The Evil of Murmuring - Burroughs

Status
Not open for further replies.

Grant

Puritan Board Graduate
From The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, pg. 139, Burroughs speaks of Jude 1: 14-16:

These ungodly ones are murmurers; murmurers in Scripture are put in the forefront of all. You had need to look to your spirits; you may see that this murmuring, which is the vice contrary to this contentment, is not as small a matter as you think. You think you are not as ungodly as others, because you do not swear and drink as others do, but you may be ungodly in murmuring. It is true there is no sin but some seeds and remainders of it are in those who are godly; but when men are under the power of this sin of murmuring, it convicts them as ungodly, as well as if they were under the power of drunkenness, or whoredom, or any other sin. God will look upon you as ungodly for this sin as well as for any sin whatever. This one Scripture should make the heart shake at the thought of the sin of murmuring.
 
And Burroughs piles it own in a piercing manner, pg. 140 (pointing out that murmuring is the seed of rebellion):

Will you be a rebel against God? When you feel your heart discontented and murmuring against the dispensation of God towards you, you should check it thus: Oh, you wretched heart! What, will you be a rebel against God? Will you rise in rebellion against the infinite God? Yet you have done so. Charge your heart with this sin of rebellion. You who are guilty of this sin of murmuring, you are this day charged by the Lord, as being guilty of rebellion against him, and God expects that when you go home, you should humble your souls before him for this sin, that you should charge your souls for being guilty of rebellion against God.

Many of you may say, I never thought that I was a rebel against God before, I thought that I had many infirmities, but now I see the Scripture speaks of sin in a different way than men do, the Scripture makes men, though only murmurers, to be rebels against God. Oh, this rebellious heart that I have against the Lord, which has manifested itself in this way of murmuring against the Lord! That is a third point in the evil of discontent.
 
These quotes were piercing for me this very morn, yet the wounds were strangely a great comfort as my mind has been unduly troubled as of late. May we remember all the undeserved mercies our Lord has shown us and view our savior as the GREATEST TREASURE one may have! - G:detective:
 
Burroughs said elsewhere that the sin of complaining was the worst sin a Christian could commit because he was saying to God, "You could have done better" or "You could have done more." And God is incapable of either of those atrocities. But he made the distinction, it is one thing to complain TO God, it is quite another to complain ABOUT God.
 
as my mind has been unduly troubled as of late.
Grant, I don't know if this would help you but I thought it may be a blessing for you if you are troubled by afflictions (a book that has greatly blessed me).
But one book I believe would be a blessing to you is Edith Schaeffer's "Affliction: a compassionate look at the reality of pain and suffering". I was personally blest by it. She counselled and supported countless numbers of people suffering at L'Abri, and helped a number of family members with serious illness. It has a tremendous blend of theology, compassion, practical wisdom, and genuine sympathy - if I may add the opposite of some of the responses in your own suffering. I loved this book.

Os Guinness said of Edith Schaeffer " Edith Schaeffer was one of the most remarkable women of her generation, the like of whom we will not see again in our time. I have never met such a great heart of love, and such indomitable faith, tireless prayer, boundless energy, passionate love for life and beauty, lavish hospitality, irrepressible laughter, and seemingly limitless time for people – all in a single person."

A woman of that caliber is worth reading.
No to distract from Burrough's advice (which I need too!)
 
Grant, I don't know if this would help you but I thought it may be a blessing for you if you are troubled by afflictions (a book that has greatly blessed me).

No to distract from Burrough's advice (which I need too!)
Thanks Stephen. I have such a racing mind at times that covers the spectrum of topics (ranging from major things to things minor). Plus, as I’m sure you can relate, I can tend to get so locked in and focused on minor things that I feel I’m am going mad! I’m quite certain it is because COVID has me relatively inactive with work. However I’ve have found Burroughs to help me in this season.
 
Thanks Stephen. I have such a racing mind at times that covers the spectrum of topics (ranging from major things to things minor). Plus, as I’m sure you can relate, I can tend to get so locked in and focused on minor things that I feel I’m am going mad! I’m quite certain it is because COVID has me relatively inactive with work. However I’ve have found Burroughs to help me in this season.
I understand the challenge Grant. Many medical professionals argue that meditation is a great way to focus the mind. Have you read a good Puritan book on meditation? The sister ministry to the Puritanboard, Puritan Publications, has an excellent selection on Puritan meditation. Thomas Watson's work "A Christian on the Mount" is a Puritan classic on meditation. Watson is like Burroughs in Christian wisdom as well as clarity.

A couple of other Burroughs books that are both convicting and encouraging - "Moses Choice" and "Moses Self denial". Burroughs preached both these sermon series consecutively. By the way, have you read the biography of Burroughs "A life of gospel peace"?

Finally, coming back to 'The Rare Jewell of Christian Contentment, here are a helpful collection of audio sermons on the book.
 
I understand the challenge Grant. Many medical professionals argue that meditation is a great way to focus the mind. Have you read a good Puritan book on meditation? The sister ministry to the Puritanboard, Puritan Publications, has an excellent selection on Puritan meditation. Thomas Watson's work "A Christian on the Mount" is a Puritan classic on meditation. Watson is like Burroughs in Christian wisdom as well as clarity.

A couple of other Burroughs books that are both convicting and encouraging - "Moses Choice" and "Moses Self denial". Burroughs preached both these sermon series consecutively. By the way, have you read the biography of Burroughs "A life of gospel peace"?

Finally, coming back to 'The Rare Jewell of Christian Contentment, here are a helpful collection of audio sermons on the book.
Thanks. I’ve not read any or those works. I will look into the Watson book.
 
However I’ve have found Burroughs to help me in this season.
A couple of more thoughts on Burroughs, Grant.

Some time back I posted this quote from the biographer of Jeremiah Burroughs. It is very encouraging:
I thought I would give this quote from the preface of the biography as I think it wonderfully summarises why Burroughs writings have been loved and cherished through the centuries. The author of the biography writes:
".. Burroughs showed me a view of the Almighty that relieved, refreshed, and revitalised me. Burroughs showed me how Christ could satisfy my every need saying "A Christian should be satisfied with what God has made the object of his faith [ie, Christ]. The object of his faith is high enough to satisfy his soul .... since God is contented with Himself alone, if you have Him you may be contented with Him alone, and it may be, that is the reason why your natural comforts are taken away from you, that God may be all in all to you."
Also I mentioned Burroughs sermon series on Moses and Self denial. A helpful background to this is given in the biography. These sermon series, ironically, are published by three different publishers!
Puritan readers might be interested to know that according to the official biography of Burroughs, he preached three sermon series together. Now, all these are in print.
  • Moses Self Denial (Soli Deo Gloria)
  • Moses Choice (Northampton Press)
  • The Excellency of Holy Courage in Evil Times (Puritan Publications)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top