Presbyterian & Reformed

Sibbs’ Bruised Reed is the January 2008 Puritan reading challenge book. The following is a transcription of "Life of the Author" from the first volume of an 1809 collection of his works, printed by J. Chalmers & Co., Aberdeen. To find out more about the Puritan Reading Challenge, click the button below!

Mr. Richard Sibbs was born on the borders of Suffolk, near Sudbury, in the year 1573, and after receiving his school education, probably at the latter place, was sent to Cambridge in 1595, in his 18^th year, where he was admitted of St. John’s College. Here his proficiency in learning was so uncommon, that he was soon promoted in his degrees, and chosen Fellow of his College, while the excellence of his character recommended him to all that knew him, and afforded a presage that he would prove an ornament to the University, and to the church, to which he was probably destined by his parents. It pleased God to convert him by the ministry of the learned and judicious Mr. Paul Baynes, while he was Lecturer or St. Andrew’s Church, Cambridge, in which office he succeeded the famous Mr. Perkins. Mr. Baynes had himself been so remarkable an instance of the power of the divine grace on a seemingly hardened heart, that he was the more qualified to preach repentance to others.

Some time after Mr. Sibbs had taken his degree of Master of Arts, he entered into the ministry, was chosen Lecturer of Trinity Church, Cambridge, and was promoted to the vicarage of that parish about two years before his death, on the resignation of the celebrated Dr. Thomas Goodwin in his favour. During the time he preached this lecture, his church was so crowded both with students and townsmen; and he soon became the happy instrument of bringing some souls to a knowledge of the truth, and encouraging others to hold on with perseverance, and against all the obstacles which in those days were presented from all quarters.

But it was not here only that the chief fruits of his ministry were visible. About the year 1618, he was invited to be preacher at Gray’s Inn Chapel, London, where his ministry found such general approbation and acceptance, that, besides the learned lawyers of the house, many persons of high rank, chiefly gentry and citizens, resorted to hear him, and many have reason to bless God for the benefit which they received by him. Dr. William Gouge, the famous preacher at Blackfriars, who frequently heard him preach, says, that “he sometimes had a little stammering in the time of his preaching; but then his judicious hearers always expected some rate and excellent notions from him.”

In the year 1626, his reputation was such at the University, that upon the death of Dr. Hills, he was chosen master of Katherine Hall, and honourable and useful station, which he retained the whole of his life, and is recorded in the annals of that College, as one of its benefactors. To this respect he seems amply entitled, as he interested himself in procuring subscriptions from persons of worth and opulence, for the enlargement of the buildings, and for the maintenance of men of learning and religion; so that, although it was before a College of inferior note, he advanced it to great reputation. From this period, his time was probably divided between London and Cambridge, and his ministry was exercised in both places or wherever it pleased God to give him an opportunity.

As top his general character in advanced life, it appears that his learning was much with much humility; so that he was prone to undervalue those labours of his, which, in the opinion of others, breathed life and spirit, were strong of heaven, and spoke with authority and power to mean’s consciences. His care in the course of his ministry, was to lay a good foundation in the heads and hearts of his hearers; and though he was a wise master-builder, and that in one of the most eminent auditories for learning and piety, yet, according to the grace which was given to him (which was indeed like that of Elisha, a double portion) he was still taking all occasions to preach the fundamentals to them, and, among the rest, the incarnation of the Son of God. And preaching at several times, and from various texts, there is scarce any one of those incomparable benefits, which accrue to us thereby, nor any of those holy impressions, which the meditation hereof ought to work in our hearts, which was not by him unfolded. The truth of this appeared so evident to an eminent divine, upon reading his sermons, when in print, that he said, “I less wonder now at the noted humility of the author, finding how often his thoughts dwelt upon the humiliation of Christ.” – Indeed he was thoroughly studied in the holy scriptures, which made him a man of God, perfect and thoroughly furnished unto every good work: and as became a faithful steward of the manifold grace of God, he endeavoured to teach it to others, and to store them with knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding. He was a man that enjoyed much communion with God; and, like John the Baptist, was a burning and shining light, wasting and spending himself to enlighten others.

