of my spirit, I have enjoyed little of them, yet I have troublesomethoughts.Butnowdeathis likelytobetomeasastrainer, thatstrainsoutthegoodandleavesthedrossandthedirtbehindit.Soallthegoodofthethingsoftheworldis

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gone, but the guiltiness that I have contracted uponmy spiritwithmy immoderatecareandaffectionsisnowuponmyspirit."

IrememberamanthatlivedinaplacenotfarfromwhereIformerlylivedwhohadacovetous,earthlyspirit.Whenhewasabouttodie,hecalledforhismoneyandfelltoswearing,"MustIleaveyounow?"Hewasspeakingtohisbagsofmoneyandhuggingthem!What! "Must I leaveyounow,?"Herewasanearthlymanwhohadspenthisspirits and strength upon these things, and indeed, let out his heart to them as hisportion.Thenhesawthathemustbestrippedofall.Hemustbidaneternalfarewelltoall,nomorehouses,nolands,normoney.Oh,deathisgrievoustosuchaman!

Now, what should the life of a Christian be but a continual preparation for death?Manyoftheheathenssaidofphilosophythatitwasbutapreparationfordeath.ItisaspecialexcellencyofChristianity that it isapreparative fordeath,andthereforeyoushouldletoutyourheartstothethingsofthisworld,andbecontinuallythinkingofdeath, so thatwhenGod calls you to part from these things, youmaydo itwith asmucheaseasamanwhoisgoingtobedcastsoffhislooseclothes.Thegraveisabedtothesaintswheretheyfallasleepwhentheydie,andsotheymaylaydownallthingsandgototheirsleepwitheaseandpeace.

Aman orwoman can have their consciences tell them, "I have been diligent inmycalling,butGodknowsthroughfaithfulnesstoHimratherthanlovetotheworld.AndIhavekeptmyheart close toGodand faithful toHim. I canbid theworld farewellnow.Astheworldhasdonewithme,soIhavedonewithit.SolongasmytimewastoworkforGod,Godcontinuedthosethingsthatthisfrailnatureofmineneeded.Nowmyworkisdone;farewelltothecomfortsofthisworld.IexpectothercomfortswhereI am going." Such a one that is spiritualmay diewith comfort, but those that havetheir hearts filledwith the cares of this life will have the day of Christ come uponthemunawares.

THEFOURTEENTHEVIL.Earthly-mindednessisthatwhichwillbringdestructionatlast,asitwilldrownyoursoulinperdition.Therearetwotextsforit.Thefirstishereinthistext.TheApostlesayshere,speakingofmenwhomindearthlythings,theirendis destruction.He joins both together: earthly-mindedness will bring destruction atlast.

Andtheotherplace,forourpurposes,is1Timothy6:9,wheretheApostlespeaksofbringing them into snares and foolish lusts, which drown men in destruction andperdition.Somewhoarewashing themselves in theThamesRivergoa littlewayatfirst, and thenventurea little furtherand further,andat length, theyareover theirheadsandears.Theretheyaredrownedandcannotrecoverthemselves.Soitwillbewithyourheartsifyoulooknottothem.

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Youthinkyoumayventuresofartothethingsofthisworld.Why?Aretheynotgoodandinthemselveslawful?"Ididnotgetmyestatebywrongdoingorcheating."Andsoby degrees your hearts are stolen away fromGod and are taken with these earthlythings.Yougetdeeperanddeeper intotheworlduntil,at length,youareplungedinover your head and ears before you are aware, and then you cannot recoveryourselves.Thatmanwhogiveshishearttothethingsofthisworldandthinksthathewill gono further, I bet a hundred to one that once these thingshave takenuphisheart,hegetsmoreandmoreadvantage,untilthismanisdrownedindestructionandperdition.

Amanorwomanmaybeundoneasmuchbyearthlinessandbedamnedandperisheternally as by adultery, drunkenness,murder, or any notorious sin.Manywho aregreatprofessorsofreligion, it'sverylikelythattheearthlinessoftheirmindswillbethe sin by which they will perish to all eternity. Do not deceive yourselves intothinkingthatbecauseyoukeepfromthosegrossandnotorioussinsthatotherslivein,thereforeyouhope tobesaved.Yourearthlinessmaydamnyouaswellasanythingelse.Upondung-hills,youcastnotonlycarrionandsuchnastystuff,butthedustthatyousweepfromyourhouses.Imaycomparehell,whichistheplacewhereGodcaststhose damned out of His presence, to the common dunghill upon which filthycreatures are cast. Now upon that dunghill, there are not only carrions and filthyblasphemers, whoremasters and thieves, but there will also be dust upon thatdunghill, and scrapings from your houses cast upon the dunghill of hell from thepresenceofGod.Therefore,donotsatisfyyourselvesthatyoudonotlieinsuchfilthy,abominablelustsasothersdo.

If youhave foul, earthlyhearts, youmaybecastupon thedunghill aswell as thosethathavelivedmostnotoriouslywicked.Thereforetakeheedofearthly-mindedness.

Thereisagreatdealofevilanddangerinearthly-mindedness,maytheLordkeepusfromit.Ishallenlargemymeditationsuponthissubjectbyopeningsomeproofs,tofurtherconvincemenandwomenthatthereisagreatdealofearthly-mindednessinthem.And forpreparation, Iwill lay thisdown.First, that amanorwomanmaybeearthly-minded,andyetlittlethinkofitthemselves,notknowingthattheyareso.Yea,anditmaybeevenperisheternallythroughtheirearthly-mindedness,andnotknowitofthemselves.

Chapter5:FiveThingsMayBeWroughtInAMan,andYetEarthly-Minded

1.Amanmaybeconvincedthatthereisvanityinallthethingsofthisworldandyetbe an earthly-mindedman.Many think they arenot earthly-minded.Why?Because

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theyareconvincedthatallthesethingsarevanity.Comeandspeaktothemaboutthethingsofthisworldandtheywillacknowledgethatthereisavanityinallthesethings,thattheyarevanityofvanities,allisvanity.

2.Amanmayhave somekindof contentment is his estate and yethave an earthlymind,asinGenesis9:33.Esauwasoneoftheearth.Hesaidhehadenough,yethewascertainlyoneofanearthlyspiritandhisportionwasintheearth.HowmanyofyouhavecomeasfarasdidEsau,tosayofyourestatesthatyouhaveenough?Oh,'tisashameforthosethatareprofessorsofreligion,andwouldseemtobeoftheseedofJacob,tonotbeabletosaytheyhaveenough,whenanEsaucansayhehasenough.

3.Menandwomenmayspeakverygreatwordsabout thevanityofall the thingsofthisworld.Whenyoucometoconverse,youmaydiscoursemuchaboutthemandyethaveaveryearthlyspirit.

4.Amanmaybefreefromgettinganythingofthisworldbyfalsemeans,bydeceit,byinjustice,etc.,andyetbeearthlyforallthat.

5. Through somepredominant lust for something else, amanmay seem to despisesomeearthlything.Forexample,manymenwhohavealustforambitionwillseemtodespisemoney.Thosewhohavea lust toshowthemselvesgenerous,andthose thathavea lustof sensuality,will seemtodespise the thingsof theworld.Manyaman,throughonelust,willseemasifhehatestheother,butthetruthishedoesnothateitassinbutbecauseitisoppositetosomeotherlustthathehas.Hedoesnothateit;hehasnodislikeofitasasinagainstGod.Yourprodigals,youryoungspendthrifts,speakagainst covetousness as if theyhated that sin,whereas the truth is, nowickedmanhatesanysinany further thanonesincrossesanother.Hemayhate it,butnotasasin.

InIsaiah13:17,thetextsays,IwillstiruptheMedesagainstthem,whichshallnotregard silver, and as for gold they shall not delight in it. TheMedeswere heathen,wickedpeoplethathadnograceinthematall,andyetthetextsaysthattheyshallnotregard silver nor delight in gold. Somemen think it is through the work of grace,because they find that they are above thebase covetousness they see inothermen.They do not regard silver and gold, or getting all for themselves, and they despisethose men that are of such a base, covetous way. Upon that they think that theircondition is good because they think they are above that lust. But you see it is notdifferentthanaMede.Aheathenmaydisregardsilverandgold,buthow?Itisbecausehisspiritisuponanotherlust,that'sthegroundofit.

