Causes, Evils, and Cures of Heart and Church Divisions (Burroughs and Baxter)

The title says it all. In this book, Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646) and Richard Baxter (1615-1691) lay out the causes, evils, and cures of heart and church divisions. Note: it is unclear to me exactly who authored what, and whether Francis Asbury (1745-1816, who authored the introduction) abridged either's material. And apparently the version I read (ISBN 9798841093633) was first published in 1849. 

The first section is the causes of divisions, separated into 'distempers' and practices.

- The distempers that divide: pride, self-love, envy, passion, rigidness, rashness, wilfulness, unconstancy, a spirit of jealousy, and a spirit of contention

- The practices that divide: associating with whisperers, needless disputes, not keeping within the bounds God has set, propagating evil reports, an inordinate cleaving to some so as denying due respect to others, because men cannot join in all things with others they will join in nothing, to commend and countenance what we care not for, in opposition to what we dislike, and revenge.

The second is the evils of divisions, both the good they hinder and the sinfulness of them. 

- For the good they hinder: the quiet, comfort, and sweetness of our spirits, the freedom of a man's spirit, the sweetness of Christian converse and communion, our time, our prayers, use of our gifts, and our graces.

The third section is the cures of divisions, separated into seven joining principles, considerations, and six directions, which are too lengthy to reproduce here.

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The content is outstanding; the writing is hard to follow. Very long sentences combined with archaic speech made it hard for me to get through this 107-page volume. That said, I wanted to get through it because there is so much meat; so much insight and value. We are beset today with divisions, whereas Scripture is clear in calling for unity. This books is a welcome reminder that it is (regrettably) common, but offers pointers on why it matters and how to strive for unity. Highly recommended; put in the work to get through this. 

Rating: A