To help clarify, Burroughs shares what proper quietness of spirit is opposed to:
But what, then, it will be asked, is this quietness of spirit opposed to?
- It is opposed to murmuring and repining at the hand of God, as the discontented Israelites often did.
- It is opposed to vexing and fretting, which is a degree beyond murmuring.
- It is opposed to tumultuousness of spirit, when the thoughts run distractingly and work in a confused manner, so that the affections are like the unruly multitude in the Acts, who did know for what purpose they had come together.
- It is opposed to an unsettled and unstable spirit, whereby the heart is distracted from the present duty that God requires in our several relationships, towards God, ourselves and others.
- It is opposed to distracting, heart-consuming cares.
- It is opposed to sinking discouragements.
- It is opposed to sinful shiftings and shirkings to get relief and help.
- It is opposed to desperate risings of the heart against God by way of rebellion.
I really like point #7, if I understand it correctly. So often we avoid the challenging call of Christ in order to be more 'comfortable', but the comfort of the world simply leads to a greater discomfort of spirit.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right...I think we confuse being comfortable with being content.
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