The Resolved Christian Exhorting to Resolution, Book 1 · Chapter 6
Chap. VI Of Patience.
An exhortation to Chriſtian Patience after the example of Ieſus Christ our Sauiour. And how the wicked behaue themſelues in their afflictions. Sect. I
CHriſtian Patience,Patience what it is. is aa1. Pet. 1.6 1. theſſ 1.4. moderation and tolerance of our euils, expreſſing in outward actions, a ſpirit of contentment and gladneſſe, that ſtriueth ſo well and maiſteſeth in ſuch ſort, the ſence of nature, whichbHeb. 12.11 ſhunneth griefe, that in the end, it worketh in vsus ancIob 13.15 affection of pietie and godlineſſe ioyned with a free and cheerefull minde, vnderunder the yoke of obedience of the will of God, through adHeb. 3.6 certaine expectatiō of things promiſed, & cauſeth vsus to iudgeeHebr. 12.8 Impaciencie, to be contumacie and rebellion to this diuine wil; and ſufficient of it ſelf, to make a man to be called, wretched. Of this ſort was the Pacience offIob 2.10 iames 5.11 Iob, who ſeemed as it were, to take pleaſure in his afflictions, as the Salamander that delighteth to bathe his limmes in the burning flames. But eſpecially ſuch was the Patience ofgMatth. 11.29 Ieſus Chriſt our Sauiour, the only example and true patterne of perfect Patience, whohPhilip. 2.8 became obedient vntounto the death, euen the death of the Croſſe: For behold, hanging vponupon the ſame, he openeth fiue fountaines ſtreaming out with his guiltleſſe bloud, and ſheweth vsus his whole bodie all goary with laſhes, and ſhall not this encourage vsus, patiently to endure all tribulation, and to warre againſt our deſires and vaine appetites, when they withdraw vsus from triall, to delight and pleaſure? When our foote is pricked (much more the head or heart) al the whole bodie is ſo diſquieted, that we wiſh rather for the Chirurgion to lance vsus, then for any pleaſures to delight vsus.The true members muſt needes hauehave a fellow-feeling of the ſufferings and aches of the Head. and can we (if we be true members indeede) endure to ſee Chriſt our Head, ſo cruelly pricked and crowned with thornes, but that we muſt needs be more willing to ſorrow with our Head, and to be lanced for his ſake, then to leane vntounto worldly ſolaces which he contemned? It is an vndecent thing to hauehave a daintie member vnderunder a thornie head. Shall Chriſt our onelyonly Lorde with theiIonas 3.5 King of Niniuie, mourne in ſackecloath and aſhes? Shall he withk1. Sam. 14.4 Ionathan venture to climbe moſt craggie and dangerous rockes, to fight alone with a whole troope of Philiſtines: ſhall he climbe vp to mountlLuke 23.33 Caluarie loaden with a heauy Croſſe vppon his wounded ſhoulders, to encounter the diuel & al his vaſſals? Shal he fall on the moſt rigorous ſword of his owne iuſtice for our ſinnes? And ſhall we for whoſe ſakes all this was done, vnnaturally and vngratefully refuſe to follow hism2. Pet. 2.2… example? and to ſuffer any thing for his ſake, that hath ſuffered ſo much for vsus? Alas! we are they, that deſerue to ſit withnIob 2.8 Iob in the aſhes, to mourne inoIonas 3.5 ſacke cloth with the Niniuites, with naked knees to creep vp thep1. Sam, 14.4 craggy rock of affliction, to hazard our liues amongſt a thouſandqIohn 18.3 blades and torments; finally to imbrace the ruefull ſword of Gods iuſtice and reuenge, and to fall vponupon the ſame; ſuch and ſo great are our enormous and horrible ſinnes! O ſenceleſſe and benummed hearts and ſoules of ours, if at the conſideration of ſo heauy and lamentable a ſight, of ſo great and glorious benefites, can not finde any ſcope or field of ſorrowe and thankfulneſſe! But yet if any grace remaineth in vsus, let vsus be ſorrie for our want of ſorrow, and bewaile our vnthankfulneſſe, let vsus patiently endure ſome affliction for Chriſt his ſake, that we may beare hisr2. Corin. 