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1. PATIENCE is a peaceable disposition of the whole Man, not troubled, nor trouble∣some; but abstaining from whatsoever may disturb himself or others. In its Definition, we may ob∣serve these five heads, first the nature of Patienc••; it is peaceable, and quiet; not subject to sudden
Passion, light Motions, or short Affections towards it; but an habitual Disposition and due Compo∣sure of a Mans self, which may bear the impression of David's Motto, Psal. 120.7. I am for Peace.
2. SECONDLY, the subject of Patience: The whole Man, not the external, but the internal the heart and head; the mind and manners, must be dispos'd, and compos'd towards it: Principally in∣deed the Heart, For out of it are the issues of Life, Prov. 4.23. and unless there be a Meek and Quiet Spirit, 1 Pet. 3.4. It is impossible to acquire it, but withall there must be a quiet Hand, Psal. 24.4. A quiet Eye, Job 31.1. A quiet Ear, Prov. 2.2. And a quiet Tongue, Psal. 39.1. And all parts and faculties of the Soul disposed to Patience.
3. THIRDLY, the parts of Patience, is not in being troubled, or being troublesom, neither active∣ly impatient in displeasing others, nor passively im∣patient in being disquieted by others. Fourthly, the practice of Patience, is an abstinence from whatso∣ever may disturb, for so the word Patience (com∣monly Translated) doth import: And St. James doth thus describe it, Jam. 1.21. A laying aside of all filthi∣ness and superfluity of maliciousness.
4. FIFTHLY, The Object of Patience, or Impa∣tience, either in our selves, or others. Men disquiet themselves either by Causeless conceit of offence of∣fered, when it is not: By being too suspicious, and Inventers of evil things, Rom. 1.30. or by too much taking to heart, an offence when it is offered; by being too Furious, 2 Tim. 3.3. Men disturb others, either in offering occasion of offence by being Inju∣rious and Disorderly, 2 Thess. 3.11. or by bitter seeking Revenge, being full of Maliciousness, Rom. 1.29. So Men likewise disturb themselves and others; when they continue in their sins, and never think of Re∣pentance: As Elijah told Ahab, 1 King. 18.18 It
is thou and thy Fathers house that trouble and disquiet Israel.
5. BY this short view we have taken of Patience, we may behold the true Character of a Patient Man: He is one of a Mild Nature, and true Christian Temper, swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, 1 Pet. 3.4. Phil. 2.5. Jam. 1.19. His head is not over-laden with Cares of this Life, nor his heart with Fears, his eyes are not itching after Vanities, nor his Ears after Novelties, Luk. 21.34. Prov. 29.25. Jer. 22.17. Act. 17.21.
6. His Hands are not intermeddling with imperti∣nent business, nor his Feet swift to run into Evil: His Mouth is far from Cursing and Bitterness, kept in as a Bridle, that it should not Offend, 1 Thes. 4.11. Prov. 4.26. Rom. 3.14, Psal. 39.1. Psal. 17.3. His whole body is fit for a Load of Injuries, which he bears not out of baseness, and cowardise, because he dares not Revenge, but out of Christian Fortitude, be∣cause he will not, Rom. 12.13.
7. HIS Arms are strengthned by the Mighty God of Jacob, his hands are washt in Innocency, and his breast is the breast plate of Righteousness, Gen. 49.24. Psal. 26.6. Eph. 6.4. The hid-man of his heart, consisteth of A me••k and a quiet Spirit, and his Bowels are Bowels of Mercy, Meekness and Compassion, 1 Pet. 3.4. Col. 3.12. His Loins are girt about with Truth, his Knees are pliable to Bow, his Legs to bear, and his Foot standeth in an even place, Eph. 6.14. Psal. 26.12.
8. HE is one can moderate himself in Prosperity, and content himself in Adversity. His hopes are so strong they can insult over the greatest discourage∣ments; and his apprehensions so deep, that when he hath once fastned, he sooner leaveth his life then his hold. Contrariety of Events, Exercise, not dis∣may him; and when Crosses Afflict him, he seeth a Divine Hand, invisibly striking with those sensible scourges, against which he dares not Murmur nor Rebel.
9. HE troubleth not himself, with Exciting Thoughts nor others, with needless Suits: He in∣termeddles not in others business, nor adventures up∣on rash Attempts, he offends none with provoking Terms, not taketh offence at others Actions, He lendeth not his Ear to idle Tales, nor soweth dis∣cord, or seeketh Revenge: But hath a meek heart, a contented mind, and a charitable eye; his Tongue is Affable, hand Peaceable, and his gesture sociable. His Deportment is Neighbourly, his Judgment cha∣ritable, a loving Speaker, and a friendly Conver∣ser: He puts up all wrongs patiently, and wrongs none willingly. And such manner of Men ought we to be in all holy Conversation. And I shall end with the words of the holy Apostle, and desire of God, that he would direct your hearts into his love, and into the patient waiting for him, 2 Thes. 3.5.
