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The Bruised Reed

Richard Sibbes 1630
Sibbes' influential devotional work offers compassionate spiritual counsel to troubled believers, emphasizing Christ's gentle mercy toward the spiritually wounded and discouraged.

London: R.B. for R. Dawlman, 1630 (first edition)

From the text

The opening of the work as printed, in the spelling of this edition.

THE GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY LIBRARY CHELSEA SQUARE, NEW YORK II, N.Y.

The Gift of The Rev. W. E. Eigenbrodt

THE BRUISED REED AND SMOKING FLAX

A FOUNTAIN SEALED

A DESCRIPTION OF

BY RICHARD SIBBES D.D.

LONDON PICKERING

C. WHITTINGHAM, TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.

TO THE READER.

THIS republication of Dr. Sibbes's "Bruised Reed," and his "Soul's Conflict," is chiefly owing to the following notices of those Works by Izaak Walton. In his will he says, "To my son Izaak, I give Doctor Sibbes his Soul's Conflict, and to my daughter his Bruised Reed; desiring them to read them, so as to be well acquainted with them." Walton's esteem for Dr. Sibbes, was however more strongly shewn on another occasion.

Conflict, and to my daughter his Bruised Reed; desiring them to read them, so as to be well acquainted with them." Walton's esteem for Dr. Sibbes, was however more strongly shewn on another occasion. In a copy of that author's "Returning Backslider," 4to. 1640, which formerly belonged to Walton, and is now in Salisbury Cathedral Library, he has written, "Of this blest man, let this just praise be given, Heaven was in him, before he was in Heaven. IZAAK WALTON." As it does not appear that Walton was acquainted with Dr. Sibbes, his admiration of that learned person probably arose from having been frequently one of his auditors while he was preacher at Gray's Inn, at which time Walton resided in Chancery Lane. Dr. Sibbes' biographers have done little for his * In the Friendly Debate (2nd part or continuation) 8vo. London, 1669, p. 219, there is an account of the Puritans having falsified some passages in the "Soul's Conflict." b vi TO THE READER.

his * In the Friendly Debate (2nd part or continuation) 8vo. London, 1669, p. 219, there is an account of the Puritans having falsified some passages in the "Soul's Conflict."

TO THE READER.

memory; and the few facts which are known, are comprised in the following brief statement:—

Richard Sibbes was born near Sudbury, in Suffolk, in the year 1577; and after receiving his education, probably at that place, was sent to Cambridge in 1595, in his 18th year. He was admitted of St. John's College, where his proficiency in learning was so uncommon, that he was soon promoted in his degrees, and was chosen Fellow of his College, in April, 1601, while the excellence of his character recommended him to all who knew him, and afforded a presage that he would prove an ornament to the University, and to the Church. It is said that he was "converted" through the ministry of Mr. Paul Baine, who was Lecturer of St. Andrew's Church, Cambridge.

"iversity, and to the Church. It is said that he was ' converted " through the ministry of Mr. Paul Baine, who was Lecturer of St. Andrew's Church, Cambridge."

University, and to the Church. It is said that he was ' converted " through the ministry of Mr. Paul Baine, who was Lecturer of St. Andrew's Church, Cambridge.

Some time after Sibbes had taken his degree of Master of Arts, he entered into Holy Orders, was chosen Lecturer of Trinity Church, Cambridge, and was appointed to the vicarage of St. Mary's, on the resignation of Dr. Thomas Goodwin in his favour, about two years before the death of the latter. While Sibbes held that lectureship, his church was crowded both with students and townsmen; and he is said to have "soon become the happy instrument of bringing some souls to a knowledge of the truth, and encouraging others to hold on with perseverance against the obstacles which in those days were presented from all quarters." * In the Public Library, Cambridge, in Baker's MS. Collections, Vol. 38—41, is an article entitled "Dr. Sibbs, his Life, by Mr. Zach. Catling." Cole. TO THE READER. vii About the year 1618, he was chosen preacher at Gray's Inn, "where his ministry found such general approbation and acceptance, that, besides the learned lawyers of the house, many persons of high ra About the year 1618, he was chosen preacher at Gray's Inn, where his ministry found such general approbation and acceptance, that, besides the learned lawyers of the house, many persons of high rank, gentry and citizens, resorted to hear him; and many had reason to bless God for the benefit which they received by him. Dr. William Gouge, who frequently heard him preach, says, that he sometimes had a little stammering in the time of his preaching; but then his judicious hearers always expected some rare and excellent notions from him. It appears by a letter addressed to Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, from Usher, Archbishop of Armagh, that he was desirous Dr. Sibbes should be appointed Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, on the retirement of Sir William Temple, early in 1626: "My most gracious Lord; When I took my last leave of you at Lambeth, I made bold to move your Grace, for the settlement of the Provostship of our College here, upon some worthy man, whensoever the place should next become void. I then recommended unto you Mr.

