The Holy Arbor, Chapter 5 · Section 1 · Commandment 1 · Section 4
§. 4. Of Patience.
PAtience is the knowledge and acknowledging of Gods Majeſty, Wiſdom, Juſtice, Power and Goodneſs, reſolving through a confidence in Gods Promiſes, and ſo in hope of Gods aſſiſtance and deliverance, to obey God in ſuffering thoſe evils and afflictions which he ſendeth on us, and willeth us to ſuffer, and herein not to murmure againſt God, or do any thing againſt his Commandments, but by this knowledge and full perſwaſion of Gods good will and pleaſure herein, To comfort our ſelves in our diſtreſs, and to Pray in Faith, and Wait in Hope for his deliverance. Humility and Patience belong unto this firſt Commandment, not onelyonly becauſe they are parts of that internal obedience which God requireth immediately to be performed unto him; but alſo becauſe they follow and accompany the true Knowledge, Confidence, Love, and Fear of God, as neceſſary effects of the ſame: For in caſes of Diſtreſs, of Perſecution and Affliction, we muſt not live by feeling, but by Faith, for Afflictions are Pledges and Tokens of our Adoption, if we make the right uſe of them, Heb. 12.7. And when God defers deliverance, he doth it upon great and weighty cauſes and conſiderations beſt known unto himſelf; for in his Wiſdom he hath ſet down certain and unchangeable Times for the accompliſhment and iſſue of all things that are: And indeed there is a neceſſity of having this godly vertue of Patience, for we need many afflictions, becauſe the corruptions of the heart are of diverſe ſorts, and we need long afflictions, becauſe ſin is very natural, yet there may be good in that evil we ſuffer, and in the worſt dangers there is ſomewhat that makes the godly truſt in God, that keeps them up from ſinking. A ſound Spirit will bear any Affliction, and therein is a Chriſtian happy, for God loves us tenderly in Affliction: whence the difference between the Saints and others in the ſame Afflictions, is, That though the ſame Afflictions befal both, yet God hath reſpect to his in it, not to the others, Jer. 24. The wicked, though proſpering, yet ſtand in ſlippery places; the godly, though afflicted, are built on the Rock Chriſt. To proſper in ſin, is the miſerableſt condition in the world, for when the wicked are not interrupted in their courſe, God hath a purpoſe to deſtroy them, as Hophni and Phineas: Proſperity hurts evil men, yea, and as much as Affliction doth good to the godly. Evil men may proſper, and good men be croſſed many times, not proſpering in their buſineſs, and that in thoſe things which they do according to Gods Will, as in the ſucceſs of Pauls Miniſtery at Macedonia, and the Diſciples jeopardy on the water, though they were there on Chriſts command.
Thus the Lord dealeth promiſcuouſly with good and bad in outward things, that we may not know where to have him in his ways and actions, which are paſt finding out: therefore we muſt not judge by Gods outward proceeding, till he hath finiſhed the work, nor murmure at his Providence, or prove impatient under the ſmart of any Affliction whatſoever: For the Afflictions of the godly are not puniſhments, and ſatisfaction for their ſins, but onelyonly fatherly chaſtiſements, and the Croſs, whereby they are brought to Humility. To the wicked they are indeed a puniſhment, which is either Deſtruction or Torment, inflicted by the order of Juſtice on the perſon guilty of ſin: And this is proper unto the Reprobate, becauſe it is inflicted on them to this end, That Gods Juſtice may be ſatisfied: for the Law bindeth all men either to Obedience or to Puniſhment. Now the wicked deſpairing of the Mercy of God, murmure at his Juſtice, and are even mad with impatience, when his inflicting Scourge is on them: but the godly kiſs his Rod, and in patience poſſeſs their Souls, reſting on the Promiſes of God. This is that which ſets them at liberty in the dungeon, makes them run the paths of Gods Commandments even when Irons manacle them, makes them go chearfully to the Faggot, and embrace the Flame, makes them ſmile at the frowns of their Perſecutors, and in an holy patience makes them as it were anticipate Death, by dying to all impatience, that when it comes indeed, they may be ſaid rather to be changed, then dye. And indeed, this one Conſideration, How that thoſe that perſecute the Saints here, would undoubtedly perſecute Chriſt himſelf, were he now upon Earth, is ſufficient of it ſelf to ſupport the Spirits of any that now are or may be under Perſecution; beſide the conſideration that God will as undoubtedly deliver his to his glory and their advantage, as he permits Perſecution to befal them.
