THE RARE JEWEL OF CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT, by Jeremiah Burroughs

A Brief Book Summary from Books at a Glance

by Steve West

 

This book is part of the Banner of Truth’s box set of Puritan Classics. Burrough’s original work was first published in 1648.

 

Table of Contents

1 Christian Contentment Described
2 The Mystery of Contentment
3 The Mystery of Contentment – continued
4 The Mystery of Contentment – concluded
5 How Christ Teaches Contentment
6 How Christ Teaches Contentment – concluded
7 The Excellence of Contentment
8 The Evils of a Murmuring Spirit
9 The Evils of a Murmuring Spirit – concluded
10 Aggravations of the Sin of Murmuring
11 The Excuses of a Discontented Heart
12 How to Attain Contentment
13 How to Attain Contentment – concluded

 

Summary

 

Chapter 1: Christian Contentment Described

Philippians 4:11 “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” is a precious and healing verse. Contentment is a mystery, and the Apostle says that he learned it. Because of Christ’s fullness, Paul could be satisfied in his own state and circumstances, united with Christ. From this verse, we are to draw the doctrinal conclusion: “That to be well skilled in the mystery of Christian contentment is the duty, glory, and excellence of a Christian.” To define Christian contentment, we will say: “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposition in every condition.” This inward work is a work of the Holy Spirit. Some people are able to restrain their tongues and appear placid, even while their hearts seethe. Contentment is not contradicted by suffering, and it is not wrong to seek relief through lawful means. It is opposed to murmuring, fretting, confusion, distraction, discouragement, sinful shiftings, and rebellion. Satan works from our corruption and also from our personalities, especially those who are melancholy.

True contentment is a gracious frame: it is a grace that permeates the whole soul. This satisfaction does not come from external factors, but emerges from a healthy heart in a habitual fashion. Godly contentment is a grace that is not the same as an optimistic personality, or Stoicism. Those who have this grace freely submit themselves to God’s disposing providence. They are not grudgingly overwhelmed and hopeless, but choose to submit, even taking pleasure in what God has ordained. A contented heart looks past secondary things to God himself, and it can see God and be content in every condition, no matter what or how long. When our circumstances change, our spirit should be constant. . . .

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