Lambeth, I made bold to move your Grace, for the settlement of the Provostship of our College here, upon some worthy man, whensoever the place should next become void. I then recommended unto you Mr. Sibbes, the preacher of Grays-Inn; with whose learning, soundness of judgment, and uprightness of life, I was very well acquainted: And it pleased your Grace to listen unto my motion, and gave way to the coming over of the person named, when time required. The time (my Lord) is now come, wherein we have at last wrought Sir William Temple to give up his place, if the other may be drawn over. And therefore I most humbly intreat your Grace, to give unto Mr. Sibbes that encouragement

TO THE READER.

couragement he deserveth; on whose behalf I dare undertake, that he shall be as observant of you, and as careful to put in execution all your directions, as any man whosoever. The matter is of so great importance for the good of this poor Church, and your Fatherly Care, as well of the Church in general, as our College in particular so well known, that I shall not need to press you herein with many words. And therefore leaving it wholly to your Grace's grave consideration, and beseeching Almighty God to bless you in the managing of your weighty employments, I humbly take leave, and rest

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Contents

  1. Richard Sibbes was born near Sudbury, in Sussolk,
  2. Sir William Temple to give up his place, if the other
  3. TO THE READER. ix
  4. TO THE READER. x1
  5. The truth of this appeared so evident to an eminent
  6. It has been thought desirable to conclude this brief
  7. Miserie, ib. Also separately published (see Art. Iv.)
  8. Fifth edit. Lond. 1658 ; Ded. To the reader (signed, R. Sibbes),
  9. Divine, Richard Sibbes, D. D. and sometimes Preacher to
  10. Miracle of Miracles, or Christ in our nature, &c. 2 Sermons,
  11. OLDIERS that carry their lives in their hands
  12. EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 5
  13. O prevent a further inconvenience, I was drawn
  14. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. 19
  15. Isai. v. 8; that he is God and not man, Hos. xi. 9;
  16. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. 11
  17. One way whereby the spirit of Christ prevaileth in
  18. The Text opened and divided. What the Reed is,
  19. AND SMOKING FLAX. 17
  20. They are bruised reeds besore their conversion, and
  21. Christ ; the gospel is the gospel indeed then, then the
  22. HE second point is, That Christ will not break
  23. Saviour, given him by God himself: consider his
  24. AND SMOKING FLAX. 23
  25. UT how shall we know, whether we are such as
  26. Theresore desire God, that he would bring a clear and
  27. Psalm vi. &e. The Lord knoweth whereof we are
  28. T,.OR the second branch; God will not quench the
  29. Mat. ii. 6, and yet not the least; the least in itself,
  30. AND SMOKING FLAX, 5)
  31. Man for a little smoke will quench the light: Christ
  32. Yet people should not tire and wear out the patience
  33. Some must be pulled out of the fire, Jude 23, with
  34. Christ chose those to preach mercy, which had felt
  35. We must neither bind where God looseth, nor loose
  36. Governors should be tender of weak ones, and’
  37. Christians, even for all of us in our common relations
  38. AND SMOKING FLAX. 47
  39. AND SMOKING FLAX, 49
  40. Josias, and others, when it is said, they loved God
  41. Secondly, the least divine light hath heat with it
  42. Fourthly, where this fire is, it will sever things of
  43. AND SMOKING FLAX, 55
  44. Fire maketh metals pliable and malleable, so doth
  45. Fire worketh itself, if it hath any matter to feed
  46. Shall every sin and blasphemy of man be forgiven,
  47. AND SMOKING FLAX, 61
  48. For, first, sin the more it is seen the more it is
  49. ERE is a use of encouragement to duty, that
  50. God's good pleasure it should be so, who giveth the
  51. Obedience is most direct when there is nothing
  52. AND SMOKING FLAX. 69
  53. Comforter, Rom. viii. 26. If he convinceth of sin, and
  54. But lest we flatter ourselves without ground, we must
  55. Where the heart is thus in these respects qualified,
  56. Satan not to be believed, as he representeth
  57. AND SMOKING FLAX. Ke
  58. Almighty, nor refuse thy own mercy. Cast thyself
  59. The sighs of a bruised heart carry in them some
  60. AND SMOKING FLAX. 81
  61. Holy Ghost, but that the Spirit was readier to draw
  62. Luke xxiv. 32, said the disciples. Secondly, much
  63. AND SMOKING FLAX. 85
  64. Church whieh thou lovest, and gavest thyself for, is
  65. The more to blame those that for private aims affect
  66. Last of all, they carry themselves very unkindly
  67. Christ and we are of one judgment and of one will ;
  68. HE first conclusion from the connexion of this
  69. Christ hath right to govern us, thence it is that he
  70. HE second conclusion is, that Christ’s government
  71. God hath put an eternal disserence betwixt light and
  72. AND SMOKING FLAX. 99
  73. HE second branch is, that wheresoever true
