2/22/2018 The Bruised Reed (eBook) | Monergism

The Bruised Reed (eBook)

BY RICHARD SIBBES
IN EPUB, .MOBI AND .PDFFORMATS
There is no better introduction to the Puritans than the writings of Richard
Sibbes, who is, in many ways, a typical Puritan. `Sibbes never wastes the
student's time,' wrote C. H. Spurgeon, `he scatters pearls and diamonds
with both hands.'

Since its first publication in 1630, The Bruised Reed has been remarkably
fruitful as a source of spiritual help and comfort. Richard Baxter records: `A
poor peddler came to the door . . . and my father bought of him Sibbe's
Bruised Reed . . . It suited my state . . . and gave me a livelier
apprehension of the mystery of redemption and how much I was beholden
to Jesus Christ . . . Without any means but books was God pleased to
resolve me to himself.' Such testimonies could be multiplied.

Speaking of the preacher's need to suit his reading to the varying

conditions he finds within, Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones says in his Preaching
and Preachers:

You will find, I think, in general that the Puritans are almost invariably
helpful . . . I shall never cease to be grateful to one of them called Richard
Sibbes who was balm to my soul at a period in my life when I was
overworked and badly overtired, and therefore subject in an unusual manner to the onslaughts of the devil. In that
state and condition . . . what you need is some gentle, tender treatment for your soul. I found at that time that
Richard Sibbes, who was known in London in the early seventeenth century as `the heavenly Doctor Sibbes', was an
unfailing remedy. His books The Bruised Reed and The Soul's Conflict quietened, soothed, comforted, encouraged
and healed me."

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The prophet Isaiah, being lifted up and carried with the wing of a prophetical spirit, passes over all the time between
him and the appearing of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Seeing with the eye of prophecy, and with the eye of faith, Christ
as present, he presents him, in the name of God, to the spiritual eye of others, in these words: `Behold my servant,
whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment
to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not
break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth' (Isa. 42:1 3). These words
are alleged by Matthew as fulfilled now in Christ (Matt. 12:18 20). In them are propounded, first, the calling of Christ
to his office; secondly, the manner in which he carries it out.

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Alternate modernised version with updated language by William Gross here:

azw3 epub mobi .pdf

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Table of Contents

1. The Reed and the Bruising

Christ's calling - How Christ pursues his calling –What it is to be bruised -The good effects of bruising

2. Christ Will Not Break the Bruised Reed

Christ's dealings with the bruised reed - For ourselves - Who are the bruised reeds?
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2/22/2018 The Bruised Reed (eBook) | Monergism

3. The Smoking Flax

Grace is little at first - Grace is mingled with corruption

4. Christ Will Not Quench the Smoking Flax

The least spark of grace is precious - Support the weak

5. The Spirit of Mercy Should Move Us

Simplicity and humility - Sound judgment - How those in authority should act - We are debtors to the weak

6. Marks of the Smoking Flax

Our rule is the covenant of grace - The presence of the. heavenly fire

7. Help for the Weak

Temptations which hinder comfort - Weakness should not keep us from duty

8. Duties and Discouragements

We should persist in duties - Overcoming discouragements - The source of discouragements - Some scruples
removed - What are sins of infirmity?

9. Believe Christ, Not Satan

How we should think of Christ - When Christ seems to be an enemy - When doubt assails us

10. Quench Not the Spirit

False despair of Christ's mercy - False hope of Christ's mercy - Resisting Christ's mercy - Presuming on Christ's
mercy - Seeking another source of mercy - Mistreating the heirs of mercy - Strife among the heirs of mercy - Taking
advantage of the bruised - Despising the simple means of mercy

11. Christ's Judgment and Victory

Christ's judgment established in us - Christ's mildness and his government - Pardon leads to obedience -
Justification leads to sanctification

12. Christ's Wise Government

Judgment and wisdom - The need for heavenly light - Where Christ's government is set up - How Christ governs us
- The effects of this in practice

13. Grace Shall Reign

Why Christ's kingdom must prevail - Why the enemy seems victorious - Consolation for weak Christians -
Evidences of Christ's rule in us

14. Means to Make Grace Victorious

Rules for right judgment - Keeping our judgment clear - Reasons for seeming lack of progress - All should side with
Christ

15. Christ's Public Triumph

The open glory of Christ in his members - Follow sincerity and truth - Christ alone advances this government - We
must not look to ourselves - Christ makes us feel our dependence The triumph of grace

16. Through Conflict to Victory

Why Christ's government is opposed - We must expect opposition - Our victory in Christ is certain - Treasure the
least degree of grace - Encouragement to come to Christ - Christ is the hope of the church - Faith will prevail

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