The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment - Illustrated Edition Paperback – April 8, 2017

Lovely reminders of the importance of gratitude

This book is a "rare jewel" as it is the original 1651 printing. However to truly read it, the paperback edition is far better though it has many spelling errors, only some of which are in the original. Yet, the lessons on describing and gaining true contentment with godliness are priceless as Burroughs was brilliant in using finely tuned reasoning and good illustrations to convey truths that only the spiritual mind can adequately grasp. The huge benefit is indeed a sense of God's peace being applied to one's day to day living. Having the original printing allows one to compare with the expressions and even the spellings in the paperback edition and conveys the feeling of doing the raw research personally!

This month I wanted to challenge myself in reading a book written before 1900. I came across Jeremy Burroughs book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment and was definitely curious about it especially since it was written around 1648. This book has received many good reviews and contains a topic that cannot be exhausted in our time. While this is the first book I have read that is categorized as a Puritan classic I enjoyed my reading of it. Regardless of the era it was written in it is just as timely today as it must have been in its own day.Contentment does not come easily in today’s culture. With such a focus on more, bigger, better it is easy to get sucked into this and seek to gain and accumulate all we can. Burroughs does an excellent job of defining contentment and expanding the readers views of it as well as how it is formed in our lives.I especially like Burroughs view he takes throughout the book that we are pilgrims and soldiers in this world. It brings a much needed perspective to contentment. As aliens and strangers in this world we can be content in all things knowing this is not our home but we are here for a season and for a purpose ordained by God. Likewise we are not just pilgrims but soldiers who have “landed in enemy occupied territory” as C.S Lewis describes. I believe, it is this view that is of central importance to our understanding of contentment. With this reframed perspective we can echo the words of Paul in Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”The book is comprised of 8 chapters as follows:Christian contentment describedThe Mystery of ContentmentHow Christ Teaches ContentmentThe Excellence of ContentmentThe Evils of a Murmuring SpiritAggravations of the Sin of MurmuringThe Excuses of a Murmuring HeartHow to Attain Contentment

What an insightful book to read, even better, so much better than I expected. I shared the recommendation with others to read and a relative borrowed my copy to read. If you are going to thoughtfully and reflectively read, buy a copy! It is a challenging read, so it was a bit of a struggle, but I am glad I did because of the insights and my growth in reading. I plan on reading a second-time to get even more insightfulness and growth in my faith walk.

The content of the book is so good, but I have found several typos that make the already difficult to understand language a little harder to grasp. Mildly distracting.

The wisdom available in this e-book is readily apparent upon reading these sample quotes:"The doctrinal conclusion briefly is this: That to be well-skilled in the mystery of Christian contentment is the duty, glory and excellence of a Christian.""I offer the following description: 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.""Contentment is the inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God's disposal in every condition: That is the description, and in it nine distinct things have been opened up which we summarize as follows: First, that contentment is a heart-work within the soul; Secondly, it is the quieting of the heart; Thirdly, it is the frame of the spirit; Fourthly, it is a gracious frame; Fifthly, it is the free working of this gracious frame; Sixthly, there is in it a submission to God, sending the soul under God; Seventhly, there is a taking pleasure in the hand of God; Eighthly, all is traced to God's disposal; Ninthly, in every condition, however hard it be and however long it continue.""That man or woman who is never without a contented spirit, truly can never be said to want much. Oh, the Word holds forth a way full of comfort and peace to the people of God even in this world. You may live happy lives in the midst of all the storms and tempests in the world. There is an ark that you may come into, and no men in the world may live such comfortable, cheerful and contented lives as the saints of God. Oh, that we had learned this lesson."Those who enjoyed this e-book would also enjoy the somewhat shorter "The Art of Divine Contentment" by Thomas Watson.

This is so helpful and it’s changed our lives for the better, helped us see the value in contentment and trusting in the Lord.Highly recommendIt would make a great gift

Though reading the puritans can sometimes require a lot of patience...it is well worth the reward. Jeremiah Burroughs helped me think through some very important realities concerning contentment and the dangers of discontentment. It's a great book to read together with a group of people from your church...we found that discussing the chapters we read helped up better understand what he was talking about and fostered encouraging times of prayer and fellowship.

Yes. Read it. Twice even. Thrice. Quad.Read it.

An old treasure of a book, preached first (then set out for publication) when the plague was stalking the land. There is much here to comfort, learn, be changed by. The audio for whisper sync is well read with a good understanding for the language of the time. The ebook could do with a little more proof reading, mostly for line editing and such like, but the content shines through.

What a service Banner provided by presenting these gems from the Puritans!In this work Burroughes follows the usual pattern of thoroughly unpacking the text and then scrupulously applying it negatively and positively. Illustrations as always are taken from everyday scenes and situations and perfectly and charmingly suited to the human condition.