BOOKS

'"...books are to remind us of what asses and fools we are. They're Ceasar's praetorian guard, whispering as the parade roars down the avenue, "Remember, Caesar, thou art mortal." Most of us can't rush around talking to everyone, know all the cities of the world, we haven't time, money or that many friends. The things you're looking for, Montag, are in the world, but the only way the average chap will ever see ninety-nine per cent of them is in a book.'"

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451, p.112.

SANCTIFICATION

'If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.'

Augustine of Hippo in Brad House, Community, p.192.

THEOLOGY

'That age of the church which was most fertile in subtle questions was most barren in religion; for it makes people think religion to be only a matter of cleverness, in tying and untying of knots. The brains of men inclining that way are hotter usually than their hearts.'

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, p.28.

PREACHING

'Preachers should take heed likewise that they hide not their meaning in dark speeches, speaking in the clouds. Truth fears nothing so much as concealment, and desires nothing so much as clearly to be laid open to the view of all. When it is most unadorned, it is most lovely and powerful. Our blessed Saviour, as he took our nature upon him, so he took upon him our familiar manner of speech, which was part of his voluntary abasement. Paul was a profound man, yet he became as a nurse to the weaker sort (1 Thess. 2:7).'

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, p.26.  

DISCIPLESHIP

'Weak Christians are like glasses which are hurt with the least violent usage, but if gently handled will continue a long time. This honour of gentle use we are to give to the weaker vessels (1 Pet. 1:3), by which we shall both preserve them and likewise make them useful to ourselves and the church.'

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, p.25.

DISCIPLESHIP

'It is not the best way, to assail young beginners with minor matters, but to share them a more excellent way and train them in fundamental points. Then other things will not gain credence with them. It is not amiss to conceal their defects, to excuse some failings, to commend their performances, to encourage their progress, to remove all difficulties out of their way, to help them in every way to bear the yoke of religion with greater ease, to bring them to love God and his service, lest they acquire a distaste for it before they know it.'

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, p.22.

PASTORAL CARE

'Here see the opposite dispositions in the holy nature of Christ and the impure nature of man. Man for a little smoke will quench the light. Christ, we see, ever cherishes even the least beginnings. How he bore with the many imperfections of his poor disciples!'

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, p.21.

TEMPTATION

'Let this support us when we feel ourselves bruised. Christ's way is first to wound, then to heal. No sound whole soul shall ever enter into heaven. Think when in temptation, Christ was tempted for me; according to my trials will be my graces and comforts. If Christ be so merciful as not to break me, I will not break myself by despair, nor yield myself over to the roaring lion, Satan, to break me into pieces.'

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, p.10.

GOD'S MERCY

'Shall we think there is more mercy in ourselves than in God, who plants the affection in us?'

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, p.7.

SUFFERING

'...we must not pass too harsh a judgment upon ourselves or others when God exercises us with bruising upon bruising. There must be conformity to our head, Christ, who 'was bruised for us' (Isa. 53:5) that we may know how much we are bound unto him. Ungodly spirits, ignorant of God's ways in bringing his children to heaven, censure broken-hearted Christians as miserable persons, whereas God is doing a gracious, good work with them. It is no easy matter to bring a man from nature to grace, and from grace to glory, so unyielding and intractable are our hearts.'

Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, p.6.