We have need of Patience, for theſe two Reaſons:
1. Becauſe there are ſo many Mockers and Scoffers at our Profeſſion, Luke 21.17.
2. Becauſe the Object of our Hope is of things inviſible, Rom. 8.25.
The Signs or Properties of Patience:
1. A heart reſolved to abide whatſoever is laid upon us, whether it be for ſin or for tryal.
2. When we ſuffering, and ſuffering much, do yet never ceaſe to love the Lord who ſtriketh us.
3. Humility, and humbling our ſelves under his blows and ſtrokes laid upon us.
4. Chearfulneſs and Joy in Suffering: when we are ſo far from murmuring under it, that we rejoyce in it.
Patience muſt have her perfect work, James 1.4. which work is ſaid to be perfect in theſe three reſpects; viz.
1. In reſpect of the Condition; it muſt be true, hearty and ſound, not feigned and counterfeit, Luke 21.19.
2. In reſpect of the Extent; it muſt reach to all maner of Croſſes, heavy and light, inward and outward, at home and abroad, whether they come from the Devil, or any of his wicked Inſtruments, or from God himſelf, and his own hand, of what kinde, quality, quantity ſoever they be, 2 Cor. 6.4.
3. In reſpect of the Continuance; it muſt endure unto the end, not onelyonly unto the end of that Affliction which lieth upon us, but alſo to the end of our life: ſo as we muſt both patiently bear the preſent, and alſo prepare our ſelves for future Croſſes, Mat. 10.22.
Neceſſary it is that Patience have this perfect work in us, and that for theſe Reaſons; viz.
1. The Croſſes whereunto we are ſubject, are not troubles in ſhew and appearance onelyonly, but ſuch as pierce both Body and Soul: Therefore counterfeit Patience will ſtand us in no ſtead.
2. The Number of Tryals whereunto we may be brought, is uncertain: one calamity upon another, as Waves, may fall upon us, therefore the extent of our Patience need be very great.
3. It is Uncertain how long we ſhall be ſubject to Tryals, becauſe the continuance of our life is uncertain; therefore there is a Neceſſity in it that our Patience continue unto the end: for while we are in this world, the field of the Lords Battel, the Enemy will aſſault us.
The good which God aymeth at and effecteth by thoſe Troubles he inflicteth on his children, which ſhould incite us to Patience:
1. The Preventing of ſome great Miſchief and Evil, 2 Cor. 12.7.
2. The Purging out of ſome feſtering poyſonſom ſin, 2 Chron. 33.12.
3. The Upholding and keeping us ſafe and ſtedfaſt in the right way, Heb. 12.10, 11.
4. The Proof and Tryal of ſuch Gifts and Graces as he hath beſtowed on us, 1 Pet. 4.12.
The Saints muſt poſſeſs their Souls in Patience from the conſideration of thoſe Ends which God hath in afflicting them: As
