The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

Neither is smoke so ⟨p. 130⟩offensive, as light is comfortable to us, it yielding an evidence of truth of grace in the heart, therefore though it be cumbersome in the conflict, yet it is comfortable in the evidence. It is better, corruption should offend us now, than by giving way to it to redeem a little peace with loss of comfort afterwards. Let such therefore as are at variance and odds with their corruptions, look upon this Text, as their portion of comfort.

Neither is smoake so ⟨p. 130⟩offensive, as light is comfortable to us, it yeelding an evidence of truth of grace in the heart, therefore though it be combersome in the conflict, yet it is comfortable in the evidence. It is better, corruption should offend us now, than by giving way to it to redeeme a little peace with losse of comfort afterwards. Let such therefore as are at variance and oddes with their corruptions, looke upon this Text, as their portion of comfort.

Here is an use of encouragement ¹to duty, That CHRIST will not quench ⟨p. 131⟩the smoking flax, but blow it up. Some are loath to perform good duties, because they feel their hearts rebelling, and duties come off untowardly. We should not avoid good actions for the infirmities cleaving unto them: CHRIST looketh more at the good in them that he meaneth to cherish, than the ill in them that he meaneth to abolish. A sick man though in eating he something increaseth the disease, yet he will eat, that nature may get strength against the disease: So though sin cleaveth to what we do, ⟨p. 132⟩yet let us do it, since we have to deal with so good a Lord, and the more strife we meet withal, the more acceptance: Christ loveth to taste of the good fruits that come from us, although they will always relish of the old stock.