A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX. Examples of Patience, Moderation, and Meeknesse.
SOme of the Heathens have attained to a great eminencie in this vertue of Patience: but Christians are to adde it to the number of their graces, 2 Pet. 1. 6. And indeed it is that that gives a great lustre to all the rest: Humility is the root whence it springs, and the fruit of it is both amiable, and profitable: It puts, and keeps a man in possession of his soul, Luk. 21. 19. It makes all burthens light, and is much improved by exercise, Rom. 5. 3. Moses his meeknesse, and Jobs patience are exemplary, and so held forth in the Scripture: And these which follow also may be useful to quicken us to an earnest pursuit after this so excellent a vertue.
Commanded, Luke 21. 19. Col. 1. 11. Rom 12. 12. 1 Thes. 5. 14. Jam. 5. 7, 8. &c. 1 Tim. 6. 11. Heb. 10. 36. & 12. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 20. Mat. 11. 29.
Commanded, Eccles. 7. 8. 2 Cor. 6. 4. & 12. 12. 1 Tim. 3. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 24. 2 Thes. 1 4. Tit. 2. 2. Heb. 6. 12. Jam. 1 3 4. Rev. 2. 2, 3, 19 & 13. 10. & 14. 12. Psal. 22. 26. & 25. 9. & 37. 11. & 76. 9. & 147. 6. & 149 4. Isa. 29. 19. Mat. 5. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 4.
Scriptural examples: Paul, 2 Cor. 6. 4. Moses, Num. 12. 3. Joseph. Gen. 45. 5. & 50. 17, 19. Gideon, Jud. 8. 2. Hannah, 1 Sam. 1. 15. Saul, 1 Sam. 10. 27. & 11. 12, 13. David, 2 Sam. 16. 10. 1 Sam. 24. 8. Mephibosheth, 2 Sam. 19. 30. Prophets, Jam. 5. 10, 11. Apostles, Act. 5. 41. Thessalonians, 1 Thes. 1. 3. & 2. 14. Hebrews, ch. 10. … ▪ John, Rev. 1. 9.
Other examples: A young man striking Lycurgus on the face with a staffe, whereby he dashed out one of his teeth, the people apprehended him, and delivered him to Lycurgus to punish him as he pleased. Lycurgus took him home with him to his house, spake never a soule word to him, only commanded him to waite upon him: The young man, now sensible of his fault willingly obeyed him, and observing his strict life, and his constancy in enduring labour, he began first to reverence, and then to love him with this heart, so that of a fierce, rash, and ill conditioned youth, he became a grave, and wise man. Plut.
The two Navies of Xerxes, and the Grecians being neere together, the Grecians would have made a dishonourable retreat, at which time Themistocles being in counsel with Eurybiades, because Themistoles perswaded their stay, Eurybiades held up his staffe as though he would have stricken him: Strike me if thou wilt, said Themistocles, so thou wilt but heare me: Euryb. wondring at his patience, suffered him to say what he would, whereby at last he was brought to reason. Plut. So we should say to God, Strike us if thou wilt but hear our prayers.
Pericles an Athenian Oratour, by the study of Philosophy attained to such an honest behaviour and patient spirit, that he was never troubled with any thing that crossed him. On a time there was a naughty fellow that did nothing all the day long but raile upon him in the market-place, though he was a publick Magistrate, before all the people, yet did he take no notice of it, but all the while dispatched sundry businesses of importance till night came; and then with a sober pace went home to his house, though this lewd varlet followed him with open defamation all the way: and when he came home, it being dark, he called his man, and caused his man with a toreh to light this fellow home. Plut.
Acertaine Lacedemonian speaking many things freely against Artaxerxes M. the King bade one of his Captaines tell him, Thou mayest truly speak what thou wilt against the King, neverthelesse he will speake and do what he pleases. Plut.
Agesilaus King of Sparta returning into his own countrey after great victories in Asia, and Greece, would not take any revenge upon his adversaries, but brought it to passe that they were chosen Magistrates, and Captaines, and when they should have been questioned, and punished for their avaricious, and unjust using of their power, he assisted them, and freed them from danger, by which meek dealing he made of adversaries, his fast friends. Xenoph.
Philip King of Macedon besieging the City of Methon, as he was walking about, one from the walls shot an arrow at him, whereby he put out his right eye, which yet he took so patiently, that when the Citizens a few dayes after sent out to treat with him about the surrender, he gave them honourable termes, and after the surrender took no revenge upon them for his eye. Justin.
Alexander in his younger dayes, was of a very milde, and patient spirit insomuch as being told that some of his friends used in secret to detract from him, he bore it patiently saying: Regium est malè audire cùm benefeceris: It's a Kingly thing to hear ill, when one doth well. Plut.
Phocion the Athenian being condemned by the people to die, when all others mourned, and wept, he onelyonly with a meek spirit, and undaunted countenance went to the prison, and being asked by a friend, what he would have to his sonne Phocion? Tell him, said he, that I command him never to think upon this injury which the Athenians do me: And when the executioner wanted poison to give him, which could not be bought under twelve Drachma's, Phocion called one of his friends, and bad him give him the money, for, said he, A man cannot die at Athens, except he pay for his own bane. Plut.
