Jeremiah Burroughs :: To the Reader

To the Reader

This worthy man, especially in his latter times, was surrounded (through God’s blessing on him) with a very great confluence of what might give forth contentment to a vast spirit of his rank and calling. He was enriched with a large measure of abilities and opportunities in serving his Lord (to glorify whom, and do much good to others, is the divine part of a man gracious (which he was) the highest and most solid satisfaction, and in many respects exceeds what personal communion with God, singly considered, brings in). Besides, he lived and died in a fullness of honor and esteem with the best of men, of saints. Yea, the worst of enemies: likewise of wealth, and outward comforts within his sphere and rank. All which might and did afford contentment to what was outward in him. In the midst of these, his study was to find out a more sublime way, and hidden art of self–sufficiency, than was in the power of all things to contribute or teach. Such a skill as did only poise and compose his spirit in the present enjoyment of all, but might forfeit and furnish him with provision for the future against the loss of all, in times wherein no man knows what evil will be in the Earth. This marked his first lines. These are some philosophers of old pretended themselves masters of, and to instruct others in, through the assistance of natural and moral elements, elevated to the utmost height their principles could carry them. But in vain: their chemistry is this kind being able to produce no more but a fallen obstinacy and obdurate of mind. The natural spirit of a man, feelings itself greater than all creatures, gathering up, and consolidating itself into itself, is able, as Solomon says, to sustain its own, and all other infirmities. But that autocracy this author here presents, is a mystery, which none of their princes of the world knew, or the wisdom of man teaches, but the Holy Ghost teaches. And which few, but those that are perfect, do attain; teaching the soul to deny itself into weakness, emptiness, in, and to itself, and all things else. And therefore dissolved to unite itself to Him who only has blessedness and all–sufficiency, with whom associated and made intimate, it melts itself into all His interests, making them its own, and thereby comes to have all that all–sufficiency of the High God to be itself–sufficient. And then, what state can that soul be in, wherein it may not be content seeing it has God to be the most chief comfort in its best times, and only comfort in its worst. This thought it be the inheritance of every saint, in the right and title to it, yet the possession and enjoyment of it, depends upon an improvement of this inheritance, and that upon a skill which is to be learned by experience and much exercise, as Paul speaks, ‘I have learned in whatever estate I am, therewith to be content.’ This piece of learning this serious spirited man inured himself into, and digging for it as rubies, as Solomon’s scholar for wisdom has found it, and has hewn forth this Jewel. A title given neither by himself, nor by us the publishers, to the subject itself, yet the materials themselves deserving it, out of the rock, and has artificially cut it, that the innate rays of this so glorious a grace might shine forth to others. And there it comes to be presented, though set forth as the richest jewels are, often for a while, in ruder metal, until bargained for, but then are placed in tablets worthy of them. The only seat this is ordained for, is, the precious tablets of men’s hearts, in and from which alone the native luster of it will be made conspicuous. Reader, buy it, set, and wear it there, and as Solomon speaks in Proverbs 3:22, ‘be life unto your soul, and grace unto your neck’: You should not be afraid when you lie down; yea, your sleep shall be sweet to you: for the Lord will be your confidence.

Thomas Goodwyn, Sydrach Simpson, William Greenhil, Philip Nye, William Bridge, John Yates, William Adderly.