The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

By bruising here is not ¹meant those that are brought low only by crosses, but such as by them are brought to see their sin, which bruiseth most of all. When conscience is under the guilt of sin, then every judgement brings a report of GODS anger to the soul, and all lesser troubles run into this great trouble of conscience for sin: As all corrupt humours run to ⟨p. 31⟩the diseased, and bruised part of the body: And as every Creditor falls upon the Debtor, when he is once arrested; so when conscience is once awaked all former sins, and present crosses join together to make the bruise the more painful: Now he that is thus bruised will be content with nothing, but wth mercy from him that hath bruised him, he hath wounded, and he must heal. 2. Again, a man truly bruised, judgeth sin the greatest evil, and the favour of God the greatest good. 3. He had rather hear of mercy, than of a ⟨p. 32⟩kingdom. 4. He hath mean conceits of himself, and thinketh he is not worth the earth he treads on. 5. Towards others, he is not censorious, as being taken up at home, but is full of sympathy and compassion to those that are under GODS hand, 6. He thinketh those that walk in the comforts of GODS Spirit the happiest men of the world. 7. He trembleth at the word of ²God, and honoureth the very feet of those blessed ³instruments that bring peace unto him. 8. He is more taken up with the inward exercises of a broken ⟨p. 33⟩heart, than with formality, and yet careful to use all sanctified means to convey comfort.

By bruising here is not ¹meant those that are brought low onely by crosles, but such as by thē are brought to see their sinne, which bruiseth most of all. When conscience is under the guilt of sinne, then every judgement brings a report of GODS anger to the soule, and all lesser troubles runne into this great trouble of conscience for sinne: As all corrupt humours runne to ⟨p. 31⟩the diseased, and bruised part of the body: And as every Creditor falls upon the Debtor, when hee is once arrested; so when conscience is once awaked all former sinnes, and present crosses joyne together to make the bruise the more painfull: Now he that is thus bruised will be content with nothing, but wth mercy frō him that hath bruised him, he hath wounded, and he must heale. 2. Againe, a man truly bruised, judgeth sinne the greatest evill, and the favour of God the greatest good. 3. Hee had rather heare of mercy, than of a ⟨p. 32⟩kingdome. 4. Hee hath meane conceits of himselfe, and thinketh hee is not worth the earth hee treads on. 5. Towards others, he is not censorious, as being taken up at home, but is full of sympathy and compassion to those that are under GODS hand, 6. He thinketh those that walke in the comforts of GODS Spirit the happiest men of the world. 7. He trembleth at the word of ²God, and honoureth the very feet of those blessed ³instruments that bring peace unto him. 8. Hee is more taken up with the inward exercises of a broken ⟨p. 33⟩heart, than with formality, and yet carefull to use all sanctifyed meanes to convey comfort.

1. 1Answ.
2. 2Isa. 66.
3. 3Rom. 10.

But how shall we come to have this temper?¹

1. 1Quest.

First, we must conceive of bruising either as a state ¹into which God bringeth us, or as a duty to be performed by us: both are here meant, we must join with GOD in bruising of our selves; when he humbles us let us humble our selves, and not stand out against him, for then he will redouble his strokes; and let us justify CHRIST in all his chastisements, knowing that ⟨p. 34⟩all his dealing towards us is to cause us to return into our own hearts; his work in bruising, tendeth to our work in bruising our selves. Let us lament our own untowardness, and say, Lord, what an heart have I, that needs all this, that none of this could be spared? We must lay siege to the hardness of our own hearts, and aggravate sin all we can: we must look on CHRIST, who was bruised for us, look on him whom we have pierced with our sins. But all directions will not prevail, unless GOD by his ⟨p. 35⟩Spirit convinceth us deeply, setting our sins before us, and driving us to a stand. Then we will make out for mercy. Conviction will breed contrition, and this humiliation. Therefore desire GOD, that he would bring a clear and a strong light into all the corners of our souls, and accompany it with a spirit of power to lay our hearts low.

