CHAPTER I.— What the Reed is, and what the Bruising
This makes* the thoughts of the latter judgment comfortable unto us that he who is then to be our judge, cannot but judge for them who have been ruled by him here; for whom he guides by his counsel, those he brings to glory, Ps. 73:24. If our faith were but as firm as our state in Christ is secure and glorious, what manner of men should we be?
If I had gone about to affect writing in a high strain, I should have missed of mine end, and crossed the argument in hand. For shall we that are servants quench those weak sparks which our Lord himself is pleased to cherish? I had rather hazard the censure of some, than hinder the good of others; which, if it be any ways furthered by these few observations, I have what I aimed at. I intended not a treatise, but opening of a text; what I shall be drawn to do in this kind must be by degrees, as leisure in the midst of many interruptions will permit: the Lord guide our hearts, tongues, and pens for his glory and the good of his people.
RICHARD SIBBES.
CHAPTER I.
The Text opened and divided. What the Reed is, and what the Bruising A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.—MATT. 12:20.
THE prophet Isaiah being lifted up, and carried with the wing of prophetical spirit, passeth over all the time between him and the appearing of Jesus Christ in the flesh, and seeth with the eye of prophecy, and with the eye of faith, Christ as present, and presenteth him, in the name of God, to the spiritual eye of others, in these words: 'Behold my servant whom I have chosen,' &c., Isa. 43:10.
Which place is alleged by Saint Matthew as fulfilled now in Christ, Matt. 12:18. Wherein is propounded— First, the calling of Christ to his office.
Secondly, the execution of it.
I. For his calling: God styleth him here his righteous servant, &c., Christ was God's servant in the greatest piece of service that ever was; a chosen, and a choice servant: he did and suffered all by commission from the Father: wherein we may see the sweet love of God to us, that counts the work of our salvation by Christ his greatest service; and that he wil put his only beloved Son to that service. He might well prefix Behold, to raise up our thoughts to the highest pitch of attention and admiration. In time of temptation, misgiving consciences look so much to the present trouble they are in, that they need be roused up to behold him in whom they may find rest for their distressed souls. In temptations it is safest to behold nothing but Christ the true brazen serpent, the true Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, John 1:29. This saving object hat a special influence of comfort into the soul, especially if we look not only on Christ, but upon the Father's authority and love in him. For in at that Christ did and suffered as Mediator, we must see God in him reconciling the world unto himself, 2 Cor. 5:19.
What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the part offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption!
And what a comfort is this, that seeing God's love resteth on Christ, as we pleased in him, we may gather that he is as well pleased with us, if we be in Christ! For his love resteth in whole Christ, in Christ mystical, as well as Christ natural, because he loveth him and us with one love. Let us, therefore, embrace Christ, and in him God's love, and build our faith safely on such a Saviour, that is furnished with so high a commission.
See here, for our comfort, a sweet agreement of all three persons: the Father giveth a commission to Christ; the Spirit furnisheth and sanctifieth to it; Christ himself executeth the office of a Mediator.
Our redemption is founded upon the joint agreement of all three persons of the Trinity.
II. For the execution of this his calling, it is set down here to be modest, without making a noise, or raising dust by any pompous coming, as princes use to do. 'His voice shall not be heard.' His voice indeed was heard, but what voice? 'Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden,' Mat. 11:28. He cried, but how? 'Ho, every one that thirsteth, come,' &c., Isa. 55:1. And as his coming was modest, so it was mild, which is set down in these words: The bruised reed shall he not break, &c. Wherein we may observe these three things:— First, The condition of those that Christ had to deal withal. (1.) They were bruised reeds; (2.) smoking flax.
Secondly, Christ's carriage toward* them. He brake not the bruised reed, nor quenched the smoking flax: where more is meant than spoken; for he will not only not break the bruised reed, nor quench,
&c., but he will cherish them.
Thirdly, The constancy and progress of this his tender care, 'until judgment come to victory'—that is, until the sanctified frame of grace begun in their hearts be brought to that perfection, that it prevaileth over all opposite corruption.
1. For the first, the condition of men whom he was to deal withal is, that they were bruised reeds, and smoking flax; not trees, but reeds; and not whole, but bruised reeds. The church is compared to weak things; to a dove amongst the fowls; to a vine amongst the plants; to sheep amongst the beasts; to a woman, which is the weaker vessel: and here God's children are compared to bruised reeds and smoking flax. First,† we will speak of them as they are bruised reeds, and then as smoking flax.
They are bruised reeds before their conversion, and oftentimes after: before conversion all (except such as being bred up in the church,
God hath delighted to shew himself gracious unto from their childhood), yet in different degrees, as God seeth meet; and as difference is in regard of temper, parts, manner of life, &c., so in God's intendment of employment for the time to come; for usually he empties such of themselves, and makes them nothing, before he will use them in any great services.
(1.) 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