11.23 marks in our fleſh, leſt we fall into a careleſſe ſecuritie, or into a deſperate madneſſe, and be depriued of the infinite and endleſſe bleſſings that Chriſt hath purchaſed for vsus. Farre other effect tooke Chriſts ſufferings in Paul, who being a perfect ſcholler in this doctrine, would hauehave no other Vniuerſitie but Hieruſalem, no School but Caluary, no Pulpit but the Croſſe, no letters but Chriſts wounds, no Commaes but his laſhes, no Colons but his thornes, no Periods but his nailes, and no Leſſon buts5. Goriach. 2.2 Chriſt Ieſus and him crucified. In this Schoole we may learne by ChriſtstIohn 19.23 nakednes, how to cloath vsus, by hisuMarke 15.17 thorny crown to adorne vsus, by hisxIohn 19.29 gall and vinegar to diet vsus, by his yLuke 23.34praying for his murderers to reuenge vsus, by hiszIohn 19.18 hanging on the Croſſe to repoſe vsus, by his painfull and bitteraMar. 15.37 death to eſteeme the pleaſures of this life; briefly, by his life and death, we may learne how to behaue our ſelues in al troubles and afflictions. See lib. 2. Chap. 4. Sect. 4. Many gape for ChriſtsbMat. 19.16 kingdome, but hate hiscMat. 19.22 Croſſe, breathing after proſperitie, but abhorring aduerſitie, and loath to enter in at thedMat. 7.13 ſtraight gate. Many would reioyce with Chriſt, buteMar. 10.35 mat. 26.56 none will ſuſtaine his afflictions. EueryEvery man would eatefIohn 6.26 bread with him, but few wil taſte of hisgLuke 22.57 cuppe. Finally, many would louelove him whilehMarke 10.37 proſperitie doth laſt, and while they may receiue anyiIohn 6.14, 15 comfort at his hands: But who is he that will follow and embrace the ſhame of hiskGalat. 3.13 Croſſe? Many louelove to wallow in their owne luſts, hating correction and reformation of their lewd behauiour, who when they feele the waight of the rod, are ready tolGen. 4.13 renie and to open their ſacrilegious mouthes euen againſt the Almightie, not knowing in the meane time, or rather not beleeuing, that the Holyghoſt accompteth them happy and bleſſed, who ſuffer the trial of the Lord patiently:mIames 1.12 Bleſſed is the man that indureth temptation, for when he is tried he shall receiue the crowne of life, which the Lord hath promiſed to them that louelove him. But they that louelove the Lorde Ieſus vnfainedly,n1. Pet. 2.21 follow his ſteppes, and leane to him, aſwel in a duerſitie, ſorrow, and miſerie, as in the time of proſpetitie: for thiso1. Cor. 13.5 louelove ſeeketh not her owne things: and they who ſeeke for pleaſure, eaſe and reſt; who followe Chriſt in proſperitie, but leaue and flie from him in aduerſitie, may well be termedpHeb. 12.8. Baſtards andqIoh. 10.12, 13 Hirelings, ſuch as louelove themſelues and their own filthierIoh. 12.4.5 lucre, and beaſtly luſts better then they do Chriſt. Theſe men when theysMatth. 13.21 Iuke 8.13 feele any ſmart of affliction, doe preſentlytGen. 