The Spots of the Godly and of the Wicked

Jeremiah Burroughs, one of the most faithful voices among the English Puritans, presents a masterful exposition of Deuteronomy 32:5, "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation," unveiling the sharp contrast between the sins of the godly and the sins of the wicked. With deep reverence for Scripture and unwavering theological clarity, Burroughs reveals that while even God's children bear the stains of sin, their failings do not bear the same mark as those who remain in rebellion. Through careful biblical argument, he demonstrates how the sin of the believer differs in its nature, effect, and outcome from that of the ungodly.

Burroughs lays out the distinct ways in which the godly react to sin. He shows that the true believer does not make provision for the flesh, nor seek to excuse his offenses, but is instead convicted, humbled, and driven to Christ. The wicked, by contrast, sin with ease, make light of their iniquity, and, in their hardness, seek to twist God's grace into a license to indulge their corruption. They do not flee to Christ but away from Him, remaining blind to their peril and untouched by His mercy.

Through masterful handling of Scripture, Burroughs exposes the foolish arguments men use to quiet their guilty consciences-reasoning that all men sin, that some sins are too small to matter, or that because grace abounds, they need not be alarmed at their iniquities. With pastoral wisdom, he warns against such deceptions, calling the reader to self-examination and an earnest pursuit of holiness.

This book is not merely a study of sin but a call to godly fear, to careful walking before the Lord, and to an unwavering love for Jesus Christ, who alone makes the soul spotless before God.

With theological depth and pastoral care, The Spots of the Godly and of the Wicked serves as a mirror to the soul, a warning to the deceived, and an encouragement to the weary saint. It is a work that exalts the power of the Gospel, magnifies the grace of God, and presses every reader to cling to King Jesus alone, the only refuge for sinners.