http://www.jenniferpartin.blogspot.com/2008/02/introspection-of-relevance-of-richard.html

The biggest thing that I gleaned from reading Sibbes book was more awareness of my weaknesses and the need for Christ! However, the practical application of The Bruised Reed is in the introspection of the relevancy of Richard Sibbes in my own life and in the life of my church. Since it is not 500 words or less, those that are interested in reading it can click here.

My prayer after reading The Bruised Reed, is that Christ will raise up more ‘Heavenly Doctor’s’ throughout the world so that those who are sick and diseased might find, in Christ, the medicine that they need in order to glorify and enjoy Him forever!

“It will prove a special help to know distinctly the difference between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace, between Moses and Christ. Moses, without any mercy, breaks all bruised reeds, and quenches all smoking flax. For the law requires personal, perpetual, and perfect obedience from the heart, and that under a most terrible curse, but gives no strength. It is a severe task-master, like Pharaoh’s, requiring the whole tale of bricks and yet giving no straw. Christ comes with blessing after blessing, even upon those whom Moses had cursed, and with healing balm for those wounds which Moses had made. The same duties are required in both covenants, such as to love the Lord with all our hearts and with all our souls. In the covenant of works, this must be fulfilled absolutely, but under the covenant of grace it must have an evangelical mitigation. A sincere endeavor proportionable to grace received is accepted. Under this gracious covenant, sincerity is perfection. This is the death in the pot of the Roman religion, that they confound the two covenants, and it deadens the comfort of drooping ones that they cannot distinguish them. And thus they suffer themselves to be held under bondage when Christ has set them free, and stay in the prison when Christ has set the doors open before them.”

“Charity” is what has stuck with me from this book. Sibbes wrote, “Shall man be proud after God has been humble?” and I hope to carry that with me.

I was first exposed to them in an old used book store in Modesto California. This particular used book store had a huge “Religion” section. I would drive there on weekends, because they allowed you to sit at their wooden library table and read all day long if you were so inclined and so I could get fed without having to buy a book—and funds were limited. I would search for titles by MacArthur, Sproul, etc., because those were the men I knew, and knew that I could trust—I had never heard of “the Puritans”.

I will never forget the day I pulled an old book of the shelf, published in December of 1967, entitled, “Banner of Truth-Vol I-Issues 1-16” and began to read. As I read John Owen’s “Songs of Sovereignty” I felt as though I had been starving for years and had just entered into a room with a beautiful banquet table filled with the most incredible food that anyone could ever desire.

As I sat there turning the pages, my soul was fed as it had never been fed before by the words of mere mortals. Needless to say, I purchased that book—that day! After finding the writings of these men and spending the following year “feasting on them” I grew in my love for the Lord and the Word of God; more in that following year than I had in the previous 7 years since my conversion.

After reading all of your comments, it became clear to me that God has used these men (there lives and their writings) to effect very similar experiences and affections. What a blessing He has given all of us.

God’s providence placed me there in that book store on that day back in 2001; God’s providence allowed these men to experience what they experienced, when they experienced it, in order to produce such God glorifying works; and, God’s providence has allowed all of us to be blessed and to grow through being made aware of Timmy’s challenge! Ah, “The Mystery of Providence………….”

For His Sake,
D.L. Kane

I have been able to share many thoughts from this work with others already, but the image that has been most vivid for me is the smoking flax. Working from an example in the book, I imagine the saving ember of grace being supplanted into a small pile of tender. Christ then cups it into His hand and gently fuels the ember into a flame with His breath. As the ember blossoms into fire, the smoke is heavy and stings the eyes; just like sin stings a true believer’s conscience. But as the fire grows and grows, the smoke is carried upward by the draft and thus less prevalent. And should not sin gradually become less prevalent in our lives with each passing day of our abiding with Christ?

Sibbe’s work is great; looking forward to eleven more treats!

A person doesn’t have to read very far into this book to see the depth of love that Sibbes had for Christ and his fellow servant. Its clearly evident the he was a man who was very much aware of his scholarly gifts and of God’s desire for him to comfort whomever he could through his life’s preaching and writing; not to mention his living example with those he was closest (I understand them to be many).

A few months ago, I resolved to shake myself from my lukewarm Christian walk and genuinely seek God in a way I never had. God is faithful. The Old Testament stories I was reading that dealt with His mercy and judgment dovetail beautifully with Sibbes explaining of the richness of Christ’s grace and love. I can’t begin to say how many “ah-ha!” moments I experienced. The story of Joseph’s dealings with his brothers in Egypt fits amazingly well with Sibbes chapter on Christ’s judgment and victory.

But, I understand that the Puritans liked to keep things practical. Well, practically, after reading this book I can sense that (1) I now desire to be a little more patient with myself as well as others. (2) I am eager to let Christ to have that seat of judgment within my heart. (3) I have a greater desire to delight myself in the things of God, because I see better that God will give you the desires of your heart (lit. give desires to you). (4) I think I recognize my error in praying for ability when I should have been praying for grace. And, on and on. I’m sure many of us will be reflecting about this book for some time to come.

On to Flavel.