Where Love and Mercy Meet

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 members because they were sick or weak? None ever hated his own flesh. Can the head forget the members? Can Christ forget himself?[1]

The heart of a Christian is Christ's garden, and his graces are as so many sweet spices and flowers which, when his Spirit blows upon them, send forth a sweet savor. Therefore keep the soul open to entertain the Holy Ghost, for he will bring in continually fresh forces to subdue corruption, and this most of all on the Lord's day.[2]

Another theme Sibbes returns to is the slandering work of Satan. It is easy to forget that slander is one of his chief devices, and one we must guard against. May we learn to turn a deaf ear to the lies and accusations of the adversary.

Since Christ is thus comfortably set out to us, let us not believe Satan's representations of him. When we are troubled in conscience for our sins, Satan's manner is then to present Christ to the afflicted soul as a most severe judge armed with justice against us. But then let us present him to our souls as offered to our view by God himself, holding out a scepter of mercy, and spreading his arms to receive us.[3]

It was Satan's art from the beginning to discredit God with man, by calling God's love into question with our first father Adam. His success then makes him ready at that weapon still.[4]

Satan, as he slanders Christ to us, so he slanders us to ourselves. If you are not so much as smoking flax, then why do you not renounce your interest in Christ, and disclaim the covenant of grace? This you dare not do. Why do you not give yourself up wholly to other pleasures? This your spirit will not allow you to do. Where do these restless groanings and complaints come from?[5]

Lastly Sibbes gives a solemn warning against sloth and worldliness. We must be diligent to stir up the grace within us.

None are damned in the church but those that are determined to be, including those who persist in having hard thoughts of Christ, that they may have some show of reason to fetch contentment from other things, as that unprofitable servant (Matt. 25:30) who would needs take up the opinion that his master was a hard man, thereby to flatter himself in his unfruitful ways, in not improving the talent which he had. This will be the hell of hell, when men shall think that they have loved their sins more than their souls; when they shall think what love and mercy has been enforced upon them, and yet they would perish.[6]

…for who, if he knew before that it would be a fruitful year, would therefore hang up his plough and neglect tillage?[7]

Stir up the grace that is in you, for in this way holy motions turn to resolutions, resolutions to practice, and practice to a prepared readiness to every good work.[8]

As we look, therefore, for the comfort of this doctrine, let us not favor our natural sloth but exercise ourselves rather to godliness (1 Tim. 4:7), and labour to keep this fire always burning upon the altar of our hearts. Let us dress our lamps daily, and put in fresh oil, and wind up our souls higher and higher still.[9]

With all of that said, I think I’ll end this week’s post with a hymn. I hope you have a wonderful Lord’s day and a blessed week. 

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[1] The Bruised Reed (p. 61). Kindle Edition.
[2] The Bruised Reed (pp. 69-70). Kindle Edition.
[3] The Bruised Reed (p. 61). Kindle Edition.
[4] The Bruised Reed (p. 62). Kindle Edition.
[5] The Bruised Reed (p. 63). Kindle Edition.
[6] The Bruised Reed (p. 67). Kindle Edition.
[7] The Bruised Reed (p. 68). Kindle Edition.
[8] The Bruised Reed (p. 69). Kindle Edition.
[9] The Bruised Reed (p. 70). Kindle Edition.