Vespasian the Emperour was of so meeke a disposition, that he would never take notice of or remember injuries. Suet.
Titus Vespasianus would not receive any accusation against those that spake evil of him, saying, Ego cùm nihill faciam dignum propter quod contumeliâ afficiar, mendacia nihil curo: As long as I do nothing that deserves reproach, I care not for lies. Suet.
Aristides having been banished Athens by the envie, and malice of Themistocles, three years after when Xerxes came against Greece, he was called home by the Athenians again: and forgetting all the former wrongs that he had received from Themistocles, he cordially joyned with him in promoting the publick good, and advancing Themistocles his honour thereby: using this moderate speech to him: If we be wise, let us lay aside our former youthly, and vaine contentions, and let us now strive who shall do most for the publick good of our countrey, thou by thy valour, and I by my counsel, and undergoing the office of a servant to thee. Plut.
Beza with some other of his Colleagues disputing with some Jesuits about the Eucharist: the Jesuits brake forth into passion, calling them Vulpes, Serpentes, Simias, Foxes, Serpents Apes: to whom Beza replied, Nos non magis credimus, quam transubstantiationem: we believe all that, as much as we do Transubstantiation. See his Life in my first Part.
Dr. Cranmers gentlenesse in pardoning wrongs was so great, that it grew into a Proverb, Do my Lord of Canterbury a shrewd turn, and then you shall be sure to have him your friend whilest he liveth. See his Life in my first Part.
The Pythagoreans, if at any time through anger they brake forth into evil speaking, yet before the Sun-setting by giving their hands each to other, they renewed their friendship again.
Theodosius the Emperour upon a fault committed by the Inhabitants of Thessalonica, commanded severe punishment to be inflicted upon them, which was so unadvisedly executed, that as well the innocent, as the nocent were involved therein: The Emperour afterward coming to Millan, would have entered into the Church to have communicated with other Christians; but Ambrose the Bishop thereof (though otherwise a man of admiral mildnesse) resisted and excommunicated him: in which estate he continued for eight moneths, and then upon his submission was absolved, and received again into the Congregation: And that he might prevent the like offence afterwards, he enacted a Law, that thirty dayes should passe betwixt the sentence of death, and the Execution of it: And to suppresse his Choler (whereunto he was very subject) his usual manner was to repeat the Greek Alphalet, before he uttered any speech savouring of that humour. See Ambrose his Life in my first Part.
Socrates an Heathen, when one gave him a box of the eare, onelyonly said, What an ill thing is it that men cannot foresee when they should put on an helmet before they go abroad? And at another time being kicked by one: If an Asse should kick me (said he) should I spurne him again? And when another had wronged him, he said, I would have smitten thee but that I am angry.
Nicolas of Johnvile being condemned by the Papists to die for the cause of God, as he was carried in a Cart to execution, his own father coming with astaffe, would have beaten him, but the officers not suffering it, were about to strike the old man: The son calling to them desired them to let his father alone, saying, he had power over him to do in that kinde what he pleased: but Christ was dearer to him then the dearest friend on earth. Act. & Mon.
Aristippus an Heathen, went of his own accord to AEschines his enemy, saying, Shall we not be reconciled till we become a table-talke to all the countrey? and when AEschines answered that he would most gladly be at peace with him: Remember then, said Aristippus that although I be the elder, and better man, yet I sought first unto thee: Thou are indeed a far better man then … (said AEschines) for I began the quarrel, but thou the reconcilement.
Julius Caesar being extreamely defamed by Clavus the Oratour, and Catullus the Poet: Yet afterwads when truth setled shamefastnesse on their forehead…, and repentance in their consciences, Caesar was satisfied with it, and seeing Calvus desire his friendship, but durst not intreat it, he in an expresse letter offered it unto him; and for Catullus, he invited him to supper the same day that he published his Poeme against him. Suet.
Augustus Caesar was also of the same disposition: For when as Timagines an Historian, wrote against him, together with his wife, daughters, and all his family: he onelyonly sent to him, advising him to use his tongue, and pen with more moderation, especially towards him, and his friends: For Augustus had bred him up: but he still persevering, and the Emperour being enforced to take notice of it, by way of punishment, he onelyonly sent to him to retire himself out of the City of Rome into the countrey. Seneca.
King Henry the sixth was of that meek disposition, that being wounded in the side by a Ruffian, whilest he was a prisoner in the Tower: when afterwards he was restored to his Kingly estate, he freely forgave him the fact: and another like Ruffian striking him on the face, he punished with this onelyonly reprehension: Forsooth, you are to blame to strike me your anointed King: Oaths he used none, but in weighty matters his affirmation was, forsooth, and forsooth. Sp. Chron. p. 86…
Austin, when the Donatists upbraided him unworthily with the impietie, and impurity of his former life: Look (said he) how much they blame my fault, so much I commend, and praise my Phisician. See his Life in my first Part.
A fellow objecting to Beza his youthly Poems: This man (said he) vexeth himself, because Christ hath vouchsafed to me his grace. See his life in my first Part.
Be ye not stothful, but followers of them who through faith, and patience inherit the promises,
Heb. 6. 12.
Vince animos ir ámque tuam, qui caeter a vincis.