  74. Sear of the Lord, Isai. xi. 2. The knowledge which
  75. HE third conclusion is, that this government is
  76. AND SMOKING FLAX. 105
  77. AND SMOKING FLAX. 107
  78. Psalm lix. 11. That so by the experience of that
  79. Christ prevails ; and then he backs his own graces in
  80. AND SMOKING FLAX, 111
  81. AND SMOKING FLAX. 113
  82. When judgment is fortified, evil finds no entrance,
  83. By going out of God’s walks we go out of his govern-
  84. AND SMOKING FLAX. 117
  85. AND SMOKING FLAX. 119
  86. T is not only said, judgment shall be victorious, but
  87. As Christ will not quench the least spark kindled by
  88. The soul of most men is drowned in their senses,
  89. AND SMOKING FLAX. 125
  90. Christ, who hath spirit enough for us all, in all our
  91. Those that are under Christ’s government have the
  92. And no marvel if the spiritual government of Christ
  93. It is, theresore, no sign of a good condition to find
  94. AND SMOKING FLAX. 133
  95. God himself, as it were, by believing the pardon of all
  96. Christ will rule, till he hath made his enemies his
  97. The Gospel’s course hath hitherto been as that of
  98. Boldness to come besore the throne of grace, how bred in us, 255
  99. Flax, smoking, Christ will not quench, 33 ; rulesto know whether
  100. Meekness, contented becomes a Christian, 65
  101. ESIDES that deserved interest your Ladyship
  102. I. What it is to grieve the Spirit, 158 ; how the Spirit worketh
  103. HETHER the words be a command ensuing
  104. God, but the Spirit of God; and herein we may see
  105. Il creatures: nor yet is in us only by stirring up holy
  106. Spirit being in us after he hath prepared us for a
  107. A FOUNTAIN SEALED. 159
  108. Spirit of God: so the Spirit of God, not in itself, but
  109. It may be objected, when we do any thing amiss,
  110. A FOUNTAIN SEALED. 163
  111. And theresore the sins that offend God most are
  112. God: there is nothing puts him on: yet he accounts
  113. God's law first: no man breaks the law of nature,
  114. I heeded him not: how doth God speak? When
  115. God, and the good of the state he lives in: he hatha
  116. Spirit of God; and move him to take away that truth
  117. Again, the holy Spirit is grieved, when ye havea
  118. I not buy my sin too dear? Sins are dearly bought,
  119. God's Spirit dictates the best things, that tend to
  120. A FOUNTAIN SEALED. 177
  121. When we grieve the good Spirit of God, and cause
  122. Christ and their souls, so far as that sin should reign
  123. The fourth point is, what course we should take to
  124. Those motions that the Spirit stirs up from within,
  125. The Spirit is always besorehand with us, preventing
  126. A FOUNTAIN SEALED, 187
  127. Men grieve the Spirit by neglecting the Word, and
  128. Joseph's brethren. If we find not that sweetness of
  129. A FOUNTAIN SEALED. 191
  130. Christ, and reconciliation through it, besore we can
  131. It is in vain for us to make toward heaven without
  132. The apostle sealeth this grave admonition by an
  133. SEALING OF THE SPIRIT. 197
  134. And then a pardon is more to us than a crown; then
  135. God stoops to be helped by us, and to have his truth,
  136. SEALING OF THE SPIRIT. 201
  137. Spirit, from a deeper die and stamp of the Spirit :
  138. Christ: when others are termed dross, and dung, and
  139. SEALING OF THE SPIRIT. 205
  140. Whatsoever the use is, or can be, of a seal in man’s
  141. Though by reflecting upon our souls we are able to
  142. Joy and strong comfort come from a superadded
  143. Christ came not only by blood to justify us, but by
  144. If we feel it not, as ost we do not, then rise upward
  145. But how shall we know this witness from an enthusiastical fancy and illusion ?
  146. God’s countenance towards us, we are not satisfied,
  147. Besides these things that go besore this joy and
  148. God still sealeth further to my soul by increase of
  149. SEALING OF THE SPIRIT. 2%
  150. I bring Scripture to prove it? It is a point that every

and 55 more sections

Other works by Richard Sibbes

The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Vol. 1
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The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Vol. 2
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Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1
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The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Vol. 4
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The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Vol. 5
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The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Vol. 6
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The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Vol. 7
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Bowels Opened
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Yea and Amen
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Christ's Exaltation Purchased by Humiliation
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