4.13 crie out, that it had bin beſt if they had neuer bin borne, or els deſtroyd as ſoone as they were borne a wicked ſaying, vnworthy to be heard in a chriſtian mans mouth. No doubt but theſe impatient worldlings dou1. Ki. 21.27, 29 deſire the help and fauour of God, but it is onelyonly becauſe of the extremitie which they ſuffer, theyxActes 8.24. deſire Gods fauour, bicauſe they would eſcape his rod, and therefore theſe be their ordinary wiſhes; Oh that I were well againe! oh that I were rid of this paine! oh that I were eaſed of my ſickneſſe or ſorrow! whereby it appeareth plainely, that, ſo they might hauehave their health, and liue at their hearts eaſe, they would ſet little by the help or fauor of God. Yet ſome of them are ſo farre blinded in the pit of impatiency, that they ſticke not to offer violent hands vntounto themſelues, and to ſhorten their owne liues, as didyIudg. 9.54 Abimelech,z1. Samu. 31.4 Saul,a2. Sam. 31.23 Ahithophel,b1. Ki. 16.18 Zimri, andcMatth. 27.5 Iudas Iſcariot, rather then by liuing, they would be compelled to ſuffer any longer, ſome ſmall ſickneſſe or other calamitie, or abide the tants of the opē world. I ſpeake not this becauſe I allow of that vnſauorie opinion of ſtoicall Indolencie, or lacke of griefe; for there is no ſuch cheerefulneſſe required of vsus, as ſhould take avvay all ſenſe and feeling of griefe and bitterneſſe: for ſo there ſhould be nodApoc. 13.10 patience in the Saints ſuffering of the Croſſe of Chriſt, vnleſſe they vvere both invvardly and outvvardly vexed (Which follie ſeerefuted, lib. 2. Chap. 5. Sect. 17.) but becauſe the vvicked, impatient of a little affliction doe runne into ſuch extremities.
How the godly behaue themſelues in their ſickneſſes and other calamities whatſoeuer. Sect. II
VVHen the godly and ſincere worſhippers of God do feele the ſharpneſſe of pouertie, the ſting of infamy, the pain of diſeaſes, or the horror of death; their couragea2. Sam. 16.10 iob 2.10 quaileth not, but ratherbActes 116.25 ierem. 10.19 kicke all deſperation aſide; becauſe they vnderſtand that they muſt manfully in faithcActes 3.41 beare al ſorts of croſſes and euills: they find ſuch ſvveetneſſe in the fauor and grace of God, that for the deſire they hauehave to the ſame, they are content, not onelyonly to bedPſalm. 119.71 depriued of al their vvorldly delights and earthly pleaſures, but alſo toeHeb. 3.6 ſuffer the rod of their heauenly father, and patiently to endure the vvaight of the Croſſe laid on them. As the natural child loueth his father intirely; and though his father beate him, yet he doth louelove him neuertheleſſe; ſo the childrē of God beingf2. Pet. 1.4 of a good nature, do louelove God their father vvithgMatth. 22.37 all their heart, vvith al their ſtrength; and if he beate and correct them, yet they ceaſe not to louelove him ſtil, and in louelove they performe their obedience vntounto him continually, ſaying vvith Iob,hIob 13.15 Though he ſlaie me yet will I truſt in him. And therefore they arme themſelues vvith Patience and Hope. By Patience theyiPſalme 119.71 vanquiſh themſelues and their affections, they ouercome all calamities, and ſtand ſtedfaſt with a quiet mind, and wel diſpoſed with a reſolute heart to beare, and forbeare. Now their Hope vpholdeth chriſtian Patience, which iskHeb. 