The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

Thirdly, the constancy and progress of ¹this his tender care, until Judgement 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 ⟨p. 9⟩corruption. For the first, the condition of ²men, whom he was to deal withal, is that ³they 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 ⁴Sheep amongst the beasts; to a Woman, which is the weaker vessel: and here GODS Children are compared to bruised Reeds, and smoking Flax. And first we will speak of them as they are bruised ⟨p. 10⟩Reeds, and then as smoking flax. They are bruised reeds before their conversion, and often times after: Before Conversion all (except such as being bred up in the Church, GOD hath delighted to show himself gracious unto from their Child-hood) yet in different degrees, as GOD seeth meet; and as difference is in regard of temper, parts, manner of life, &c. so GODS intendment of employment for the time to come: for usually he empties such of themselves, and makes them nothing, before he ⟨p. 11⟩will use them in any great services.

Thirdly, the constancie and progresse of ¹this his tender care, untill Iudgement come to victory, that is, untill the sanctified frame of grace begunne in their hearts, be brought to that perfection, that it prevaileth over all opposite ⟨p. 9⟩corruption. For the first, the condition of