§ 3. (2.) An earthly mind is another hinderance to be carefully avoided. _God and Mammon_, earth and heaven, cannot both have the delight of thy heart. When the heavenly believer is blessing himself in his God, and _rejoicing in hope_ of the glory to come; perhaps thou art blessing thyself in thy worldly prosperity, and rejoicing in hope of thy thriving here. When he is comforting his soul in the views of Christ, of angels, and saints, whom he shall live with for ever; then thou art comforting thyself with thy wealth, in looking over thy bills and bonds, thy goods, thy cattle, or thy buildings, and in thinking of the favor of the great, of the pleasure of a plentiful estate, of larger provision for thy children after thee, of the advancement of thy family, or the increase of thy dependants. If Christ pronounced him a fool, that said, _Soul, take thy ease, thou hast enough laid up for many years_; how much more so art thou, who knowingly speakest in thy heart the same words? Tell me, what difference between this fool's expressions, and thy affections? Remember, thou hast to do with the Searcher of hearts. Certainly, so much as thou delightest, and takest up thy rest, on earth, so much of thy delight in God is abated. Thine earthly mind may consist with thy outward profession and common duties; but it cannot consist with this heavenly duty. Thou thyself knowest how seldom and cold, how cursory and reserved, thy thoughts have been of the joys above, ever since thou didst trade so eagerly for the world. O the cursed madness of many that seem to be religious! They thrust themselves into a multitude of employments, till they are loaded with labors, and clogged with cares, that their souls are as unfit to converse with God, as a man to walk with a mountain on his back; and as unapt to soar in meditation, as their bodies to leap above the sun! And when they have lost that heaven upon earth, which they might have had, they take up with a few rotten arguments to prove it lawful: though, indeed, they cannot. I advise thee, Christian, who hast tasted the pleasures of a heavenly life, as ever thou wouldst taste of them any more, avoid this devouring gulf of an earthly mind. If once thou come to this, that thou _wilt be rich_, thou _fallest into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts_.[315] Keep these things loose about thee, like thy upper garments, that thou mayest lay them by whenever there is need; but let God and glory be next thy heart. Ever remember, _that the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God._[316] _Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him._[317] This is plain dealing, and happy he that faithfully receives it! [Footnote 315] 1 Timothy vi, 9. [Footnote 316] James iv, 4. [Footnote 317] 1 John ii, 15.