I shall not think it improper to insert here a Rela∣tion of Sir Thomas Moore, that excellent Pattern of Patience, who wholly resigned himself to the will of the Divine Providence.
Sir Thomas returning from beyond Sea after his Embasy, and being remote from his House with the King, in the Month of August, part of his dwel¦ling House, and all his Barns laden with Corn, were by a sudden Fire consumed, his Lady by a Letter certified him of this sad mischance, to which he re∣turn'd her this Answer,
Madam, All Health wished to you; I do understand that all our Barns and Corn, with some of our Neighbours likewise are wasted by a fire, an heavy and lamentable loss, (but only that it was Gods will) of such abundance of Wealth; but because it so seemed good to God we must not only patiently, but also willing∣ly, bear and submit to the hand of God so stretched out upon us. God gave whatsoever we have lost; and seeing it hath pleased him to take away what he gave, his Divine Will be done: Never let us repine at this, but let us take it in good part, we are bound to be thank-ful as well in Adversity as in Prosperity; and if we cast up our Accounts well; this which we esteem so great a loss, is rather a great gain: For what is necessary and conducing to our
Salvation, is better known to God than us, I intreat you therefore to have a good heart, and to take all your Family with you to the Church, and there give thanks to God for all these things which he hath pleas'd to take away, as well as for his blessings which he hath bestow'd on us; and to praise him for that which is left; It is an easie matter with God if he please, to Augment what is yet left, but if he shall see good to take away more, even as it shall please him so let it be. And let Enquiry be made, what my Neighbours have lost, and wish them not to be sorry: For I will not that my Neighbours shall suffer any thing by my loss, though I leave not my self any thing; and though all should be taken away, I pray thee, O Alice, be joyful in the Lord with my Children and all our Family; all these things, and we; are in the hands of the Lord. Let us therefore wholly depend upon his good will; and so no losses shall ever hurt us: Farewel.
From the Court at Woodstock. September 13th. 1529.
What a sincere Devotion was here to the Divine Will of God! What a Letter from a heart truly set∣led upon Heav'n? This Master of the Family had learn'd his Lesson well, and was grown a proficient in the Art of Patience. This was a Man that by sup∣porting himself upon God's Providence, was able to bear all losses sweetly. Behold an Ostrich, able to digest Iron! His Barns were burnt, but his Mind was cool, Patience kept him in his uprightness. In a short space after, God requited his Losses; in September he received this heavy news: In October he was promoted Lord Chancellor of England; so that not only Honour, but his Means also were mightily enlarged, that now he needs not repair his Barns, but may build new ones.
Certainly there is not in the World such a holy sort of Artifice, so Divine a charm to unite God to us, as this of resigning our selves to him. We find the Gibeonites by yielding themselves Vassals to the Is∣raelites, had their whole Army at their back to re∣scue them in their danger, Jos. 10.6. and can we think God is less considerate of his Homagers and Dependents? No, certainly, his Honour, as well as his Compassion is concern'd in the relief of those who have Surrendred themselves to him.
O Most gracious God, let not the Spirit of Impatience pos∣sess me, whereby I may in any measure incur thy displea∣sure, thou art my Maker, O let me not strive with thee, I am the Work of thy Hands, and therefore with thee there is no con∣tending; if I provoke thee by strugling under the Yoke of Affli∣ction, the end thereof will be Gaul to my Neck, and Bitterness to my Conscience: But, O Lord, it is not my Punishment thou pur∣suest after, but my Repentance and Amendment of Life; and what thou art pleased to inflict upon me is but to chase me to my Duty; which when I have perfectly learnt, I know thou wilt fully Reward and Recompence my Patience, that I may possess my own Soul in the day of the Lord Jesus.
2. O thou that art the wise disposer of all Things, both in Heaven and Earth, let me look up to thee, from whence cometh Affliction, and then inspect into my own Heart, where I shall find out the efficient Cause: O let nothing then seem to perplex me, which thou in thy good pleasure knoweth to be advantagious; but let me ever be content to drink of the bitterest Cup of Afflicti∣on, which thou hast allotted me; O let thy good Spirit still strive with me, and draw me unto thee with the Cords of thy Love; it is of thy tender Mercies that I am not consumed, but I know thy Compassion fails not towards poor and wretched Sinners: Lord give me Grace to perform this Duty, and say of my Affliction, as thou, O Jesu, didst of thy bitter Cup and Passion; Father! if it be thy will let this Cup pass from me! if not; not my Will, but thy Will be done. Amen.