The Victory of Patience, Chapter 9
CHAP. 9. How it discovers whether we bee true beleevers or hypocrites.
6 SIxthly, that we may experimentally know our selves, and be knowne of others whether we be true beleevers or hypocrites. There must be differences among you (saith Saint Paul) that the approved may bee knowne, 1 Cor. 11.19. For as Thrashing separates the straw, and Wynowing the chaffe from the Corne; So persecution separates the hypocrite from the company of beleevers, Luke 22.31. None but a regenerate heart can choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin. An easie importunity will perswade Orpah to returne from a Mother in law to a Mother in nature, from a toylesome journey to rest, from strangers to her kindred, from a hopelesse condition to likelihoods of contentment; A little intreaty will serve to move nature to be good to it selfe: to persist in actions of goodnesse, though tyranny, torment, death and hell stood in our way; this is that conquest which shall be crowned with glory; Gold and Silver are tryed in the fyer, men in the furnace of adversity; As the furnace proveth the Potters Vessell; so doe temptations try mens thoughts, Eccles. 27.5. Behold (saith the Angell to the Church of Smyrna) it shall come to passe that the Divell shall cast some of you into Prison, that you may be tryed, Revel. 2.10. This Child (saith old Simeon, meaning Christ) is appoynted for a signe to be spoken against, that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened, Luke 2.34, 35. O how wicked men manifest their hatred and enmity against God and his people so soone as Persecution ariseth because of the Word! yea by it the malice of Sathan and the world are better knowne and avoyded.
But to come more punctually to the poynt. Affliction tryeth whether a man hath grace in his heart or no; Set an empty Pitcher (the resemblance of a wicked man) to the fier, it crackes presently, whereas the full (which resembles the Child of God) will abide boyling; Gold imbroidered upon Silke, if cast into the fire looseth his fash…on, but not his waight, Copper loseth his fashion and waight also; Magistracy and misery will soone shew what manner of men we be; either will declare us better or worse then we seemed. Indeed, Prosperity (saith one) best discovers vice, but Adversity doth best discover Vertue. Plato being demanded, how he knew a wise man, answered; When being r…buked he would not be angry, and being praised he would not be proud: Wicked men grow worse after afflictions, as water growes more cold after a heat. Nature is like Glasse, bright but brittle; The resolved Christian like Gold, which if we rub it, or beate it, or melt it, it will endure the teste, the touch, the hammer, and still shine more orient; For Vertues like the Stars, shine brightest in the night, and fairest in the frost of Affliction. More particularly, Affliction is a notable meanes, to try whether we have faith or not; Nothing is more easie then to trust God, when our Barnes and Coffers are full; And to say, give us our daily bread, when we have it in our Cubbards; But when we have nothing, when we know not how nor when… to get any thing, then to depend upon an invisible bounty, this is a true and noble act of faith.
Againe touching other graces, how excellently was Iobs patience and sincerity made known by Sathans malice, when he brought forth those Angelicall words; What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and not receive evill? Iob 2.10. When he stood like a Centre unmoved, while the circumference of his estate was drawne above, beneath, about him, when in prosperity he could say, if my mouth hath kist my hand; and in adversity, the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh, blessed be the name of the Lord. He was not so like the wicked as they are like dogs that follow the meat, not the man; Alas they are but bad workes that need rewards to crane them up withall, for neither paine nor losse, much lesse the censure of lewd persons will trouble a well planted mind.
Againe, God suffers us to suffer much, more especially to try our perseverance, which is a grace so good and acceptable, that without it there is nothing good, nor acceptable; And indeed how shall a man shew his strength unlesse some burthen be laid upon his back, or his constancy? The Spaniell which fawneth when he is beaten, will never forsake his Master; And Trees well rooted will beare all stormes; The three Children walked up and downe in the fiery flames praising God; And a Blade well tryed deserves a treble price. How did the Church of Pergamus approve her selfe; Yea how was she approved of God which hath the sword with two edges, when she held out in her workes even where Sathan dwelt and kept his Throne, I know thy workes (saith God) and that thou keepst my Name, and hast not denyed my faith, even in those dayes when Antipas my faithfull Martyr, was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth, yea where his Throne is, and where some maintaine the Doctrine of Balaam, and the Nicholaitans, and teach that men ought, &c. Rev. 2.13, 14. Persecution is the Sword whereby our Salomon will try which is the true naturall Mother, which the pretended. Afflictions are the waters where our Gideon will try whether we are fit Souldiers to fight the Battle of Faith; We are all valiant Souldiers till we come to fight; Excellent Philosophers till we come to dispute, good Christians till wee come to master our own lusts; But it is opposition that gives the tryall, when Corruptions fight against the graces and cause Argent to seem more bright in a fable Field; But to go on.
A man is made known whether he be feeble or strong by the provocation of an enemy: even calme tempers when they have been stirred, have bewrayed impetuousnesse of passion. Now he that overcommeth his own anger (saith Chilo) overcommeth a strong enemy, but he that is over…ome by it, is a whiteliver (saith Hermes) for wrath proceedeth from feeblenesse of courage and lacke of discretion; As may appeare in that, Women are sooner angry then men, the Sicke sooner then the healthy, and Old men sooner then Young. Againe, its nothing to endure a small tryall or affliction, every Cock-boate can swim in a River, every Sculler sayle in a Calme, every man can hold up his head in ordinary Gusts; but when a blacke storme arises, a tenth wave flowes, deep calls unto deep; Nature yeelds, Spirit faints, Heart fayles; Wheras grace is never quite out of heart, yea is confident when hopes are adjourned, and expectation is delayed.
Finally, Affliction and Persecution humbleth the spirits of the repentant, tryeth the faith and patience of the sincere Christian, but hardneth the hearts of the ungodly; Wicked men (like some Beasts) grow mad with baiting; If crosses or losses rush in upon them they fall to the language of Iobs Wife, Curse God and dye, or to that of the King of Israels Messenger, Why should I serve God any longer? 2 King. 6.33.