Canyousaythis,youwhoseemtoscorncovetousnessandhatesuchbasesordidnessas you see in somemen, "The Lord has mademe to know what communion withHimselfinJesusChristmeans,andsincethattimeIblessGodthatmyhearthasbeen

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abovealltheseearthlythings.Andthat'sthereasonthatIlookuponalltheseearthlythings as vanity, because the Lord has revealed tome those excellent and gloriousthingsthatareinfinitelyabovetheseearthlythings."

That'ssomething,indeed.Ifyoucanbeaboveearthlinessonthisground,that'sagoodargument!Therefore,examineuponwhatgrounditisthatyourspiritisagainstsuchthings,whether it be upon the sight and experience of better things. If so, then it'sright.Butcertainlymenandwomenmaygofarinseemingtobeaboveearthlythingsinrespecttothesinofcovetousness,andstillhaveearthlyminds.NowIwillproceedtogiveyouarguments,besidesthosethingstowhichIhavehinted.

How does a man value himself and others? Is it not because those others, oryourselves,havemuchof the thingsof theearth?Canyouvalueapoormanwho isgodlyabovetherichestmanwhoiswicked?Andso,canyouvalueyourselvesfortheleastwork of grace upon your hearts tomake youmore excellent than the greatestgatheringofyourestates?Butthesethingswehavealreadyhinted.

Andthen,whereliesthechiefjoyandsorrowofmen'shearts?Whatisitwhichmosttroubles your hearts? Is it the loss of the light of the face ofGod or the loss of anestate?Thelossofavoyage,orthecommissionofasin?What'syourchiefjoy?YourprofitingfromtheWordorgainingfromabargain?YouhavecometotheWordand,sometimes,Godhasthererevealedsometruthtoyouandyouhaveprofited.CanyougoawayrejoicingbecauseGodhasmadeyoutoknowHisLaw?"TheLordhasdartedsometruth intomysoul thismorning.Oh! Iwillgoawayrejoicing,andmyheart isfilledwithmore joy than I'veeverhad fromsomebargain."Theseare twoproofsatwhichwehadnothintedbefore.

NINEPROOFSOFEARTHLY-MINDEDNESS

1.Seriouslyconsider this:whenamanrestsuponearthlyprops,uponworldlyhelpsforthegoodthatheexpects,ifhecanhavethosethings,hisheartseemstobeuponthe wing; he is very pleasant. But there is nothing else that can revive his heart,nothingelsethatcankeephisspirit.Nowthatwhichamanorwomanmosttrustsin,theyhavemadetobetheirgod.ItproperlybelongstoGodtoputourtrustinHim.WemakeGod, then, to be our Godwhenwe roll ourselves uponHim. Youwill say, "Icannot trust in earthly things to bringme toGod."No, but to trust in them for thecomforts of this life while you are here in this world is an argument of an earthlyspiritfor,thetruthis,thecomfortofaman'slifeconsistsnotinanyearthlythingthathemightenjoy.

OBJECTION:Youwillsay,"Donotthesethingsmakeourlivesmorecomfortable?"

ANSWER:Yes,so farasGodispleasedto letHimselfout throughthem,but ifyour

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heartrestsontheseforcomfort,anddoesnotlookhigherthantheseforcomfort,evenforoutwardsupport,certainlyyouhaveanearthlyheart.Andso,whenyouareaboutanybusiness,youhavesomeearthlymeanstofurtheryou.

OBJECTION:Youwillsay,"Godwouldhaveustotakealloutwardmeanstohelpus."

ANSWER:Aye,butnottotrustinanything.IFRICHESINCREASE,SETNOTYOURHEARTSUPONTHEM.Iffriendsincrease,setnotyourheartsuponthem,buttrustinthelivingGod.LetitbethelivingGodthatyourestonforalloutwardthingsinthisworld.

2.Asecondproofiswhenmenmakemostprovisionforthethingsofthisworld,bothfor themselves and for their children. Are these not your thoughts? I do not knowwhatImaywanthereafter,andIseemanywhohavelivedfinelywhentheyhavebeenyoungyet,afterwards,theyhavelivedmiserably,andthereforeImustmakeprovisionfor aftertimes.But now, do you reason thus for the things of heaven?Donot I seemanythathavemadeagreatblazeofreligion,andyetafterwardstheyhavecometonothing?TheyhavegoneoutinasnuffasmenthatGodhasforsaken,andtheyhavedied inhorror of conscience.Therefore, letme layupprovisionnowagainst an eviltime,thatImaynotmiscarryinthemattersofmysoulasothershavedone.Thisisasignthatyourmindsarenotearthly.

Godhassentyouchildrenand,oh,howyoutoilandlabor!Yourthoughtsruninthenight, and as soon as you wake in themorning, about what you shall get for theirportions, and an estate for them.Now I appeal to your consciences beforeGod, theSearcher of all hearts. Have your cares been to provide in a suitable way for theirsouls,fortheirspiritualandeternalestates?Thereisnoquestionbutthatit's lawfulforparentstoprovideinaprovidentialwayfortheirchildren,andtheythatdonotareworse than infidels. But what is your chief provision for? Are your thoughts moresolicitoustoprovideportionsforthem,thanthattheyshouldhaveinstructionsinthefearofGod,aninterestinChrist,gracewroughtintheirhearts?Youareloathetodiebeforeyoucanbringyourestate to its fullnesssoyoumay leave it toyourchildren.Are you not loathe to die before such a time as you can see some work of gracewrought in the heart of your children? These would be your thoughts if you werespiritual!

"Oh, could I discern just some seeds of grace sown before I was dissolved, I couldrejoice abundantly," 'tis repeatedofAusten'smother.The great thing shedesired tolive for was to see her son converted. God granted her desire, and then she foundherselfwillingtodie.There'snothingwhichwillmakethespiritualheartofafatherormothermorewilling to depart from thisworld, than to find gracewrought in theirchildren."Oh,thatImayseebeforeIdie,mychildleftunderthepromiseincovenantwithGod."Butthosewhosecaresandthoughtsaremostlyfortheseearthlythings,in

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providingforthemselvesandtheirchildren,giveproofthattheirheartsareearthly.

3.Athirdproof(whichisverynotable,andIbeseechyouall to laythistoheartandconsider it seriously)of theevilof thisearthly-mindedness is that it isaverysecretandclosesin.ThereforeIamgoingtobelongerinthispoint.

Theproofisthis:thatmanwhocanbecontentwithaslightassuranceinthemattersofheaven,exceptforthemattersofearth,neverthinkshimselfsureenough.Butheisvery careful to make all things so infallible that there can be no way he can bedeceived,thathemaysurelybuilduponwhathehasinthethingsoftheearth.Thisisproof of an earthlymind. Come tomen that are earthly and talk with them aboutmattersthatconcerntheirsouls."Whatevidencehaveyouthatyouaregonebeyondany formal professor, that you are better than the stony ground that we read of inScripture?Whatevidencehaveyouthatthesavingworkofgrace iswrought inyou?Thatyouhaveshotthegulf?Thatyouaretranslatedoutofthekingdomofdarknessinto the kingdom of Jesus Christ? And that your sins are pardoned and your soulsjustified?ThatyouareatpeacewithGod?WhatevidencesdoyouhaveofpeacemadebetweenGodandyoursoul?"

Thisanswerwouldbegiven,"IhopeIamconverted.ItrustinGod'smercy.IamsureIhavegrace.Ishallbesaved,forGodismerciful."Butwhatevidencescantheyshow?Theyscarcelyknowany.Youwillhavemanylikethat,becausetheydonotknowwhatassurancemeans,thereforetheywillthinknobodycanbeassured.Wemayhopewell,butwecannotcometobeassuredofit.

Aheartthatistrulygraciousandgodlywouldloathethattobetrue.Theywouldnotlosetheirpartintheblessingsofassuranceforathousandworlds,evenifGodweretomakethemkingsorqueensoftheearth.Butyouhaveanearthly,drossyheart,anddonot lookmuch after assurance formatters of your soul and eternal estate. Youwillventurethosemattersandputthemuponchance.Butwhenitcomestothemattersoftheearthyou'llmakesurethere,andgofromthislawyertothatlawyerforcounsel.Ifthereisanythingyoucandotobemoresure,youwilldoit.Ifyoucouldbuthearofanythingyourneighborshaddone tobemorecertain thanyou,youwouldnotevenrestuntilyouhaddoneasmuch.Isitsoinmattersofyoureternalestate?