3.6 iames 1.6, 7 The difference betweene Faith and Hope. an aſſured expectation of thoſe things which are truely and expreſſely promiſed of God, and beleeued of vsus by faith. For there is a mutuall relation of Hope to Faith. FaithlRom. 4.3 beleeueth that God ſaith truth, HopemHeb. 3.6 looketh for thoſe things which Faith hath beleeued: FaithnIohn 3.16 beleeueth that eternall life is through Chriſt our Sauior prepared for vsus, and thato2. Tim. 2.12 if we ſuffer with him, we ſhall raigne with him; HopepRom. 4.20.21 expecteth and patiently waiteth to receiue in due time the thing that God hath promiſed vntounto vsus; howſoeuer in the meane time it be toſſed with aduerſities: Hope vaniſheth not away though it ſeeth not what it hopeth for:Hope is of things abſent. It quaileth not, although things fall out cleane croſſe and contrarie.qRom. 4.20 Abraham hoped that God would keepe hisrGeneſis 12.7 promiſe with him, although he ſaw not the meanes. He hoped alſo he ſhould poſſeſſe the promiſed land, although as yet he enioydsGeneſis 25 not one foote of it, but ſaw it inhabited oftDeut. 7.1 mighty Nations.u1. Sam. 13, 14 Dauid hoped he ſhould be King of Iſrael, and yet he was continually inx1. Sam. 19.1 and 24.1, 2, 3 danger of his life, by reaſon of the tyrannie of Saul. And the faithfull in a conſtant Hope of their deliuery, lay all their ſickneſſes and troubles vponupon the ſhoulder of Patience, and ſay with Ieremie, This yIeremi. 10.19is my ſorrow and I will beare it. They will not faint in aduerſitie, for then theirzProuer. 24.10 ſtrength were ſmall; nor want comfort in trouble; foraProuer. 15.15 A good conſcience is a continual feaſt. They will not breake the Lords bonds, for then they were like thebPſalme 2.3 heathen, but waite for his leaſure forcEſay 28.16 Faith maketh no haste.
That extremitie of paines should not cauſe vsus to be impatient. Sect. III
Obiection.
Oh my ſickneſſe is greeuous, and my paines extreame! I can take no reſt neither day nor night, ſuch is the rage and violence of my diſeaſe.
Anſwere.
CHriſt telleth his Diſciples,aMatth. 16.24 luke 9.23 If any man will follow me, let him forſake himſelfe, and take vp his croſſe, and follow me. Conſider here, how mercifully the Lord deales with vsus; He tels vsus the worſt firſt, he ſheweth vsus what we ſhould truſt to. Firſt then, we muſtbMatth. 16.24 follow him, and then we ſhallcMatth. 20.21 marke 10.37 ſit with him, at his table. The maner of Gods proceedings, is to ſend good after euill, as he madedGeneſis 1.3 light after darkenes; to turne Iuſtice into MercieMercy, as he turnedeIohn 2.9 water into wine. See Li. 2. Cap. 3. Sect. 2 We muſt go through afActes 14.22 ſea of troubles, before we come to the hauen of reſt. As the beaſts were firſt killed and then ſacrificed, ſo muſt we be firſt killed, and then ſacrificed.The affliction of the godly what it is. Sickneſſe and affliction is the knife of corection, to lop off the rotten twigges, to prune and dreſſe vsus. It is the cords to bind the ram vntounto the Altar; the chariot to carie our thoughts into heauen; the hammer which ſquareth the rough ſtones till they be plaine, ſmoothe, and fitte for the temple; the meſſenger which is ſent to compell them to the banquet, which will not come being inuited. As the rod maketh the ſcholler applie his booke; ſo vnderunder the Croſſe we applie our ſelues vntounto wiſedome. But (ſay you) the rod wherewith I am beaten is sharp, and the paines intollerable. Surely,gHebr. 