First, we must conceive of bruising either as a state ¹into which God bringeth us, or as a duty to be performed by us: both are here meant, we must joyn with GOD in bruising of our selves; when hee humbles us let us humble our selves, and not stand out against him, for then hee will redouble his strokes; and let us justifie CHRIST in all his chastisements, knowing that ⟨p. 34⟩all his dealing towards us is to cause us to returne into our owne hearts; his work in bruising, tendeth to our worke in bruising our selves. Let us lament our owne untowardnesse, and say, Lord, what an heart have I, that needs all this, that none of this could bee spared? Wee must lay siege to the hardnesse of our owne hearts, and aggravate sinne all we can: wee must looke on CHRIST, who was bruised for us, looke on him whom wee have pierced with our sinnes. But all directions will not prevaile, unlesse GOD by his ⟨p. 35⟩Spirit convinceth us deeply, setting our sinnes before us, and driving us to a stand. Then we wil make out for mercy. Conviction will breed contrition, and this humiliation. Therefore desire GOD, that hee would bring a cleere and a strong light into all the corners of our soules, and accompany it with a spirit of power to lay our hearts low.

1. 1Ans. Means of bruising.Ans. Meanes of bruising.

1. 1Isa. 58. 5.

But are we not bruised ¹unless we grieve more for sin, than we do for punishment?

But are we not bruised ¹unlesse wee grieve more for sinne, than we doe for punishment?

1. 1Quest.

Sometimes our grief, ¹from outward grievances may lye heavier upon the soul, than grief for Gods displeasure; because in such cases the grief works upon the whole man, both outward and inward, and hath nothing to stay it, but a little spark of faith: which by reason of the violent impression of the grievance is suspended in the exercises of it: and this is most ⟨p. 40⟩felt in sudden distresses which come upon the soul as a torrent or land flood, and especially in bodily distempers, which by reason of the sympathy between the soul and the body, work upon the soul so far, as they hinder not only the spiritual, but often the natural acts. Hereupon S. James wisheth in affliction to pray, our selves, but in case of sickness to send for the Elders; that may, as ²those in the Gospel, offer up the sick person to GOD in their prayers, being unable to present their own case. Hereupon GOD admitteth ⟨p. 41⟩of such a plea from the sharpness and bitterness of the grievance, as in David, Psal. 6. &c. the ³Lord knoweth whereof we are made. Psal. 103. he ⁴remembereth we are but dust, that our strength is not the strength of steel. It is a branch of his faithfulness unto us as his creatures, whence he is called a faithful Creator, God is ⁵faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able. There were certain Commandments which the Jews called the hedges of the Law: as to fence men off from cruelty, he commanded they ⟨p. 42⟩should not take the dam• with the young, nor seeth the Kid in the mothers milk, nor muzzle the mouth of the Ox: Hath GOD care of beasts, and not of his more noble creature? and therefore we ought to judge charitably of the complaints of Gods people, which are wrung from them in such cases: Job had the esteem with GOD of a patient man, notwithstanding those passionate complaints; faith overborne for the present, will get ground again; and grief for sin, although it come short of grief for misery ⟨p. 43⟩in violence, yet it goeth beyond it in constancy; as […] running stream fed with […] spring holdeth out, when a sudden swelling brook faileth.

Sometimes our griefe, ¹from outward grievances may lye heavier upon the soule, than griefe for Gods displeasure; because in such cases the griefe workes upon the whole man, both outward and inward, and hath nothing to stay it, but a little sparke of faith: which by reason of the violent impression of the grievance is suspended in the exercises of it: and this is most ⟨p. 40⟩felt in sudden distresses which come upon the soule as a torrent or land flood, and especially in bodily distempers, which by reason of the sympathy betweene the soule and the body, worke upon the soule so farre, as they hinder not onely the spirituall, but often the naturall acts. Hereupon S. Iames wisheth in affliction to pray, our selves, but in case of sicknesse to send for the Elders; that may, as ²those in the Gospell, offer up the sick person to GOD in their prayers, being unable to present their owne case. Hereupon GOD admitteth ⟨p. 41⟩of such a plea frō the sharpnesse and bitternesse of the grievance, as in David, Psal. 6. &c. the ³Lord knoweth whereof we are made. Psal. 103. he ⁴remembreth wee are but dust, that our strength is not the strength of steele. It is a branch of his faithfulnesse unto us as his creatures, whence he is called a faithfull Creator, God is ⁵faithfull, who will not suffer us to bee tempted above that wee are able. There were certain Commandements which the Iewes called the hedges of the Law: as to fence men off from cruelty, hee commanded they ⟨p. 42⟩should not take the dam• with the young, nor seeth the Kid in the mothers milke, nor muzzle the mouth of the Oxe: Hath GOD care of beasts, and not of his more noble creature? and therefore we ought to judge charitably of the complaints of Gods people, which are wrung from them in such cases: Iob had the esteeme with GOD of a patient man, notwithstanding those passionate complaints; faith overborne for the present, will get ground againe; and griefe for sin, although it come short of griefe for misery ⟨p. 43⟩in violence, yet it goeth beyond it in constancy; as 〈…〉 running stream fed with 〈…〉 spring holdeth out, when a sudden swelling brooke faileth.