Do you not hear of many saints of God who walk comfortably in the midst of allafflictionsupontheassuranceofGod'slove?Youwillhavesomewhowillbeabletosay,"Aye,andit'sthisScriptureIbuilduponand,throughGod'smercy,suchhasbeentheworkofGoduponmysoulinrevealingHimselftome,andsuchapromiseIhavesuckedanabundanceofhoneyfrom."Butnow,cometopeopleupontheirsickbeds,and, generally, all they say is that they hope inGod'smercy. But for the ground ofhope, for showing how God has been pleased to bring their hearts and the Wordtogether,andwhat real effects therehavebeenupon their spiritsby theWord, they

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can shownothing. Youhave, therefore, not gotten that assurance for your soul andeternalestateasothershave,andyetyoucangoonquietly.

Oh, it concerns youwho are so busy inmaking all sure for your outward estate, tospendmorethoughtsandcareinthemattersofyoursoulandeternalestatethaneveryou have done. Here's an earthly-minded man that can be contented with slightassuranceforthemattersofhissoul,andbesatisfiedwithnokindofassuranceinthemattersoftheworldbutwouldmakethosethingsmoreandmoresurecontinually.

4.Further,anearthly-mindedmanmaybeconvincedofhisearthlinessinthis,thatheiscontentwithalittledegreeofsanctification,butregardingthemattersoftheworld,hewould havemore andmore.He looks at those that are themost eminent in hisrank,andhewouldgetashighastheyareinthethingsofthislife.Butinmattersofreligion,helooksatthelowestChristiansandiscontenttobeaslowastheyare.

Takeanearthly-mindedmanthatisofsuchandsuchatrade.Ifthereisanyoneofhisprofessionorcallingthathadaslittletobeginwithashe,andwasthrivingbetter,hewoulddesiretogetthathighhimself,andheistroubledthatheisnotasrich.That'showitisintheworld.

But now, take them in matters of God. There are such men who began when youbegan,andhadaslittlemeansforthegoodoftheirsoulsasyouhavehad,whohavethrivedandgonebeyondyouabundantlyinthemattersofGod.Doesthistroubleyou?Areyourthoughtssolicitousaboutthis?

Doyousay,"Oh,thatIcouldattaintothedegreeofgracethatmanhas,forhehasaspiritualmind,andisfullofthejoyoftheHolyGhost!Heisfulloffaith,heisabletodepend upon God in the lack of all outward comforts, and certainly enjoys muchcommunionwithGod,butIamfarbeneathhim."Dothesethoughtstroubleyou?ItisordinaryforearthlyspiritstolookuponthelowestChristianandbesatisfiedthattheyarelikethem,butforthemattersoftheworldtheylookuponthehighest,andarenotsatisfiedunlesstheyattaintothatlevel.That'safourthevidence.

5.Afifthproofisthis,earthly-mindedmenareverywiseinmattersoftheworld,butinmatters thatare spiritualareveryweakandsimple.Youhavemanymenwho, inmattersofreligion,areveryignorant.Iftheydospeakinpointsofsavingknowledge,theyspeaklikechildren,sothatonewouldwonderwheretheirunderstandingswere.Now turn such men to the matters of the world. Oh, how wise they are in theirgeneration.Howsubtleandcraftyarethey!Thecanseeanobjectionthereandknowhowtoanswerit.Theycandiscernanythingthatwillletthemseeaprofitmanymilesoff.Butinthosethingsthathindertheirsouls,theycannotseethingsthere.Theyarewise in their generation andhavememories for thematters of theworld. They canunderstandthingsandrememberthings,andtheycanmeditatethere,butputthemto

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meditateuponapointofreligion,theycometoastandstill.Letmeappealtoyou.Donotyourconsciencestellyou?Inworldlymatters,whenyouarewalkingfromheretoLondon, you can run your thoughts on business all theway. You can plot this andcontrive that.Youcan foresee thisobjectionand thatone,andyoucananswereachone in your own thoughts. But letme put this to you.When youwalk through thefields,settleupononemeditationaboutChristandseewhetheryouareabletodrawout thatmeditation the entire time youwalk, whereas you can spin out an earthlymeditation nomatter how far your journey is.When you awake in the night, yourthoughtsareuponthethingsoftheworld,andyoucandrawthemoutandworkwithunderstanding,buthowaboutthethingsofGod?Oh,howbarrenandsimpleareyouthere!Thereisscarcelyanyonewhocanoutdoyouinthethingsoftheworld,butinthemattersofreligionyouareoutdone;everyslighttemptationovercomesyouthere.

6.Besidesthis,youmayknowearthly-mindednessbythediscourseandwordsofmen.I John 4:5 says, They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world, and theworldheareththem.Theirbreathisearthly.Oh,it'sanillsignthatwhenyoucometoafriend'sbedsideandfearthattheywilldiebecausetheirbreathsmellssoearthy.It'ssymptomof the death of their bodies. So your hearts smell earthy, and itwould besomewhattolerableifitwereonlyonthedayswhenyourcallingrequiresyoutotalkaboutbusiness.ButevenduringthattimethatGodhassetapartforHimself,youareoften discoursing in your own thoughts about the business of the world. You do itwhenyouarepraying,youdoitwhenyouarehearingtheWord.ThecommunicationanddiscoursesofmenshouldrelishwhattheyhaveheardoutoftheWord,notgoandtalkaboutsomeearthlyoccurrences.

Oh,it'sthisthathaslostmanyprecioustruths.ItmayhavebeenwhenyouhavebeenhearingtheWord,Godhasdartedsomebeamofgospellightintoyoursouls,andyouhave lost itbeforeyougothome,andhavecometo lose the impressionof the truthyouhaveheard.Oh,whataseemlythingitisthatthosewhocometoheartheWord,depart with no discourse about what they have heard! Oh, how often are you incompanyandnever leaveanythingtorefreshoneanother'sspirits,or to furtheroneanother in theway to eternal life! ThoughGod gives you allowance to speak aboutyourbusiness,yetstill, ifyouarespiritualandheavenly,Hewouldhaveyoutohavesomethingofeternallifebeforeyoudepart.

7. A further proof is this, when spiritual thingsmust give way to earthliness uponeverylittlebusiness.Prayermustpayforit.IfIhaveanybusinesstodo,Iwilltakeitout of prayer time, or converse in theWord the less, or hear theWord less.Whenearthly things are as high as spiritual things, heaven must stand by until earth isserved.Thisisanevilsignofanearthlyspirit.Whereas,werethespiritheavenly,theveryfirstthingthatyouwoulddowhenyouawakeinthemorningwouldbetoseasonyourheartwithsomethingthatisspiritual.

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InPsalm139:17-18 ,we read,HowpreciousalsoareThy thoughtsuntome,OGod!How great is the sumof them! If I count them, they aremore in number than thesand,whenIawakeIamstillwithThee.Thatisanargumentofaspiritualmind,tobewithGoduponawaking,WhenIamawakeIamstillwithThee.Butnow,Iappealtoyou,whoareyouwithwhenyouawake?Canyousay,"Lord,whenIawakeIamstillwithThee. I find an inclination inmy spirit to be upon thematters of heaven, andwhenIamup,Iwouldrathermyworldlybusinessgivewaythanmyspiritualduties."

8.Whenamanorwomancaresnothow it iswith thechurch,with thekingdomofJesusChrist,aslongasitiswellwiththeminmattersoftheworld,thisisproofofanearthlymind.Whenthingsarestirringabroadintheworld,hedoesnotinquirehowthingsareinrespecttotheprivilegesofthesaints,thearkofthechurch,aslongashiscabin is safe. Truly, there is nothing needed but the examining of your ownhearts,how they have been these last years of Jacob's troubles. In the time ofwar, Eli sattremblingbecauseoftheArkofGod.HedidnotsittremblingbecausethePhilistinesmightprevailandtakehishome.No,itwasbecauseoftheArkofGod.ThatwasproofofthespiritualityofEli'smind.