12.11 no chaſtiſing for the preſent ſeemeth to be ioyous, but greuous; but afterward it bringeth the quiet fruite of righteouſneſſe, vntounto them which are thereby exerciſed. Beholdh1. Pet. 2.21 heb 12.2 Christ ſuffered, leauing you an enſample that yee should follow his ſteppes: iHebr. 6.12Others of Gods Saints alſo ſuffered great torments, troubles, temptations, and greeuous afflictions, whokHebr. 11.36 were tried by mockings and ſcourgings, by bonds and impriſonments: lIbid. 37they were ſtoned, they vvere hevven aſunder, they vvere tempted, they vvere ſlaine vvith the ſvvord, they vvandred vp and dovvne in sheep skins, &c being deſtitute, afflicted, and tormented. And what is it that you ſuffer being compared with their torments & trials? See lib. 2. chap. 5. Sect. 14. & 15 Be patient then, call into mind ſuch as hauehave indured greater and more grieuous pains then you, and ſo ſhall your griefe ſeeme leſſe vntounto you. To be altogither without ſickneſſe, trouble, or ſome croſſe, lookemIob 7.1 not for while you liue in this vale. Looke not for eaſe and quietneſſe vponupon thenIohn 14.27 iohn 16.33 earth, nor among men, but ino1. Theſſ. 5.23 philip. 4.7 God alone, for whoſe ſake you muſtp1. Cor. 13.7 ſuffer al things, euenqRom. 8.35 tribulation, or anguish, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſſe, or perill, or ſworde. Wherefore once againe be ſtrong, courage your ſelfe, and confirme your imbecilitie with the ſweete promiſes of the Lord, whor1. Cor. 10.13 is faithfull and will not ſuffer you to be tempted aboue that ye shall be able, but will euen giuegive the iſſue with the temptation, that ye may be able to beare it. The LordsReu. 3.11 wil come ſhortly, andtReu. 2.10, 23 26. reu. 3.5 giuegive you a great reward, and willuReu. 7.17. reu. 21.4. eſay 25.8 wipe away all teares from your eies. See lib. 2. Chap. 5. Sect. 14.
That no man may aſswage his griefe by laying violent handes on himſelfe. Sect. IIII.
Obiection.
OH, but it hath tormented me thus long; and it is like to continue longer then I can beare it. I am, as it were, a marke ſet vp to ſhoote at; Well may I ſay with the Prophet; Mine eye,Pſalme 31.10 my ſoule, and my body are conſumed with griefe; my life is waſted with heauines, and my yeeres with mourning, my ſtrength faileth for my paine, and my bones are conſumed.11 I am a reproach among all mine enemies, but eſpecially among my neighbours; and a feare to mine acquaintance. O heauie and hard ſaying, Matth. 16.24Take vp thy croſſe and follow me.
Anſwere.
YEa, but this is much heauier and harder;aMatth. 21.41 Depart from me ye curſed, into euerlasting fire, which is prepared for the diuell and his angels. They which follow Chriſt in taking vp their croſſe in this worlde, hauehave no cauſe to dread the ſentence of eternall damnation in the world to come: Forb2. Tim. 2.12 If we ſuffer with him, we ſhall raigne with him. cPſal. 