The Bruised Reed (5)

Chapter five is entitled “The Spirit of Mercy Should Move Us.” Again, Sibbes explores how a pastor should deal with young believers. I do not think this chapter should be limited to pastors, but is applicable to anyone who is in the process of discipling those new in the faith.

The ambassadors of so gentle a Saviour should not be overbearing, setting up themselves in the hearts of people where Christ alone should sit as in his own temple. Too much respect to man was one of the inlets of popery.

Teaching and preaching should be simple and humble. Being simple does not mean that a pastor does not teach the full counsel of God. On the contrary, pastors and teachers should so master the doctrine to be addressed by Scripture that they can unfold it clearly and truthfully. Christ’s sheep know His voice.

Preachers should take heed likewise that they hide not their meanings in dark speeches, speaking in the clouds. Truth fears nothing so much as concealment, and desires nothing so much as clearly to be laid open to the view of all. When it is most unadorned, it is most lovely and powerful. Our blessed Saviour, as he took our nature upon him, so he took upon him our familiar manner of speech, which was part of his voluntary abasement.

Sound doctrine is not a thing to be feared by the pastor, even if it is difficult to clearly preach to his congregation. Tough answers for tough times are not to be shunned if they are biblical and delivered with a compassionate heart.

God suffers questions oftentimes to arise for trial of our love and exercise of our abilities. Nothing is so certain as that which is certain after doubts. Shaking settles and roots.

There has been a lot of helpful talk of late on the issue of biblical discernment, or what Sibbes calls “Sound Judgment.” Many err in thinking that love compels us not to make any judgments of the hearts and motives of others. Many more err in quickly judging hearts and motives wrongly, and, unfortunately, hypocritically.

Mercy does not rob us of our right judgment, so as to take stinking fire-brands for smoking flax. None will claim mercy more of others than those who deserve severity.

Cold diseases must have hot remedies...[Like the church of Ephesus] We should so bear with others as to manifest also a dislike of evil.

Sibbes rightly notes that any effort of this sort is useless if done in our own flesh.

It is hard to preserve just bounds of mercy and severity without a spirit above our own, by which we ought to desire to be led in all things. That wisdom which dwells with prudence will guide us in these particulars, without which virtue is not virtue, truth not truth.