Richard Sibbes was one of the most influential preachers/ theologians  of the early 1600′s. He only authorized 3 volumes of his works to be published, 2 of those being collections of sermons. In  The Bruised Reed, one of those collections, we see the "foundation and essence of his ministry. "Richard Sibbes writes and preaches as a man constrained and compelled by the love of Christ. He cannot know enough about Christ. For more than anything else, Christ defines his existence. And he has found Christ to be the source of everything good and needful." "His words carry with them the wisdom of one who has spent many hours at the feet of his master. He preaches as one whose sins have been forgiven, whose heart has been filled with Good News. And he speaks with the peace of one who knows what the final outcome of the battle will be". This book was written "at the desire, and for the good of weaker Christians," and is the first in the 2008 Puritan Reading Challenge.

I just found out about this challenge last week, so am only a little over half way through The Bruised Reed so far. I am hoping to get "on track" sometime next week and begin The Mystery of Providence for February. But I will post at least once my thoughts/notes on The Bruised Reed.

Quotes from  Richard Sibbes and The Bruised Reed by J. William Black, reprinted on Fire and Ice.

Yesterday I challenged you to to read dead guys. (See yesterday’s post or the Puritan Reading Challenge image in the sidebar.) Perhaps you were unconvinced. You see no reason why anyone would want to do this.

I gave you one good reason, spiritual maturity. Fluff reading (or non-reading) keeps Christians as babes on milk. They need to grow and enjoy a full well-rounded meal. That should really be enough. But for a nice list of a few good reasons, read Colin Adam’s 20 Reasons to Read (Good Christian Books). And I’ll try to get my own post written soon on why I think reading dead guys is important.

SDG,
Lisa

““Fluff” is the enemy of every Christian seeking to become spiritually mature.” (Stephen Newell)

I’m taking a challenge that I’m praying for grace to complete. I have several books by Puritan authors, but there are many more I’d like to read. To help keep me consistent, I’ve joined the 2008 Puritan Reading Challenge.

I am going to try to keep up with the reading schedule of one book per month, from their list (below), as well as writing at least one blog post about each one. I’d also like to re-begin my Valley of Vision (alternate link – leather bound) daily reading along with this too, but that may be a bit too ambitious.

If you’d like to join the challenge or read more about it, click the image here or in the sidebar.

List of books: (if you want more info on the books, or for links to read each on line – or download pdf or listen to audio – check our webpage here.)

January: The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes (128 pp)
February: The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel (221 pp)
March: The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson (252 pp)
April: Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks (253 pp)
May: Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ by John Bunyan (225 pp) – Click Monergism image link below to search and order.
June: The Mortification of Sin by John Owen (130 pp) – this link not the Banner of Truth edition. Click here The Mortification of Sin to order Banner of Truth ed.
July: A Lifting Up for the Downcast by William Bridge (287 pp)
August: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs (228 pp)
September: The True Bounds of Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton (224 pp)
October: The Christian’s Great Interest by William Guthrie (207 pp)
November: The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter (256 pp) – on audio
December: A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine (148 pp)