1. 1Answ.
2. 2Jam. 5. 14.Iam. 5. 14.
3. 3Psal. 6.
4. 4Ps. 103. 14.
5. 51 Pe. 4. 19 1 Cor. 10. 13

For the concluding of this point, and our encouragement to a thorough work of bruising, and patience under Gods bruising of us, let all know that none are fitter for comfort than those that think themselves furthest off. Men (for the most part) are not lost enough in their own feeling, for a Saviour. A holy despair sin our selves is the ground of true hope. In GOD, ⟨p. 44⟩the fatherless find mercy: ¹if men were more fatherless, they should feel more Gods fatherly affection from heaven: For GOD that dwelleth in highest ²heavens, dwelleth likewise in the lowest soul. Christs sheep are weak Sheep, and wanting in something or other; he therefore applieth himself to the necessities of every Sheep. Ez. 34. he ³seeks that which was lost, and brings again than which was driven out of the way, and binds up that which was broken and strengthens the weak his tenderest care is over the ⟨p. 45⟩weakest. The Lambs he ca•ieth ⁴in his bosom: Peter, •eed my Lambs. He was most familiar and open to •he troubled souls. How careful was he that Peter & the rest of the Apostles should not be too much dejected after his resurrection, Go tell the Disciples, and tell Peter. Christ ⁵knew that guilt of their unkindness in leaving of him, had dejected their spirits. How gently did he endure Thomas his unbelief? & stooped so far into his weakness, as to suffer him to thrust his •and into his side.⁶

For the concluding of this point, and our incouragement to a thorow worke of bruising, and patience under Gods bruising of us, let all know that none are fitter for comfort than those that thinke themselves furthest off. Men (for the most part) are not lost enough in their owne feeling, for a Saviour. A holy despaire sin our selves is the ground of true hope. In GOD, ⟨p. 44⟩the fatherlesse finde mercie: ¹if men were more fatherless, they should feele more Gods fatherly affection from heaven: For GOD that dwelleth in highest ²heavens, dwelleth likewise in the lowest soule. Christs sheepe are weake Sheepe, and wanting in something or other; hee therefore applyeth himselfe to the necessities of every Sheepe. Ez. 34. he ³seeks that which was lost, and brings againe than which was driven out of the way, and bindes up that which was broken and strengthens the weak• his tēderst care is over the ⟨p. 45⟩weakest. The Lambs he ca•ieth ⁴in his bosome: Peter, •eed my Lambs. Hee was most familiar and open to •he troubled soules. How carefull was he that Peter & the rest of the Apostles should not bee too much dejected after his resurrection, Goe tell the Disciples, and tell Peter. Christ ⁵knew that guilt of their unkindnesse in leaving of him, had dejected their spirits. How gently did hee indure Thomas his unbeleefe? & stooped so far into his weaknesse, as to suffer him to thrust his •and into his side.⁶

1. 1Hosea 14. […].Hosea 14. 〈…〉.
2. 2Isa. 66. 2.
3. 3Ez. 34. 16.
4. 4Es. 40. 11.
5. 5Mar. 16. 7.
6. 6The second branch.The secōd branch.

For the second branch, ⟨p. 46⟩GOD will not quench the smoking flax, or wick, but will blow it up till it flameth. In smoking flax there is but a little light, & that weak, as being not able to flame, and this little mixed with smoke. The observations hence are first, That in GODS Children, especially in their first conversion, there is but a little measure of grace, and that little mixed with much corruption, which as smoke is offensive. Secondly, that Christ will not quench this smoking Flax.

For the second branch, ⟨p. 46⟩GOD will not quench the smoaking flax, or wieke, but will blow it up till it flameth. In smoaking flax there is but a little light, & that weake, as being not able to flame, and this little mixed with smoake. The observations hence are first, That in GODS Children, especially in their first conversiō, there is but a little measure of grace, and that little mixt with much corruption, which as smoake is offensive. Secondly, that Christ will not quench this smoaking Flax.

