The Victory of Patience, Chapter 27
CHAP. 27. Because our enemies may learne, and be wonne by our example.
4 IN the fourth place, one reason why we beare injuries so patiently, is, That our enemies and others may learne and bee wonne by our example, which oft prevailes more than precept: As how many Infidels were wonne to the Christian Faith, by seeing Christians indure the flames so patiently? Wherefore in all things (saith Paul to Titus) shew thy selfe an example of good workes, Tit. 2.7. VnderUnder the generall of good workes is included Patience, as one maine speciall. The servant of the Lord must not strive (saith Paul to Timothy) but must be gentle towards all men, suffering the evill men patiently, instructing them with meeknesse that are contrary minded, proving if God at any time will give thē repentance, that they may know the truth, 2 Tim. 2.24, 25. Aristippus being demanded, why he tooke so patiently Dionysius spitting in his face, answered, the Fishermen to take a little Gudgion, doe abide to be imbrued with slime and salt water; And should not I, a Philosopher, suffer my selfe to be sprinkled with a little spittle, for the taking of a great Whale?
A word seasonably given, after we have received an injury, like a Rudder sometimes steares a man quite into another course. The nature of many men is forward to accept of peace, if it be offered them, and negligent to sue for it otherwise; They can spend secret wishes upon that which shall cost them no endeavour; unlesse their enemy yeelds first, they are resolved to stand out. But if once their desire and expectation be answered, the least reflection of this warmth makes them yeelding and plyable; We need not a more pregnant example then the Levites father in Law; I do not see him make any meanes for reconciliation; but when remission came home to his doore, no man could entertaine it more thankfully, seeing such a singular example of patience, and good condition in his Son. When Iron meets with Iron, there is a harsh and stubborne jar; but let wooll meet that ruffer mettle, this yeelding turnes resistance into imbracing; Yea a man shall be in more estimation with his enemy (if ingenious) having vanquisht him this way, then if he had never been his enemy at all. Thy greatest enemy shall, if he have any sparke of grace, confesse ingeniously to thee, (as Saul once to David) Thou art more righteous than I, for thou hast rendred me good, and I have rendred thee evill. And such a conquest is like that which Euagrius recordeth of the Romans, namely; That they got such a victory over Chosroes, one of the Persian Kings, that this Chosroes made a Law; That never after any Kings of Persia should move war against the Romans. Actions salved up with a freee forgivenesse, are as not done: Yea, as a bone once broken, is stronger after well setting; so is love after such a reconcilement.
But this is not all; for happily it may (and not a little) further Gods glory, and make Satan a looser: as thus, let us shake off their slanders, as Paul did the Viper; and these Barbarians, which now conceive so basely of Gods people, will change their mindes, and say we are petty gods; Yea, will they say, surely theirs is a good, and holy, and operative Religion, that thus changes and transformes them into new Creatures. The hope whereof should make us thinke no indeavour too much. For if Zopyrus the Persian was content (and that voluntarily) to sustaine the cutting off his nose, eares, and lips, to further the enterprize of his Lord Darius against proud Babylon; what should a Christian be willing to suffer, that the Lord of Heaven and Earths cause may be furthered against proud Lucifer, and all the powers of darknesse? But suppose thy patient yeelding produceth no such effect, as may answer these or the like hopes, yet have patience still, and that for two reasons.
1 First, seeme you to forget him, and he will the sooner remember himselfe.
2 It oft fals out, that the end of passion is the beginning of repentance. Therefore if not for his sake, yet at least for thy owne sake be silent; and then in case thou hearest further of it from another, if ill, beware of him, but condemne him not, untill thou hearest his owne Apologie, for
Who judgement gives, and will but one side heare,
Though he judge right, is no good Iusticer.