Likewise, itmaybeanargumentofgreatcomforttoyouinthesedangeroustimesifyourconsciences tellyou this, thatGod,whoknowsall things,knows that thegreatthingyourheartwassolicitousintheseevildayswas"WhatshallbecomeofThygreatname?"Lord,whatshallbecomeofreligion?Whatshallbecomeofthegospel?Lord,thesewerethethingsthattookupmyheart,notsomuchwhatshouldbecomeofmyestateandoutwardaccommodationsandrelationsinthisworld.

Oh, examine your hearts in this, whether the care of your spirits is more for thefurtheranceofthekingdomofJesusChristorforthefurtheranceofyourestates.Butfor that man or woman who is most solicitous about the business of his or heroutward estate, and does not much care how religion goes, or how the way of thekingdomofChristismaintained,Godatthistimespeakstothatsoul.

You are an earthly-mindedman or woman and, therefore, take heed lest what hasbeenspokenconcerningthegreatevilthereisinearthly-mindednessbefallsyou,andespeciallythesewords,whoseendisdestruction,whoartdrownedinperdition.Lesthereafter,thisbethethingthatyoushallliecryingoutandcursingyourselffor."Oh,Ihadabaseandearthlyheart,andsought the thingsof theearth. Imademyportionthere,andinthemeantime,theblessedGodhasbeenforsaken.IhavelostmyportionintheHolyLand,forIhadmyportioninEgyptamongtheEgyptians,accordingasIchoseformyself."

9. Themore spiritual any truth is that is revealed, the less it takes with his heart.Sometruthsofreligionmovehim,perhaps,buttheseareasbywordstohim,hedoesnotmindthematall.Themorespiritualanordinanceis,thelesshisspiritismoved

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byit.IfhecomestotheWordandthereissomeearthly,naturalexcellencemingledthere-likenaturalparts,wisdom,wit,eloquence,andlearning-thatwillmovehim.Itmaybe thatsomefinestory ismorepleasing tohimthanthegoodlypearlsof truththat are revealed in the Word, like the enjoyment of communion with God, thelonging after Jesus Christ's coming, the living by faith upon a bare promise, theexcellency that there is in suffering for Jesus Christ. These truths are spiritual, themortifying of the inward lusts, self-denial. These things are favored but little by anearthly-mindedman.

Tellhimof theprivilegesof thesaints, themysteriesof thegospel.Anything that isspiritualisbutanotiontohim.Asitiswithmenthatareupontheearth,theylookuptoheavenandseethethingsofheavenonlyslightly.Whyisitthatthestarsseemsosmalltoushere?Itisbecauseweareontheearth.Theearthseemsavastbodytous,butthestarsseemlittletous,eventhoughtheyarefarbiggerthantheearth.Wereweinheaven, theheavenlybodieswouldseemvast tous,andtheearthlybodieswouldscarcelybediscernedbyus.Weremen'sheartsheavenly, all the thingsof the earthwould seem little to them, but because they are earthly, the things of heaven andspiritualmysteriesareverysmallintheireyes.

ChapterSix:SevenReasonsofMen'sEarthly-Mindedness

I shall now proceed to the reasonswhy it is thatmen's hearts are so set upon theearth,mindingearthlythings.Briefly,Iwillgiveyouthesereasonsforit.

First,thethingsoftheearthappearrealtothem,butspiritualandheavenlythingsarejustanotion.Thatwhichhasrealityinittakesmostwiththeheart.Menaredeceivedinthis,though,fortheScripturespeaksofspiritualthingsastheonlyrealthings,andearthlythingsasthosewhichhavenobeingatall.InProverbs23:5,itsays,Wiltthousetthineeyesuponthatwhichisnot?(speakingoftherichesoftheworld)ithasnorealityinitatall.ButinProverbs8:20-21,"Leadmeinthewayofrighteousness, inthemidst of the paths of judgment, that Imay cause those that loveme to inheritsubstancetoinheritthatwhichis,thatwhichhasabeing."Thehonorsoftheeartharebuta fantasyandvainshow.YouhavereadofBerniceandAgrippa.Theycamewithmuchpomp,withgreatfancy,astheoriginalsays.Buttoanearthlyman,theseearthlythingsarerealthings,andthereforehemindsthem.Wisdomisalietoafool.

Secondly,theylookuponthesethingsasnecessary,thoughtheScripturetellsusbutof one thing that is necessary. Yet they think that these earthly things are presentnow, they only have need of heavenly things hereafter. They may have need ofreconciliationwithGod,pardonofsin,peaceofconscience,andsuchthings.Theymayhave need of them, that is,when they depart out of this life.O the infinite folly of

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most hearts to think that there is so present a necessity of spiritual and heavenlythings,whereas indeed,our lifeconsists inthemforthepresent!This iseternal life.Wemaycomehereinthisworldtoenjoyeternallife,butthemajorityofpeoplelookuponallspiritualthingsonlyasourgoodforthefuture,whenweleavehereandareseennomore.

Thirdly,thesethingsaremostsuitabletomen'shearts.It'snowonderthattheymindearthly things, they are of the earth, and from the earth; theyhavenothingbut thefirst Adam in them. The first man was from the earth earthly. The truth is, thehappinessofman'sestateevenininnocency,inthemorningofthedayofhiscreation,incomparisonofthethingsthatarenowrevealedbythegospel,wasbutearthly.

Takemanwhenhewasinparadise;thatparadisewasbutearthly.Butthentakemaninhisfallenandcorruptestate.Hecannothelpbutbeearthly,andeverythingcloseswithwhatissuitabletothat.Comfortdoesnotcomesomuchfromthegoodnessofathing,butfromthesuitablenessoftheobjectwiththefaculty.Nowthethingsoftheearth are suitable tomen that are of the earth, and therefore theymind them. Theheartwillabundantlyrunoutuponthatwhichissuitabletoit.

Fourthly,thesethingsoftheearthhaveaveryfairshowintheflesh.Theyhaveakindof goodly appearance in the eye of sense, and in the eye of that reason that is nowcorruptedbysin.Wehaveamostelegantexpressionoftheseearthlythings,andthoseearthly-mindedmenwho have their hearts set upon these things. It is inGalatians6:12.Asmanyasdesiretomakeafairshowintheflesh,saystheScripture.Thewordsaretosignifywhenamanlookssmugandneat.Youshallhavesomementhatdressthemselves curiously and, having handsome bodies, they look so trim, fine,handsome,andvery splendid to the eyesof allwhobehold them.So,he says, thesementhatarefalseteachersdesiretomakeafairshowintheflesh.Thatis,theylookupon the things of the flesh as those things that are appealing to the eye, and theylooktohaveallthingssocompleteaboutthemsothattheymaylooksmug,andcarrythemselveswithsuchbeautybeforetheworld.

Oh, this is their happiness, this they take satisfaction in! They seem to have fineestates,andtohaveappealingclothing,andallcuriousthingsaboutthem.Thislookssogoodintheeyesoftheworld,andtherefore it is thattheirheartsareuponthem.TheyarehereenemiestothecrossofChrist.TheythinksufferingforChrist,poverty,ordisgracelooksbad.Butnow,thosethatdesiretomakeafairshowintheflesh,thatwouldhavetheircountenanceswellwashed,fair,andbeautifulwherevertheygo,andbe somebody in this world, forsake the truths of God and seek to provide forthemselvesinthethingsoftheflesh.

Fifthly,mennaturallyneverknewbetterthingsthanthethingsoftheearth.It isnomarvel, therefore, that theymindthe thingsof theearthsomuch.Childrenthatare

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born in a dungeon and never knew any better place can play up and down in thedungeon.Soitiswithmenthatneverknewwhatthethingsofheavenandeternallifemeant.Theycanmindearthlythingsbetterthanthose,butwhentheLordopenstheeyes of their understanding to see into the reality, excellency, and glory of spiritualthings,thentheywonderattheirformerblindnessinmindingsuchpoor,low,mean,foolishrattles,asthethingsofthe;!earthare.

