Bruised Reeds—a Reprise

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love covers a multitude of sins’” (1 Peter 4:8).

17th century English Puritan cleric, Arthur Dent (not to be confused with former Chicago Bears defensive end, Richard Dent), wrote a little book entitled, The plaine mans path-way to heaven: wherein every man may clearly see, whether he shall be saved or damned: set forth dialogue wise, for the better understanding of the simple. In it he describes a dialogue between Theologus (Theologian), and his friend Philagathus (Lover of Good). 

Theologos: Some of God’s dear children, in whom no doubt the inward work is truly and soundly wrought, yet are so troubled and encumbered with a crabbed and crooked nature, and so clogged with some master sin ; as some with anger, some with pride, some with covetousness, some with lusts, some one way, some another; all which breaking out in them, do so blemish them and their profession that they cannot so shine forth unto men as otherwise no doubt they would; and this is their wound, their grief, and their heart smart, and that which costs them many a tear, and many a prayer: and yet can they not get the full victory over them, but still they are left in them, as pricking the flesh, to humble them. 

Philagathus: Yet love should cover a multitude of such infirmities in God’s children. 

Theologos. It should do so indeed: but there is great want of love, even in the best; and the worst sort espying these infirmities, run upon them with open mouth and take upon them to condemn them utterly, and to judge their hearts, saying they be hypocrites, dissemblers, and there is none worse than they (i.e.. those who would thus judge a struggling brother.) 

I wrote yesterday, “God understands and makes special provision for damaged and difficult children.” Would that my love for them, like his, would "cover a multitude of such infirmities" 

David Roper