1. His own Glory, Joh. 9.3. 2 Cor. 12.9.
2. The Edification of others, Eph. 3.1.
3. Their own good,
1. By preventing, 2 Cor. 12.7. or curing ſome dangerous diſeaſe, Pſal. 119.67.
2. To manifeſt the Grace of God beſtowed on them, Job 1.12.
3. To draw them nearer to God, Hoſ. 5.15.
4. To make them long the more for heaven, 2 Cor. 5.2.
5. To lead them by this Correction, as it were by the hand, to Repentance.
6. To try and exerciſe their Faith, Invocation of Gods Name, Patience, &c.
7. To breed in them a loathing of worldly, and a love of heavenly things.
8. To ſhake off their over-much carefulneſs for outward things.
9. To ſuppreſs and amend the viciouſneſs ingrafted in their Nature.
10. To ſave them from being condemned with the world.
So likewiſe doth God ſuffer his Church to be under the Croſs, and afflicted for theſe ſpecial Reaſons:
1. The more to manifeſt his Pity, Power, Providence and Truth in keeping promiſe.
2. That the Members thereof, by their Afflictions, may be acquainted with their own wants and infirmities, which they would not much regard, were they freed from the Croſs.
3. That by Affliction they may be kept from many grievous ſins, into which they might otherwiſe fall.
4. That others ſeeing the Correction of the Church for ſin, may learn thereby to hate and avoid ſin.
5. To wean them the better from the world: Much proſperity makes us reſemble the fool ſpoken of, Luke 12.19.
6. To make Heaven the more longed for while we are on earth, and the more acceptable when we come to poſſeſs it; like Victory after a tedious and dangerous Combat.
7. That the Church may glorifie God in a conſtant and couragious maintenance of the Truth unto death; for even in perſecution is Gods Truth preſerved againſt the Reaſon of mans Wiſdom.
The Reaſons of the worlds Hatred to Gods Church may be theſe:
1. The Church of God in the Miniſtery of the Goſpel, ſeeks the ruine of the Devils Kingdom, who is the Prince of the World; the Devil therefore rageth and inflames the hearts of his Inſtruments with malice againſt Gods Church, that they may quite deſtroy it, if it were poſſible.
2. Gods Church is a peculiar people, ſevered from the world in their Profeſſion, Doctrine and Converſation, and therefore the world hates them, Joh. 15.16. and this the world will do to the end thereof.
The Croſs is the Affliction of the godly, but not properly a puniſhment, and is of four ſorts; viz.
1. The Chaſtiſements, for the remnants of ſin in them, and oftentimes for peculiar ſins committed by them, that they may ſee their uncleanneſs, and repent.
2. The Proofs and Tryals of their Faith, Hope, Invocation, Fear of God, and Patience.
3. Martyrdoms, which are Teſtifications concerning their Doctrine delivered others.
4. The Croſs is their Ranſome, even the obedience of Chriſt alone.
The cauſes of the Affliction of the wicked:
1. The Impellent Cauſe is ſin, becauſe it is an evil merit, and deſerveth evil.
2. The Principal Efficient Cauſe is the Juſtice of God, inflicting puniſhment for ſin.
3. The Inſtrumental Cauſes are divers, Angels and Men, both good and bad, and all other Creatures.
4. The Final Cauſe is, That the Juſtice of God may be ſatisfied.
The Cauſes of the Croſs of the godly; viz.
1. The Acknowledging and purging out of ſin, 1 Cor. 11.32. Pſa. 119.71.
2. The Hatred of the Devil and wicked men, Joh. 15.19. 1 Pet. 5.8.
3. The Tryal and Exerciſe of Godlineſs, Eccl. 34.10.
4. Particular Defects and Failings in the Saints, as in David and others.
5. The Confirmation of the Truth by their Martyrdom, Joh. 21.18.
6. Their glorious Delivery; that is, the Manifeſtation of the immeaſurable Wiſdom, Power, Mercy, and Juſtice of God in their wonderful deliverance, 1 Sam. 2.6.
7. The making of a Conformity between the Members and Chriſt their Head, both in Affliction and Glory, 2 Tim. 2.12.
8. A Teſtimony and Confirmation of the Judgement and Life to come, becauſe Gods Juſtice and Truth requireth that in the end it go well with the good, and ill with the bad; but this cometh not to paſs in this life.