Sixthly,thereareearthlyprinciplescontinuallydroppedintomenbyconversingwithother earthly men. Psalm 49:11 says, "Their inward thoughts are that their housesshallcontinueforever,andtheirdwellingplacetoallgenerations;theycalltheirlandsaftertheirownnames.Theirheartsaresetonearthlythings."Then,inthe13thverse,"Theirwayisfolly,"yettheirposterityapprovestheirsayings.Theyareapplaudedbymen.Theyseethateverybodyapplaudsthemintheseways,andwhentheyconversewith one another, they converse about the things of the earth. They see everybodyfollowing the things of the earth, and they are greedy after these toys. That alsoinclinestheirmindstothethingsoftheearth.

Lastly,thesensibleexperiencetheyhavehadofthesweetnessthereisinthethingsoftheearthtakestheirmindsoffspiritualthings,andmakesthemtomindthethingsofthe earth.But though these are the reasonswhymenmind the things of the earth,somedayitwillbeshowntobefolly.

Thoughanearthly-mindedmanblesseshimself in thisway,and thinkshehasgoodreasonforwhathedoes,andthinksallmenfoolswhodonotgrovelinthegroundlikeamolewithhim, and lookupon themattersof religionasmerewords and talk, letthemdowhattheywill,Iwill findcontentmenthere.Theirwaywillbeprovenfolly.AstheHolyGhostsaidinthe49thPsalm,"Theirwayisfolly."

Intheend,thewisemenoftheearth,thosethathavesoughtthethingsoftheearthandblessthemselvesintheirway,willprovetobethegreatestfools;theHolyGhostaccounts them so. In Jeremiah 17:11 , it says, As the partridge sitteth on eggs andhatcheththemnot,sohethatgettethrichesandnotbyright,shallleavetheminthemidst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. He applauds himself for what hepresentlyhas,butattheendheshallbeafool.

ChapterSeven:ElevenConsiderationstoTaketheMindOffofEarthly-Mindedness

Themainthingwehavetriedtodothusfaristotakethemindsofmenandwomenoffofthethingsoftheearth.Thiswillprepareusforthenextpointwhichisofinfiniteconcern,ourconversationsinheaven.Butbecauseaman'sconversationcannotbein

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heaven until his mind is taken off of the earth, until the disease of earthly-mindedness is cured, we must now propound those things that may help take offmen'smindsfromtheearth.

Firstconsiderthis:ifyoucouldpossessallthethingsoftheearththatyourmindandheartareupon,thereisstillnotenoughgoodinthemastoundotheeviloftheleastsin,nottheleastsinofthought.Yourheartismuddlingupontheearth,andyouthinkthatyouwouldbeblessedifyouhadthusandthusasothershave.Letmetellyouifyouhadbutonesinfulthought,thereismoreevilinthatthanthereisgoodinallthatyoushallgetallthedaysofyourlife.And,ifthisisso,itconcernsyourathertohaveyourmindonhowtoavoidsin,howtogettheevilofsinremoved,andhowtogetyoursinmortified.Thatoughttoconcernyoumorethanmindingandploddingaboutthethingsoftheearth.That'soneconsideration.

A second consideration thatmay take off the hearts ofmen from the things of theearthisthis:thechiefthingsthatareintheearthhavebeentheportionofreprobatesheretoforeandaretothisday,andshallbetheportionofmultitudeswhomGodhatesandhassetaparttoglorifyHisinfinitejusticeeternally.Shallyourmindandheartbeset upon such things as are the portion of reprobates? Will a reprobate's portionsatisfyyou?Will itserveyou?Areyousatisfiedwithdogmeat?Ifitwillnotcontentyou,whyisitthatyourmindissomuchuponthethingsoftheearth?

It may be that you are poor and low in the world. Your mind is upon some littlematter.Youneverexpecttohaveanygreatthingsintheworldandyetyoumindtheselittlemattersasifthatwereyourportionandyourhappiness,somesmallpittancetofurnish your house, to provide for yourself and your family. Oh, friend! If it werepossibleforyoutogettheempireofthewholeworldunderyourfoot,stillyouwouldgetnomorethanhasbeentheportionofsuchasGodhashated,andifkingdomsandempires have been the portions of reprobates, why do you abundantlymind thingsthatare lowerand let thestrengthofyourheart flowoutuponsuchthingsas theseare?

A third consideration is this, surely God hasmademan for higher things than thethingsofthisearth.Oh!Ifyouhadyourthoughtsworkingthisway,"ForwhatenddoIthinkGodhasmadethechildrenofmen?WhyhasHesentthemintotheworld?"OfallthecreaturesGodhashereupontheearth,nonearecapableofknowingHim,theinfiniteFirstBeingofallthings,exceptthechildrenofmen.AndGodhasgiventhemanaturethatiscapableofconversingwithHim.Surely,then,thereareotherthingsthatGodmademanfor,thantohavemeat,drink,andclothes,andtolivehereawhilejusttoenjoycreatures.

Dowe not read often that JesusChristwasGod andman, tookman's nature uponHimself, anddied forman?Surely theremustbe someothermannerof things that

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arethefruitofthepurchaseofthebloodofChristthanthethingsoftheearth!Oh,mybrethren,ifyouonlyhadthissettleduponyou:thatGodhasgreat,glorious,high,andwonderful thoughts about mankind. This would be a mighty means to take yourheartsoffof thethingsof thisearth,whenyouhaveyourheartsgrovelinghere.Oh,butarethesethethingsGodmademanfor?HadnotGodhigherthoughtsinmakingthechildrenofmen?DonotIfindintheWordthatwhenmanwasmadetherewasakindofDivineconsultationwiththeTrinity?Come,letusmakemanaccordingtoourImage.Godhadhigherthoughtsofmanthanofotherthings.Andifmanweremadefornothingelsebuttodigintheearth,certainly,thethoughtsofGodaboutmanhavebeenverylowandmean(asImaysospeakwithholyreverence),forthesearebutlowandmeanthingsherethatmenenjoyontheearth.

Fourthly,asGodhashigherthoughtsconcerningman,sothedignityofman'snature,the rational soul ofman, is of too high a birth to have the strength of it spent onthingsoftheearth.GodbreathedintomanHissoul.ItisakindofaDivinespark.Thesoulofmanisofthesamenatureasangels,aspiritasangelshave.Thethoughtsofthemind,thefacultiesandpowersofthesoularemorepreciousthantobepouredoutaswaterupontheground.

Ifamanhadagoldenmill,hewouldnotuseitjusttogrinddirt,straw,andsticksin.Themindofman,thethinkingfaculty,istoohightobeexercisedinthethingsofthisearth.Themindofmanisofamostexcellent,capaciousnature.Itisfittoconverse,not onlywith angels, butwith the eternalGodHimself,withFather, Son, andHolyGhost,andtobestowthestrengthofsuchafacultyuponsuchdirty,drossy,low,base,meanthingsasearthly-mindedmenandwomendo,thisisagreatevilKnowthis,thedignityofyournature, theexcellencyofyourmind,andthesoulofman is thatofatranscendentbeing.Putalltheworldintothebalancewithit,itisnothing.ThereforeyouknowwhatChristsaid,Whatshall itprofitaman, togain thewholeworld,andlosehissoul?

The soul of the lowest galley-slave is more precious than heaven and earth, sun,moon,stars,andall thehostof themand, letmeadd, thanall thesilverandgoldenminesunderground,andalltheunsearchablerichesofthegreatandwidesea.Yea,putall together, and the soul of themost contemptible beggar that cries for a crust ofbreadatyourdoorisunexpressedlyworthmorethanallthese.Nowifman'ssoulisofsuchahigh-bornnature,ifGodhasputsuchaspirit,whichisasparkofheaven,intothebosomofmanforhimtoemployinnootheruseandservicebuttomerelybeanearthwormtocreepupontheground,thisisagreatevil.

The fifth consideration is the uncertainty of all these things, uncertain riches. Anycasualtycomeandtakeawayfromyouallthethingsoftheearththatyourmindison.Godsendsalittletoomuchheatintothebodyandputsyouintoafever,andwhereisyourdelightthen?Yourbodywilleitherbetoohotortoocold,andwhat'sbecomeof

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allyourcomfortinthislife?Yougoabroadandarewoundedbyanenemy,andwhatrefreshmentdoyoureceivefromallthesethings?Letmetellyou,youareinthemidstof a thousand thousand casualties here, every moment ready to take away all thecomfortsoftheearth.Usually,atthetimewhenmostmindsofmenandwomenarefixed upon the earth, that's the timeGodhas to strike them in those things. That'swhentheyareclosesttobeingdeprivedofthecomfortsoftheearth,whentheirmindsaremostfixeduponthem.