112.6, 9Surely he shall neuer be moued, but the righteous shall be had in euerlasting remembrance; his horne shall be exalted with glorie. As it is pleaſant and praiſe-worthie vntounto men, to hauehave their children reſemble them; to hauehave in their of-ſpring expreſſed the future image of their owne fauour; So doth Chriſt delight to ſee his diuine proweſſe & generoſitie ſet forth in his childrens actes and practiſes, eſpecially to ſee in vsus the skarres, wennes and warts of his vexation and paines; which the more they deface vsus in outward ſhew, the more they beautifie vsus in ſoule; and the more vgly they make vsus in the prepoſterous iudgement and glorious they render vsus in the ſight of God. As the ſcarre of a wound in the childes face, which he hath ſuffered in his fathers quarrell, though it disfigure his fauour, is a more edging whetſtone of fatherly affection in the Parent, then if it were abſent, becauſe it yeeldeth a perpetuall teſtimonie of a dutifull and louing child; So God, more deſirons to hauehave vsus affectionate, then fortunate children, delighteth more in our patient ſufferings, ſickneſſes, and afflictions for his ſake, which are aſſurances of our louelove towards him, then to ſee vsus ſwimme in his temporall gifts. Hee praiſeth more thedIonas 4.11 Niniuites in ſackecloth, andeIob 2.8 Iob in the aſhes, then either of them in all their pomp, and glory of their riches, wherefore then ſhould we crie,f2. Kin. 4.40 Death is in the pot, ſeeing Chriſt Ieſus our Prophet hath ſeaſoned it, not with a little flowre or meale, but with his owne blood? He hath broken the ice, he hathgGalat. 3.13.14 fanctified our afflictions, hee hath ſweetened all our paines with the exceſſe of his vnſpeakeable louelove: Hee hath giuen vsus ſuch a preſident andhI. Pet. 2.21 example, in ſuffering for vsus, as it muſt needs ſeeme little, whatſoeuer we ſuffer for him. Let vsus not be diſmayed therefore with our croſſe & affliction; let not the extremitie of the paynes, the ſharpeneſſe of our miſeries, nor the continuance of our ſickeneſſe daunt our courage: wee are notiMatth. 10.24 better then our Maſter, who ſuffered farre more then we muſt, nor wiſer then God himſelfe, by whoſekProuer. 14.31 prouidence, this affliction fell into our ſhare. Yet you ſay, your paine is like to continue longer then you ſhal be able to beare it. But how can you remoue it from you?Of Selfe-murder Will you offer violent handes vntounto your ſelfe? Will you cut aſunder that which God hath ioyned, as didl2. Samu. 31.23 Achitophel,m1. Samu. 31.4 Saul,nActes 1.18 Iudas and Pilate? Thinke you to get eaſe by ſhortening your owne life? Nay, ſo farre ſhal you be from finding of any eaſe or reſt, that by ſo doing, theſe your temporall (or rather momentanie) afflictions, ſhall be turned into euerlaſting torments, in the vnquencheable flames of hell fire. Man was not borne of his owne pleaſure, neither muſt he die at his owne luſt. It is writtenoExodus 20.13 Thou shalt not kill. If wee may not kill an other, much leſſe may wee kill our ſelues. God willpGeneſis 9.5 require our blood, yea at our owne hands, if wee be guiltie of ſuch an vnnatural murther. God hath madeqGeneſis 9.6 man after his owne image, and we muſt not deface the image of God; which if wee preſume to do, we are guiltie of horrible murther. And to that you ſay, you are forſaken of your friends; Chriſt Ieſus will neuer forſake you:rIohn 6.37.39 Him that commeth vntounto me, (ſaith he) lneuer caſt away. sIohn 10.28No man ſhall plucke you out of his handes.
That our impatiencie doth prouoke God the more to punish vsus. Sect. V.
Obiection.
GOd forbid I ſhould make my ſelfe away, that was no part of my thought, but my meaning is, that my afflictions and paines be ſo great, ſo extreame and ſo intollerable, that I cannot beare them patiently.
