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This bruised reed is a man that for the most part is in some misery, as those were that came to Christ for help, and '(2.) by misery is brought to see sin the cause of it; for whatsoever pretences sin maketh, yet bruising or breaking is the end of it; '(3.) he is sensible of sin and misery, even unto bruising; and '(4.), seeing no help in himself, is carried with restless desire to have supply from another, with some hope, which a little raiseth him out of himself to Christ, though he dareth not claim any present interest of mercy. This spark of hope being opposed by doubtings, and fears rising from corruption, maketh him as smoking flax; so that both these together, a 'bruised' reed and 'smoking' flax, make up the state of a poor distressed man. Such an one as our Saviour Christ termeth poor in spirit, Matthew '5:3, who seeth a want, and withal seeth himself indebted to divine justice, and no means of supply from himself or the creature, and there upon mourns, and upon some hope of mercy from the promise and examples of those that have obtained mercy, is stirred up to hunger and thirst after it.
From Richard Sibbes, way back in the puritan days, The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax
From Richard Sibbes, way back in the puritan days, The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax
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