For the concluding of this point, and our
encouragement to a thorough work of bruising,
and patience under God's bruising of us, let all
know that none are fitter for comfort than those
that think themselves furthest off. Men, for the
most part, are not lost enough in their own feel-
ing for a Saviour. A holy despair in ourselves
is the ground of true hope, Hos. xiv. 3. In God



20 The Bruised Reed

the fatherless find mercy: if men were more
fatherless, they should feel more God's fatherly
affection from heaven ; for God that dwelleth in
highest heavens, Isa. Ixvi. 2, dwelleth likewise in
the lowest soul. Christ's sheep are weak sheep,
and wanting in something or other ; he therefore
applieth himself to the necessities of every sheep.
'' He seeks that which was lost, and brings again
that which was driven out of the way, and binds
up that which was broken, and strengthens the
weak," Ezek. xxxiv. 16; his tenderest care is
over the weakest The lambs he carrieth in his
bosom, Isa. xL 1 1 ; " Peter, feed my lambs," John
xxL 15. He was most familiar and open to the
troubled souls. How careful was he that Peter
and the rest of the apostles should not be too
much dejected after his resurrection ! " Go tell
the disciples, and tell Peter," Mark xvL 7. Christ
knew that guilt of their unkindness in leaving of
him had dejected their spirits. How gently did
he endure Thomas' unbelief! and stooped so
far unto his weakness as to suffer him to thrust
his hand into his side.
and Smoking Flax.
21



Chap. V. — Grace is little at first.
