Works (Vol 1) - Sibbes - VI - Bruised reed continued

Required reading
The Works Volume 1 by Richard Sibbes (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapters 22 to 28.

My summary
Last week we began to examine the second half of Matthew 12:20: 'A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.'  We previously read two of Sibbes' conclusions about Christ's judgement and this week we are given the last four.

Thus, the six conclusions about Christ's judgement are:
(i) Christ is so mild that yet he will govern those that enjoy the comfort of his mildness;
(ii) the spiritual government of Christ is joined with judgement and wisdom;
(iii) Christ's government is victorious;
(iv) Christ's government shall be openly victorious;
(v) Christ alone advanceth this government;
(vi) Victory not to be had without fighting.

What grabbed me
I appreciated the answers Sibbes gave as to why the victory often seems to go with the enemy, particularly this reason: 'That God often worketh by contraries : when he means to give victory, he will suffer us to be foiled at first ; when he means to comfort, he will terrify first ; when he means to justify, he will condemn us first ; whom he means to make glorious, he will abase first. A Christian conquers, even when he is conquered ; when he is conquered by some sins, he gets victory over others more dangerous, as spiritual pride, security, &c. '

Fix that in your brain: we are conquerors even when conquered!

One sentence final verdict
Sibbes' little book encourages us to remember when we are troubled with our sins 'that Christ hath this in charge of his Father, "that he shall not quench the smoking flax," until he hath subdued all.'

Next week's reading
Continue Sibbes Works Vol 1 by reading 'The sword of the wicked'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.