Extend Grace to One Another

The Holy Spirit is content to dwell in smoky, offensive souls (Isa. 42:1-3). Oh, that that Spirit would breathe into our spirits the same merciful disposition! We endure the bitterness of wormwood, and other distasteful plants and herbs, only because we have some experience of some wholesome quality in them; and why should we reject men of useful parts and graces, only for some harshness of disposition, which, as it is offensive to us, so it grieves themselves?
Grace, while we live here, is in souls which, because they are imperfectly renewed, dwell in bodies subjected to several impulses, and these will incline the soul sometimes to excess in one passion, sometimes in excess in another. Martin Bucer was a deep and moderate pastor. After long experience he resolved to refuse none in whom he saw aliquid Christi, something of Christ. The best Christians in this state of imperfection are like gold that is a little too light, which needs some grains of allowance to make it pass. You must grant the best their allowance. We must supply out of our love and mercy that which we see wanting in them. The church of Christ is a common hospital, wherein all are in the same measure sick of some spiritual disease or other, so all have occasion to exercise the spirit of wisdom and meekness.
So that we may do this better, let us put on the Spirit of Christ. And we should think what affection Christ would carry. That great physician, as he had a quick eye and a healing tongue, so had he a gentle hand, and a tender heart.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 33-34 [36-37]
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