"Sin"

Sin is worse than suffering; it is better to suffer than to sin. Every sin is an attempt to dethrone God in your heart. Sin never goes alone but leaves a stain wherever it touches.

[Richard Baxter]

Sin is the dare of God's justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, and the contempt of His love. Sin turns the soul into a dungeon of darkness.

[John Bunyan] 

Sin is infinitely worse than any affliction. One sin allowed, is enough to damn the soul. Sin is the soul's only sickness, and Christ is the soul's only Physician.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

Sin in the heart is like Jonah in the ship it turns the soul into a tempest. Sin will usher in the greatest and saddest losses imaginable. Sin is Satan's firstborn.

[Thomas Brooks]

Sin is an offense against infinite holiness and deserves infinite punishment. Sin is a deicide every sin would kill God if it could.

[Stephen Charnock]

Be killing sin, or it will be killing you. The seed of every sin is in every heart. 

[John Owen]

The smallest sin is an infinite evil, because it is committed against an infinite God. Sin is the foulest evil it pollutes everything it touches. 

[Samuel Rutherford]

Sin is the cause of all suffering and the root of all sorrow. Sin is the disturber of Heaven, earth, and Hell. One of the greatest sins, is not to see sin as the greatest evil. Sin is the soul's enemy, the heart's wound, and the thief of eternal joy.

[Ralph Venning]

Till sin is bitter, Christ will not be sweet. Sin has the devil for its father, shame for its companion, and death for its wages. Sin is a spiritual poison that would murder the soul. Sin is worse than Hell, because sin brought Hell into being.

[Thomas Watson]

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"Afflictions"

Afflictions teach us to value the blessings of God which in prosperity we are apt to forget.

God's afflictions are not to destroy us, but to wean us from the world and bring us closer to Christ.

It is folly to doubt God's goodness because of His chastening rod, for the rod is in the hand of infinite love.

[Richard Baxter]

Afflictions are but God's furnace to refine His gold. 

Christ's school of affliction is the best school in this world.

God would not rub so hard, if it were not to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our natures.

Afflictions are God's medicines to cure His people.

[ Thomas Brooks]

As the winter prepares the earth for the spring, so affliction prepares the soul for glory.

The greatest afflictions are less than we deserve.

God empties us of worldly comfort to fill us with heavenly joy.

[William Bridge]

God's people are like gold they are purified by fire. 

God does not strike as an enemy to destroy, but as a father to correct.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

Sanctified afflictions are better than unsanctified prosperity.

The furnace of affliction is where God polishes His jewels.

[John Flavel]

God's wounds cure sin's kisses kill.

[William Gurnall]

Afflictions quicken our desires for eternal things.

Afflictions are blessings to the soul, though they seem bitter to the flesh.

[John Owen]

Your afflictions are your father's love-tokens.

When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord's choicest wines.

[ Samuel Rutherford]

God breaks the cistern to drive us to the fountain.

The fire does not destroy the gold, but only refines it.

God's hammer breaks us in pieces, that He may fashion us into His own likeness.

God squeezes the sins out of His saints by affliction.

It is better to go limping to Heaven, than leaping to Hell.

[ Richard Sibbes]

A sick bed often teaches more than a sermon.

God's rod is a pencil to draw Christ's image more distinctly upon us.

[Thomas Watson]

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Puritan Quotes 1

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. (Jeremiah Burroughs)

It is not the bee's touching of the flower that gathers honey, but her abiding for a time upon the flower that draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most, but he who meditates most who will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian!  (Thomas Brooks)

Let us use worldly things as wise pilgrims do their staves and other things necessary for their journey. So long as they help us forward in our way let us make use of them, and accordingly esteem them. But if they become troublesome hindrances and cumbersome burdens let us leave them behind us or cast them away. The temptations of prosperity, like unseen bullets, wound and kill us before they are discerned! (George Downame)

