The Bruised Reed

by Richard Sibbes

But if we have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us, there can be no danger in thorough dealing.

This is most felt in sudden distresses which come upon the soul as a torrent or land flood, and especially in bodily sicknesses which, by reason

of the sympathy between the soul and the body, work upon the soul so far as to hinder not only the spiritual, but often the natural acts. Therefore, James wishes us in affliction to pray ourselves, but in case of sickness to `send for the elders' (James 5:14). These may, as those in the Gospels, offer up to God in their prayers the sick person who is unable to present his own case.

Does God take care of beasts, and not of his more noble creature? And therefore we ought to judge charitably of the complaints of God's people which are wrung from them in such cases. Job had the esteem with God of a patient man, notwithstanding those passionate complaints.

The second observation concerning the weak and small beginnings of grace is that Christ will not quench the smoking flax. This is so for two principal reasons. First, because this spark is from heaven: it is his own, it is kindled by his own Spirit. And secondly, it tends to the glory of his powerful grace in his children that he preserves light in the midst of darkness, a spark in the midst of the swelling waters of corruption.

our Saviour Christ frames a comfortable excuse for them, `The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak'

Excuse for THEM?

indiscreetly). Oh, says he, they shall have time to fast when I am gone, and strength to fast when the Holy Ghost is come upon them.

Is this an ok way to use scripture?

Preachers need to take heed therefore how they deal with young believers. Let them be careful not to pitch matters too high, making things necessary evidences of grace which agree not to the experience of many a good Christian, and laying salvation and damnation upon things that are not fit to bear so great a weight.

Shall man be proud after God has been humble?

all. That age of the church which was most fertile in subtle questions was most barren in religion; for it makes people think religion to be only a matter of cleverness, in tying and untying of knots.

Is this a specific era?

Men must not be too curious in prying into the weaknesses of others. We should labour rather to see what they have that is for eternity, to incline our heart to love them, than into that weakness which the Spirit of God will in time consume, to estrange us.

(2 Pet. 1:1),

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

First, if there be any holy fire in us, it is kindled from heaven by the Father of lights, who `commanded the light to shine out of darkness' (2 Cor. 4: 6). As

Secondly, the least divine light has heat with it in some measure.

Thirdly, where this heavenly light is kindled, it directs in the right way.

Fourthly, where this fire is, it will sever things of diverse natures, and show a difference between such things as gold and dross.

Fifthly, so far as a man is spiritual, so far is light delightful to him.

Sixthly, fire, where it is present, is in some degree active. So the least measure of grace works, as springing from the Spirit of God, who, from his operations, is compared to fire. Even in sins, when there seems nothing active but corruption, there is a contrary principle, which breaks the force of sin, so that it is not boundlessly sinful, as in those that are carnal (Rom. 7:13).

Seventhly, fire makes metals pliable and malleable.

Eighthly, fire, as much as it can, sets everything on fire.

Ninthly, sparks by nature fly upwards.

Tenthly, fire, if it has any matter to feed on, enlarges itself and mounts higher and higher, and, the higher it rises, the purer is the flame.

7. Help for the Weak

1. Some think they have no faith at all because they have no full assurance, whereas the fairest fire that can be will have some smoke. The best actions will smell of the smoke. The mortar wherein garlic has been stamped will always smell of it; so all our actions will savor something of the old man.

(James 5:17).

Song of Solomon 6:4

(1 Cor. 15:57,58),

(1 Tim. 4:7),

(Matt. 12:20).

He pardons in this way so as to be obeyed as a king; he takes us to be his spouse so as to be obeyed as a husband.

(Luke 10:18).

He will bring down all mountainous, high, exalted thoughts, and lay the pride of all flesh low. When chaff strives against the wind, or stubble against the fire, when the heel kicks against the pricks, when the potsherd strives with the potter, when man strives against God, it is easy to know on which side the victory will be. The winds may toss the ship wherein Christ is, but not overturn it. The waves may dash against the rock, but they only break themselves against it.

Slay them not, lest my people forget,' says the Psalmist (Psa. 59:11),

Thirdly, God often works by contraries:

As seed rots in the ground in the winter time, but after comes up better, and the harder the winter the more flourishing the spring, so we learn to stand by falls, and get strength by weakness discovered virtutis custos infirmitas (weakness is the keeper of virtue).

for Christ's dislike of that which is amiss in us turns not to the hatred of our persons but to the victorious subduing of all our infirmities.

When Christ came nearest to home with the young man in the gospel, he lost a disciple of him (Matt. 19. 22).

first,

second,

t...

(2 Tim. 3:15);

(2 Thess. 2:10),

(Acts 11:23),

(1 Chron. 29:18).

Those that are as smoking flax now shall then shine as the sun in the firmament (Matt. 13:43), and their judgment shall be brought forth as the noonday (Psa. 37:6).

It is his Spirit who actuates and enlivens, and applies that knowledge and strength

we have, or else it fails and lies useless in us.

And this should be particularly observed because naturally we aspire to a kind of divinity, in setting about actions in the strength of our own abilities; whereas Christ says, `Without me ye', the apostles, who were in a state of grace, `can do nothing' (John 15:5).

But we must carry this always in our minds, that that which is begun in self confidence ends in shame.

`He shall bring forth judgment unto truth' (Isa. 42:3).

Psalm 37?