Asyouknow,whentherichmaninthegospelwasblessinghimselfandcryingtohissoul, Soul, soul, take thine ease. Thou hast goods laid up formany years, that verynight,thetextsays,thismessagecametohim,Thoufool,thisnightshallthysoulbetakenawayfromthee,andthen,whoseshallallthesethingsbe?AndatthetimethatNebuchadnezzer was blessing himself in the palace he had built for his honor, amessagecametohimfromheavensothathewasoustedfromallhiscourtvanitiestograzeamongthebeastsofthefield.

Youmayfind inyourownexperiencethatGodhasmanytimesmostcrossedyou inthe thingsof theearthwhenyourmindsandheartshavebeenmostglued to them.AnditmaybethatHehasdoneitinmercy.It'sagreatermercytobecrossedinthesethings at such a time than to prosper in the midst of them, for it may be a goodargumentthatGodintendsgoodtoasoultocrosshimatthetimeheismostearthly.Oh,manythathavebeengodlyindeed,buthavebeenearthly-mindedandhavefoundGodcomingatsuchatimeandcrossingtheminsomeearthlycontentment,haveseencause to bless God for thus dealing with them. Where was I going? I was goingaltogethertotheearthandmindingsuchthings.MyheartwassetuponthemandGodcame tome in a seasonable time to showme the vanity ofmy heart, and of thosethings thatmymindwasbusiedupon.Oh, itwasahappycross that Ihadatsuchaseason!TherewasmuchofChristthathunguponit.

Sixthly, consider what has become of those that have been earthly heretofore, thatenjoyedthegreatestaccommodationsoftheearth.Whathasbecomeofthosemeninformer ages of theworld that lived here, and vapored somuch in their generation,who had all the earth according to their desires? What's become of Agrippa andBernicewithall theirpageantryandgreatness?Nowtheyhaveacted theirpartsandaregoneoffthecommonstageoftheworld,andalltheirvanityisburiedwiththeminonegrave.Whatdifferenceistherebetweenthepoorandrichwhentheydie?Theyallgothesameway.Theylivedforalittletimeandflourishedinthethingsoftheearthandnowaregone,buthaveleftagreatdealofguiltinessbehindthem.Looktotheirexample, and what's become of them? Consider that your case must be as theirswithinashortwhile.Thewheelisturningaroundwhichwillbringyouaslowasthem,sothatyou,beforelong,mustbenumberedamongthedead.Oh,it'samightymeanstotakeourheartsfromthethingsofthisearth!

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Seventh, consider how short the time is that you have in this world. That's theargumentoftheApostle,becausethetimeisshort.Therefore,letususetheworldasifweuseditnot.Therefore, letourheartsbetakenoff thesethings.Wehaveonlyalittletimeandagreatdealofwork.Wehaveinthisshortwinter'sdayoflifetoprovideforeternity.Consideringthegreatweightoftheworkthatdependsonushereinthisworld,itmaybeamightyreasonforustobidadieutoallthethingsofthisworld.Ifwehadenoughtimeforourwork,andweresureofourtime,thenwemightspenditontrifles.

If amancomes into the city todo somebusinessof greatweight and consequence,andhasonlyalittletimetospendonit,hedoesnotmindanythingheseesinthecity,he does not mind anybody that comes by him, but goes up and down the streetsmindinghisownbusiness.Oh, it shouldbesowithus,brethren.Consider thegreatworkwehavetodo,andthelittletimewehavetoeffectthatworkin.Uponourlittle,short, uncertain inch of time, depends matters of more consequence than tenthousand, thousand worlds are worth, and if wemiscarry in this little time of ourlives, we are lost and undone forever. Better we had never been born, or had beenmadetoadsorserpents,orthevilestbeasts,thanunreasonablecreatures.

Oh,haveyousomuchtimeforspendingtheveryspiritsofyoursoulsuponthethingsofthisearth,canyousparesomanyhours?Certainly,ifGodmadeknowntoyouwhateternitymeans,iftheLordcausedthefearofeternitytofalluponyou,youwouldnotmisspendasmuchtimeasyoudo.Manytimes,though,youcomplainofalackoftimeforspiritualthings.Oh,howmuchtimedoyouspendinlettingoutyourthoughtsandaffectionsuponthethingsoftheearth?Morethanyouneed!

Intheeighthplace,considerthatalittlewillcarryusthroughthisworld.Weareherebutasonapilgrimageoravoyage.A littlewill serve tocarryus throughthisworld.Menwillnottakemoreonajourneythanmayhelpthem.Ifamanwhoisgoingonajourneyshouldgetawholebundleofsticksandlaythemonhisshoulder,andyouaskhimthereasonwhyheiscarryingthatbundle,hemightsaythatheisgoingonagreatjourney,andhedoesnotknowhowmanystickshewillneed tohelphim.Now, it'strue,tocarryastaffinaman'shandwillhelphim,thusJacobwashelpedbyhisstaffoverJordan,buttocarryabundleuponhisshoulderwillhinderhim.

Alittlewillserveyourpurpose.Ifyouhaveonlymeatanddrink,foodandclothing,becontent,saidtheApostle.TheservantsofGodintimespast,passedthroughthisworldwithverylittle,andmanyofthem,thelesstheyhad,themorepeaceandcomforttheyhad inGod, and themore fit theywere to die. I remember Ecolampadiuswas verypoorwhenhewas todie.Heprofessed thathewouldnothavebeen richer thanhewas, forhesawwhatahindrance itwas,andsohecouldpassoutof theworldwithmoreeaseandquiet.Certainlyalittlewillserveyourpurposehere.

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Wesaythatnatureiscontentwithalittle,andifthereweregrace,itwouldbecontentwithless.Therefore,wedonotletourmindsbeonthethingsoftheearth.Wedonothaveasmuchneedforthethingsoftheearthaswethinkwedo.

Ninthly,considerthatthereisnocomfort.nogoodtobehadinthingsoftheearthanyfurtherthanGodwillbepleasedtoletHimselfthroughthem.TheyarebutchannelstoconveytheblessingandgoodnessofGodtous.Man livesnotbybread,normeatonly. You are deceived to think that if you had such and such things you shouldcertainlyhaveacomfortablelife.Isayyouaredeceivedinthis,foritisGodinthesethatcomfortstheheart.

There is anotableScripture for this inPsalm62,where theHolyGhost says in the10thverse,Trustnotinoppression,andbecomenotvaininrobbery,ifrichesincrease,set not yourhearts upon them.Donotmind them,butwhynot? In the 11th verse,God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this. That power belongeth unto God, ifrichesincrease,setnotthyheartuponthem.Letnotyourheartsandmindsbeuponrichesoranythinginthisearth.Whynot?Godhasspokenagain,twicehaveIheard,that is, again and again.God has spoken effectually tome that all power to do anygoodbelongstoHim.It isnotinriches;thereisnopowertheretomakeyouhappy,butallbelongstoHim.

This,Iconfess,isaspiritualmeditationinwhichearthly-mindedmenwillhavelittleskill,yetwhereearthly-mindednessprevailsinanyoneofthesaints,thismaydohimgood.Whereas the truth is, this power is not in the creature, or creature comforts.Neithercandomeanygood.IfIhadathousandtimesmorethanIhave,Imightbemiserable in theearthandhaveas littlecomfortas thosethathave least.Therefore.letmesetmyaffectionsuponthingsabove.andnotonthingsontheearth.

