The Bruised Reed: In Modern English

by Richard Sibbes

The Bruised Reed is a classic work of Puritan theology by Richard Sibbes, first published in 1630. We have updated this timeless classic into updated, modern English so you can understand exactly what Sibbes is saying.

This book is a devotional work that focuses on the comfort and assurance of salvation that is found in Jesus Christ. Sibbes uses the metaphor of a bruised reed from Isaiah 42:3 to illustrate the tenderness and mercy of God towards sinners.He argues that God will not break the bruised reed, but instead will heal and restore it. He also emphasizes the importance of faith in the believer’s assurance of salvation.

The book is divided into three parts, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the believer’s assurance of salvation.

The first part focuses on the assurance of salvation,The second part focuses on the assurance of God’s love,The third part focuses on the assurance of God’s grace.Chapter Chapter 1: The Reed and the BruisingChapter 2: Christ Will Not Break the Bruised ReedChapter 3: The Smoking FlaxChapter 4: Christ Will Not Quench the Smoking FlaxChapter 5: The Spirit of Mercy Should Move UsChapter 6: Marks of the Smoking FlaxChapter 7: Help for the WeakChapter 8: Duties and DiscouragementsChapter 9: Believe Christ, Not SatanChapter 10: Quench Not the SpiritChapter 11: Christ’s Judgement and VictoryChapter 12: Christ’s Wise GovernmentChapter 13: Grace Shall ReignChapter 14: Means to Make Christ VictoriousChapter 15: Christ’s Public TriumphChapter 16: Through Conflict to Victory
"The heavenly Doctor Sibbes . . . was a balm to my soul at a period in my life when I was overworked and badly overtired, and therefore subject in an unusual manner to the onslaughts of the devil. . . . His books [based on his sermons] quieted, soothed, comforted, encouraged, and healed me." - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Genres: Christian Living, Christian

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2023

About the author

Richard Sibbes was born at Tostock, Suffolk, in 1577 and went to school in Bury St Edmunds. His father, 'a good sound-hearted Christian', at first intended that Richard should follow his own trade as a wheelwright, but the boy s 'strong inclination to his books, and well-profiting therein' led to his going up to St John's College, Cambridge in 1595. He was converted around 1602-3 through the powerful ministry of Paul Bayne, the successor of William Perkins in the pulpit of Great St Andrew's Church.

After earning his B.D. in 1610, Sibbes was appointed a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge. Later, through the influence of friends, he was chosen to be the preacher at Gray's Inn, London, and he remained there until 1626. 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. He was granted a Doctorate in Divinity in 1627, and was thereafter frequently referred to as 'the heavenly Doctor Sibbes'. He continued to exercise his ministry at Gray's Inn, London, and Holy Trinity, Cambridge, until his death on 6 July 1635 at the age of 58.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any Christian who is weary from a life of struggle, disheartened by failures to live up to God’s commands, or simply confused by the tumultuous nature of the spiritual life—where it often seems we are regressing when, from God’s perspective, we are actually progressing—I heartily recommend this book.

It is full of both wisdom and consolation.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book felt like that first sip of coffee in the morning as the sun is rising! So encouraging and so quotable. I enjoyed the times I would read a paragraph over and over and think “wow.”

Giving it 4.5 because it’s not exactly what I expected and wasn’t sure the flow of the book and how it was all connected BUT nonetheless so enjoyed it. ☺️

[Matt Koser · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What a great source of strength for our faith this is—that God the Father, who was wronged by our sins, is so pleased with the work of redemption! And how comforting it is to know that, since God’s love rests on Christ, we can be sure that He is pleased with us too, if we are in Christ!" (5)

"God’s children are fragile before they turn to Him and often afterwards too." (6)

"Christ will not crush those who are weak or extinguish those who are barely hanging on.... Physicians, though they may cause their patients much discomfort, will not go against nature, but instead work to gradually improve it. Surgeons will lance and cut, but not disfigure. A mother with a sick and stubborn child will not abandon it. So why should we think there is more mercy in us than in God, who instills us with the capacity for mercy?" (9-10)

"If Christ is so merciful as not to break us, we must not break ourselves by giving into despair...." (p. 12)

"Just like a mother is most compassionate towards her weakest and most ill child, Christ is most merciful towards the weakest." (12)

"A father doesn’t focus on the imperfections of his child, but rather on his own nature in them; similarly, Christ finds love in what is his own in us. He sees his own nature in us: we may be sick, but we are still his members.... Could Christ forget himself? We are his fullness, as he is ours." (70-71)

"He became a man and a curse, a man of sorrows, for us. He was broken so that we would not be broken; He was troubled so that we would not be overwhelmed; He was cursed so that we would not be cursed. Whatever we could ever need in a comforter, we can find in Christ." (74)
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My ⭐️ rating criteria
- ⭐️: I absolutely did not like or totally disagreed with the book and would recommend that no one else read it
- ⭐️⭐️: the book was below average style or content, arguments were very weak, wouldn’t read it again, but wouldn’t beg people not to read it necessarily
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️: a fine book, some helpful information (or a decent story, for the handful of novels I read), maybe I disagreed somewhat, enjoyed it decently well
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: a very good book, information was very helpful, mostly agreed with everything or it was a strong argument even if I disagree, was above-average enjoyable to read
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: incredible book, I enjoyed it more than most other books, I want to read it again in the future, I will be telling everyone to read it for the next few weeks

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not familiar with Sibbes work, but was asked to read this book in anticipation of an upcoming retreat. Sibbes takes a verse that Jesus applies to himself (Matt 12:20) from Isaiah's Messianic servant songs. The verse describes the Messiah as one who will not break a bruised reed or snuff a smoldering wick. Sibbes uses the first image to describe how Jesus meets us in our brokenness and does not condemn us. The second image he uses to describe how God does not condemn our weak, tiny faith but encourages it, grows it. He differentiates between one who seeks God and one who rejects Christ, but encourages the struggling Christian to rest in God's hands. While I didn't find the book particularly moving, I do appreciate his voice of encouragement.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so often quoted that I just had to read it, although I must admit to struggling through this book even though it was written in modern English. Some parts I followed really well and others I just couldn’t grasp clearly what was being said. However, this book contains so many gems, it is so worth reading. I am glad I persisted.

[Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

3rd time reading through.

This book is a masterpiece. Theologically rich, each page is saturated with wisdom and insight. I have read it in high and low periods of life, each time its message has wrung true.

[Jean bahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comfort for the believers

This book is encouraging for all believers; it gives hope for the weakest of us and strengthens the faithful.
The author has truly distilled the essence of Jesus and Christianity.

[Michelle Voran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend. So many good truths. However, I feel like I read this too quickly. Seems like the kind of book that you need to read slowly to really ponder as you go. I definitely want to go back and read slower at some point.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. The text doesn't flow very well without the old English wording unfortunately. I'll be trying the original sometime.

[Dan Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It lived up to the hype.

[S.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Wow

Another Puritan. Another masterpiece. I've learned so much from all of them. We are blessed to have their writings. Seriously