NOt patiently? Alas, whom hurt you by your impatiencie, but your owne ſoule? Can your impatiencie alter the will of God, or change his purpoſe? No verily; Yea,The hurt of impatiencie. by your impatiencie, you make your owne caſe worſe; as wel by the inward griefe, which vexeth and tormenteth you, as alſo, becauſe thereby you tempt and prouoke the Lord, and pull downe his wrath vponupon you. As earthly Parents, when they perceiue their children to be brought in good order, ſubiection and obedience, by their correction, do then ceaſe from beating of them: So our heauenly Father, when he ſeeth vsus patient, andaNum. 21.7 humble in our affliction, is moued to pitie, ſo as hee turneth our troubles into kindneſſe and doing vsus good; whereas on the contrary ſide, by our impatiencie and ſtubbornneſſe, hee is compelled to lay more grieuous puniſhments vponupon vsus. Alſo as Kings and Captaines, do more gently entreate thoſe enemies, that hauehave willingly yeelded themſelues into their grace and fauour; then ſuch as be taken captiues, by force of doubtfull fight: Euen ſo doth God deale more fauourably with thoſe, who patiently humble themſelues vnderunder his hand, and ſubmit them vntounto his corrections, then with ſuch, who being ouer-maſtered with ſenſualitie and pride of heart, doe continually prouoke him, and prepare themſelues to hold out, and ſtill to rebell and reſiſt his holy will. God would not hauehave vsus periſh with the wicked, and therefore heb1. Cor. 11.30 32 chaſtiſeth in vsus, whatſoeuer hee ſeeth amiſſe, euen in this world; ſo that his rods and corrections are teſtimonies, that hee accounteth vsus his lawful children, and notcHebr. 12 baſtards. We ſee if two children ſtriue togither, and if a man comming by, take one of them, and beat him, leauing the other, we will iudge ſtraight-way, that this man is the father of that child he corrected, and that the other appertained not vntounto him. And this is it that the Apoſtle Peter meaneth, when hee ſaith, thatd1. Pet. 4.17 Iudgement beginneth at the houſe of God; ſhewing that they are his children and houſehold ſeruants, which are afflicted in this life. Wherfore, if Carpenters ſtrike with their hatchets vponupon peeces of Timber, to ſmooth and plaine them: if Maſons poliſh the ſtones with the ſtrokes of an hammer; wee gather, that they would employ them to ſome building: Euen ſo, if God lift vponupon vsus his hatchets and hammers of tribulation, let vsus aſſure our ſelues, that he hath choſen vsus, to put vsus in the building of his holye1. Cor. 3.9 Temple; and ſo that wee are his deare and welbeloued children. Let vsus ſuffer our ſelues to be guided by him, that is infinitelyfPſalme 147.5 wiſer then wee, andgIohn 3.16 loueth vsus better then we louelove our ſelues. As in running a race, the agilitie & goodnes of the horſe is knowne; the ſtrength and courage of the man in the combate, the ſauour and qualitie of many drugges in rubbing, bruiſing, or caſting them into the fire, as wee do incenſe; the ſtarres which appeare not by day, ſhine in the night; So the faith, the zeale, the conſtancie, the patience, and other vertues which God communicateth to his Elect, which are hid in proſperitie, do manifeſt themſelues in afflictions. And therefore the Apoſtle ſaith,h2. Cor. 12.10 I take pleaſure in infirmities, in reproaches, in neceſſities, in perſecutions, in anguish for Chriſts ſake, for when I am weake, them am I ſtrong. Now the Lorde would make knowne your patience, your faith, and other vertues; and will you, kicking againſt the pricke, complaine of your extreame handling? Surely if you do ſo, you arei1. Cor. 15.9 vnworthie the leaſt of all Gods comforts yet hath not God ſo dealt with you, he giueth you not what you hauehave deſerued; nay, he leaueth you not without comfort, he will not that hiskEzech. 33.11 works ſhould periſh; wherefore you muſt thinke that he dealeth with you, according to his infinite mercy, as a moſt gracious and louing father; who will not that you ſhoulde l1. Cor. 11.30 32periſh with the wicked,mHebr. 12.6 humbling you therefore, to make you a worthy Citizen of his heauenly kingdome. To conclude, when you ſay the Lordes prayer, you ſay,nMatth. 6.10 Thy will be done. Now the Lordes will is done towards you, and will you ſhew your ſelfe rebellious and diſobedient vntounto his will? So your heart denieth that, which your mouth vttereth, and ſaith vntounto you, in your eare; Ah Hypocrite, if thou mighteſt chooſe, thou haddeſt rather that thy will might be done, then that the will of God ſhould be done.o1. Pet. 5.6 Humble your ſelfe therefore vnderunder the mightie hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. p1. Cor. 10.13There hath no tentation taken you, but ſuch as appertaineth to man, and God is faithfull, which will not ſuffer you to be tempted, aboue that you be able, but will euen giuegive the iſſue with the tentation, that yee maie be able to beare it. qLuke 21.19By your pacience poſſeſſe your ſoules ſaith Chriſt.
