A commentary vpon the Epistles of Saint Paul to Philemon, and to the Hebrewes together with a compendious explication of the second and third Epistles of Saint Iohn. By VVilliam Iones of East Bergholt in Suffolke, Dr. in Divinity, and sometimes one of the fellowes of the foundation of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

VERSE 36.

THe first pillar is patience. Where, 1. The necessity of pati∣ence. 2. A remedy against impatiencie.

• 1. The necessity of patience is intimated.
• 2. Vrged by a forcible reason.

He doth not say, it were well yee had patience▪ it were a conveni∣ent thing that yee had patience, yee cannot be without it. A Souldier hath need of weapons; a man of meat and drinke; and yee of patience.

Why? the reason is taken from the necessary use of it: with∣out patience yee cannot have heaven promised to you: therefore yee have need of it.

That after yee have done the will of God, that is suffered according to his will. It is Gods will we should passe to heaven through afflicti∣ons, 1 Pet. 4. ult. in that respect let us beare them patiently, and let us say with Paul, Act. 21.13. I am ready not to be bound only, but to dye for the name of the Lord Iesus.

The promise, that is rem promissam. Multa cadunt inter promissum, & rem promissam. Patience is a noble vertue: nobile vincendi genus est patientia.

1. Sapientem demonstrat. David shewed himselfe a wise man when he bore patiently the railing of Shimei. So did Hezekias, when he answered not Rabshakeh. The world counts them fooles, that put up reviling speeches, yet they be the true wise men.

* 1.12. Fortitudinem superat, aerek Aphaijm. Septuag. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. It is counted cowardlinesse not to resist: yet it is the best valour in the world.

3. Sine ictu de hoste triumphat. Wee give our enemie never a blow, and yet we overcome him; not feriendo, but ferendo, we tri∣umph over them all. It is a victory gotten, not only without bloud∣shed, but without the stryking of a stroake.

4. In morte vitam conservat. As the Salamander lives in the fire: so patience makes us to live in the fire of afflictions.

5. De regno securitatem praestat, Matth. 5.10. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake: for theirs is the kingdome of heaven: therefore let this excellent vertue be imbraced by us all. In patience possese your soules. Wee can have no quiet possession of our soules without patience. Wee have neede of patience at all times and seasons, in adversitie and prosperity too. Though wee bee not thrust out of our houses, spoyled of our goods, banished the Coun∣try, clapt up into prison, carryed to the stake for the profession of the Gospell: yet if wee belong to CHRIST, wee shall alwayes have our Crosses. All that will live godly in Christ Iesus, shall suffer persequution. If any will be my Disciple, let him take up his Crosse. God will exercise us one way or other: either he will send us sicknesse, or

stirre up some rayling Shimeis against us: he will evermore be trying of our faith. Therefore we have need of patience. It is as needfull as our meat and drinke. Patience is the foode and nourishment of the soule. Therefore the Lord in mercy give patience to us all.

From hence some conclude,* 1.2 that good workes are necessary to salvation. Patience is a good worke. The Apostle avouches, that it is necessary, not only ratione praesentiae; being good workes they cannot bee separated from faith: sed ratione relationis ad salutem; for here hee doth not simply say, that patience is necessary; but with a refe∣rence to eternall life, that yee might receive the promise.

Wee grant good workes are necessary to salvation: none can be sa∣ved without them: but how? not as meritorious causes of salva∣tion, that is CHRIST alone, which hath purchased heaven for us with his owne bloud: but necessary, as fruit for a tree: and the way for a passenger to goe by to his house and Country. Good workes are the way to heaven, and so necessary for us all to walke in. In that respect we have need of patience, of vertues and good workes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pro. 16.32.
• * 1.2

  Lib. 4. de just. cap. 7. p. 1198.