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Puritan Treasures for Today
Advancing Christian Unity
In John 17, Jesus prayed for the unity of the church. Yet today, we tend to accept disunity as inevitable. In this book, Anthony Burgess calls us to addresses the spiritual and visible unity
that Jesus desires for His people. Burgess speaks of how union and communion with Christ
and His people are "the life and comfort of believers." Giving careful consideration of what
Christian unity should look like, Burgess excels at uncovering common causes of division and
promoting means to advance unity among God's people.
that Jesus desires for His people. Burgess speaks of how union and communion with Christ
and His people are "the life and comfort of believers." Giving careful consideration of what
Christian unity should look like, Burgess excels at uncovering common causes of division and
promoting means to advance unity among God's people.
112 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2019
4 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Burgess
30 books5 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Anthony Burgess (d. 1664) was a member of the Westminster Assembly and pastor in Sutton Coldfield.
Anthony Burgess (d. 1664) was a member of the Westminster Assembly and pastor in Sutton Coldfield.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 27, 2024
So many good gems in this little book! I’m encouraged to pray more for the unity of the church and strive to be a peacemaker.
June 29, 2025
Christian unity is so important. Sadly often it is confused with tolerance of false teaching. Unity needs to be based on truth - God's Word. When we strive to be more godly, closer to Christ, - then and only then we will have the unity Jesus wants us to have.
August 26, 2025
What an incredible little book absolutely PACKED full of wisdom and advice for navigating church unity issues. Not only was this book very thorough, it also was solidly based upon Scripture.
Burgess does an excellent job laying the foundation for unity in the church—showing the blessing and necessity of unity, how unity can be lacking, the reasons for this, the rules, the expansion, and the value of church unity.
I was particularly impacted by the absolute necessity of church unity and how even the smallest matters, when left untended, can create underlying problems that may destroy an entire church. Additionally, I found the sections on when it is right and just to leave a church, and when you should stay, as well as the points on how to bring up false doctrine to be very enlightening, and it can be practically applied as well. The historical context between the Roman Catholics and Protestants and the unity each seeks individually (the differences therein) was another section I enjoyed.
Please, please, please. If you can get your hands on this book it is a must-read. It is such an encouragement and also a poking rod that may or may not convict you of things you can do better in your own walk with others, and the church. 5/5 Stars, I will definitely be reading this one again and I plan to also write a summary on this book sometime! HIGHLY recommend and a new addition to my "my favourites" bookshelf.
"It is only through Christ that God procures spiritual concord because it is through Christ that God is pleased with His church and reconciled."
Burgess does an excellent job laying the foundation for unity in the church—showing the blessing and necessity of unity, how unity can be lacking, the reasons for this, the rules, the expansion, and the value of church unity.
I was particularly impacted by the absolute necessity of church unity and how even the smallest matters, when left untended, can create underlying problems that may destroy an entire church. Additionally, I found the sections on when it is right and just to leave a church, and when you should stay, as well as the points on how to bring up false doctrine to be very enlightening, and it can be practically applied as well. The historical context between the Roman Catholics and Protestants and the unity each seeks individually (the differences therein) was another section I enjoyed.
Please, please, please. If you can get your hands on this book it is a must-read. It is such an encouragement and also a poking rod that may or may not convict you of things you can do better in your own walk with others, and the church. 5/5 Stars, I will definitely be reading this one again and I plan to also write a summary on this book sometime! HIGHLY recommend and a new addition to my "my favourites" bookshelf.
"It is only through Christ that God procures spiritual concord because it is through Christ that God is pleased with His church and reconciled."
May 21, 2025
Every Christian should read this. It is very humbling and emphasizes the importance of unity in truth among the brethren.
October 21, 2022
Wonderful Book
This little book is comforting, convicting, challenging, and Christ exalting. Would that our great aim in the Christian life be to promote true unity as the people of Christ to the glory of Christ.
This little book is comforting, convicting, challenging, and Christ exalting. Would that our great aim in the Christian life be to promote true unity as the people of Christ to the glory of Christ.
February 1, 2025
In Christ Alone, we have true Unity.
Burgess is writing during the British Civil war (1642-1651). In this, British loyalist soldiers are going after the Puritans
Burgess starts his book with 2 chapters on Unity among Christian ministers. One thing that he highlights here is having the same confession, and even using the same words to confess their faith. Burgess also shows the Unity that the Father and Son have, he says that ministers “should never take our eyes off this pattern.” He goes on to show how the Father and Son have spiritual, constant, holy, philanthropic, well-ordered, and a perfect, absolute unity.
Burgess shows how unity is beautiful. Because of this, Burgess argues that “the completeness of it will be in heaven. That those many thousands will all have one heart and one tongue to praise God.” He goes on to say that, “Now the nearer the people of God come to this on earth, the more similar they are to glorified saints in heaven, and to those innumerable companies of angels that do God’s will.”
Burgess concludes his book by pointing out 2 things that help us preserve unity. The preaching of the word and taking the Lord's Supper.
Burgess is writing during the British Civil war (1642-1651). In this, British loyalist soldiers are going after the Puritans
Burgess starts his book with 2 chapters on Unity among Christian ministers. One thing that he highlights here is having the same confession, and even using the same words to confess their faith. Burgess also shows the Unity that the Father and Son have, he says that ministers “should never take our eyes off this pattern.” He goes on to show how the Father and Son have spiritual, constant, holy, philanthropic, well-ordered, and a perfect, absolute unity.
Burgess shows how unity is beautiful. Because of this, Burgess argues that “the completeness of it will be in heaven. That those many thousands will all have one heart and one tongue to praise God.” He goes on to say that, “Now the nearer the people of God come to this on earth, the more similar they are to glorified saints in heaven, and to those innumerable companies of angels that do God’s will.”
Burgess concludes his book by pointing out 2 things that help us preserve unity. The preaching of the word and taking the Lord's Supper.
August 6, 2024
Lots of truth bombs in this book!
“Unity among the godly is so necessary that God many times permits sad and heavy persecutions to befall them so that in this way their discord and divisions may be removed and they may be more endeared to one another. Times of prosperity in the church made the greatest heresy and schisms but the times of persecution made the godly more United.” - Anthony Burgess.
“Unity among the godly is so necessary that God many times permits sad and heavy persecutions to befall them so that in this way their discord and divisions may be removed and they may be more endeared to one another. Times of prosperity in the church made the greatest heresy and schisms but the times of persecution made the godly more United.” - Anthony Burgess.
October 17, 2020
This book is excellent. Burgess shows mastery in the subject of unity, drawing from the whole Bible to make a convicting, compelling case for advancing unity in and between churches.
November 9, 2021
An excellent 17th century look at Christ’s prayer for unity in John 17. Burgess writes relatively simply and powerfully on this subject which is evidently so central to the heart of Christ.
March 21, 2023
A decent book on John 17, focusing on Christ’s prayer on Christian unity.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews