Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (1)

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 ever cherishes even the least beginnings. How he bore with the many imperfections of his poor disciples! If he did sharply check them, it was in love, that they might shine the brighter. Can we have a better pattern to follow than this from him by whom we hope to be saved? 'We, then, that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak’ (Rom. 15:1). 'I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some' (1 Cor. 9:22). Oh, that this gaining and winning disposition were more in many! Many, so far as in us lies, are lost for want of encouragement. How careful was our blessed Saviour of little ones, that they might not be offended! How careful not to put new wine into old vessels (Matt. 9:17), not to alienate new beginners with the austerities of religion (as some do indiscreetly). It is not the best way, to assail young beginners with minor matters, but to show them a more excellent way and train them in fundamental points. 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 truly know it. For the most part we see that Christ plants in young beginners a love which we call their 'first love' (Rev. 2:4), to carry them through their profession with more delight, and does not expose them to crosses before they have gathered strength. Mercy to others should move us to deny ourselves in our liberties oftentimes, in case of offending weak ones. It would be a good contest among Christians, one to labour to give no offence, and the other to labour to take none. The best men are severe to themselves, tender toward others.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 21-23 [24-26]
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