The best course to prevent falling into the pit is to keep at the greatest distance from it. He who will be so bold as to attempt to dance upon the brink of the pit may find by woeful experience, that it is a righteous thing with God that he should fall into the pit! Sin is a plague, yes, the greatest and most infectious plague in the world; and yet, ah! how few are there who tremble at it, who keep at a distance from it! (Thomas Brooks)

Riches are long in getting with many pains, hard in keeping with much care, quick in losing with much sorrow. (Thomas Fuller)

Your life is short, your duties are many, your assistance is great, and your reward is sure! Therefore, faint not, hold on and hold up in the paths of godliness and Heaven shall make amends for all! (Thomas Brooks)

Where one thousand are destroyed by the world's frowns ten thousand are destroyed by the world's smiles. The world, siren-like, sings us and sinks us! (Thomas Brooks)

We fear men so much because we fear God so little. One fear cure another. When man's terror scares you turn your thoughts to the wrath of God! (William Gurnall)

When we grow careless in keeping our souls then God recovers our taste of good things again by sharp crosses. (Richard Sibbes)

How sweet is rest, after fatigue! How sweet will Heaven be, when our toilsome journey is ended. (George Whitefield)

The winter prepares the earth for the spring so do sanctified afflictions prepare the soul for glory! (Richard Sibbes)

As the wicked are hurt by the best things so the godly are bettered by the worst. (William Jenkyn)

Poverty and affliction take away the fuel that feeds pride! (Richard Sibbes)

To bless God for mercies is the way to increase them. To bless Him for miseries is the way to remove them. (William Dyer)

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Burroughs Quotes

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 not by addition but by subtraction: seeking to add a thing will not bring contentment. Instead, subtracting from your desires until you are satisfied only with Christ brings contentment.

Your mercies are more than your afflictions.

I beseech you to consider that God does not deal by you, as you deal with Him.

One drop of the sweetness of Heaven is enough to take away all the sourness and bitterness of all the afflictions in the world.

All the beautiful objects in the world are not so lovely in the eye of God, as a heart that trembles at the Word. 

You will not find one Godly man who came out of an affliction worse than when he went into it. Though for a little while he was shaken, yet, at last, he was better for an affliction. But a great many Godly men have been worse for their prosperity.

You should so walk before men as to manifest to all the world that your Savior is a wonderful Savior!

Saving grace enables men to see love in the very frown of God's face.

It is the happiness of Heaven to have God be all in all.

A godly man, in the midst of the waves and storms that he meets with, can see the glory of Heaven before him and so contents himself. One drop of the sweetness of Heaven is enough to take away all the sourness and bitterness of all the afflictions in the world!

Oh, that we could but convince men and women that murmuring spirit is a greater evil than any affliction, whatever the affliction!

Thus, a godly man wonders that his cross is so small. A wicked man wonders that his cross is so great.

When God has given you your heart's desire, what have you done with your heart's desire?

To be well skilled in the mystery of Christian contentment is the duty, glory and excellence of a Christian. 

The Lord does not so much look at the work that is done, as at the faithfulness of our hearts in doing it.

I am discontented because I have not those things which God never yet promised me.

Holiness is the very principle of eternal life, the very beginning of eternal life in the heart, and that which will certainly grow up to eternal life.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

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Glory of a Christian

When a Christian can walk in the midst of fiery trials, without his garments being singed, and has comfort and joy in the midst of everything (when like Paul in the stocks he can sing, which wrought upon the jailor) it will convince men, when they see the power of grace in the midst of afflictions. When they can behave themselves in a gracious and holy manner in such afflictions as would make others roar: Oh, this is the glory of a Christian.

[Jeremiah Burroughs ]

1 Peter 1:7-9 ... That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

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Christian Contentment

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.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

 1 Timothy 6:8 ... And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.❤

Glory of A Christian

When a Christian can walk in the midst of fiery trials, without his garments being singed, and has comfort and joy in the midst of everything (when like Paul in the stocks he can sing, which wrought upon the jailor) it will convince men, when they see the power of grace in the midst of afflictions. When they can behave themselves in a gracious and holy manner in such afflictions as would make others roar: Oh, this is the glory of a Christian.