For the first. Grace is ¹little at the first. There are ⟨p. 47⟩several Ages in Christians, some Babes, some young men: Grace is as a grain of Mustard-seed. Nothing so little as grace at first, and nothing more glorious afterward: things of greatest perfection are longest in coming to their growth. Man, the perfectest creature, comes to perfection by little and little; Worthless things, as Mushrooms, and the like, like Jonah Gourd, soon spring up, and soon vanish. A new creature is the most excellent frame in all the world, therefore it groweth up by degrees. We see in Nature, that a ⟨p. 48⟩mighty Oak riseth of an Akorne. It is with a Christian as it was with Christ, who sprang out of the dead stock of Jesse, out of Davids family, when it ²was at the lowest, but he grew up higher than the heavens. It is not with the trees of righteousness, as it was with the trees of Paradise, which were created all perfect at the first. The seeds of all the creatures in this goodly frame of the world, were hid in the Chaos, in that confused Mass at the first, out of which GOD did command all creatures to arise; in the small seeds of ⟨p. 49⟩plants lye hid both bulk and branches, bud and fruit. In a few principles lye hid all comfortable conclusions of holy truth. All those glorious fireworks of zeal and holiness in the Saints, had their beginning from a few sparks.

For the first. Grace is ¹little at the first. There are ⟨p. 47⟩severall Ages in Christians, some Babes, some young men: Grace is as a graine of Mustard-seed. Nothing so little as grace at first, and nothing more glorious afterward: things of greatest perfection are longest in comming to their growth. Man, the perfectest creature, comes to perfection by little and little; Worthlesse things, as Mushromes, and the like, like Ionas Gourd, soon spring up, and soone vanish. A new creature is the most excellent frame in all the world, therefore it groweth up by degrees. Wosee in Nature, that a ⟨p. 48⟩mighty Oake riseth of an Akorne. It is with a Christian as it was with Christ, who sprang out of the dead stocke of Iesse, out of Davids family, when it ²was at the lowest, but hee grew up higher than the heavens. It is not with the trees of righteousnesse, as it was with the trees of Paradise, which were created all perfect at the first. The seeds of all the creatures in this goodly frame of the world, were hid in the Chaos, in that confused Mass at the first, out of which GOD did command all creatures to arise; in the small seeds of ⟨p. 49⟩plants lye hid both bulke and branches, bud and fruit. In a few principles lye hid all comfortable conclusions of holy truth. All those glorious fireworkes of zeale and holinesse in the Saints, had their beginning from a few sparkes.

1. 1Observ.
2. 2Jsa. 53. 2.

Let us not therefore be discouraged at the small beginnings of Grace, but look on our selves, as elected to be blameless; and ¹without spot. Let us only look on our imperfect beginning, to enforce further strife to perfection, and to keep us in a low conceit. Otherwise, in case of ⟨p. 50⟩discouragement, we must consider our selves, as CHRIST doth, who looks on us, as such as he intendeth to fit for himself. CHRIST valueth us by what we shall be, and by that we are elected unto. We call a little Plant a Tree, because it is growing up to be so. Who is he that despiseth the day of little things? Zach. 4. CHRIST would not have us despise little things.

Let us not therefore be discouraged at the small beginnings of Grace, but looke on our selves, as elected to bee blamelesse; and ¹without spot. Let us onely look on our imperfect beginning, to inforce further strife to perfection, and to keepe us in a low conceit. Otherwise, in case of ⟨p. 50⟩discouragement, we must consider our selves, as CHRIST doth, who looks on us, as such as he intendeth to fit for himselfe. CHRIST valueth us by what we shall bee, and by that we are elected unto. Wee call a little Plant a Tree, because it is growing up to be so. Who is hee that despiseth the day of little things? Zach. 4. CHRIST would not have us despise little things.

1. 1Ephes. 1.

The glorious Angels disdain not attendance on little ones: little in their own eyes, and little in the eyes of the world. Grace, though little in ⟨p. 51⟩quantity, yet is much in vigour and worth.

The glorious Angells disdaine not attendance on little ones: little in their owne eyes, and little in the eyes of the world. Grace, though little in ⟨p. 51⟩quantity, yet is much in vigour and worth.

