A Counterpoison, Religious treatise · Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
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 be wonne by our example, which oft prevailes more than precept: As how many Infidels were wonne to the Christian Faith, by seeing Christians endure the flames so patiently? when their enemies were fore't to confesse, slaine they are, but not conquered. Those whom precepts doe not so effectually move, we see them sometim…s induced by examples. Sozomen reports, that the devout life of a poore captive Christian woman, made a King, and all his family, imbrace the Faith of Jesus Christ. Eusebius from Clement reports, that when a wicked accuser had brought S. James to condemnation; seeing his Christian fortitude, he was touched in conscience, confessed himselfe a Christian, and so was taken to execution with him: Where, after confession, and forgivenesse, they kissed, and prayed for each other, and so were both beheaded together. In the Duell of Essendon, betweene Canutus, and Edmond Ironside, for the prize of the Kingdome of England: after long and equall combate, finding each others worth and valour, they cast away their weapons, embraced and concluded a peace, putting on each others apparrell, and armes; as a ceremony to expresse the atonement of their mindes, as if they made transaction of their persons one to the other; Canutus, being Edmond; and Edmond, Canutus. 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 them repentance, that they may know the truth, 2 Tim. 2. 24, 25.
And it stands to good reason, for first every Christian is, or ought to be a crucified man.
Secondly, love is Christs badge, the nature whereof is to cover offences, with the mantle of peace.
And thirdly, Religion bindes us to doe good unto all, even our enemies; so resembling the Sunne, which is not scornfull, but lookes with the same face upon every plot of earth; not onelyonly the stately Pallaces and pleasant Gardens, are visited by his beames; but meane Cottages, but neglected Boggs, and Moates. And indeed, sincerity loves to be universall, like a light in the window, which not onelyonly gives light to them that are in the house, but also to passengers in the street; well knowing that the whole earth, and every condition is equidistant from heaven: if God but vouchsafe to shew mercy, in which case who would not doe his utmost. Aristippus being demanded, why he tooke so patiently Dionysius spitting in his face, answered, the Fishermen to take a little Gudgeon, 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?
The House of God, is not built up with blowes. 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: and that endeavour is spent to purpose, which either makes a friend, or unmakes an enemy. We need not a more pregnant example than the Levites father in Law: I doe not see him make any meanes for reconciliation: but when remission came home to his doore, no man could entertaine it more thankefully, seeing such a singular example of patience, and good condition in his Sonne. When Iron meets with Iron, there is a harsh and stubborne jarre; but let Wooll meet that ruffer mettle, this yeelding turnes resistance into embracing: Yea, a man shall be in more estimation with his enemy, (if ingenous) having vanquisht him this way; then if hee had never beene his enemy at all. Thy greatest enemy shall, if hee have any sparke of grace; yea, if hee have either bowels, or braines, confesse ingenuously to thee, (as Soul once to David) Thou art more righteous than I, for thou hast rendred me good, and I have rendred thee evill; as what heart of stone could have acknowledged lesse: Saul would have kil'd David, and could not; David could have kil'd Saul, and would not. Besides, the approbation of an enemy, (as one saith) is more than the testimony of a whole Parish; of friends, or neuters. 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 Cosroes made a Law, That never after any Kings of Persia should move warre against the Romans. Actions salved up with a free forgivenesse, are as not done: Yea, as a bone once broken, is stronger after well setting; so is love after such a reconcilement.
Whereas by returning a bitter answer, he makes his enemies case his owne: even as a mad dog biting another dog, maketh him that is bitten become mad too.
But this is not all, for happily it may (and not a little) further Gods glory, and make Satan a loser: 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 bee willing to suffer, that the Lord of Heaven and Earths cause may bee furthered against proud Lucifer, and all the powers of darknesse? But suppose thy pati…nt yeelding produceth no such effect, as may answer these or the like hopes, yet have patience still, and that for three 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 Justicer.
Or lastly, if not for his sake, nor thine owne, then for Gods sake have patience: and beare with him, because his maker beares with thee.