The Bruised Reed, Title page – Dedication
THE BRVISED 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.
ZACH. 4. 10.
Who hath despised the day of small things?
LONDON, Printed for R. Dawlman, dwelling at the signe of the Brazen Serpent in Pauls Churchyard, 1630.
TO THE RIGHT Honourable, Sir Horatio Veere Knight, Lord Veere of Tilbury, and Generall of the English Forces under the High and mighty Lords the States generall of the united Provinces in the Netherlands. And to his pious Consort, the Lady Mary Veere, increase of grace, &c.
Right Honourable,
SOuldiers that carie their lives in their hands, had need above all others to carie grace in their hearts, that so having made peace with God, they may bee fit to encounter with men. And having by faith in Christ disarmed death before they dye, they may sacrifice their lives with the more courage and comfort: which to neglect being a matter of eternity, is not valour but desperate madnesse, because in this businesse as in oversights of war, there is no place for a second repentance, the first error being unrecoverable. In evills above the strength of man to prevaile and his patience to endure, there God hath planted the affection of feare, which might stirre us up to avoyd the danger by flying to him in Christ who being our friend it is no matter who is our enemy: wee may be killed, but cannot be hurt; so safe it is to be under his command that hath command over Death, Hell, Iudgment, and all that wee most feare. Yet such is our nature that by familiarity with danger, wee grow by degrees insensibly to be hardened against it, and to looke no further then death, as if to die were onelyonly to give up the ghost, and then an end of all. And hereupon it is that they that follow the warres are generally taken to be men not most religious. The more respect those of that profession deserve, that have learned upon what tearmes to live and dye, that are sure of a better life before they leave this, that have layd up their life in Christ; Amongst whom (right Honourable) the world hath a long time taken notice of you, in whom both religion, and military imploymēt, meeknesse of spirit, with height of courage, humility with honor, by a rare and happy combination have met together. Whereby you have much vindicated your profession from common imputation, and shewed that Piety can enter into Tents, & follow after camps. and that God hath his Iosuas, & his Corneliuses in all ages. But I will not use many words of your selfe to your selfe, because though you have done much that may and will bee spoken of, yet you love not to heare or speake of what you have done.
I may seeme to some unbefitting to offer a discourse of a bruised reede, to such a strong and flourishing Cedar. But experience sheweth, that the strongest plants in Gods house are exposed sometimes to strong windes of temptation, and thereupon meet vvith bruisings; that they may the better know by whose strength they stand, and that the greatest may learne to goe out of themselves to the same common rocke and fountaine of strength with the meanest. DAVID was a valiant man, yet upon experience of his oft failings and recoveries, he became towards God as a weaned child. Lowlinesse of mind to Godward, and greatnesse of spirit against his enemies may well stand together, for the way to bee above all other things, is to submit to God first. Besides; this Text speaketh of the prevailing government of Christ in his Church and in his Children, which may bee an incouragement to your Lordship still not only to owne the c…use of Christ in these times wherein men are ashamed of what they should glory in, and glory in their shame; but likewise to fight the Lords battels (whē called to it) and helpe him against the mightie, for victory attendeth Christs side in the end. Though God to revenge the quarrell of his Covenant, suffers his enemies, to prevaile yet for a time, to harden them the more, yet they have undertaken a damned cause, and howsoever the Church hath justly provoked God, yet the cause shall stand impregnable against all created power of Devills and men. We naturally desire victorie, and many desire it more then truth o… goodnesse, which onelyonly are victorious, and so out of a depraved judgement they crosse their owne desires, seeking to overcome in that wherein it were safer for them to be overcome, they then are sure to meet with shame in the conclusion in stead of victory; or else we must deny Christ to be King of his Church, and Iudge of the world. Proceed on still (honorable Lord) to stand for Christ both in Peace and Warre, and this shall be found to your Honour, when Christ shall come to bee glorious in his Saints, that he thought you worthy to honour himselfe by, when others that oppose or betray the cause of Christ for base ends, shall not dare to hold up their ha ds.
I would not divide you from your Honorable Lady, being obliged to both, and both being one as in other bands, so in that above nature, in love to the best things: both exemplary in all religious courses, both in your places likewise having been imployed in great services for the common good, so that not onelyonly this, but forraign States are bound to bless God for you both. Going on in these waies you will finde God making his promise good of honoring them that honour him.
I doe not so farre over-value this poore worke, as to thinke it worthy of your Honors, but thus I thought meet to witnesse my deserved respect to you both. If I bee to blame for suffring these Sermons long since preached, thus to come forth, others must divide the fault with me, who had brought it to that passe, that it was almost necessary for mee to take this course. The Lord continue to bless your Honours with all your branches, and to maintaine his grace in you, untill hee hath brought forth judgement unto victory.
Your Honors to command in the Lord, Richard Sibbes.