Final Chapters and Final Thoughts

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The Bruised Reed (TBR) has been on my “to read” list for many years and I’m glad to have finally read it. I have profited greatly by doing so. With that said, I know there is so much I missed along the way, and much I failed to convey in my chapter summaries. But like any good book, I'm sure a reread would open new vistas of understanding. Perhaps I will do that someday. But for now, here are a few of my highlights from the final two chapters. One recurring theme that I found particularly encouraging in TBR was a long view of Christian growth and sanctification. Sibbes repeatedly reminds us of small beginnings and growth over time. See a flame in a spark, a tree in a seed. See great things in little beginnings. Look not so much to the beginning as to the perfection, and so we shall be, in some degree, joyful in ourselves, and thankful to Christ.[i] Another thing I appreciate about Sibbes is that, although he recognizes our frailty, sin, and weakness, there is no coddling of sin. He...
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And So It Begins...

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We’re off to the races!

Today is the first day of our nine-week journey through The Bruised Reed. You can use this blog to post your thoughts, insights, and quotes as we read through the book and Scripture passages. You can also share videos and articles you have benefited from along the way. The posts can be as long or short as you like. 

If you have not received your invitation to post, please send me an email through the Cornerstone portal.

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Bound Hand and Foot by Satan

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How Not to Kill a Fly on the Forehead

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Feeling Bruised?

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...in Christ Mystical?

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Help in Time of Trouble

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Introduction

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When the beauty of Christ is unfolded, it draws the wounded, hungry soul unto him. The preaching of the word doth that that shows the sweet love of God in Jesus Christ. – Richard Sibbes Richard Sibbes (1577 - 1635) was a Puritan lecturer, theologian, and pastor. Although a prolific writer (as were many Puritans) his best known work is The Bruised Reed.  Highly regarded for his pastoral heart and gracious manner, Sibbes became known as “the heavenly Doctor”. Among those who have been refreshed and profoundly moved by Sibbes’ writings include Richard Baxter, C. H. Spurgeon, and Martin Lloyd Jones. J. I. Packer wrote, “Sibbes concentrated on exploring the love, power and patience of Christ, and the riches of the promises of God. He was a pioneer in working out the devotional application of the doctrine of God’s covenant of grace.” * In terms of pages, The Bruised Reed is actually a rather short book. But in my limited experience reading the Puritans, the truth being communicated i...
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Be of Good Comfort

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Final Chapters and Final Thoughts

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Where Love and Mercy Meet

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This week, in chapters nine and ten, Sibbes continues to encourage us to gaze at the tender mercies of Christ. As we see the best affections of mere men, be they father, husband, or brother, let us remember that these are but dim reflections of Christ’s benevolence toward us. We are the body of Christ, surely he will not mistreat His own. If the sweetness of all flowers were in one, how sweet must that flower be? In Christ all perfections of mercy and love meet. How great then must that mercy be that lodges in so gracious a heart? Whatever tenderness is scattered in husband, father, brother, head, all is but a beam from him; it is in him in the most eminent manner. We are weak, but we are his; we are deformed, but yet carry his image upon us. A father looks not so much at the blemishes of his child as at his own nature in him; so Christ finds matter of love from that which is his own in us. He sees his own nature in us: we are diseased, but yet his members. Who ever neglected his own m...
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