Tenthly,laythistoheart.Ifyouaregodly,Godpromisestoprovidethethingsoftheearthforyou,andtothatendHemighteaseyouoftheburdenofyourcare.CastyourcareuponGod forHe carethor you, and takeno thought for these things, for yourHeavenlyFatherknowsyouhaveneedofthem.YourHeavenlyFathertakescare,seehowHe clothes the lilies, and are not youmuch better than they? Children do notmuchmindthethingsoftheearth,toprovideforthemselves,becausetheyknowtheyhavetheirfathertoprovideforthem.Achildthathashisfatherandfriendstomakeprovision for him is verymuch eased by this. But those that are left fatherless andfriendlessseemtohavesomeexcuse,"IhavetotakecareofmyselfforIhavenobodytoprovideforme."Aye,butthesaintscannotsayso,theyhaveaFathertoprovideforthem,andalltheearthistheLord's,aswellasheaven,theearthbeingyourFather's.The earth being the Lord's, as well as heaven, the earth being your Father's, whyshouldyourcarebesomuchonthingsoftheearth?LetyourcarebetodoyourdutytoyourFather, towalkasachild,butdonot let itbe for thingsof theearth.YouasmuchasdisavowthecareofyourFatherforyou.CanyoubelievethatGodshallgive

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HisSontoyou,andnotgiveyouallthingselse?Doesnotgodlinesshavethepromisesof this life as well as of that to come? Oh, you unworthy child that professed aninterestinsuchpromises,andhopedthatGodhaddonesuchthingsforyouasHehasdone, and yethave yourheart in things of the earth.As if theLordhad settled youhereonly,andleftyoutoshiftforyourselffromdoortodoor.No,certainly,thecareofGodisoverHispeopleinthethingsoftheearthastrulyasitisovertheminregardofspiritualandeternalthings.

Somemen think, or at least believe, that they trustGod for their souls, but cannottrustfortheirbodiesaswellButsurelyfaithteachesyoutotrustGodforyourbodyaswellasyoursoul, forGodhascareofboth,andbothwereredeemedbythebloodofJesusChrist.IhavetoldyouthathethatfearstheLordshallneverwantanythingthatisgoodforhim.Nowtheseconsiderationsmaymightilyprevailtotakeofftheheartsofmenfromthethingsoftheearth.

ThelastconsiderationIshallnameisthis,thatallwhoareprofessorsofreligionaredead to the world, or should be so. Nay, if you are truly religious, you are so. Byprofession,youprofessyourselvestobedeadtotheworld.TheScripturemakesthisargumentinColossians3:2-3,Setyouraffectiononthingsabove,notonthingsontheearth.Why?Foryouaredead,andyour life ishidwithChrist inGod.Youaredead,the Apostle writes to the Colossians, and yet he tells them they were dead. TheScripture speaks much of the death of the saints. It's said of women who lived inpleasures in I Timothy that they were dead while they lived. So it may be said ofChristiansthattheyaredeadwhiletheylive,deadtotheworld.Iamcrucifiedtotheworld, says theApostle, andwe aredeadwithChrist. I find that some interpret theScripture in I Corinthians 15:29 , Else what shall they do that are baptized for thedead? as that all those that came in, which were heathens and converted toChristianityandwerebaptized,werebaptizedfordeadmen,thatis,bytheirbaptism.Now there was a profession. They professed themselves, from that time forever asdeadmen to theworld, "baptized for the dead." You have it in some of your books"overthedead,"butthewordisfur,andsoitistranslatedinthislasttranslation,fordeadmen.Yourbaptism is administered to youas a signof yourprofession, to livehenceforthasiftheyweredead.

This is the profession of Christians, to be as dead men to the world. Oh, do notdishonoryourprofessionof religion, for, indeed, it isagreaterevil forprofessorsofreligiontobeearthly-mindedthanforanyothers,andyethowmanyareguiltyofthis?It's an observation of Luther thatwhenGod revealedHimself toAbraham and toldhimthatHewouldmultiplyhisseedHemadeuseof twosimilitudes.Onewasthis,thatHewouldmakehisseedasthestarsofheaven,andatanothertimeGodsaidthatHewouldmakehis seedas the sandupon the seashore.Now, saidLuther,by thesetwoexpressionsaresignifiedtwosortsofAbraham'sseed.Therearesomethatareasthe stars of the heaven, that are heavenly-minded. There are others that are as the

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sandof the sea, that is, there are somewhoprofess themselves to be ofAbraham'sseed,butareofearthlyspirits.

Ohnow,mybrethren,weshouldlabortohavesuchmindsandheartssoastoappeartobetheseedofAbraham,asthestarsofheaven,tobeofthenumberofthosethatareasthestarsofheaven,thatis,throughheavenly-mindedness.Butweshallcometothat when we speak of the conversation of Christians, and how it ought to be inheaven.

Butnow,maynotsomeoneask,"Maywenotmindearthlythingsandheavenlythings,too?"Thereisagreatmistakehere.Youcannotservetwomasters,Godandmammon.It's very plain that the text of Scripture inColossians 3:2marks the opposition, Setyouraffectionsonthingsabove,notonthingsontheearth.Theyareopposedtooneanother. Set your affections orminds, for I think it is the sameword as that inmytext, whomind earthly things. Aman cannot look up to heaven and down to earthbothatthesametime.Thereisanoppositionbetweenthesetwo,betweentheearthly-mindednessthathasbeenopenedtoyou,andmindingofheavenlythings.

Butyouwillsay,"Wehaveaneedforthesethingswhileweareontheearth.Howcanwe do otherwise but mind them? When we come to heaven, then we shall havedispositions suitable to heaven, and not until then." To that I answer, thoughChristians live upon the earth, they are not of the earth. There's a great deal ofdifferencebetweenonethatisoftheearth,andanotherthatlivesontheearth.Christsaid,concerningHimself,thatHewasnotoftheearth.It'strue,Hedidliveawhileontheearth,butHewasnotofit.InJohn3:31,Hethatcomethfromaboveisaboveall,hethatisoftheearthisearthly,andspeakethoftheearth.WhileChristspokethesewordsHewasontheearthbutHewasnotoftheearth.Andsoit iswithChristians,they are upon the earth but they are not of the earth. They are a people redeemedfromtheearth!It'strue,thesearethingsweneed;therefore,wemustnotmindthem,forinMatthew6,whereChristspeaksagainsttakingthoughtforwhatwe.shalleat,ordrink,orputon,Hesaid,YourheavenlyFatherknowsyouhaveneedofthesethings.Youhavesomeneed,aye,butyouhaveneedofotherthings,andgreaterneedofotherthingsthanofthesethings.Whatneedisthereforyoutoliveupontheearth,butinordertoprovideforeternity,andoflivingtothehonorofChristandthepraiseofHisgospel? I say, you have no need of anything on the earth but in subordination tohigher things. There is no need that you should live, except for some other end.Therefore,donotletthatbeanargumenttopleadforearthliness,asindeedanearthlyspiritisverywittyinpleadingforitself.Ishallclosethispointwithsomeexhortationtoyou,anddirectionsaboutthispointofearthly-mindedness.

EXHORTATIONS

Consideringwhathasbeendelivered,Ibeseechyou,layitseriouslyuponyourheart,

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especiallyyouthatareyoungbeginnersinthewayofreligion,lestitprovestobewithyouasithaswithmanythatarediggingveinsofgoldandsilverunderground.Whiletheyaredigginginthoseminesforriches,theearth,manytimes,fallsuponthemandburiesthem,sothattheynevercomeupoutofthemineagain.Andsoitiswithmanythatarebeginninginthewayofreligion,thatarediggingintheminesofsalvation,forunsearchableriches,forthatisabundantlybetterthangoldandsilver.

Nowwhile youare thus seeking forgraceandgodliness, takeheed that youarenotcoveredwiththeearthwhileyouarediggingintheworld.Keepwideopensomeplacetoheaven,orotherwiseifyoudigtoodeep,noxiousgasvaporswillcomeupfromtheearth, if itdoesn't fallonyou first.Therewillbenoxiousgasvapors tochokeyou ifthereisnotawideholetoletintheairthatcomesfromheaventoyou.Thosethataredigginginminesareverycarefultoleaveaplaceopenforfreshairtocomein.Andso,though youmay follow your calling and do thework thatGod sets you here for asothersdo,beasdiligentinyourcallingasany.Butstillkeepapassageopentoheaven,thattheremaybefreshgalesofgracecomeintoyoursoul.If,atanytime,youareintheworldjustoneday,andhavenotsomespiritualairfromheaven,takeheed,there'savaporcomingupthatwillchokeyou.Oh,thatChristianswouldconsiderthiswhiletheyareherebelow.