It is CHRIST that raiseth the worth of little and mean places and persons. Bethlehem the least, and yet not the least; the least in it self, not the least in respect CHRIST was born there. The second Temple came short of the outward magnificence of the former: yet more glorious than the first, because CHRIST came into it. The Lord of the Temple came in to his own Temple. The pupil of the eye is very little, yet seeth a great part of the heaven at once. A pearl, though ⟨p. 52⟩little, yet is of much esteem. Nothing in the world of so good use, as the least dram of graces.

It is CHRIST that raiseth the worth of little and meane places and persons. Bethlem the least, and yet not the least; the least in it selfe, not the least in respect CHRIST was born there. The second Temple came short of the outward magnificence of the former: yet more glorious than the first, because CHRIST came into it. The Lord of the Temple came in to his owne Temple. The pupill of the eye is very little, yet seeth a great part of the heaven at once. A pearle, though ⟨p. 52⟩little, yet is of much esteeme. Nothing in the world of so good use, as the least dram of graces.

But Grace is not only little, but mingled with corruption; whereof it is that a Christian is said to be smoking flax: whence we see, that Grace doth not waste corruption all at once, ¹but some is left to conflict withal. The purest actions of the purest men need CHRIST to perform them, and so is his office. When we pray, we need to pray again for CHRIST to pardon the defects of them. See some instances ²of this smoking flax. Moses ⟨p. 53⟩at the red Sea being in a great perplexity, and knowing not what to say, or which way to turn him, groaned to GOD: no doubt, this was a great conflict in him. In great distresses we know not what ³to pray, but the Spirit makes request with sighs that cannot be expressed. Broken hearts can yield but broken prayers.

But Grace is not onely little, but mingled with corruption; whereof it is that a Christian is said to be smoaking flax: whence we see, that Grace doth not waste corruption all at once, ¹but some is left to conflict withall. The purest actions of the purest men need CHRIST to performe them, and so is his office. When we pray, we need to pray again for CHRIST to pardon the defects of them. See some instances ²of this smoaking flax. Moses ⟨p. 53⟩at the red Sea being in a great perplexity, and knowing not what to say, or which way to turn him, groaned to GOD: no doubt, this was a great conflict in him. In great distresses we know not what ³to pray, but the Spirit makes request with sighes that cannot bee expressed. Broken hearts can yeeld but broken prayers.

1. 1Observ.
2. 2Instances.
3. 3Rom. 8.

When David was before the King of Gath, and ¹dis-figured himself in an uncomely manner, in that smoke there was some fire also; you may see what an excellent Psalm he makes upon that occasion, ⟨p. 54⟩Psalm 34. Wherein ²upon experience, vers. 18. he saith, the Lord is near unto them that are of a contrite spirit, Psal. 31. 22. I ³said in my haste, I am cast out of thy sight, there is smoke; Yet thou heardest the voice of my prayer, there ⁴is fire. […], carest thou not that we perish? (cry the Disciples,) here is smoke of infidelity, yet so much light of faith, as stirred them up to pray to Christ: Lord I believe, there is light; But help my unbelief, there is smoke.

When David was before the King of Gath, and ¹dis-figured himselfe in an uncomely manner, in that smoake there was some fire also; you may see what an excellent Psalme he makes upon that occasion, ⟨p. 54⟩Psalme 34. Wherein ²upon experience, vers. 18. he saith, the Lord is neare unto them that are of a contrite spirit, Psal. 31. 22. I ³said in my haste, I am cast out of thy sight, there is smoake; Yet thou heardest the voice of my prayer, there ⁴is fire. 〈…〉, carest thou not that we perish? (cry the Disciples,) here is smoake of infidelity, yet so much light of faith, as stirred them up to pray to Christ: Lord I beleeve, there is light; But help my unbeliefe, there is smoake.

1. 11 Sam. 21.
2. 2Ps. 34. 18.
3. 3Ps. 31. 22. David.
4. 4Matth. 8. M•r. 9. 24.

Jonah 2. 4. cries, I am ¹cast out of thy sight, there is smoke; yet will I look again ⟨p. 55⟩to thy holy Temple, there is light.

Ionas 2. 4. cryes, I am ¹cast out of thy sight, there is smoake; yet will I looke againe ⟨p. 55⟩to thy holy Temple, there is light.

1. 1Jonah.Ionas.

O miserable man that I ¹am, (saith Saint Paul upon sense of his corruption;) but yet breaks out into thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O miserable man that I ¹am, (saith Saint Paul upon sense of his corruption;) but yet breakes out into thanks to God through Iesus Christ our Lord.

1. 1Rom. 7. 24.