A12171:79
The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax
The bruised reed, and smoking flax Some sermons contracted out of the 12. of Matth. 20. At the desire, and for the good of weaker Christians. By R. Sibbes. D.D.The bruised reede, and smoaking flax Some sermons contracted out of the 12. of Matth. 20. At the desire, and for the good of weaker Christians. By R. Sibbes. D.D.
London: printed by M. Flesher for R. Dawlman, 1630
THE Bruised Reed, and Smoking Flax.THE Bruised Reed, and Smoaking Flax.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
In unclean bodies if all ill humours be purged out, you shall purge life and all away. Therefore though GOD saith, Zach. 13. 9. that he will fine them as silver is fined. Yet Isaiah 48. 10. he saith, He hath fined them, but not as silver, that is, so exactly as that no dross remaineth, for he hath respect to our weakness. Perfect refining ⟨p. 72⟩is for another world, for the world of the souls of perfect men.
In uncleane bodies if all ill humours be purged out, you shall purge life and all away. Therefore though GOD saith, Zach. 13. 9. that he will fine them as silver is fined. Yet Esay 48. 10. he saith, He hath fined them, but not as silver, that is, so exactly as that no drosse remaineth, for hee hath respect to our weaknesse. Perfect refining ⟨p. 72⟩is for another world, for the world of the soules of perfect men.
Divines had need to 1take heed therefore how they deal with these in divers particulars: as first, let them be careful they strain not things too hie, making those general and necessary evidences of grace which agree not to the experience of many a good Christian, and lay salvation and damnation upon those things that are not fit to bear so great a weight, whereupon men are groundlessly cast down lower by them, than they can hastily be raised up again ⟨p. 63⟩by themselves or others. The Ambassadors of so gentle a Saviour should not be over masterly, setting up themselves in the hearts of people, where CHRIST alone should sit as in his own Temple. How careful was Saint Paul in cases of conscience not to lay a snare upon any weak conscience!