Teſtimonies out of the holy Scriptures exhorting vntounto Patience. Sect. VI
SOlomon, Prouerbs 16.32He that ruleth his owne minde, is better then he that winneth a cittie. Waite vponupon the Lord,Prouer. 20.22 and he ſhall ſaue thee.
Iſaiah, Eſay 28.16Thus ſaith the Lorde God, Behold I lay in Sion a ſtone, a tried ſtone, a precious corner ſtone, a ſure foundation. Hee that beleeueth ſhall not make haſte. Yet therefore will the Lorde wait,Eſay 30.18 that he may hauehave mercy vponupon you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may hauehave compaſſion vponupon you: for the Lorde is God of Iudgement; bleſſed are all they that waite vponupon him.
Ieremiah, Lam. 3.26It is good both to truſt and to waite for the ſaluation of the Lord.
Ieſus Chriſt, Reſist not euill,Matth. 5.39 but whoſoeuer ſhall ſmite thee on thee right cheeke,luke 6.29 turne to him the other alſo.Matth. 5.40 And if any man wil ſue thee at the law, and take away thy coate, let him take thy cloke alſo. And whoſoeuer wil compell thee to go with him a mile, goe with him twaine.41
But that which fell on good ground are they which with an honest and good heart heare the worde and keepe it,Luke 8.15 and bring forth fruite with patience.
By your patience poſſeſſe your ſoules.Luke 21.19
Paul, Rom. 5.3Wee reioyce in tribulations, knowing, that tribulation bringeth foorth patience:4 and patience experience, and experience hope:5 and hope maketh not aſhamed.
Reioycing in hope,Rom. 12.12 patient in tribulation, and continuing in prayer.
In al things we muſt approue our ſelues as the miniſters of God,2. Cor. 6.4 in much patience, in afflictions, in neceſſities, in diſtreſſes.
Let vsus not be weary of well doing,Galat. 6.9 for in due time we ſhall reape, if we faint not.
Wee our ſelues reioyce of you in the churches of God,2. Theſſ. 1.4 becauſe of your patience, and faith in all your perſecutions, and tribulations that ye ſuffer:5 which is a token of the righteous iudgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdome of God for the which ye alſo ſuffer.
Ye hauehave neede of patience,Hebr. 10.36 that after ye hauehave done the will of God, ye might receiue the promiſe.
Cast awaie euerie thing that preſſeth downe,Hebr. 12.1 and the ſin that hangeth ſo faſt on: let vsus run with patience the race that is ſet before vsus, &c. Reade out this 12. Chap.
Iames, Iames 1.3Knowing that the trying of faith bringeth forth patience:Iames 57 Be patient therefore brethren vntounto the comming of our Lord. Be ye alſo patient therefore,8 and ſettle your hearts, for the comming of our Lord draweth neere.
Peter, 1. Pet. 1.13Girde vp the loynes of your minde, be ſober and trust perfectly on the grace, that is brought vntounto you by the Reuelation of Ieſus Christ.
For herevnto are you called, for Chriſt alſo ſuffered for vsus,1. Pet. 2.21 leauing vsus an example that we ſhould follow his ſteppes.
Humble your ſelues therefore vnderunder the mightie hand of God,2. Pet. 5.6 that he may exalt you in due time.
And with knowledge,2. Pet. 1.6 temperance, and with temperance patience, and with pacience godlineſſe:8 for if theſe things be among you, and abound, they will make you that ye ſhall neither be idle, nor vnfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.
Iohn, 1. Iohn 3.2Deerely beloued, now are we ſonnes of God, but yet it doth not appeare what we ſhall be: and we know, that when he ſhall appeare, we ſhal be like him, for we ſhall ſee him as he is.
Here is the patience of the Saints,Apoc. 14.12 here are they that keepe the commandements of God, and faith of Ieſus.