The Bruised Reed, Table of contents
A TABLE OF the Contents.
I. Part. Christ will not breake the bruised Reed.
THose that Christ hath to deale withall are bruised.
Bruising is necessary.
1, Before conversion. 10
2, After conversion. 16
Vse. Not to be rash in iudging such. 18
Christ will not breake the bruised Reed. 19
Confirmed from his borrowed titles. 20
Relations. 21
Offices. ibid.
Vse. 1. Goe boldly to the throne of grace. 25
Vse. 2. Despaire not in thy bruisings. 27
Vse. 3. See the contrary to this in Sathan. 28
1 Signes of bruisings. 30
2 M…anes of bruisings. 33
3 Measure of bruisings. 39
4 Comfort to the bruised. 43
II. Part. Nor quench the smoaking flaxe.
¶ Grace is little at the first. 46
Vse. Not to be discouraged at small beginnings. 49
¶ Grace is mingled with corruption 52
Vse. Hence wee iudge so variously of our selves. 56
¶ Christ will not quench small and w…ake beginnings. 58
Because it is
from him 58
for him ibid.
Vse. No more should we; therefore
1 Let all men in generall cary themselves with moderation. 61
(Yet with wisedome to discerne those that are not such) 67
And tendernesse towards beginners. 70
2 In particular to admonish of this
1 The Church. 76
2 Ministers. i…id.
3 Magistrates. 77
4 Private Christians: that they quench not good things in others by their
1 Example. 81
2 Slanderings. 82
3 Censuring and iudging them
1 For matters indifferent. 83
2 For weaknesses. 85
Use. 2. Examine whether wee be such as Christ will not quench;
1 Rules how to examine our selves 91
2 Signes whereby to examine our selves 101
Some scruples of heart answered, that keepe us from the comfort of our examination. 122
Vse. 3. We are incouraged to set upon duties notwithstanding our weaknesses and disabilities. 130
A case about indisposition to dutie resolved. 139
Two doubts of acceptance, either
1 From scruples about duties. 149
2 Ignorance of our condition in Christ. 151
Weaknesses what, 153
How to recover lost peace. 157
Vse. 4. Let us frame our conceits accordingly, and not beleeve Sathans representations of Christ to us. 160
Or of us unto our selves. ibid
Vse. 5. Reproofe of such as sinne against this mercifull disposition in Christ, as those doe,
1 That goe on in ill courses, either
from despaire, 175
or presumption, 177
or a wilfull purpose to quench the light that is in them. ibid.
2 Neglect good courses from hopes to have comfort, because Christ is thus mercifull. 182
3 That ill require so gracious a Saviour as Christ is,
1 By neglecting his Mediatorship.
2 Or by being cruell to him in his
1 Members 195
2 Name 195
3 By divisions in opinion. 197
4 That walke contrary to Christ in their dealing with the tender, for their owne gaine, 202
5 That … and stumble at this low stooping of Christ. ibid.
III. Part. Vntill hee send forth judgment unto Uictorie.
Explanation of the words. 208
The spirituall government of Christ is joyned with judgement and wisedome. 215
Vse. 1. Spirituall wisedome and iudgement is excellent, and in what respects. 217
Why Sathan envies and spighteth it. 221
It is most necessary for the mannaging of a Christians course. 224
Where true wisedome and iudgment is, there Christ sets up his government, 230
The best method for practice. 236
Use. 2. There is no true iudgement where the life is ill governed. 238
Christs government is victorious. 239
1 In eve…y private Christian. 240
2 In the Church in generall. 248
Why the victory seemes sometimes to goe on the contrary side. 250
Vse. 1. Confort to weake Christians, the least sparke in them if it be right will prevaile. 257
1 Signes whether there bee any such grace in us as will bee victorious. 260
2 Meanes to bee used that it may bee so. 268
Use. 2. To admonish,
1 Nations and States.
2 Families.
3 Every one in particular,
1 For himselfe, to side wth Christ, & to imbrace his government 286
2 His friends, to side wth Christ, & to imbrace his government 286
Vse. 3. To informe us that then Popery must downe. 290
¶ Grace shall be glory. 291
Vse. Deceit and error shall be shame and confusion. 297
¶ This government is advanced and set up by Christ alone. 304
In all spirituall Essayes looke for strength from Christ, and not from thy selfe. 307
¶ This prevailing and victory will not be without opposition, 316
Because it is, 1 government, 2 spirituall government, 3 government with iudgement, 319, 321.
Use. It is no signe of a good condition to find all quiet. 323
Wheresoever Christ commeth there will be divisions. 324
Miserable are those men that stand out against him, and are still under Sathans government. 325
Conclusion and generall Application of all this third part. 328
To incourage Christians to goe on comfortably and cheerfully, with confidence of prevailing, both in respect of our selves, although beset with corruption; and the Church, although compassed with enemies. 337