Of him Izaak Walton later wrote: `Of this blest man, let this just praise be given: heaven was in him, before he was in heaven.' He continued to exercise his ministry, at Gray's Inn, London, as well as at Holy Trinity, Cambridge, while also remaining Master of St Catherine's, until his death on 6 July 1635, at the age of 58. He was granted a Doctorate in Divinity in 1627, and was thereafter frequently referred to as `the heavenly Doctor Sibbes', on account of both the matter and the manner of his preaching. In that year he returned to Cambridge as Master of St Catherine's Hall, and later returned to Holy Trinity, this time as its vicar. Through the influence of powerful friends, he was chosen to be the preacher at Gray's Inn, London, in 1617, and remained there till 1626. He was removed from this post five years later, however, because of his Puritan tendencies. in 1610, he was appointed a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge. Here he was converted under the powerful preaching of Paul Bayne, the successor of William Perkins in the pulpit of Great St Andrew's Church. His father intended Richard to follow his own trade as a wheelwright, but, with the help of friends, he went up to St John's College, Cambridge, in 1595. He was born at Tostock, Suffolk, in 1577 and went to school at Bury St Edmunds. The facts concerning Sibbes' life can be briefly stated (there is a full account in Volume 1 of the Banner of Truth Trust edition of his Works). Spurgeon, `he scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands.' `Sibbes never wastes the student's time,' wrote C. There is no better introduction to the Puritans than the writings of Richard Sibbes, who is, in many ways, a typical Puritan. Although the original volumes are worn with age, the truths found in them are as fresh as the new formats in which they are now appearing. Nor have their books outlived their usefulness. As Luther said, `Satan hates the use of pens,' and never were pens more powerfully wielded in the cause of God than by the Puritan divines of the seventeenth century. The reading of that one page led to his sound conversion. An ungodly Welsh clergyman, shopping at a fair in the eighteenth century, bought an article which happened to be wrapped in a page torn from an old Puritan folio. These may preach where the author cannot, and (which is more) when he is not.' This prediction by one of the great Puritans has had many fulfillments. `Our books may come to be seen where ourselves shall never be heard. Least degree of grace - Encouragement to come to Christ - Christ is the hope of the church - Faith will prevail Why Christ's government is opposed - We must expect opposition - Our victory in Christ is certain - Treasure the The open glory of Christ in his members - Follow sincerity and truth - Christ alone advances this government - We must not look to ourselves - Christ makes us feel our dependence The triumph of grace Rules for right judgment - Keeping our judgment clear - Reasons for seeming lack of progress - All should side with Christ Why Christ's kingdom must prevail - Why the enemy seems victorious - Consolation for weak Christians - Evidences of Christ's rule in us Judgment and wisdom - The need for heavenly light - Where Christ's government is set up - How Christ governs us - The effects of this in practice How we should think of Christ - When Christ seems to be an enemy - When doubt assails usįalse despair of Christ's mercy - False hope of Christ's mercy - Resisting Christ's mercy - Presuming on Christ's mercy - Seeking another source of mercy - Mistreating the heirs of mercy - Strife among the heirs of mercy - Taking advantage of the bruised - Despising the simple means of mercyĬhrist's judgment established in us - Christ's mildness and his government - Pardon leads to obedience - Justification leads to sanctification We should persist in duties - Overcoming discouragements - The source of discouragements - Some scruples removed - What are sins of infirmity? Temptations which hinder comfort - Weakness should not keep us from duty Our rule is the covenant of grace - The presence of the. Simplicity and humility - Sound judgment - How those in authority should act - We are debtors to the weak The least spark of grace is precious - Support the weak Grace is little at first - Grace is mingled with corruptionĤ. Christ Will Not Break the Bruised ReedĬhrist's dealings with the bruised reed - For ourselves - Who are the bruised reeds? The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes The Bruised ReedĪvailable in paperback at Monergism BooksĬhrist's calling - How Christ pursues his calling –What it is to be bruised -The good effects of bruisingĢ.
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