Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

About the author

Jeremiah Burroughs (1599–1646) was a distinguished English Puritan preacher and a leading voice among the Independents during a tumultuous period in English church history. Born in East Anglia, he was the third of five children and studied under Thomas Hooker at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, earning his M.A. in 1624. Burroughs’ ministry was marked by both deep pastoral care and unyielding conviction. He served as assistant to Edmund Calamy at Bury St. Edmunds, then as rector at Tivetshall, Norfolk, until he was suspended for nonconformity-refusing to comply with ecclesiastical mandates such as the reading of the Book of Sports and other ceremonial requirements. Forced into exile, he ministered to English congregants in Rotterdam from 1638 to 1642 before returning to London, where he pastored the large congregations at Stepney and St. Giles, Cripplegate, earning a reputation as “the morning star of Stepney” and being invited to preach before Parliament on several occasions.

Burroughs was esteemed for his gentle spirit, theological depth, and irenic approach to church disputes. As a member of the Westminster Assembly, he sided with the Independents but was known for his moderation and pursuit of unity, as reflected in the motto on his study door: “variety of opinion and unity of opinion are not incompatible”. He was a prolific writer, though most of his works were published posthumously, and his sermons continue to edify believers today. Burroughs died in November 1646, “much lamented” by his contemporaries, leaving a legacy of gospel peace and practical holiness, most notably through his enduring classic, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.

Review

The Puritan writers, like the Reformers, held tightly to the authority of Scripture and let God, through His Holy Word, teach them the wisdom of the “old paths” (Jeremiah 6:16). Their books are expositional writings of Scripture, guiding the reader to be set apart from this world and exhorting them to surrender and center on Christ. Few works embody this more than Jeremiah Burroughs’ The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.

Much to my delight, I am continually amazed at how relevant the Puritans remain today. As old as these books are, they speak with a prophetic relevance to our restless, anxious age. Burroughs’ work is no exception. Written in 1648, in a time of national and personal turmoil, The Rare Jewel addresses a theme as urgent now as then: the elusive grace of contentment.

Burroughs defines Christian contentment as “that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition”. This is not mere stoicism or the product of a naturally optimistic temperament, but a spiritual discipline learned over a lifetime as we keep in step with the Spirit and apply the sufficiency of Christ to every new challenge. Burroughs insists that contentment is not automatic for the Christian; it is a lesson to be learned, a mystery to be entered, and a fruit of deep communion with God.

The Puritan approach is evident throughout. Burroughs saturates his writing with Scripture and godly wisdom, applying the balm of the gospel to the discontented soul. He exposes the dangers of murmuring and the self-justifying heart, urging the reader to examine themselves in light of God’s Word. Like a skilled physician, he diagnoses the disease of discontent and prescribes the remedy found in Christ alone.

What sets this book apart is its blend of practical advice and theological depth. Burroughs calls us to self-denial, thankfulness, and a focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. He reminds us that true contentment is rooted in trust in God’s providence-believing that, in every circumstance, God is working for our good and that He Himself is our greatest reward. The book is full of gentle, gracious heart surgery, commending the goodness of Christ in the gospel and exposing the subtle ways discontent can take root in our lives.

Burroughs’ style is warm, pastoral, and deeply affectionate. He does not bludgeon the weak believer, but tenderly encourages all who struggle to find rest in God’s wise and loving hand. His countless practical applications and apt illustrations make the book accessible, though, like much Puritan writing, it rewards slow, meditative reading.

At the heart of The Rare Jewel is an invitation: to enter the ark of God’s providence, to live cheerful and contented lives as saints, and to discover that contentment is indeed a rare and precious jewel-one to be sought, treasured, and guarded. Burroughs presses his lesson home with all the fervor and cogency of a faithful minister, urging us to find our satisfaction not in circumstances, but in Christ Himself.

If you find yourself restless, anxious, or dissatisfied with where God has you in life, this is a book to return to again and again. Prayerfully read it and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and heart to the sufficiency of Christ. You will not be disappointed.



Soli Deo Gloria