Josiah’s Reformation

Richard Sibbes always sought to get under the superficial layer of his listeners’ behaviour and deal with their hearts. He knew that the outward acts of sin spring from the inner desires of the heart. Merely to alter a person’s behavior without dealing with those desires would cultivate hypocrisy, the self-righteous cloak for a cold and vicious heart. Sibbes believed that hearts must be turned, and evil desires eclipsed by stronger ones for Christ. This book is as relevant today as when it was first published in 1629. Our busyness and activism so easily degenerate into a hypocrisy in which we keep up all the appearance of holiness without the heart of it. Christians even use Christ as a package to pass on to others, instead of enjoying him first and foremost as their own Savior. But true reformation must begin in the heart, with love for Christ. And that can only come when the free grace of God in Christ Jesus is preached.

Publisher: Banner of Truth
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781848717374

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Richard Sibbes (1577-1635), one of the most influential figures in the Puritan movement during the earlier years of the seventeenth century, was renowned for the rich quality of his ministry. The Bruised Reed shows why he was known among his contemporaries as 'the sweet dropper'. Of all Richard Sibbes' works, The Bruised Reed has probably had the most enduring impact. It is an exposition of Matthew's application to Jesus of the description of the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah 42:3 (Matt. 12:20). Sibbes' wonderfully sensitive treatment has ministered to generations of Christians since its first publication in 1630.

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‘C H Spurgeon wrote that the Puritan Richard Sibbes ‘never wastes the student’s time. He scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands.’ This book is no exception – there is treasure on every page. This series of four sermons is based on the words of the prophetess Huldah addressed to King Josiah as found in 2 Chronicles 34: 26-28. The theme is the human heart…In a day when there is so much shallow teaching and superficial exposition of God’s word it is a delight to read the wise warm words of Richard Sibbes. Don’t be put off by the fact that it was written in 1629. The human heart has not changed nor has the remedy. The text has been lightly edited to update the language and contains helpful footnotes to explain the occasional unusual word.’ Alan Hill