Straight Talk – Puritan Style

One of the criticisms of the Puritans is how hard they are to read. It can seem like they never had an idea that didn’t require a five hundred word sentence to spell out. But I’ve also found that they can get to the point as well. And when they do – watch out. Puritan straight talk hits home.

For example, I came across the following in Jeremiah Burroughs’ classic, “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment”. The Puritan grasp on contentment is gift to Christians and we would do well to listen to what they have to say. Not much room for whining in their world. Check this out.

“It is very tedious toward the Spirit of God when we make such bad interpretations of His ways toward us….Should God make the worst interpretation of all your ways toward him, as you do of his towards you, it would be very ill with you.” (223-224)

It’s good to be reminded that my complaining is ‘tedious’ to the Spirit of God. And that it’s a good thing that God isn’t inclined to complain about me.

That’s straight talk from an unexpected source.