In all Chaſtiſements how ſharp ſoever, God is alway to be acknowledged juſt in laying them upon us:
1. Becauſe his Puniſhments, though many times very grievous, yet are alway leſs then our deſerts and offences, Pſal. 103.10.
2. Becauſe our ſins are the procuring Cauſes of all the Evils we ſuffer, Mic. 7.9.
3. Becauſe in all his Corrections and Judgements he remembreth Mercy, Hab. 3.2.
The Comforts and Conſolations which are to be oppoſed to Afflictions to invite us to Patience; viz.
1. Remiſſion of Sins, and Reconciliation unto God in Chriſt, Rom. 5.1. & 8.3.
2. The Neceſſity of Obeying God, and the love which we owe him, Job 2.10. Pſal. 3.9.
3. The worthineſs of Vertue; that is, of Obedience towards God, the true Vertue, Mat. 10.37. & 16.25.
4. A good Conſcience; the godly being aſſured of Remiſſion of ſins, purpoſe to obey God, being confident of pardon in Chriſt, reſolve to ſuffer any thing.
5. The Final Cauſes thereof, as Gods glory, Pſal. 119.75. Our Salvation, 1 Cor. 11.32. The Salvation of others, Acts 5.
6. The comparing together of Ends and Events; it is better to ſuffer now then hereafter.
7. The Hope of Recompence; for the Reward is great in Heaven, Mat. 5.12.
8. The Example of Chriſt, for the Servant is not above his Maſter, Joh. 15.20. and of his Saints who have ſuffered before us.
9. The Certain preſence and aſſiſtance of God in all caſes and chances of this life, 1 Cor. 10.13. Pſal. 19.15.
10. The final and full Delivery, whereof are three degrees, contrary to thoſe of puniſhment:
1. In this life, when we have the beginning of eternal life.
2. In our Bodily Death, when the Soul is carried into Abrahams boſom.
3. After the Reſurrection, when we ſhall be perfectly bleſſed both in Body and Soul.
The way to comfort our ſelves in trouble:
1. It is our duty to acknowledge Gods Mercy to be great, who might lay a heavier burthen on us.
2. We muſt with boldneſs come by Prayer unto the Throne of Grace, that we may put him in minde of his Mercies.
3. We muſt thereby be drawn unto Repentance, acknowledge our ſins to have deſerved far greater Judgements then yet we ſuffer, and turn unto God with all our hearts.
4. We muſt praiſe the goodneſs of God in ſparing us, and not pouring out the full Vials of his wrath upon us.
5. We muſt remember, That we think not our ſelves hardly dealt with, taking heed that we murmure not, nor complain againſt God.
6. We muſt be patient, and not diſcouraged under the Croſs.
As the hand of Gods particular Providence is in all our Afflictions theſe three ways:
1. He decreeth and fore-appointeth them.
2. He effecteth them.
3. He ordereth and diſpoſeth them.
So his preſence with us in Affliction hath theſe three ends or effects; viz.
1. To work our deliverance from the Croſs, ſo far forth as it ſhall be for our good.
2. To temper and moderate our Afflictions.
3. To give us ſtrength and power to bear his Affliction.
The fruit of Affliction; viz.
1. Conſideration: they make men to ſee and conſider their ſins.
2. Humiliation: they ſerve to humble men in their Souls before God.
3. They ſerve to work Amendment of life.
4. Abnegation: they cauſe men to deny themſelves, and relie wholly on the Mercy of God.
5. Invocation: they make us cry heartily and fervently unto God.
6. Patience: Affliction brings forth Patience, Patience Experience.
7. Obedience: whereof we have an Example even of Chriſt himſelf, Heb. 5.8.
Proſperity worketh in us effects contrary to thoſe of Affliction:
1. It maketh us proud and inſolent.
2. It ſtirreth us up to ſerve our own wicked luſts fed by it.
3. It hardneth us againſt the affection of Mercy.
4. It maketh us cold, negligent, and diſtracted in prayer.
5. It provoketh us to impatience, wrath, and ſelf-confidence.
6. It beſots us with the love of the world and our ſelves, alienating our thoughts from the heavenly life.
For what cauſes God humbleth his ſervants by Affliction:
1. That all glory and praiſe may be given to him alone.
2. That we may put away the vain confidence which naturally is in us, and cleave to him alone.
3. That we may be the better fitted for Mercy, the better prepared to receive his gifts.
4. That we may humble our ſelves, pray, repent, pity others, renounce the world, and deſire life Eternal.
Why the Lord ſometimes defers deliverance from Affliction:
1. To humble us throughly, and to bring us to an utter denyal of our ſelves.
2. That we may acknowledge from whence our Deliverance comes.
3. To make us diſtruſt the World, and draw our thoughts to the life to come.
4. To prevent greater evils and dangers, wherein we might run.
God is ſaid to deliver us two ways:
1. By preſervation and keeping us, that we ſhall not come into danger.
2. By freeing us from the trouble into which we are faln: And this is
1. By taking the miſery from us.
2. By takingus from the miſery.
Directions to arm us with Patience, and to keep us from deſpiſing Gods corrections:
1. In all Afflictions look as David did, 2 Sam. 16.10. unto him that ſmiteth, and know that they come not by chance, but by Gods wiſe-diſpoſing Providence, and that purpoſely to breed in us true remorſe.
2. Conſider that the Lord can adde Croſs to Croſs, till he pull down our proud ſtomacks, break our ſtiff necks, and bring us to utter confuſion; yea, that his Wrath is as his Greatneſs, Infinite.
3. Take notice of the Judgements which other men, by deſpiſing the Lords corrections, bring upon themſelves.
4. Make uſe of the leaſt Croſs, and begin ſpeedily to humble thy ſelf, if thy heart begin to be touched, ſuffer it not to be preſently hardned again, but more and more humble thy ſelf.
Directions to keep us from fainting under the Croſs:
1. We muſt not caſt both eyes on our ſelves and our own weakneſs, and the weight of the Croſſes that lie upon us, but lift up one unto God and unto his goodneſs, and conſider how ready he is to ſuccor in all time of need.
2. Call to minde his manifold Promiſes, both thoſe which reſpect his gracious Aſſiſtance of us in the Tryal, and his mighty deliverance of us out of it.
3. Remember Examples of former times, how he never oppreſſed them that patiently endured his corrections.
The benefit the Saints have by their peace with God in caſe of Affliction:
1. It keepeth many Judgements from us, which fall upon the wicked, yea which otherwiſe would fall on us: for the Threatnings of God are made againſt ſuch as hate God and are hated of him.
2. It alters the nature of all Troubles which befal us, the ſting is pulled out, the curſe is removed, they are not vindictive for revenge, but rather medicinal for phyſick.
3. By it we are aſſiſted and ſupported in all to the great admiration of others.
4. By reaſon thereof we obtain at length full freedom from all Troubles and Croſſes, according to Gods many faithful Promiſes made to his children, Pſal. 34.19. Prov. 11.8. 1 Cor. 10.13.
The Promiſe of Comfort in Affliction is accompliſhed four ways:
1. When God tempers and allays the Sorrows and Afflictions of them that mourn, according to the meaſure of their ſtrength, 1 Cor. 10.13.
2. When God removes the grief with the cauſes thereof; thus he comforted Manaſſeh, 2 Chron. 33.13, 14.
3. When God gives inward comfort to the heart and conſcience by his Word and Spirit, Rom. 5.3.
4. When God by death puts an end to all miſeries, bringing our Souls to eternal life. Thus Lazarus was comforted.
Motives to Patience:
1. We muſt know, That as all Affliction is from God, ſo he will be with us, and have care over us under the Croſs: for he is preſent with his Servants in their Afflictions.
