Jeremiah Burroughs (1600–1646)

J.I. Packer once said that the puritans stand like the mighty redwoods across the landscape of evangelicalism in the past two millennia. Author Jeremiah Burroughs was one such puritan. He played a role in the Westminster Assembly and became a preacher at Cripplegate, one of the most prominent churches in London during the 17th century. As the cover bio suggests, he is indeed reckoned as belonging to the front rank of English puritan preachers.

Building his case from Scripture, Burroughs opens up his magisterial work defining contentment with a number of its inherent features. He moves on to display its mystery, how Christ teaches it, its excellence, the evils of a murmuring spirit, excuses of a discontented heart, and how to attain contentment. Though many have touted Burrough's Rare Jewel as a worthwhile read, it truly deserves to enjoy lasting influence in the church. His reminders and counsels provide a needed corrective for wayward, discontented, and covetous hearts. The essential nature of man has not changed since the dawn of time. Again and again, God's people who witnessed his awesome deeds complain incessantly for lack of comforts. Truly, the heart of man is never satisfied.

From ancient times to the present day, the human heart seeks contentment in worldly goods. Greedy and dissatisfied hearts reside within every man since Adam. Only through the new Adam will hearts drink from springs of living water and turn away from empty wells that promise refreshment but contain no water. Contentment's fruit will yield sturdy believers who are weaned off the requirements of external delights for happiness. Contentment graces the mature who have learned it and results in inward peace and cheerful hearts, no matter the circumstance. Indeed, godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6).… (mehr)

This should be required reading! My heart still delights in earthly things rather than the loving, gracious presence of Jesus, so I am trying to take all this to heart. This brief publication from a puritan makes it clear that seeking earthly things is the essence of idolatry. But it's nothing that Jesus didn't already tell us (Matt 6:19-34) or Paul (Col 3:1-8) or John (1 John 2:15-17). But it seems like 99% of professing Christians do everything they can to try to violate these commands: Do not store up treasures on earth. Do not set your mind on earthly things. Do not love the world. My heart is still stuck in the tar pit of selfishness too, so please don't think I'm trying to be sanctimonious. We all need help. We need a miracle.

This is a free resource on monergism.com and podcast. Please listen.… (mehr)