The Bruised Reed Finished
Jan 27th, 2008 by David
There are those engaged in the Puritan Reading Challenge that are better than I at blogging entire books. I had hoped to, but here on 27th, I am realistically facing that not happening.
For me, there are just too many "Ahhhhh" moments to finish the book and write meaningfully about it here. But I am pleased by the reminder that this is a READING challenge and not a blogging challenge.
How then to summarize? Sibbes has been a fantastic door into the puritans. I confess to having had "The True Bounds of Christian Freedom" and "Heaven and Earth", and "The Christian’s Great Interest", and "A Lifting Up for the Downcast" on my shelf for many years. (By many, I mean like 15!) Despite my desire to get through them, I have stalled about halfway through the first or second chapter in every attempt.
Sibbes is different altogether. Perhaps, like Esther, the Bruised Reed is for me a book for such a time as this. It speaks to my soul. It encourages me to soft dealings with others, to patience in sanctification in myself, and to gratitude beyond measure that God is gracious in so dealing with us as we are here exhorted to deal with others.
So, for the greater good, my plans are to finish my reading of the last few chapters I have, then look back over the book before we move onto Flavel in February. I hope that the great momentum Sibbes has provided helps propel me on through these other writers. I would recommend Sibbes as THE introduction to the Puritans, de force.