[Jeremiah Burroughs] 

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1 Peter 1:7 … That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4:12-13 … Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

James 1:2-3 … My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.❤

A Murmuring Spirit

I am discontented because I have not those things which God has never promised me.

A wicked man wonders that his cross is so much.  A godly man wonders that his cross is not more.

The wicked man knows of no way to get contentment, but to have his possessions raised up to his desires.

But the Christian has another way to contentment, that is, he can bring his desires down to his possessions, and so he attains his contentment.

The world is infinitely deceived in thinking that contentment lies in having more than we already have.

Here lies the bottom and root of all contentment when there is an evenness and proportion between our hearts and our circumstances. That is why many godly men who are in low position, live more sweet and comfortable lives than those who are richer.

Grace enables believers to see love in the very frown of God's face!

One drop of Divine sweetness will sweeten a great deal of sour affliction.

A thankful heart loves to acknowledge God whenever it has received any mercy.

Oh, that we could but convince men that a murmuring spirit is a greater evil than any affliction, whatever the affliction!

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

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Numbers 14:27 … How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

Psalm 106:25 … But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:10 … Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.❤

The Knife!

If I do indeed believe that my sin has cost the blood of Christ then certainly my sin is a dreadful evil.  Oh, let me never have to do with such sin as was the cause of such sufferings to my Savior which shed His precious blood.  If you saw the knife that had cut the throat of your dearest child, would not your heart rise against that knife?

Suppose you come to dine, and there is a knife laid by your plate, and it was told to you that this is the knife which cut the throat of your dear child could use that knife to eat your dinner?  Oh with what detestation would you fling away such a knife!   And with the like detestation it is required that you should renounce sin for your sin was the cause of the death of Christ!

So when a temptation comes to sin, you must think, "This is the knife which cut the throat of Christ, which pierced His side, which was the cause of all His sufferings, which made Christ to be a curse!"  Now you will look upon your sin as a cursed thing, which made Christ to be a curse!

"A bleeding Savior I have viewed, And now, I hate my sin!"

[Jeremy Burroughs]

Acts 20:28 … Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1 John 1:7 … But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Ephesians 2:13 … But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.❤

The Rare Jewel of Contentment

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.

Now those of you who have learned to be content, have learned to attain to these various things. I hope that the very opening of these things may so far work on your hearts that you may lay your hands upon your hearts on what has been said, I say, that the very telling you what the lesson is may cause you to lay your hands on your hearts and say, 'Lord, I see there is more to Christian contentment than I thought there was, and I have been far from learning this lesson. Indeed, I have only learned my ABC in this lesson of contentment. I am only in the lower form in Christ's school if I am in it at all.' We shall speak of these things more later, but my particular aim in opening this point is to show what a great mystery there is in Christian contentment, and how many distinct lessons there are to be learned, that we may come to attain to this heavenly disposition, to which St. Paul attained.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

Philippians 4:11 … Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

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The Power of Grace

When a Christian can walk in the midst of fiery trials, without his garments being singed, and has comfort and joy in the midst of everything (when like Paul in the stocks he can sing, which wrought upon the jailor) it will convince men, when they see the power of grace in the midst of afflictions. When they can behave themselves in a gracious and holy manner in such afflictions as would make others roar: Oh, this is the glory of a Christian.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

2 Corinthians 4:17 ... For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Romans 5:2-3 ... By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Ephesians 3:13 ... Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Colossians 1:27 ... To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:❤

Christian Contentment

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.

[Jeremiah Burroughs]

Philippians 4:11 ... Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.


Psalm 37:4 ... Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 ... But godliness with contentment is great gain.   For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Hebrews 13:5 ... Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.❤