Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Weekly Puritan II, Bruised Reed - Chapter 4

Christ does not extinquish the smoking flax, and neither should we.

If we could sum this chapter up in a single phrase, it would be: Those who are mature must deal patiently with those who are weak.

Yet, Sibbes is careful to distinquish between those who are weak due to their immaturity in the faith and those who are weak due to hard hearted hypocricy. The former require patience and loving correction, the latter require the rod of correction. In all of this the goal is redemption and the edification of the church.

One paragraph bears repeating:

It would be a good contest amongst Christians, one to labour to give no offence, and the other to labour to take none. The best men are severe to themselves, tender over others. Yet people should not tire and wear out the patience of others: nor should the weaker so far demand moderation from others as to rely upon their indulgence and so to rest in their own infirmities, with danger to their own souls and scandal to the church. (page 23)

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