Pithy gems from Jeremiah Burroughs

(1599 - 1646)

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A godly man wonders that his cross is not more!
A wicked man wonders that his cross is so much!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Oh, that we could but convince men and women that murmuring spirit is a greater evil than any affliction, whatever the affliction!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

To be well skilled in the mystery of Christian contentment — is the duty, glory and excellence of a Christian.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Your mercies are more than your afflictions.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Holiness is the very principle of eternal life, the very beginning of eternal life in the heart — and that which will certainly grow up to eternal life.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit — which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Grace enables men to see love, in the very frown of God's face!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Contentment is not by addition but by subtraction — seeking to add a thing will not bring contentment.
Instead, subtracting from your desires until you are satisfied only with Christ, brings contentment.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A godly man, in the midst of the waves and storms that he meets with — can see the glory of Heaven before him, and so contents himself.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

One drop of the sweetness of Heaven — is enough to take away all the sourness and bitterness of all the afflictions in the world.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

My brethren, the reason why you have not got contentment in the things of the world, is not because you have not got enough of them — but the reason is, because they are not things proportionable to that immortal soul of yours.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Nothing in the world will quiet the heart so much as this: when I meet with any cross, I know I am where God would have me, in my place and calling; I am about the work that God has set me.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

If I have once overcome my heart, and am contented through the grace of God in my heart — then this makes me content not only in one particular, but in general — in whatever befalls me.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

You will not find one godly man who came out of an affliction worse than when he went into it. Though for a little while he was shaken — yet, at last, he was better for an affliction. But, a great many godly men have been worse for their prosperity.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

I am discontented, because I have not those things which God never promised me.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Temptations will no more prevail over a contented man — than a dart that is thrown against a bronze wall.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It is the happiness of Heaven, to have God be all in all.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

You should so walk before men as to manifest to all the world that your Savior is a wonderful Savior!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The sinful workings of your hearts — are as words before God.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The Lord does not so much look at the work which we do — as at the faithfulness of our hearts in doing it.