Richard Sibbes: The Bruised Reed

Submitted by Alan Marsden on Sun, 14/05/2017 - 16:24
 
Christians are always banging on about good books that everybody else should read. Such recommendations usually put me off; I prefer to discover my own gems than go a'digging by other men's treasure maps. Yet here I am, recommending a book. So powerful is this book, I'm considering buying copies to give to my congregation (it's a small congregation, I know). 
 
The author, Richard Sibbes is long dead, or has, more accurately, been enjoying Christ's company these past four hundred years. This is a great book for when you are feeling spiritually low. There's little wonder the author was known as 'The heavenly Doctor Sibbes' and 'the sweet dropper'.
 
Here are some choice morsels, which, though pleasant, are but spoonfuls taken from a feast:
 
In the godly, holy truths are conveyed by way of a taste; gracious men have a spiritual palate as well as a spiritual eye. Grace alters the spiritual taste.

God knows we have nothing of ourselves, therefore in the covenant of grace he requires no more than he gives, but gives what he requires, and accepts what he gives.

It is good to divert our sorrow for other things to the root of all, which is sin. Let our grief run most in that channel, that as sin bred grief, so grief may consume sin

Nothing is so certain as that which is certain after doubts. Shaking settles and roots

Perfect refining is for another world.

What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the party offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption! And what a comfort is this, that, seeing God’s love rests on Christ, as well pleased in him, we may gather that he is as well pleased with us, if we be in Christ!

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