He was, upon all occasions, very charitable, drawing forth not only his purse in relieving, but his very bowels in commiserating the wants and necessities of the poor members of Christ’s church. He used sometimes, in the summer months, to go abroad to the houses of some worthy personages, where he was an instrument of much good; not only by his private labours, but by his prudent counsel and advice, that upon every occasion he was ready to minister unto them. And thus having done his work on earth, he was received to heaven, peaceably and comfortably resigning up his spirit unto God, in the year 1635*, and in the 58^th year of his age. He was as one taken from the evil to come, and although he met with some obstructions in his ministry, had but a faint glimpse of the desolations and confusion which the unhappy civil war brought upon church and state.

As to his works, they are now before the reader, who, it is hoped, will require no additional encouragement to induce him to prize them. He was famous, says Mr. Leigh, for the piety, learning, devotion, and polished style of his Bruised Reed, and the Soul’s Conflict. The late Mr. Middleton of London, adds, that the Christian reader, who is under exercise of spirit, will hardly be able to find books more likely to afford him direction, comfort and relief. Upon the subject of spiritual distress, there is scarce any book in our language more valuable, except the Bible. Of his sermons, the famous Mr. John Dodd says, “I judge these sermons a very profitable and excellent help, both to the understanding of that dark and most divine scripture (Canticles v.); as also, to kindle in the heart all heavenly affections towards Christ Jesus. The whole frame whereof is carried with such wisdom, gravity, piety, judgment, and experience, that it commends itself to all that are godly wise: And I doubt not but they shall find their temptations answered, their fainting spirits revived, their understandings enlightened, and their graces confirmed; so that they shall have cause to praise God for the worthy Author’s godly and painful labours.”

To these testimonies, others may be added. Mr. Neal, in his History of the Puritans, says, that “Dr. Sibbs was one of the most celebrated preachers of his time; and well known in the learned world. He was a divine of good learning, thoroughly acquainted with the scriptures; a burning and shining light; of a most humble, charitable disposition. His works discover him to have been of a heavenly evangelical spirit; the comforts of which he enjoyed at his death.”

The Rev. Mr. Robert Trail gives the following account in his Protestant Doctrine of Justification Vindicated. “I have heard that Dr. Thomas Goodwin was, in his youth, an Arminian, or at least inclining that way; but was, by the Lord’s grace, brought off by Dr. Sibbs his clearing up this same point of Christ’s being the head and representative of all his people.

Mr. Job Orton, in one of his letters, says, “Sibbs’ Bruised Reed cost me threepence, and I would not take three pounds for it. It is my constant companion.”

Dr. Doddridge’s character of Sibbs is, that “his language is very nervous and decent; his style pathetic and tender; especially the Bruised Reed and Soul’s Conflict.”

We shall only add the encomium of that truly evangelical poet, Francis Quarles.

ON THE WORKS OF DR. SIBBS.

Fool that I was, to think my easy pen
Had strength enough to glorify the fame
Of this known author, this rare man of men;
Or give the least advantage to his name.
……..Who think by praise to make his name more bright
……..Shew the sun’s glory by dull candle-light.

Bless’d saint! thy hallowed pages do require
….No slight preferment from our slender lays;
We stand amaz’d, at what we most admire:
….Ah! what are saints the better for our praise?
……..He that commends this volume, does no more
……..Than warm the fire, or gild the massy ore.

Let me stand silent then! O may that Spirit,
….Which led thy hand, direct mine eye, my breast,
That I may read, and do – and so inherit,
….(What thou enjoy’st and taught’st) eternal rest!
……..Fool that I was, to think my lines could give
……..Life to that work, by which they hope to live.

* His Biographer, Clark, gives this as the date of his death in one place, and 1631 in another. The latter, we believe to be right, and his birth therefore must be fixed in 1573.