The Victory of Patience, Chapter 31
CHAP. 31. That they may follow Christs example, and imitate the patience of the Saints in all Ages.
16. Reason.
… IN the sixth and last place, they beare the slanders and reproaches of wicked …n patiently, that they may follow Christs example, and imitate the patience of the Saints in all ages.
Christ also suffered for you (saith S. Peter) leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, 1 Pet. 2.21. And it is written of him, that he was oppressed and afflicted, yet did he not open his mouth; he was brought as a Sheepe to the slaughter, and as a Sheepe before the Shearer is dumbe, so opened hee not his mouth, Isaiah 53.7. When hee was reviled, he reviled not againe, when he suffered he threatned not, 1 Peter 2.23. He was called of his enemies, Conjurer, Samaritane, Wine-bibber, &c. was scoft at, scorned, scourged, and yet he suffered all for us; to the end he might leave us an example, that wee should follow his steps. When the Iewes cried out, crucifie him, hee out cries, Father, pardon them; being beaten with Rods, crowned with Thornes, pierced with Nailes, nailed to the crosse, filled with reproaches, as unmindful of all his great griefes, he prayeth for his persecutors, and that earnestly, Father forgive them. Pendebat, & tamen petebat, as S. Augustine sweetly. O patient and compassionate love!
Thus Christ upon the crosse, as a Doctor in his chaire, read to us all a lectu…e of patience; for his actions are our instructions: Learne we therefore from him, to suffer
Innocently.
Patiently.
Wilt thou, saith one, looke to raigne, and not expect to suffer? Why Christ himselfe went not up to his glory, untill first hee suffered paine: Or wilt thou, saith S. Cyprian, be impatient, by seeking present revenge upon thine enemies, when Christ himselfe is not yet revenged of his enemies? Do thou beare with others, God beares with thee; is there a too much which thou canst suffer for so patient a Lord? But to go on; wilt thou follow Gods example? Then note, whereas Christ hath in many particulars commanded us to follow his example, yet in no place, saith S. Chrysostome, he inferreth we should be like our heavenly Father, but in doing good to our enemies. And therein resemble wee the whole three Persons in Trinity. God was only in the stil winde, Christ is compared to a Lambe, the Holy Ghost to a Dove. Now if we will resemble these three persons, we must be softly, Lambes, Doves; but if on the contrary we be fierce, cruell, and take revenge, so using violence, we resemble rather the Devill, who is called a roaring Lion; and the wicked, who are termed Dogs, Wolves, Tygers, &c. But secondly, they are patient in suffering of injuries, that they might imitate the Saints in all ages. They were so, and we are likewise commanded to follow their steps, as in all things which are good, so especially in this. Take my brethren the Prophets, saith S. Iames, for an example of suffering adversities, and of long patience, Iames 5.10. Brethren, saith S. Paul to the Thessalonians, Ye are become followers of the Churches of God which in Iudea are in Christ Iesus, because ye have also suffered the same things of your owne Countrey-men, even as they have of the Iewes, 1 Thess. 2.14. And to the Philippians, Be yee followers of me, Brethren, and look on them which walke so, as ye have us for an example, Phil. 3.17. And see how he followed his Masters example; for which amongst us so loves his Benefactors, as S. Paul loved his Malefactors? he would do any thing (even be rased out of the booke of life) to save them that would doe any thing to kill him. Amongst many examples recorded for thy imitation and mine, behold the Patience of Iob, Iames 5.11. Abraham, Gen. 20.17, 18. Isaac, Chap. 26.15. Ioseph, Chap. 39. David, Psal. 38.12. to 15. And lastly of Stephen, who when the Iewes were stoning him to death, kneeled downe, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge, Acts 7.60. A true Scholler of CHRIST: for first, he prayed for enemies; secondly, for mortall enemies that stoned him; thirdly, in hot bloud, at the time when they wronged him most, as being more sorry for their riot, then for his owne ruine. Now what is it that we suffer, being compared with their sufferings? even nothing in a manner: Ye have not (saith S. Paul to the Hebrewes) yet resisted unto bloud: Wee have passed (saith the Prophet) through fire and water; not fire onelyonly, as the three Children; nor water onelyonly, as the Israelites, but fire and water, all kind of afflictons and adversities. For shame then let us passe through a little tongue-triall without the least answering or repining.
Now all ye scoffers, behold the patience of the Saints, and stand amazed. That which you (not for want of ignorance) esteemed base, sottish and unworthy, ye see hath 16. sollid Reasons, as so many pillars to support it, and these hewen out of the Rock of Gods word. Ye see the childe of God is above nature, while he seemes below himselfe; the vilest creature knowes how to turne againe; but to command himselfe, not to resist being urged, is more then Heroicall. Here then is matter worth your emulation, worthy our imitation.
Againe, behold the reasons why God suffers you to deride, hate, and persecute his people, which are likewise declared to be sixteene in number, and those no lesse weighty; of which three concerne his owne glory; Thirteene our spirituall and everlasting good, benefit, and advantage. Yea, reflect yet further, you seed of the Serpent, and see the Originall, continuance, properties, causes, ends, and what will be the issue of your divellish enmity against the seed of the Woman? And then if you will go on and perish, your bloud be on your owne heads, and not on mine; I have discharged my duty.