Causes, Evils, and Cures of Heart and Church Divisions
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Jeremiah Burroughs here speaks to a topic which the Puritan preacher and Independent knew much of—church division. He offers thoughtful examination of the roots and effects of division in the body of Christ, and a forward-looking approach that offers considerations and directions for healing the divisions. Burroughs’ study makes suggestions for greater unity, challenging the church to focus on moving ahead in its essential work.
For the entire set, see Select Works of Jeremiah Burroughs (7 vols.).
Key Features
- Focuses on the topic of church division
- Thoughtful examination of the roots and effects of division
- Provides forward-looking approach and directino for healing divisions
Top Highlights
“Pride is the greatest master of misrule in the world; it is the great incendiary in the soul of man, in families, in towns, in cities, in all societies, in church and state: this wind causeth tempests to arise. Prov. 13:10: ‘Only by pride cometh contention.’ The Holy Ghost singles out pride, as the only cause of all contentions, because it is the chief; though there be many in a riot, the whole is usually laid upon the ringleaders. Pride is the ringleader to all riots, divisions, disturbances among us. Prov. 21:24: ‘Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.’” (Page 7)
“Pride hardens men’s hearts. Dan. 5:10: ‘His mind is hardened in his pride.’” (Page 10)
“proud man makes his will the rule of his actions, and would have it be the rule of other men’s too” (Page 11)
“Would not I have others bear with me? I then will bear with them. I would have others do offices of kindness to me; I will then do offices of kindness to them. I would have the carriage of others lovely, and amiable to me; mine shall be so to them. I would have others live peaceably with me; I will do so with them. This rule of doing to others as I would be done to, is a law of justice; such justice as keeps the peace.” (Pages 98–99)
“Proud spirits will venture the setting the temple of God, yea, church and state, on fire, that they may have a name; whatever they do or suffer to get a name, they will rather venture, than die in obscurity; that above all things they cannot bear.” (Page 11)
About Jeremiah Burroughs
Jeremiah Burroughs (c. 1600–1646) was an English Puritan minister, preacher, and writer. He was an Independent, who believed church and state should be separated, and the local congregations autonomous. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge where he earned a Masters in 1624. Burroughs served as a pastoral assistant in Suffolk and rector in Norfolk, before being suspended for non-conformity regarding a matter of conscience. Burroughs then served as a teacher from 1638–1640 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, before returning to ministry in London from 1640 until his death.