Avoiding Unnecessary Rules

We need to take heed therefore how we deal with young believers. Let us be careful not to pitch matters too high, making things necessary evidences of grace which do not equal the experience of many a good Christian, and laying salvation and damnation upon things that are not fit to bear so great a weight. In this way men are needlessly cast down and may not soon be raised again by themselves or others. The ambassadors of so gentle a Saviour should not be overbearing, setting up themselves in the hearts of people where Christ alone should sit as in his own temple. Paul was so careful in the cases of conscience not to lay a snare upon a weak conscience.
Christ chose those to preach mercy who had felt the most mercy, as Peter and Paul, that they might be examples of what they taught. Paul became all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22), stooping to them for their good. Christ came down from heaven and emptied himself of majesty in tender love to souls. Will we not come down from our high conceits to do any poor soul good? Will man be proud after God has been humble?

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 26-27 [29-30]
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