The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

To the Christian READER.

TO prevent a further inconvenience, I was drawn to let these notes pass with some review; Considering there was an intendment of publishing them, by some who had not perfectly taken them. And these first, as being next at hand, and having had occasion lately of some fresh thoughts concerning this argument, by dealing ⟨image 12⟩with some the chief ground of whose trouble, was the want of considering of the gracious nature and office of Christ. The right conceit of which is the spring of all service to Christ, and comfort from him. God hath laid up all grace and comfort in Christ for us, and planted a wonderful sweetness of pity and love in his heart towards us. As God his Father hath fitted him with a body, so with a heart to be a merciful ¹Redeemer. What doth the Scriptures speak but Christs love and tender care over those that are humbled: and besides the mercy that resteth in his own breast, he works ⟨image 12⟩the l•ke impression in his Ministers and others, to comfort ²the feeble minded, and to bear with the weak. Ministers by their calling are friends of the Bride, and to bring Christ and his Spouse together, and therefore ought upon all good occasions to lay open all the excellencies of Christ, and amongst others, as that he is highly borne, mighty, one in whom all the treasures of wisdom are hid, &c, so likewise gentle, and of a good nature, and of a gracious disposition. It cannot but cheer the heart of the spouse, to consider in all her infirmities and miseries she is subject unto, ⟨image 13⟩that she hath a husband of a kind disposition, that knows how to give the honour of mild usage to the weaker vessel. That will be so far from rejecting her, because she is weak, that he will pity her the more. And as he is kind at all times, so especially when it is most seasonable, he will speak to her heart, especially