I remember reading Austin's comments on Psalm 72:19 , "They that dwell in thewildernessshallbowbeforeHim,andhisenemiesshalllickthedust."Inawittywayheapplied it toearthly-mindedmenbysaying,"Ifyou lick thedust,by thisyouwillcometobecountedasoneoftheenemiesofGod."It'strue,thescopeoftheplaceisdifferent,buttakeheedthat,inthismetaphoricalsense,youdonotlickthedustandsocometobecountedasanenemyofGod.YouwhowouldbecountedasfriendsandseekareconciliationwithGod,donot lickthedusttobealwayshereasmolesupontheearth.Moles, thoughblind,aresaidtohavetheireyesopenif theyareontopoftheground,andthentheyshakeandtremble.So,thoughtheearthmayclosetheeyesofmenhereforawhile,certainlytherewillbeadaywhentheireyesshallbeopened,toseehowtheyhaveguiledanddeceivedthemselves.It'sworse,too,inthetimeofthegospeltobeanearthly-mindedmanthanatothertimes.Itwasnotsuchanevilthingtobe an earthly-mindedman in the timeof theLaw,whenall thepromisesofGodwerecarriedinakindofearthlyway.

ThisisnottosaythatallpromisesthatweremadeundertheLawweremerelyearthly,but that theywerecarriedout inanearthlyway.Thereforeyoushall findthatwhenGodpromisedHispeoplegreatmercies in the timeof theLaw, it isdonebyearthlyexpressions,likegold,silver,andsuchkindsofthings.TheirpromisesforheavenwentundertheexpressionoflivinginthelandofCanaan,asbeingatypeofheaven.Theywere taken with earthly things, though, when God revealedHimself to them in anearthlymanner.

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Nowinthetimeofthegospel,liftupyourheartsforyourcallingisfromabove.Nowthereareheavenlythingsrevealed.Hethatisfromaboveiscomeamongus,andtheheavensarebrokenopen,andthegloryofitshinesuponthechurchesinafarbrightermanner than it did before. Therefore, gospel light aggravates the sin of earthly-mindedness, and now, above all times, should the hearts of men and women bedisengagedfromthethingsoftheearth.

ChapterEight:FiveDirectionsHowtoGetourHeartsFreefromEarthly-Mindedness

TheFirstDirection

First, to that end, be watchful over your thoughts. Do not take liberty to let yourheartsruntoofarinthethingsoftheearth.Whattimeyouhaveformeditation,letitbeasmuchascanbereservedforspiritualthings.Mostmenandwomenthinktheymay take liberty in their thoughts.Why, the thing in itself isnotunlawful!Aye,butyourthoughtswillstealuponyouandaffectyourheartverymuch; therefore,watchnarrowlyoveryourthoughts,keepthemwithinScripturebounds.

TheSecondDirection

Behumbledmuch for sin, for thatwill take off theheart fromearthly-mindedness.Earthly-mindedmen,whohaveearthlyanddrossyhearts,havenotknownwhat theweightandburdenofsinmeans.JustletGodlaytheweightandburdenofsinuponthesoul,forthatwilltakeoffthesoulfromearthlythingsquickly!Oh,thosementhathave gone on in the world in a secure condition, and never knew what trouble ofconsciencemeantforsin,havegrownsearedinthoseearthlycontentments.Butthosementhathavehadtheweightofsinlieuponthemknowwhatitistohavetodealwithan infiniteGod. Inbearing theburdenof thewrathofan incensedDeity, suchmenknow that they have other things to look after than the things of the earth. If Godwould just humble your hearts, the humiliation of your spirits would quicken you,takeoffthedullnessanddeadnessofyourspirits,andstiryouuptolookafterthingsotherthanthethingsofthislife.

TheThirdDirection

Further, set the exampleof the saints before youwhohavebeen themostpreciousservantsofGodinformertimes.Notehowtheycountedthemselvesaspilgrimsandstrangers here on the earth. At your leisure, readHebrews 11:13 , These all died infaith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and werepersuadedof themandembraced them,andconfessed that theywere strangersand

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pilgrimsontheearth.

Mark, therefore,howit follows inthe37thverse,Theywerestoned, theyweresawnasunder,weretempted,wereslainwiththesword,theywanderedaboutinsheepskinsand goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented. Who were these people? Theywere those of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts, and inmountains,and indensandcavesof theearth,andyetweresuchprecioussaintsofGodthattheworldwasnotworthyofthem.Nowwhenwesetbeforeushowjoyfullythese servants of the Most High went through all their wilderness condition, thisshouldmakeusashamedofourearthly-mindedness,andwouldbeamightyhelp tous.

TheFourthDirection

Then, ifweconsider thegreataccount thatweare togive forall earthly things,youwillnotethatyouonlylookuponthecomfortofthem.Butconsidertheaccountyoumust give for them. This would be a means to take off the heart from earthly-mindedness.And consider,what if youwerenow todie andgo thewayof all flesh.WhatgoodwoulditbetometorememberwhatcontentmentsandpleasuresIhadintheearth?

TheFifthDirection

But above all, set Jesus Christ before you and bemeditating on the death of JesusChrist.That'sthegreatthingthatwilltaketheheartfromthethingsoftheearth.Belooking upon Christ crucified, how He who was the Lord of heaven and earth putHimself into such a low conditionmerely to redeemus!Conversingmuchwith thedeathofJesusChristdeadenstheheartmuchtotheworld.InPhilippians3wehaveanotabletextforthat,intheexampleofPaul.HecountedallthingsasdunganddrossforJesusChrist.Inthe8thverse,IaccountallthingsbutlossfortheexcellencyoftheknowledgeofChristJesusmyLord, forWhomIhavesufferedthe lossofall things,anddocountthembutDUNGthatImaywinChrist.Then, inthe10thverse,ThatImay know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of Hissufferings,beingmadeconformabletoHisdeath.

Paul desired to be so conformable to the very death of Christ, that he counted allthingsintheworldbutasdunganddrossincomparisonofthat.PaulhadthedeathofChrist before his eyes, and meditated much on the death of Christ, and thatmeditation had a great impression upon his spirit. That made him count all thesethingsasdross,asdog'smeatbycomparison,thathemighthavefellowshipwiththedeathofChrist.

Perhaps some of you think of the glory of Christ in heaven, and thatmay, for the

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present,make you lessworldly.But letme entreat you tomeditate on the death ofChrist,andknowthatthereisanexcellencyinconformityeventothedeathofChrist,suchanexcellencythatmaytakeyourheartsfromthethingsoftheworld.It'ssaidofthe King of France that he, asking once about an eclipse, said, "I have so muchbusinessintheearththatItakelittlenoticeofthethingsofheaven."

Omybrethren!Tocloseallthis,Ibeseechyou,letnotthisbesaidconcerninganyofyou,thatyouhavesuchandsuchworldlyenjoymentsthatyoucannot inquireaboutJesusChrist.Donotpleadthatyouhavesuchgreatbusiness,thatyouhadsomuchtodointhisearth,thatyoutakelittlenoticeofthethingsofheaven.Surely,thesaintsofGodhave theirbusiness inheavenasweshall,Godwilling, seehereafter.Theircitybusiness, their trading, theiraims, theirbent ishigher than the thingsof thisearth.Therearethingsthatamanmayletouthisthoughtsandaffectionstoasmuchashewants.Thisshowsthevanityofthethingsofthisworld,thatamanneedstobeverywaryhowmuchhemindsthem.Hecannotenjoythecomfortsof thisearthwithoutsome fear.But now,whenhe comes to conversewith heaven, there hemay let outhimselftotheuttermost.Thatshowstheexcellencyofthesethings.Youthatarepoorandlowlyinthethingsofthisearth,donotbediscomfortedbecausethereisachargefromGodthatmenshouldnotmindthesethings.Surelythere isnogreatmatter inthemsinceGodchargesthatweshouldnotmindthem.Otheexcellencyliesinthingsabovewhichareheavenlyandspiritual,wherethesaintshavetheirconversation!Butofthis,thereismoreinthefollowingTREATISEOFGOSPELCONVERSATION.

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