Rob Summers - The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment: Abridged and in Modern English

Abridged and in Modern English

Jeremiah Burroughs on Philippians 4:11

Published by Rob Summers at Smashwords

Copyright 2018 Rob Summers

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoymentonly. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.If you would like to share this book with another person, pleasepurchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre readingthis book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for youruse only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase yourown copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of thisauthor.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE,Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Cover photo by my wife Mary Beth

To Sheila Oliver

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Rare Jewelof ChristianContentment was written in the 17th century by theeminent Puritan preacher Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646). It is awealth of observations, advice, and apt comparisons for the benefitof anyone discontented, that is, for anyone unhappy, depressed,miserable, or upset. Over the centuries many readers have benefitedfrom Burroughs blend of loving admonishment and encouragement.However, though some people are used to reading works from pasteras, most are not. When I have tried to share copies with friends,they have not been able to get past the 17th centurylanguage.

My friend Debbie, knowing that I am anauthor of indie novels, suggested that I use my skills to changeBurroughs original text into modern English. That I have done, andI have also abridged the text, reducing it to less than half itsformer length. That might seem excessive unless you consider thatthe book consists of the texts of sermonsvery good sermons butwith all the repetitions you might expect in messages intended tobe heard and remembered. Some might say that Burroughs inclinationto repeat himself goes beyond the average even for preachers. Atany rate, I feel the abridgement has sacrificed little of what hehad to say.

Other changes I have made include organizingthe text into shorter paragraphs, dropping out the old-fashionednumbering of headings, and wherever scripture is within quotationmarks, substituting text from the New American StandardBible; all to make the book more reader friendly.

Burroughs preached the sermons his book wasbased on in 1645 during the English Civil War. Though he and hiscongregation did not know it at the time, the worst of the battlesand tumult was over. Soon they would be able to sleep safely intheir beds. But in the meantime, his hearers were troubled by fearsand worries. Rather than preach soothingly to them, Jeremiah, whoknew his people well, chose to challenge them. His text couldhardly be summarized as, You poor, poor things! but more as,Live out your faith in Jesus! It is my hope and prayer thatBurroughs message will continue to be, as he put it in theoriginal, a very timely cordial to revive the drooping spirits ofthe saints.

--Rob Summers

I have learned to be content inwhatever circumstances I am (Philippians 4:11)

This statement of the Apostle Paul containsa comforting medicine to lift Christians spirits in these sad anddisheartening times. For temptation and trial have come to all ofus, a time of tribulation that we feel keenly.

Paul presents us with the heart and soul ofpractical godly living. We see in his words his proficiency in theschool of Christ and what we must learn too if we are toexperience the power and growth of godliness in our souls.

In context Paul is trying to persuade thePhilippians that he was not the sort to yearn for the great thingsof this world, and that in fact he did not want anything thatbelonged to them, though he did want them, in the sense ofdesiring their allegiance to Christ. He did not long for wealth;his heart was given to better things. In effect he says, I dontmean that I lack anything, for whether I have or go without, Imfully satisfied and have enough. Ive learned to be content inwhatever circumstances I am.

When he says he has learned this, heindicates that achieving persistent contentment is an art, aspiritual secret: something to be revealed and learned. So in verse12 he affirms: I know how to get along with humble means, and Ialso know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstanceI have learned the secret He is saying that, though he did notknow the art of contentment at first, with much effort he achievedit, and now, by the grace of God, he has mastered it.

The word content has a fullness of meaningin the original Greek that is not apparent in translation. In astrict sense its meaning can only be attributed to God, who hascalled himself God all-sufficient, because he rests fullysatisfied in himself alone. But he is pleased to give this fullnessto Christians. In this sense Paul can declare himself to haveself-sufficiency. This of course does not mean that anyone but Godcan be self-sufficient, but that Paul has found thoroughsatisfaction through the grace of Christ. He says, Though I donthave material comforts and conveniences to supply my necessities,yet Christ supplies my soul with enough to satisfy me plentifullyin every situation.

I write with the one goal of calming andcomforting Christians during the troubles and changes they meetwith in these heart-shaking times. My main point is that beingskilled in Christian contentment is the duty, glory, and excellenceof a Christian. Other scriptures confirm this. I Timothy 6:8 saysthat If we have food and covering, with these we shall becontent. There is the duty. Verse 6 of the same passage says, Butgodliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied bycontentment. There is the glory and excellence of it (in whichPaul suggests that without contentment godliness would not begain). Furthermore, Hebrews 13:5 reads, Make sure that yourcharacter is free from the love of money, being content with whatyou have.

I will try to demonstrate four things inthis book: 1. What Christian contentment is, 2. The art and secretof it, 3. What lessons must be learned to bring the heart tocontentment, and 4. What the glorious excellence of this gracechiefly consists of.

This is my definition: Christiancontentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, grace-filled condition ofspirit which freely submits to and delights in Gods wise andfatherly management in every condition.

I will explain this description word byword, for it is very comforting and useful for troubled people inunsettled times and situations.

Contentment isinward. It is a work of the Spiritindoors.

Contentment does not come just by refrainingfrom outward violence, or by holding back from grumbling words andattitudes against God and others. It is the inward submission ofthe heart. My soul, wait in silence for God only (Psalm 62:5).Not only must the tongue be silent, the soul must be too. Many sitsilently without complaining while inwardly they are bursting withdiscontentment. They have agitation and stubbornness in theirhearts. Despite their outward silence, God hears the peevish,fretful language of their souls. A shoe may be smooth and trimoutside while inside it pinches the skin. Similarly, some may haveoutward calmness and stillness while within them are confusion,bitterness, disturbance, and vexation.

If gaining true contentment were as easy askeeping quiet outwardly, it would not require much learning. Thenit could be had with less strength and skill than an apostlepossessed, and even less than an ordinary Christian has. But thereis more to contentment than can be achieved just by applyingaverage abilities and reasoning, though those do often restrain us.It is a business of the heart.