2. This meditation muſt enter into our Souls, and never depart from us, that God will turn all our ſorrows and ſufferings unto the beſt, and that every Affliction upon the Servants of God, hath ſome ſpecial goodneſs in it.
3. We muſt conſider what we have deſerved, and how we may juſtly be puniſhed, not onelyonly in that maner, but in a greater meaſure.
4. We are made to ſuffer here, that we might not ſuffer elſwhere.
5. It is the Will of God that we ſhould ſuffer, to which we muſt willingly obey, and humbly ſubmit our ſelves, Phil. 1.29. For all Afflictions come to paſs not by accident, chance or fortune, but by the ſpecial Providence of God, who hath commanded Obedience.
6. We muſt conſider that the party diſtreſſed hath partners in the Croſs, That God will aſſiſt us in the patient bearing of them, That God promiſeth a bleſſed iſſue, That by means of them Proſperity is made more pleaſant and delectable.
7. That the Lord vouchſafeth us the Honor to be Martyrs, Witneſſes of his Truth, made like unto Chriſt himſelf; yea, that while we are made partakers of Chriſts ſufferings, the Spirit of God reſteth upon us, wherewith we are marvellouſly comforted, 1 Pet. 4.14.
8. We muſt look upward to our reward, which is great in heaven, Mat. 5.12.
The lets or hindrances of patience, viz.
1. Self-love, the very bane and poyſon of all good and holy deſires.
2. The deſire of Revenge, that indeed which belongs not to us.
3. Infidelity, when we caſt off all confidence in God, who maintaineth the lot of all thoſe that truſt in and depend upon him.
4. The want of premeditation and conſideration how we may continue and go through all adverſity, without ſtarting back in any kinde from our profeſſion.
Means to procure Patience:
1. To pray to God for it, for he is the Author of it, Rom. 15.5.
2. Conſtantly to profeſs the Goſpel, to hear the Word and practiſe it, Rev. 3.10.
3. We muſt labor for the Spirit of God, which may work patience in us, for it is a fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22.
The Vices repugnant to Patience; viz.
1. Impatience, which is through the not knowing and diſtruſt of Gods Wiſdom, Providence, Juſtice and Goodneſs, not to be willing to obey God in ſuffering, but through grief to fret againſt him, not expecting or deſiring any help or deliverance from him, but by yielding unto grief, to be thereby ſolicited unto Deſpair.
2. Temerity or Raſhneſs, which is through fooliſhneſs, not knowing or not conſidering the dangers, our own calling, or the Will of God, through a confidence in our ſelves to adventure on dangers without need or neceſſity.
3. Too light regard of Croſſes, Prov. 3.11. So ſome deſpiſe them as matters not much to be regarded, not looking to God who ſmiteth. This is commonly cauſed either by ſtupidity of minde, or ſtubbornneſs of will; ſuch endure many troubles, but receive no good by any: Into this fall the wicked ſort.
4. Too great fear of ſuch Croſſes as God layeth on men, Heb. 12.5. Thus others faint and ſink under the burthen of them, as if they were unſupportable, not to be endured, fixing their eyes too faſt upon the Juſtice and Wrath of God. Into this Extreme fall the weaker ſort, yea many of the dear Saints and Servants of God, Pſal. 6.6.
Wouldst thou be Fire-proof in the midst of Flame,
Or burn a Martyr, yet not feel the ſame?
In Chains more free then Kings on Thrones wouldst be,
Fetter'd and manacled to Liberty,
So great a pleaſure done thee by thy pains,
Thou mayst be bound, as by, ſo to thy Chains?
Thrive by the Croſs, and have Affliction prove
No Scourge of Juſtice, but the Rod of Love?
If ſo, put on this Armor of Defence,
This never-Conquer'd Vertue, PATIENCE.